The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Each week poses a book-related question. The hop starts on Friday and ends on Thursday. The purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers.
I think initially I would stay away from the author for a while. I would have to seriously reconsider giving the author a second chance, but it really does depend on why I ended up hating a book. Like, what kind of hate we talking ’bout here? If it is a fundamental issue, such as moral or ethical conflicts with my personal beliefs to such an extent in that direction, I would most likely never read from that author again. If it was hating how a certain situation went down in the book (like the wrong person chosen in a stupid love triangle that shouldn’t have happened in the first place), I would give a second chance. If there were greviious errors with the actual writing in terms of syntax, grammar, and punctuation, it would be hard for me to give a second chance, but I understand not all authors can afford a copy editor. However, I also feel like there are plenty of folks we know personally (a trusted group of relatives or friends) who could be asked to beta read and give that feedback to fix prior to publishing. Then there are other authors who don’t know and/or can’t afford a developmental editor. Last summer I reviewed Audrey Greathouse’s The Neverland Wars and pointed out some things I noticed in her writing, and she commented on my review echoing the items I pinpointed in my review.
I know some authors don’t ever look at what people say about their books, and some lurk and look but never say anything, and then there are others who comment, whether it is a simple “thanks for reviewing” generic comment or something more meaningful, like what Audrey commented.
Following my review, and when she was sending out her ARCS for the second book in the series, she sent me this wonderful email with an ARC:
Sometimes we just need a second chance.
What an amazing author response! I think most people struggle with taking constructive criticism – especially with something as personal as a book – but I absolutely love her response. I remember your review of The Neverland Wars and will have to look for this author!
I agree; it is sometimes a struggle for some. Reading the first book is definitely worth it. I loved the second!
I’ve had some good experiences with authors responses too. Even one from a book I didn’t like. If I hated a book, I’d probably still give the author another chance, as long as it wasn’t because of bad writing.
That’s really amazing! It actually makes me want to read her books now—I was only vaguely interested before.
I feel it was worth it! I was so into the second book.