tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post3801808193057036216..comments2024-03-26T07:06:37.385+00:00Comments on Reviews from a Bookworm: Rating a Book Before You've Read It: A RANT! Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-1143332108071709322017-01-04T14:09:27.423+00:002017-01-04T14:09:27.423+00:00Society is getting so thin-skinned it's actual...Society is getting so thin-skinned it's actually scaring me. <br /><br />I don't see a problem with the synopsis. When I was a teenager we had the popular craze What's Eating Gilbert Grape? The trailer showed the mother being so overweight they had to lift her body out of the house with machinery. No one was offended back then - and it wasn't done to make fun of people who are overweight.<br /><br />On the other hand, the Opera featured big-hit book She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb also featured and overweight and mentally ill girl who struggled and was made fun of with her weight. People praised that book.<br /><br />Seriously, what's the difference?<br /><br />Anyway, good post and another example of why this new and changing society is seriously starting to frighten me. <br /><br />As for rating books, I also won't rate before I've read the book. Doesn't make sense to me.ErinPaperbackstashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13879655467410960166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-76548712376217114722016-02-08T21:40:27.181+00:002016-02-08T21:40:27.181+00:00what the crap that book sounds really awesome??? I...what the crap that book sounds really awesome??? I don't rate books if I haven'n read them (because what the hell do I know about it??), but I might do it for this one. She needs support. Her book sounds INTERESTING. I agree with everything you said. This book sounds like it could be a cute emotional tragedy kind of read (which i friggin love) and people with illnesses or who are fat can totally fall in love! What even the hell?? Why are people so upset about this book? I've read and re-read the synopsis and I can't find where people pulled their anger from. AND WHO CARES IF THE AUTHOR IS SKINNY! The great thing about being an author is we can use our imagination! SHE CAN BE A BOMB ASS AUTHOR AND BE SKINNY AND WRITE ABOUT LARGER CHARACTERS AND IF SHE DOES IT WELL (who knows because it isn't even OUT yet) THEN GOOD FOR HER! It doesn't matter what the author looks like. It matters if the characters are done WELL. AND NONE OF US CAN KNOW THAT BECAUSE THE BOOK ISN'T OUT YET! I'm actually really angry >.< like, wow. <br />Great post tho! I think you worded this so well. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16018078011937292572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-81955376764545668392016-02-01T20:49:27.389+00:002016-02-01T20:49:27.389+00:00This post is freaking brilliant! I saw so many peo...This post is freaking brilliant! I saw so many people complaining about how "offensive" the synopsis is and how they're not going to read it, and I was shocked to see people rating the book so badly when they haven't even read it. I never rate a book before I've read it because how <em>can</em> I if I don't have an actual opinion on the story itself? I didn't really take offense to the synopsis but I can see why people may have felt upset about it. And what you said about writing about what is known to someone/unknown and how even if we haven't experienced that, it shouldn't prevent us from writing about it was spot on. Fantastic post!Kyrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08208972644763001755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-63026140200288245332016-02-01T18:08:17.144+00:002016-02-01T18:08:17.144+00:00Oooo Charnell, I empathise with you SO MUCH. Readi...Oooo Charnell, I empathise with you SO MUCH. Reading this made me SOOOO irritated. These complaints people are making are just as illogical as if they were made about another book. Loads of people write books with a central figure who is fat/overweight/plus size or suffering from a mental illness, even if the author doesn't happen to be so themselves. Sometimes these things have an effect on authors via other people. Of course, if the author doesn't handle these issues gracefully or respectfully, that's a problem. But if these reviewers haven't even read the book, then I do kinda think its unfair. If I saw a blurb of a book and I found it, say sexist or racist, that would make me mad and ruin my day, but I still don't have a right to rate it one star. The ratings system CANNOT RELY on first impressions, thats crazy. If I later read it and hated it, then I would definitely rate it one star + the most vengeful review I could muster, but then again why? If I know I wouldn't like it I'd just stay away.<br /><br />Now look, you've made me rant!! XDAshana Lianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05710938893525557551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-31019371469177621122016-01-30T22:47:06.260+00:002016-01-30T22:47:06.260+00:00I'm not the world's biggest fan of The Mor...I'm not the world's biggest fan of The Mortal Instruments (I'm more of an Infernal Devices girl myself), but there was this article about it I read a few years ago where Cassandra Claire herself remarked on how she kept getting hate mail every single day of her life for introducing a bisexual male character who's powerful, comfortable in his skin, easy going, and happy. She was ROMANTICIZING BEING BISEXUAL/EXPLOITING BISEXUALITY, you see, without bothering to reflect on how much bisexuals suffer. Her bisexual character doesn't SUFFER for being the way he is, y'know, and that somehow made it NOT OKAY to even have him in the series. <br /><br />I was just... well, like I said, I'm not a huge fan of the series, but several years later I still remember that particular article. That says it all, really.<br /><br />And from EVERYTHING remark that has been made about Jennifer Niven's upcoming release - the trolls are at it again. Only these aren't self-acknowledged trolls. These are the kind who genuinely feel they're in the right. And that right there - scarier than a dragon invasion. So KEEP THE RANTS UP. They're probably long overdue.<br /><br />I also have a problem DNFing books personally, because it was instilled in me from a very young age that I can't judge a book I haven't fully read. That, of course, is mostly ridiculous, as my DNF-happy co-blogger has taught me. I don't particularly like thinking that. But I still don't DNF. And I still give every book 55 chances before parting ways with it. So these kinds of trolls... aliens to me. Green, antlered, antennaed, elongated, bug-eyed aliens. *X Files theme* YOU'RE MY MULDER! YOU'LL SAVE US ALL FROM THEM with these posts! <3 HOW CAN WE EVER REPAY YOU?!<br /><br />- LexieThe Honest Bookclubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11459426023919815702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-91070472558791793872016-01-30T17:42:17.195+00:002016-01-30T17:42:17.195+00:00I love this post!
I HATE when people rate a revie...I love this post!<br /><br />I HATE when people rate a review before they read it - it totally makes the rating system useless. I also hate when people use the review section as a soap box to bash an author, book, or summary - especially when they haven't read the book.<br /><br />Kudos to you for calling people on their BS and doing so in the appropriate space.<br /><br />Emily @ <a href="http://followtheyellowbookrd.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Follow the Yellow Book Road</a>Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578346497234781257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-88215272203035433472016-01-30T15:31:33.478+00:002016-01-30T15:31:33.478+00:00Oh yeah, skinny shaming is the in thing right now,...Oh yeah, skinny shaming is the in thing right now, so this totally doesn't surprise me. It's disgusting, but it's all over the place right now. Ironically, there's gobs of overweight authors who write thin characters and no one criticizes them sigh... As for the book itself, I'm now going to be on the lookout for it, just for the fact that the main character was homeschooled, which I was myself :) I've never read a book with a homeschooled character (current or former) and think that's a fantastic pov to use. <br /><br />As for rating books unread-I don't rate books at all anymore, but I agree with you-if you don't read the book and rate it it's wrong (and lying). <br /><br />I stumbled onto your blog from someone else commenting on the situation, and I'm now a new follower :) Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14189586259940840784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-67536017752818658092016-01-30T13:36:21.727+00:002016-01-30T13:36:21.727+00:00I totally agree with you! I can see how the synops...I totally agree with you! I can see how the synopsis could put other people off, but rating a book when you haven't even read it is just... unreasonable. For me, anyway. I don't understand how you can't give the book a chance and at least wait for the release so you can read it. Great post. :)Marahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12551640427536370759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-35401879327158493122016-01-29T21:42:43.784+00:002016-01-29T21:42:43.784+00:00I had seen this, Charnelle, but I frankly don'...I had seen this, Charnelle, but I frankly don't really care one way or another. I usually don't look that closely at star-ratings, I look at what bloggers (or GR friends) have to say about books when I decide what to add or not to my shelves.<br />But you're totally right about the hypocrisy of saying that a 'skinny girl' shouldn't write about 'fat' characters... Who knows if the author has always been 'skinny'? <br />I haven't read any books by the author yet, so I really don't have much to say about her books, apart from the fact that I am still a little excited about All the Bright Places, and that I might also read this one :)<br />Great discussion post, Charnelle!<br />Lexxie @ <a href="http://unconventionalbookviews.com/" rel="nofollow"> (un)Conventional Bookviews</a>Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookwormshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16627780985218960080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-82320052602754469152016-01-29T04:28:39.282+00:002016-01-29T04:28:39.282+00:00Wow, I did not know about this happening. I have n...Wow, I did not know about this happening. I have not read ATBP but I do want too, regardless of whatever issues it may have. As for this synopsis, I read it and didn't think anything of it. People can read the summary and think "not for me" and that's cool, but you can't really judge a book by its summary. You don't know what the actual story will be. Because umm...newsflash, the author's don't write the book summaries. But in general, I don't think you should be able to rate a book before it's released. Leave a review or comment? Sure, fine, but actual messing with the rating numbers? That's not fair and Goodreads really needs to change this!<br /><br />-Lauren<br />www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com<br />Shooting Stars Maghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-90424164909184901782016-01-29T03:03:50.660+00:002016-01-29T03:03:50.660+00:00Honestly I completely agree! I think the author is...Honestly I completely agree! I think the author isn't doing this to poke fun at fat people or mental illnesses. And it's probably something I will pick up when it comes out. I also think the fact that people are getting so upset and viciously going after Jennifer, who is a sweetheart, is really horrible. Yes people have been shaming fat people for years, yes we are the butt of A LOT of jokes, yes that synopsis didn't do this book any favors but there is probably so much more to this book than you're going to read in the blurb. I honestly think people's should calm down maybe read the book and then see how you feel. I just don't see the point in all this anger and meanness. It's just such wasted energy. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17483597970486245692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-87013720040279392972016-01-29T02:59:18.594+00:002016-01-29T02:59:18.594+00:00Honestly I think it's because Dumplin' and...Honestly I think it's because Dumplin' and The DUFF are both written by women who are overweight. I also think it's because both those books have the character celebrating their weight and embracing that they are beautiful woman. But that being said you can't really say anything about whether or not this book does that because it's not out. I completely agree though. I think it's fine if you're upset and don't like the book, but 1) don't bash the author and 2) don't read the book. This book actually doesn't sound that bad and I will most likely end up reading it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17483597970486245692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-21322133291657969202016-01-29T02:56:43.361+00:002016-01-29T02:56:43.361+00:00Amazing. I agree with you 100% I for one can't...Amazing. I agree with you 100% I for one can't wait to read this one!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02061312046788732515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-18764837579120178942016-01-29T02:55:40.750+00:002016-01-29T02:55:40.750+00:00This post is the best post in the history of posts...This post is the best post in the history of posts. You know why? It is SO. DAMN. RATIONAL. Like, these are all the things that I wanted to say but in like, actual, appropriate words ;) Because look: you don't want to read it? Then just... don't. I have a lot of personal demons with weight AND mental illness. And I will fully admit that the synopsis DID rub me the wrong way a bit when I first read it. But only because I questioned how a young woman could mathematically get that heavy and unhealthy in so few years. BUT, since I haven't read the book, how could I ever judge it? I guarantee there is a LOT more to the story than the couple of paragraphs! <br /><br />And YES to the mental illness and love thing! I read ATBP, and I liked it, and I DID see some flaws with it, but ZERO of them were "romanticizing suicide". Just because two people who happened to have mental illness loved each other, that was saying that suicide was happy fun times? Uhh no. Not even close. If anything, I felt like it did the opposite, by showing the ramifications! To add to that, I know that the author has had SO many young people reach out to her because of that book. That in itself makes the book worth it! <br /><br />And then like, common sense- if you haven't read it, you cannot rate it. I didn't even rate the catfished book I got in the mail (even though I WAS tempted) because that solves NOTHING. And here's a novel freaking idea: Maybe, just maybe, if people have questions about the book, they can ::gasp:: ask the author! You know, BEFORE raising all the pitchforks. <br /><br />It bears repeating: Best. Post. Ever. Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-47612423589140117652016-01-29T02:15:22.258+00:002016-01-29T02:15:22.258+00:00I completely agree with your post!
Personally wh...I completely agree with your post! <br /><br />Personally what I find surprising is how people didn't react badly to the synopsis for Dumplin' and The DUFF. But they're reacting and spreading hate over the synopsis of a book that isn't even out? <br /><br />I actually like the idea of the book! It is an issue and it happens in our world. I think that the author could do a good job with this book! <br /><br />You're not alone. I too didn't rate Kathleen Hale's book. I didn't see the point in that. <br /><br />Great post! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00538506487737485346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-20175443634883391802016-01-29T01:49:39.276+00:002016-01-29T01:49:39.276+00:00Boo, you have gained a follower! I was so pissed w...Boo, you have gained a follower! I was so pissed when I seen people going off on Jennifer about this synopsis. One, she didn't write it. Two, she said it was based on a TRUE story! People jumped to conclusions, and made assumptions about a book that's not even fucking released yet. UGH, sometimes I can't deal with all the petty drama that takes place within our community.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04996995361383050875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-46942178897516836462016-01-29T01:30:30.562+00:002016-01-29T01:30:30.562+00:00All the likes to this post! It makes me a ragebal...All the likes to this post! It makes me a rageball sometimes, reading all the non-reviews. It also pisses me off when it's all 5 Stars, OMG, Squee! And the arc isn't even out. Or giving a one star review because, pout, you have to wait soooooo long for the author to finish writing the novel you are going to die if you don't read it, like, now. <br /><br />I also don't like when people use the section on Goodreads to trash an author through bad reviews. Even if you really don't like an author, or his or her actions, putting up a false review is low and dirty. There's an author who behaved badly, but to be honest, I like her books, so I read her newest book, and almost every review on Goodreads was people just trashing her but hadn't bothered to even read her book. <br /><br />Look, I get it, the internet is a good, easy place to vent. But write a discussion post like this. If an author's behavior or if a book summary is sending you into fits of capital letters, write a post about it, get your feelings out. But some of us go to Goodreads for actual opinions on books that other people have actually read. So, no, I don't want to see a two star review because, ugh, the cover picture is totally bringing you down and you hope the author changes it before it's publication date. <br /><br />Phew, I guess I had lots of feelings about this subject too! Kate @Midnight Book Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01220575670960466054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-75355758320819431812016-01-28T22:39:21.138+00:002016-01-28T22:39:21.138+00:00I try to stay out of the drama as well but really,...I try to stay out of the drama as well but really, these type of "ratings" are so uncalled for and so unprofessional. Kindlemomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084577342034704304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-85661375517799811282016-01-28T21:48:28.119+00:002016-01-28T21:48:28.119+00:00I really don't get why people are freaking out...I really don't get why people are freaking out about the synopsis. It sounds like an interesting read to me and I don't see how it's supposedly offensive. <br />Great post. Thanks for saying what we're all thinking :) <br /><br />Jesus @ A Book Addict's BookshelvesJess (A Book Addict's Bookshelves)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11124656823477912821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-82064819868930675822016-01-28T18:24:55.096+00:002016-01-28T18:24:55.096+00:00It is. And there is a difference, regardless what ...It is. And there is a difference, regardless what everyone 1* this on Goodreads seems to think >.< Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-69962866601548776922016-01-28T18:23:43.342+00:002016-01-28T18:23:43.342+00:00I KNOW!!!! Gah, it annoys me. I KNOW!!!! Gah, it annoys me. Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-72657099832770162032016-01-28T18:22:35.737+00:002016-01-28T18:22:35.737+00:00I know. It really does feel super childish! I know. It really does feel super childish! Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-49638577888280083312016-01-28T18:21:17.798+00:002016-01-28T18:21:17.798+00:00ME TOO!!! I actually broke my own rule for this on...ME TOO!!! I actually broke my own rule for this one because of how pissed off I got about it. I went and rated it 5/5 because Jennifer Niven deserves to know that at least some of us are looking forward to this book. <br /><br />HAHA! THANK YOU!!! :) I'm rather proud of that line too and it literally just seemed to pour out of me as I was ranting away hahaCharnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-153912770262938782016-01-28T18:19:00.800+00:002016-01-28T18:19:00.800+00:00I found it interesting too! I am fine for people t...I found it interesting too! I am fine for people talking about how they feel about it, but I don't think they should rate it -whether it is a bad rating or a good one. I broke my own rule on this just to show Jennifer Niven some love because she deserves to know that some of us are really excited for her next read. Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583004298603696672.post-53463229804371752172016-01-28T18:17:25.440+00:002016-01-28T18:17:25.440+00:00EXACTLY!!! Oh my, I am so pleased to find sooooooo...EXACTLY!!! Oh my, I am so pleased to find soooooooo many others who actually agree with me. I don't mind the comments, they can comment as much as they want. But they shouldn't be rating it when they haven't read it. Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694156080937232949noreply@blogger.com