This was a very interesting thread as an introduction to the site. Lots of insightful, well thought out and POLITE comments. Also *squee* comments from some authors I adore. How wonderful to see that these authors are such classy people. As are the non-author commenters. I’m impressed all-around.

I work at a new & used bookstore. The first question most of my regulars ask is “Have you read this?” The second is “What did you think?” I try to be honest without being insulting because not everyone shares my tastes. If I haven’t read a book but I’ve gotten raves from other customers I usually pass them along. If I read and didn’t like a book I usually limit myself to “It just didn’t grab me” unless the customer wants specifics.

I think of the books I read as mini-vacations (and I take a lot of them *grin*). Even if the book didn’t thrill me I appreciate the author allowing me a little peek into their world. Without authors and readers I wouldn’t have the best job in the world, so thanks.

Sorry you had a rotten egg dump on you, Trish.

This is why I know a lot of reviewers who refuse to review self-published books; their authors are not professional, and seem to think the purpose of a review is publicity for them and not an opinion to share with readers.

I’m sure it doesn’t really help, but please try to calm down, and know that there are people who stand behind you.

That coupled with the fact that ‘her’ reviews all have different styles, different grasps of the English language, the inability to spell in some and be quite eloquent in others…nope, there is no Harriet Klausner.

I’ve also always hoped that if the author read my review s/he would have a good idea of what didn’t work for me and why. Honestly, if my book wasn’t getting good reviews I’d like to know where I went wrong.

I’m actually glad to see a few of my previously-reviewed names on this discussion… all acting like grown ups and knowing books are not babies. Books don’t need to be potty-trained, walked to school or rushed to the emergency room at midnight because their brother jammed a q-tip in their ears. I think we do have do have the sex talk with them, though. Hmmm.

As for the drinking game, I’d lose. I quit drinking when I became a mom and I think I would have snorted my shot out my nose when Nora chimed in anyway. :)