Have you ever come across a snippet or review on a book publishing website, only to find that the actual book leaves you confused because it doesn’t match the plot description? This happens quite often, as many reviewers may not have read the book, or worse, their reviews might be generated by artificial intelligence based on a few keywords and paragraphs. The abundance of fake reviewers makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. While this can benefit marketing and search engine optimization, it’s not so great for book lovers searching for the latest and most extraordinary novel.
Reputable book review sites discourage unethical behaviour, but monitoring can be challenging, and occasionally, a few reviews slip through the cracks. On the other hand, many sites do not actively monitor reviews, which can lead to significant mistrust among users. This issue is not limited to the publishing industry; it also occurs in many other sectors. But there are ways to safeguard yourself against bad reviews.
Here are three simple, fast and surefire ways to get the most accurate information.
1. Listen to Book Review Podcasts
NPR’s “Book of the Day” podcast is the top book review podcast. It features a new title every day, and each review lasts under fifteen minutes, so you don’t have to commit to an hour-long episode to hear the actual review. Readers value its accurate, concise recommendations, covering a wide range of genres, ensuring something for everyone. The podcasts can be accessed anytime, as they are recorded and available on the NPR website.
Other noteworthy podcasts include The Maris Review and The New York Times Book Review, perhaps the world’s most famous book review outlet. To maximize your experience with podcast reviews, seek out shows that focus on your favourite genres and follow experts like Maris Kreizman. Maris is the author of the popular blog and book Slaughterhouse 90210 and the creator of The Maris Review podcast, which features interviews with authors about their latest releases.
Listening to book discussions provides a firsthand overview and thorough review, as they are delivered by humans instead of being automated or optimized for search engines.
2. Become Part of a Member-Only Community-Based Review Website
Brands like Barnes & Noble, Rakuten, and Amazon feature expert-written snippets of reviews, reducing the risk of inaccurate descriptions. However, seller bias can influence these reviews because their primary goal is to sell books. While the public can comment and offer reviews, those insights are often not given much weight despite efforts to eliminate fake reviews.
Member-based review sites like Reedsy offer a better alternative. Members are more likely to provide honest reviews since they share a common goal: discovering and sharing knowledge about new and exciting books. There is minimal incentive to post fake reviews on these platforms.
3. Join a Book Club and Discuss Reviews with Like-Minded People
Joining a book club is one of the best ways for readers to learn about the latest and most excellent books. Book clubs are interactive, drawing on the opinions of multiple members who have read the same book. Participants provide detailed accounts of their thoughts about the book and how likely they are to recommend it to others. Many people don’t realize that you don’t have to read a book to participate in a book club; you can listen to discussions to determine if a book interests you before purchasing it.
Book clubs can be found in most local community centers, libraries, and workplaces. Friends and family can even form some. These clubs can meet in person or hold virtual meetings via Zoom, a great way to socialize.
It’s interesting to note that Amazon has a section on its website dedicated to free public book clubs. However, it doesn’t invest much in advertising them, so not everyone knows their existence.
Like older social media community sites, members can start a book club and open enrollment for others to join. Acceptance into each book club depends on the creator’s requirements, but most clubs are open to anyone. There are hundreds of clubs on various topics to choose from.
When searching for a book club, look for topics that interest you and read the group policies before joining, as some may cover sensitive subjects. Don’t be discouraged if the first book club you enter isn’t a good fit; it often takes a few tries to find one you enjoy and connect with its members. The key is to keep trying until you find a club you like, as the benefits are fantastic. Book clubs offer excellent opportunities to socialize with other readers, share your opinions on books, and gain insights from diverse individuals with different perspectives.
GoodEReader also features a book recommendation section, and our staff is committed to providing accurate reviews. However, we cover many book-related topics, so we don’t always have enough time to read and write about every new release. We encourage you to contribute your honest reviews based on the books you’ve read. What books would you recommend to me?
Writing has always been her passion and a voice for those who cannot speak. She considers herself fortunate to write every day and says her mantra is, “I drink coffee, write, and I know about people and technology.” Her writing is diverse and can be found online on websites like LifeHack, You Have a Calling, Medium, TechCrunch and, She Knows.
