This Week's Topic
In My Defense
A few years ago, I did a feature called "Black Sheep Reviews". These were reviews for books that had pretty low ratings on Goodreads and people overwhelmingly seemed to detest. I may not feature these "Black Sheep Reviews" any longer, but I still seem to be an outlier, at times, when it comes to books.
In the case of books I thought were great, I always first wonder what book those other readers were reading. Then, I start to question myself, and eventually, I feel the need to defend my rating for this book. I have read a few of my older reviews, and it seems I felt so compelled to mention things other readers didn't like and later go on to justify why that was ok with me. Why am I like this? Why can't I just say I like something without feeling apologetic or wrong?
I also experience a similar phenomena on the opposite side of the spectrum. I will see rave after rave for a book I DNFed or regretted reading. As much as I alway tout, "different book, different readers", I find myself questioning my taste. Am I wrong? Why didn't I like this book? What book was I reading?
It's an odd phenomena and probably closely linked with behaviors society foisted upon us. I am trying to break this habit, but it's hard. Do any of you experience the same feelings, the feeling to defend your stance when rating a book?
Now it's your turn!
Have you ever felt like this?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
I fall into the outlier realm fairly often. I either have no interest in whatever book is being crazy-hyped, or my opinion is vastly different from the masses. I might give some examples of what didn't work for me, but I wouldn't say I feel like I have to defend my rating, or why my opinion isn't the same as the majority. It's just not possible for a book to appeal to every reader, and we all have our own preferences, pet peeves, moods, etc that impact how we engage with a story. I still enjoy reading reviews for books I didn't not like. I find it interesting to see what others liked and what worked for them, even if the exact same aspects were what I took issue with.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a book cannot be for everyone, but there are times when the criticism can be so scathing for a book, that I almost feel bad for liking it. I know, it's a me problem, but I can't help it.
DeleteI can get a little defensive, but of the books, not of my tastes. I've had a couple that seemed to elicit bad responses, either because of the "too purple" prose or the "complexity" of the world, and I've proceeded to tell everyone that yes, I was aware of the average rating, and yes, I thought those books deserved better (though I understood the rationale behind most ratings and reviews, and on a level, I agreed with them). You called me "book justice warrior" once, and you weren't wrong 😂.
ReplyDeleteI know I have done that sort of thing where I acknowledge the criticism that stands out in many reviews, but defend it. I sort of like how you (and apparently, I at some point) acted as a book defender. Not necessarily defending my enjoyment but feeling that the book deserved better. Yes, I like that.
DeleteWell honestly no. I love what I love and I don't feel the need to apologize for that to be honest.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. I am sure a therapist could probably find the root for my need to do this. 😂
DeleteThe only time I really question myself is if lots of my trusted book friends that usually have similar taste in books as me love a book and I hate it. That will definitely give me pause and make me wonder If I missed something.
ReplyDeleteThose are usually the reviews I read which make me wonder as well. Glad I am not totally alone here.
DeleteGreat topic! I don't struggle as much in reviews as I do in conversations/comments. And my biggest struggle is trying to share my thoughts without being offensive. But, that's only usually a problem when the other person comes off like they'll be offended if I don't agree with them.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to yuck someone's yum, so if the person liked a book that I didn't, I don't go into details when commenting on a blog post. I know you do a lot of IRL reading groups, so it can be more challenging in person for sure.
DeleteNot really because I don't see a lot of other bloggers reviewing the same books I read so I don't see a lot of reviews for what I read unless I go looking for them. I just post my review based on my own opinion.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely a plus. It's awesome that you are totally secure in your opinions.
DeleteI don't really feel the need to defend myself. If I can point out things that I didn't like about a book, or that I did really enjoy, that should be justification enough! I'm one of those people that seems to dislike really hyped books or those books everyone else is loving - I think sometimes in those cases, people buy into the hype or the author's name and they are more willing to overlook potential issues with a book. So I don't feel bad not enjoying it! I do agree, though, that sometimes I do wonder if it's just me!
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you understand your tastes and accept that you probably will not agree with the crowd. I need to internalize some of this.
DeleteI am always careful when I review a book that I didn't enjoy. I try to say why it wasn't for me instead of attacking or being downright nasty. I often wonder what book other people read when I see a scathing review of a book that I enjoyed, but chalk it up for just wasn't for them. I don't worry about defending myself anymore, I think it is an age thing, I don't care what others think anymore. 🤷♀️😁
ReplyDeleteI appreciate a reader who is able to critique without attacking. It's someone's art and they worked hard on it. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean that it's not for anyone else. I cannot wait to get to that "age".
DeleteOmgg YES to all of this! In fact, I just finished a book that has been getting really rough reviews and I loved it so I am now analyzing what other people are thinking, why I loved it, etc. And extra for the books I didn't like! Like- what is my malfunction, right?! I relate to this so much!
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one! I mean, sometimes I just think everyone else is wrong when I love something with low ratings, but I worry that I missed something when I didn't like a highly rated book.
DeleteWhen I was taking college literature classes, I'd enthusiastically defend my opinions about books during class, but now I'm too tired to care. Whenever I finish a book, I read a few 5-star and 2-star reviews on Goodreads. Sometimes they change the way I think about an element of the book. Sometimes I completely disagree with other reviewers. I don't get defensive about my opinions. I honestly think I'm too tired to be bothered by bookish stuff.
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the tired, and I have also read some reviews where I can kind of understand their point even if I don't agree.
DeleteI have definitely done this. Sometimes you just want to be like, "Sure, I get what people are saying about this element of the book, but this is why it worked for me..." But, yeah, I'm a total people-pleaser, so it makes sense that I feel the need to defend my opinions. LOL!
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's it, that people pleaser in me showing its ugly face. Hmmmm.
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