Do you read other people's reviews before writing your own?

Samuel Mamo · Post by **Samuel Mamo** » 11 Mar 2022, 16:49

When the descriptions of books are not enough, I read others' reviews before selecting.

Leonie Vermaak · Post by **Leonie Vermaak** » 15 Mar 2022, 02:25

I did in the beginning I did, mainly to get an idea of what was expected. I however decided to stop since I'm now familiar with the guidelines and cause after reading the other reviews it made me feel like mine was not good enough and then the doubt sets in, I re-write my review and then it's a total disaster

Helen Akoth · Post by **Helen Akoth** » 16 Mar 2022, 01:33

I don't, especially if it is the review of the same book I am reading. I want my opinion to be as independent and honest as possible.

honeybear_11001 · Post by **honeybear_11001** » 17 Mar 2022, 00:29

I read other people's reviews before my own but that is even before I pick the book. I don't want to pick a book that will bore me or is not to my standards. So yeah I read them before.

stylesreview · Post by **stylesreview** » 18 May 2022, 04:28

Sometimes I do, but only after I've written my own. I've noticed I like to read other people's reviews when I'm reviewing poetry books only. I like to check out different opinions on poetry.

Kanika Tandon · Post by **Kanika Tandon** » 20 May 2022, 04:57

No I try not to so as to not get influenced by them. It's only when I have written my own thoughts do I check other reviews just to fulfill s curiosity whether the other person also felt the same or did they capture the points I did.

Betelhem Demsie · Post by **Betelhem Demsie** » 10 Oct 2022, 06:33

I don't read others' reviews before I write mine, because I care my review to be unique.

Henry Patrovic · Post by **Henry Patrovic** » 11 Oct 2022, 14:32

Only if I have no idea what to write. Then I look at other peoples reviews and think if I agree or disagree with them.

Brandon Sanderson · Post by **Marie Chalupová** » 28 Oct 2022, 15:17

I usually only see other reviews after, especially if I am doing a review for review website rather than just a random book I picked up. I don't want to be influenced. If it's a book I picked and I am not doing any official review, I might check some to help me in deciding on the rating. Sometimes it helps me remember some strong or weak point of the book.

10 Nov 2022, 08:55

I will read other reviews but not about the same book. It is good to see if you can find a reviewer who has a good flow and you can bring that energy into your review. But, I have only review four books so far, so what do I know?

Wisely Time · Post by **Wisely Time** » 24 Nov 2022, 02:11

The problem with checking other's reviews is that eventually you'll get books that don't have others reviewing it. You really have to let your opinion stand on its own.

Scott Fling · Post by **Scott Fling** » 12 Dec 2022, 13:02

Never. It is too easy to be influenced by what others say about the book. The author is not looking for that in your review. They want to know what YOU think about it.

Carlos Mata Saenz · Post by **Carlos Mata Saenz** » 06 Apr 2023, 14:54

I write and send my review, and then I read others reviews to keep learning, improving and seeing if their opinions are like mine. I prefer in that way so I avoid feeling biased.

Post by **Sandra Smith 18** » 06 Apr 2023, 16:00

Sometimes I look at others' reviews, but when I do it is ALWAYS AFTER I finish my review. I'm confident in what I think and write about a book, and I want my reviews to be totally genuine. But sometimes I'm also curious what others think of the same book, especially if I think it's really good or really bad.

AlexGrav · Post by **AlexGrav** » 15 Apr 2023, 11:29

Never. It is too easy to be influenced by what others say about the book. The author is not looking for that in your review. They want to know what YOU think about it.