Stating the obvious, I know, but as a recent newcomer to things like booktube and bookstagram, it turns out that it’s not as obvious as you would have thought! The way some reviewers feel the need to add 57 caveats and apologies to explain why they gave a book 3 stars. Why? WHY??? When did this happen? Whose idea was this? I do NOT like it. How am I, as a reader, supposed to find out if I’m going to like a book if nobody is willing to be honest about the book? Or if they feel like they’re going to be run out on a rail if they hated something everybody else loved. Doesn’t make a lick of sense.
As an author diving headfirst into self-publishing, I find that at least a bit of the trouble might stem from the rise of self-published books or, more accurately, the chief way that self-published books are inevitably promoted. That sounds harsh, but hear me out, I have a point, I promise! Everybody wants to help each other out. Everyone wants to give each other a hand up in this tough journey where success is definitely not guaranteed (not by a long shot). Everyone wants to encourage rather than discourage. This is a good thing! I get it. I totally get it. It comes from a place of kindness and generosity.
But it can lead us to a place of cowardice and dishonesty. Your friend wrote a book? It was less than perfect. How could you say something harsh? How can you bear to hurt their feelings?
Well…you gotta. In real life, when we soft-pedal things, there are consequences. In book life it’s not that dire, but as for me–as a reader–I prefer brutal honesty.
I say this with my heart in my throat because I fully know that someone may write a review of my book that will punch me in the gut. They may even write one that I feel is desperately unfair and just flat out wrong. It’s gonna suck.
But that’s okay. They should do that. The absolute best books in the world have scathing reviews. And it’s okay to not like something. It doesn’t mean you’re a jerk. If you hate a book, you should rate it accordingly, and stand your ground.
Even beyond this, an honest, critical review might actually help another reader to see that they would like this book! You hate that trope? Well maybe Joe over there loves it. You like a faster-paced book? Maybe Jane over their likes a slower more contemplative narrative.
Dear friends have hated my most beloved reads, and (though I winced when I did it) I have DESPISED someone’s most precious book-of-the-heart.
And have you ever heard of how harsh and critical Tolkien was to Lewis? Thank God for that! Their friendship withstood it, and so did their works.
LAST NOTE TO THIS RAMBLE: I’ve also seen authors respond very angrily and ungraciously to negative reviews or even to positive reviews with mild criticism. I don’t understand this. It seems so unwise apart from undignified. Where were your siblings? Did they not give you a hard time? Did no one ever tell you ‘nope, it’s not that great’? Where’s the resilience friends? With the fortitude to persevere in writing and publishing a book should come a similar fortitude in bearing up under criticism with grace.
J. L. Odom 