Let's Talk With Smash & Kt (10)

Jan 04, 2013 by Kt Clapsadl

Welcome to the Let’s Talk weekly discussion meme!

Originally hosted by Melissa from i swim for oceans, Smash & Kt took her original inspiration, and made it their own, expanding it to more than just books. Let’s get personal (but respectfully so) and learn more about one another!  Each week, a different question will be posted along with a place to link up your posts and visit other people’s responses.This meme is definitely meant to bring out conversation and meet new people. So, Let's Talk!  
We'd love to hear any ideas you have for questions. Submit them Here

This week's question:

Do reviews often influence your book choices, or are you someone who doesn’t read reviews until after reading the book? (Thank you, Vicky/Books, Biscuits and Tea!)

It honestly depends on the book/situation. For review books I make it a rule to NEVER read reviews before reading. In fact, I am very careful to not read any reviews at all until I finish writing my own review. I just really pride myself on my honesty and I don't ever want to risk my own opinion being influenced by another's thoughts. I just wouldn't want to inadvertently write something the same as someone else without realizing it because I had been influenced by their review. That being said, as I finish up my review, I always link a few other reviews at the bottom of my posts to give my readers easy access to other opinions. I can't tell you how many times I've read very similar opinions, and that makes me smile because I'm a big believer in the saying that great minds think alike. And since I know that duplication was purely coincidental, I think it's great.

On the other side of the coin, when I choose a book from my massive TBR pile, I typically read reviews from a handful of my go to bloggers. I just have a very limited amount of time for personal reads as my blogging time has been greatly reduced and at times it's all I can do to keep up with my review books. Now I'm not complaining at all about my review books as the vast majority of books I receive for review are ones that I'm really excited about. I'm very fortunate to have an awesome associate reviewer on the blog, whose tastes, while still in the paranormal realm seems to gravitate to the books that don't thrill me. So between the two of us, we have it pretty well covered when it comes to books from the publishers. Of course author requests are a whole 'nother ball game, but we do our best to keep up with them. But getting back to the question, yes I read reviews on regular books to make sure I'm really going to enjoy a book. And besides, I love reading what my fellow bloggers think. :)


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Comments (7)

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You just reminded me of something that I do use reviews for...clearing out my TBR pile. I have quite a few books that sounded awesome in the early stages but then the reviews start coming out and aren't so great. When I need to clear my shelves I'll skim the reviews and pass on those books. Ya know...to make room for more books.....why??? lol
My recent post Let’s Talk: Book Influences
1 reply · active 642 weeks ago
I'm a book hoarder. Although in my defense, my home decorating basically consists of adding more bookshelves. So, it wouldn't make much sense to get rid of any ;)
My recent post Early Review: Othermoon by Nina Berry
Karen makes a great point - I should do what she does. I'm in the process of cleaning those reads out of my TBR right now!

And you make the universal point NOT to read reviews (which, duh, I forgot to, mention) - you might inadvertently repeat words from someone else's review. I totally agree!!!!
1 reply · active 642 weeks ago
Yeah I really really don't want to ever have to worry about copying someone else. I'm actually quite paranoid about it.
My recent post Early Review: Othermoon by Nina Berry
Yep, reading reviews prior to writing your own can get hairy. I also love to see when two people think alike on a topic without any influence.
1 reply · active 642 weeks ago
I know right! Book twinage! FTW!!
My recent post Early Review: Othermoon by Nina Berry

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