I sometimes hesitate before I write a review for a book that I think is a stinker.  Since I repost almost all my books, I think that maybe it will prevent someone from ordering my copy. 

I've decided I will write those reviews because I find them helpful.  For instance, someone might right "I didn't like this book because the style reminded me too much of Dickens"  I like Dickens so I might think "hey, that book might appeal to me"  It could work other ways.  Take me, I do not like overly descriptive books.  So, if I write that I didn't like the book--that the author was way too descriptive.  Someone who likes descriptive books will decide it's up their alley.  I think it really helps to say why you don't like them so people who don't share your taste will figure out if they might like the book.

Do you review books you don't like?

Yep!

Yeah I got dinged for them too but I still think those books sucked ;)

Sometimes a book sucks and I can't help but say so.  I just don't know when to be quiet I suppose.  On the other hand, if a book is really terrible, I don't even finish it.  If I don't finish it, I don't review it, so those are the ones people should really be worried about, lol!

For an example of my candidness, see my review of Don't Kiss Them Goodbye by Allison DuBois.

I have written several reviews about books I disliked, in some cases panning the book to the hilt.

I've written one negative review out of 26. I figured since I forced myself through the whole thing, I was going to share the news.  It is a very popular book, so I'm not concerned that no one will want to read it now.  I tried to be very descriptive about why I didn't like it, so that people would be able to tell if they might like it. 

But I am much more likely to write up positives, in part because I want my books to get ordered. 

You could write your review after your book got ordered ;-)

You bet I do.  It doesn't seem to affect when the book gets ordered all that much.

That's a good idea Sarah.

I don't review much. I did write a small review about a book I didn't like. I felt the author was padding the book for lack of story. As a college student I know fluff when I see it. The book is a part of aseries so I don't think my review will have much effect, which is fine. But for anyone reading up to that will know what to expect.

I do because I want others to do it, too, that I might avoid crappy books myself.  Although when I decide against a book based on a bad review, I secretly hope that the person honest enough to give the bad review wasn't next in the FIFO line, and therefore causing themselves to lose my order :(

Katrina

I have to admit I've ordered books with bad reviews especially if it's an author that I really like.  I think "Well, I'll just see for myself"  So, I guess seeing one or two bad reviews isn't going to matter much (at least to me)

I do review all books in my PBS notebook.  I'm very honest there even about the ones that I couldn't even finish.  But, I think you're more likely to have friends or people who've ordered from you read from your notebook.

I put negative reviews for books I don't like, but I also make sure to put my reason.  Others may not be bothered by my reasons or might even like the books for the reasons I don't like them.   Plus, there are bound to be several positive reviews on the same book, all with different reasons.  I think a well rounded list of reviews ---  good and bad --- better help a person choose.  At least that's how it works for me.

I only review books I"ve finished, and most books I really don't like, I simply stop reading so it's very rare to get a really true negative review from me...but whatever the case, I do review a book truthfully and say why or why not I did/didn't like it.

Cheryl

Hi!  I do write a negative review sometimes, then I will add something like,  "This is my opinion-I hope someone else will enjoy this book."  Everyone's tastes are so different, what I don't like I am sure someone else will, and vice versa!

April, I think it's good to state the reasons you don't like something.  I know there are many James Michener's fans, but I find his books to be akin to torture.  Sometimes I don't like books based on the amount of violence and how graphic it is.  That's just me.  Violence doesn't bother other people.

I have reviewed books I didn't finish because the only reason I don't finish them is because I don't like them. 

I find writing unflattering reviews awkward, but I have done so a few times. And, yes, I also think about the impact that might have on future orders.

Just for the heck of it I went back and looked at the negative reviews I have written. Every single book has been ordered. Now, that could be because the person ignores reviews, or people don't really read reviews or it was a WL book  (and they didn't read the reviews).  My guess is most people do not read reviews. I usually only read them if it is a book that has no description or I am unsure of exactly what type of book it is (I like historical fiction but not historical romance and sometimes it is hard to know which category a book will fall into).