There is another HUGE debate brewing between authors and agents and bloggers. If I am understanding everything correctly it started with this review of Tempest by Julie Cross on GoodReads. The whole skerfuffle has snowballed and I guess a lot of it went to twitter. I haven't read enough of it to know what it's all about but I read some comments on this site. I guess what dismays me the most is someone comments (maybe an agent or maybe an author) was that bloggers who review books are bitter unpublished writers.
What happened to people just being readers. Everyone has an opinion, good or bad. I don't think you should be mean spirited, but I also don't think you should hide your opinions! I am not a writer, nor do I aspire to be. But I LOVE books. I LOVE them!! And I have my opinions. And as a librarian I am constantly, evey day, asked to share them.
I am also aware that just because I don't like a book doesn't mean someone else won't. There have been several books in recent years I haven't liked nearly as much as other bloggers, but that's ok. For most of the books I read and purchase I am not the target audience. One of the most popular series in my library is the Vampire Kisses series. I read the first one and didn't love it. However, if a young reader wants more vampires, I always recommend them.
I know everyone is overreacting. When authors criticize a reviewer/blogger for being too personal and then turn around and make personal attacks at the reviewer/blogger it doesn't help the cause any.
There does need to be respect, but people can also state their opinions! And not every blogger is a bitter, unpublished writer! Some just want to truly share their love of reading and books!
Just my little voice chiming in...
There's always some new drama in the blogging world - although I certainly prefer the term "skerfuffle" and plan to use it from now on! Did you see Maggie Stiefvater's post on the subject? (http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/224502.html) It gave me some food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Katie. That was a great post. Hope all is going well in your house!
DeleteThere's always going to be some far-flung reason as to why people do what they do. When some level of jealousy comes into play, I just laugh and walk away simply because that's a last resort excuse people use when they want to remain pissy and stamp others down but can't think of anything that actually makes sense as to why. They're right. I'm totally a bitter, unpublished writer that wants to stab every book I see. I'm totally not a reader with a book review site who is provided books expressly for the purpose of doling out my opinions, good and bad. And it's totally NOT because I didn't like the book. No. I'm just bitter.
ReplyDeleteI always love when I hear from you! Bites is one of my favorite blogs and your straightforwardness I part of the reason! It is discouraging that it has to all blow up like this. And you are right, some people have to give it a reason. But what they don't see is all the positive reviews people/bloggers give books. They jut pick out the bad review and criticize that one. I am always so pleased when I hear from an author because of a positive review (& I barely call what I do reviews, they ate strictly opinion pieces). That they take the time to comment is so cool to me!
DeleteThanks for visiting and for your blog!
Amen. Everyone needs to chill and concentrate on being more respectful.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I never know what to think when I hear the "bitter unpublished writer" remark. I have no interest in writing books. I just want to read them and connect other readers with books they'll enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that bothers me when bloggers get accused of being "bitter, unpublished writers" is that they are taking away from us that we just enjoy reading. I am assuming most writers actually write their books for the mass of people that read, not for other writers!
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