Creepy Query Girl: Why Your Reviews Matter

Why Your Reviews Matter

Posted by Creepy Query Girl , Tuesday, June 8, 2010 5:37 AM

Oh, how I long for the days when I could have strutted into Barnes & Nobles and spent umpteen hours carousing the bookshelves. Hundreds of titles at my disposal, comfy chairs and a Starbucks to boot.

It’s not that they don’t have book stores in France. The ‘Fnac’ is huge. But what they don’t have a lot of are books in ENGLISH! Maybe I’m just a language snob.

It’s not just books either. If I can’t go and see an American movie in VO (Original Version) I almost don’t want to see it at all. It’s not that the French don’t know how to translate. I’ve read a lot of books in French that have processed as though I was reading in English. But they never capture subtle undertones, the humor, or the intricacy of the English language. What can I say? I love my mother tongue!

That’s why it is SO important to me to not only order original books off the internet, but to order GOOD books off the internet. Sometimes I could stare at amazon.com until I go cross-eyed trying to find great reviews. And even then, after an experience where the book was raved about and I found it incredibly lacking- I now know that you can only really trust half of what is said. And, after scraping my way through to find a book deemed ‘worthy’, I then have to transfer to amazon.fr and make sure they even HAVE IT!

So I am hereby sending out a huge THANK YOU to all of you wonderful bloggers out there that share reviews! Without you, my bookshelf would have remained empty the last few months.

Stina Lindenblatt turned me onto Perfect Chemistry and The Vampire Academy series and I couldn’t be more grateful. All really great reads!

I recently ordered ‘Wasted’ by Nicola Morgan- a women with a wonderful blog who also does great reviews.

And ‘Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me’- a brand new novel by debut author Kristen Chandler. I ordered this book not only in support of debut authors but also so that I myself could give back and post a review.

Books on my waiting list:

- ‘If I Stay’ by Gail Forman-

R Review by Holly Dodson at Supermom Writes

- ‘Shade’ by Jeri Smith Ready-

R Review by Lucid Conspiracy Deltay

- ‘Demon Princess: reighn or shine’

- Review by The book Scout- Kelsey

- ‘Twenty Boy Summer’

- Review by Kelly’s Korner / Stina Lindenblatt

- ‘Deception’- Lee Nicholas Review by

Lisa and Laura Write

So once again, THANK YOU to all you reviewers out there. They really matter more than you know!

Posted in reviews

32 Response to "Why Your Reviews Matter"

Stina Lindenblatt Says:: *grins* I'm so glad you enjoyed PERFECT CHEMISTRY and the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series. I want to hear what you thought of SPIRIT BOUND.

I loved IF I STAY and can't wait to read DECEPTION. LiLa haven't steered me wrong yet.; June 8, 2010 at 5:47 AM
Lynn Says:: Glad you found yourself some English readings in the France! I'm going to check out those reviews now. I agree that they are very helpful.; June 8, 2010 at 5:48 AM
Jaydee Morgan Says:: I agree with your view on reviews. I've found a lot of great books through them myself - in fact, two are on your waiting list :); June 8, 2010 at 5:49 AM
The Alliterative Allomorph Says:: I'm in the same boat as you here in Athens. I have to order from amazon UK, or US though which is more expensive due to shipping costs! I hear ya, Katie, I really do. We don't even have libraries here. Do you?; June 8, 2010 at 5:57 AM
Aubrie Says:: Reviews are so important. I'm handing out copies of my book to people I know just to get them to review it.; June 8, 2010 at 6:00 AM
Creepy Query Girl Says:: Jess- they do have libraries here but they're english sections stink and its completely outdated!:( On amazon.fr they have a 'books in english' section but most of them come from the UK.; June 8, 2010 at 6:09 AM
Matthew Rush Says:: "original books of the internet"

I'm not sure what this is but it sounds REALLY awesome. If it just a typo then I guess I'm a dummy but I had to point that out so I don't look like a jerk.; June 8, 2010 at 6:12 AM
Bethany Elizabeth Says:: I know EXACTLY what you mean about finding books here! I mean, there are lots of stores with teeny tiny english sections, but most of the YA sections are filled with Twilight - which I already own. *sigh*
Fnac is a pretty cool store though. But how exactly is it pronounced? Is it actually like f-knack? :) And Lyon is pretty international, so we get almost all our hollywood movies in VO, with French subtitles. I don't remember exactly what it was, but the French equivalent to 'Merlin's Beard!" was pretty funny. I totally agree though - I love the English language so much more than any other language.
We also have a lot of English speaking book clubs here - are there any around where you live? We have a sort of shared library thing going on, so new books are hard to find, but there are lots of old ones to share.
Wow, long comment - sorry about that. I just saw Fnac and I was like, "OH! I'VE BEEN THERE!" I get really excited about those things, for some reason. :D; June 8, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Mary McDonald Says:: I've posted some reviews on amazon, and like you, I rely on reviews for my purchases because I can't afford to waste money. (I mean, not like anyone can.) I read several reviews before deciding and usually find the ones in the middle to be the most accurate.; June 8, 2010 at 6:36 AM
Creepy Query Girl Says:: Dammit Matt!- way to point out my typo. Just kidding, 'original books of the internet' would be a good catch phrase for...something.
Inksplat- It's pronounced fuh-Nack, and I WISH I had an english speaking book club but I live in the Paris suburbs where english speakers themselves are rare unfortunately. The city's only ten minutes away but I'm not able to get there as much as I wish I could!; June 8, 2010 at 6:38 AM
Jen Says:: Bloggers are great, I never knew have the titles out there until I visited other peeps blogs! I'm glad you are finding the help you need, looks like I should step up on the reviews.

My two favorite books right now - The Truth Tellers tale by Sharon Shinn & Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.; June 8, 2010 at 7:04 AM
Slamdunk Says:: We have a similar problem CQG. Not that the books aren't in English, but that the closest book store in our rural area is about 45 minutes away (and with young kids there is just no adult browsing time at a bookstore when we do go). I now lean on reviews heavily so that I can make a quick decision if I am need of a good read.; June 8, 2010 at 7:19 AM
Lindsay (a.k.a Isabella) Says:: I love reviews and recommendations from bloggers etc. I've found loads of books I'd never have thought to try before.
Alhough I can sympathise with the trouble you have finding English books in France.; June 8, 2010 at 8:13 AM
Lisa K. Says:: It's so true. I've gotten some wonderful book recommendations from reading blog and other internet reviews. Even better, because of some reviews, I've read books that I never would have chosen otherwise and ended up loving.; June 8, 2010 at 8:41 AM
mi Says:: but in france you can get fresh baguettes everyday and YOP!
haha!

at least half the books i've read this year have been off of other people's book reviews, so i totally agree with you.; June 8, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Kelley Vitollo Says:: Glad I could help! I hope you enjoy Twenty Boy Summer!; June 8, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Theresa Milstein Says:: I noticed the lack of American books at the Parisian bookstores, which makes sense. But it made me wish I'd spent more time perusing the Irish book shops. I wanted to be good so I didn't lug too many books home, going over my 50 pound limit.

Amazon is a great resource.; June 8, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Elle Strauss Says:: I agree, I depend on reviews to keep my TBR pile stocked. I'm especially appreciative of honest and accurate reviews, though I understand why people don't want to give them, especially if you're an aspiring writer. One day it's going to be your book out there, and I for one don't want to become known as the girl who gives bad or even so/so reviews, and I don't think I'm alone on this. Especially when the authors of many of these books end up being twitter and FB friends! So it's a catch 22.; June 8, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Carolina Valdez Miller Says:: Oh, I agree!! I rely so heavily on book reviews for my own reading. Plus, book reviews are great for the authors, too. I don't often have time to do reviews myself, but I try to at least give those books I read ratings on Goodreads. And occasionally, I'll stumble across a book I like so much that it's worth squeezing in some time to fully review it. But I majorly appreciate those who do the reviews.; June 8, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Talli Roland Says:: Reviews are awesome, aren't they? I hope you enjoy 'Wasted'!; June 8, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Jarmara Falconer Says:: Have you read, Kate Morton'Forgotten Garden' I was hooked from the first word in the book... It was wonderful! and at the end I just wished I had written the book myself.

I promise you, you will find it hard to put down.; June 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Suzanne Casamento Says:: I'm so jealous! I ache to enjoy some great summer reads but my WIP is driving me cRaZy. I'm lucky if I get to read blogs.

Enjoy!!!; June 8, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Holly Dodson Says:: I love book reviews on blogs too. I feel like they're more reliable than the ones on Amazon for some reason. Hmm...not sure why. I always scour blogs for reviews before I head to the book store. There is no time for perusing with a three year old :); June 8, 2010 at 11:51 AM
L. Diane Wolfe Says:: I hate dubbed movies. We always go for the subtitle, because so much is lost in the translation, and not just the actual words.; June 8, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Carolyn V. Says:: I've read some really great reviews on blogs lately. My tbr list is so long I don't know what to do. =); June 8, 2010 at 12:13 PM
salarsenッ Says:: This is a great point. By leaving a review, we support the author. Shannon Messenger was talking about that just the other day. I've left a few in the past, but now I do it with every book. (I still need to backtrack...yes.); June 8, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Renae Says:: Sounds like you have some good books coming! I have found some fantastic books off of the reviews of other bloggers. Great post!; June 8, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Angela Ackerman Says:: Stina is wonderbar. I just had lunch with here and we always do a book trade. You should see the goodies she brings! I grabbed a bunch of books from her. Someone else got Perfect Chemistry tho--I'll have to snag it next time. :)

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse; June 8, 2010 at 2:58 PM
notesfromnadir Says:: You have my sympathy...maybe you should visit London more often! But at least you have the internet so there are so many books to read, & so many discoveries to make. Plus, you obviously have a lot of people who will send you recommendations so you won't run out of books!; June 8, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Nicole MacDonald Says:: I LOVE reading book reviews - especially when I've read a book and thought hmmmm was it just me or did that suck? and then had it confirmed by other reviews *lol*; June 8, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Solvang Sherrie Says:: I'm in the States but I still rely on reviews before I buy books. Of course, I've been so busy writing and editing and taking care of kids, that I haven't been keeping up on my reading. The stacks are going to smother me!; June 8, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Vatche Says:: Barnes&Noble and Borders are like the coolest places that ever existed to just relax and chill. I never feel more at home (except my home, of course) than at a book store. Sucks for all the trouble you go through to find the books you want, but once you see that brown box on your doorstep, I bet you always smile. :)

Write on!; June 8, 2010 at 11:41 PM