Welcome to a small segment where I let loose some of the numerous inner workings of my brain. Most people have at least one pet peeve, but those who know me can attest to my long laundry list of annoyances.
No one’s perfect right? Other than me that is… everyone else is the problem, I’m sure.
Well, since we have that out of the way let’s get into peeve number one. Directly related to some of the content I want to be posting soon, here is a brief rant about the ever-changing debate on how useful and necessary consumer reviews are. Fun stuff, I know.
As consumer reviews go, I think they are helpful. You can find out if a restaurant has good food or service, if a store is all it’s cracked up to be, or if the book you’re picking up is worth the effort. Regarding the latter, a simple recommendation on how the book reads and or any qualms and praises would suffice.
Where my problem exists, is when the reviews trip over themselves into another stratosphere. Some seem to jump straight from – “a fun, easy read full of laughs and tears” – towards a multiple paragraph synopsis from Terry in Idaho.
I enjoy connections and when I’m searching for my next book, I’d rather learn about what the story has to offer and what it compares to rather than being told exactly what it’s about. I’ve noticed this new pet peeve of mine in the audacity of readers and reviewers that feel the need to summarize a story, in their own and most times disgustingly esoteric words, directly below or adjacent to an already publicized and approved synopsis.
"I’ve already read the Goodreads description and can ascertain what I think the book may be about."
I don’t need to hear the point of view from someone else let along an amateur reader and writer – may I add, that someone is very much like myself.
So, what am I going to do? I’m gonna shove some book reviews down your throat. Eventually.
One example that appears to be the exception to the rule is when I am looking for reassurance and some good ole shit posting. Case in point, upon giving up on a particular title, written by a famous rapper and detailing the life of a “supermarket” employee, I sought out internet reviews for validation. I couldn’t be the only one who had difficulty finishing this book, could I?
Turns out I wasn’t alone. Going through the long list of brief reviews (much to my delight) was as much fun as putting the book in the DNF graveyard. My opinions were validated, and my eyes were spared the mundane scanning of the summary reviews. Although there weren’t many for this particular title, some people felt it would help others.
Give me all your thoughts. Let me know how the book made you feel and what you realized from reading it. Our English teachers weren’t talking out of their asses when they told us things had deeper meanings.
Have some fun with those topics. Keep it light and persuade me in either direction. I will thank you later, that’s for sure.
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