Book Reviews: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly ...

Now bad reviews happen with books. Not everybody has the same tastes. Even some of my favorite books and movies get panned. In fact, a good "panning" is to be expected every now and again. What I am not fond of seeing are reviewers, who pan one of our books, and then turn around and question the validity of the positive reviews. I've seen this happen a number of times. It doesn't seem to be enough for the reviewer to say he or she didn't like the book and here's why. What doesn't work for me are those reviewers who not only dislike a book, but go out of their way to act indignant that the book received praise -- and of course, the praise must be faked! Even when there are professional reviews saying good things surely these were faked as well. The author bribed them or they are friends and family. If I hadn't seen this assertion more than once, I would not be bringing it up. Just because a reviewer doesn't like a book doesn't mean that everybody else agreed. It doesn't mean any untoward bribes were going on either. It's as simple as we are just disagreeing. You didn't like the book. I liked the book. Why does one negate the other? We all have different tastes, styles and preferences. When a reviewer doesn't like a book, he or she is entitled to say so. Just as much as a reviewer who did like the book is entitled to say so. It doesn't mean one is being dishonest and unethical. It just means we're all different and like different things.