We all claim to be original. Original in our reading, our writing, our dressing etc,. There isn't an aspect which we don't claim to be original. So be it! Then why do we read reviews of books?
Reading a book based on a review is the most unoriginal act. Review is somebody's opinion. Why should we buy/ not buy a book based on somebody's opinion.
When we pick(ed) books in the Pre-Internet era, we were to read the blurb and get a feel of what the book is all about. It is called publisher's blurb, because the publisher wants us to get a scoop of what the book is all about. After the advent of online book stores like Amazon and Flipkart, reviews started to influence our book buying/reading desicions.
The readers/buyers are all on an auto-pilot mode. We look for (star) ratings and then scroll down to the reviews. We would think of buying a book only when it atleast has 3-star rating. How original is this process? Somebody likes the book, I buy it. Somebody opines the book is bad, I drop it. Originality?
Before we judge a book on its ratings. It would be wise to check out the number of people who have rated the book. Generally, rating is an average of all the individual members' ratings. For example if a book is rated 1 star, and there is only one person who has rated it. Is it wise on our part to judge the book as bad? May be the ratings would improve given some time. May be!
The Shadow of Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, is the case in point. I stumbled upon the book by sheer chance. And that's one of the best book I have ever read. When I checked the internet for like-minded readers, I realized most of the reviews ranged between 'Bad' and 'fairly good'. I thanked my STARS for not reading the reviews. Had I read a review, I would have missed out on a wonderful book.
I think people tend to read reviews as means to insure their money and time. But then don't call yourself original. Of all don't call yourself Original Thinker or a Original Reader.
Where lies the freedom of expression there lies the chance of propaganda too. What's guarantee that some reviewers are influenced by publishers themselves to up the sale. Worst still, too bring down the competitor!
If you want to have sense of adventure, try to pick a book from its cover and blurb. Go ahead. It is a retro fashion. Back to the ages with no internet.
Reading a book based on a review is the most unoriginal act. Review is somebody's opinion. Why should we buy/ not buy a book based on somebody's opinion.
When we pick(ed) books in the Pre-Internet era, we were to read the blurb and get a feel of what the book is all about. It is called publisher's blurb, because the publisher wants us to get a scoop of what the book is all about. After the advent of online book stores like Amazon and Flipkart, reviews started to influence our book buying/reading desicions.
The readers/buyers are all on an auto-pilot mode. We look for (star) ratings and then scroll down to the reviews. We would think of buying a book only when it atleast has 3-star rating. How original is this process? Somebody likes the book, I buy it. Somebody opines the book is bad, I drop it. Originality?
Before we judge a book on its ratings. It would be wise to check out the number of people who have rated the book. Generally, rating is an average of all the individual members' ratings. For example if a book is rated 1 star, and there is only one person who has rated it. Is it wise on our part to judge the book as bad? May be the ratings would improve given some time. May be!
The Shadow of Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, is the case in point. I stumbled upon the book by sheer chance. And that's one of the best book I have ever read. When I checked the internet for like-minded readers, I realized most of the reviews ranged between 'Bad' and 'fairly good'. I thanked my STARS for not reading the reviews. Had I read a review, I would have missed out on a wonderful book.
I think people tend to read reviews as means to insure their money and time. But then don't call yourself original. Of all don't call yourself Original Thinker or a Original Reader.
Where lies the freedom of expression there lies the chance of propaganda too. What's guarantee that some reviewers are influenced by publishers themselves to up the sale. Worst still, too bring down the competitor!
If you want to have sense of adventure, try to pick a book from its cover and blurb. Go ahead. It is a retro fashion. Back to the ages with no internet.
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