Women tearing down women. That’s the last thing we should be doing. Every book has those kinds of reviews, using them as a reason for everyone not to read them is, as you said, “lazy journalism”. There are real people behind these books who worked their asses off, and belittling them serves absolutely no purpose other than to get clicks.
This is so disappointing. I love that you called it out. And for what it's worth, I just mentioned you as one of my favorite must-read authors in a Q&A :)
yikes, what a dumb article! (for the record, I thought We Were Never Here is so fun and twisty--and wow if a reader's test of a book is "do I believe this could have literally happened?" they should steer clear of everything but documentary, I guess!)
Exactly, it's so actively unhelpful! If people want to browse Goodreads reviews to figure out if a book is for them, fine, but to pull those out to say "no one should read this"? Senseless.
Right? It’s not interesting enough to get them spite views, and wouldn’t recommendations make more sense for affiliate links? Such a waste of space in a media landscape that already does too little book coverage.
Haven’t visited Threads in many months but just skedaddled over there to contribute and got sucked into a rabbit hole. Glad so many people are saying something about this—and was shocked to see so many great books on the full list!
Ugh! I can't believe this hot mess of a piece, and I'm sorry your book got dragged into it, Andi. I just don't get casual cruelty for clicks. Also, I'm genuinely sad for the writer for not having an editor who could ask, "Hmm, what's a legit thoughtful and useful story idea?"
I’m so sorry this happened to you and the other authors. Here’s the thing: it’s just a “cheap grab for eyeballs”, as you say, part of a vaster shift toward what’s mean and snarky and easy, rather than what’s hard and smart and honest. I’d be surprised if anyone at the “journal” actually reads books. There’s a difference in tone between book readers and online-only readers. As an aside, I really like your books and your smart, vulnerable takes on this industry.
Hey Andrea! I just wanted to support you. This sucks and I'm sorry that it happened to you. People forget their humanity just to get clicks.
Thanks, Marina!
Women tearing down women. That’s the last thing we should be doing. Every book has those kinds of reviews, using them as a reason for everyone not to read them is, as you said, “lazy journalism”. There are real people behind these books who worked their asses off, and belittling them serves absolutely no purpose other than to get clicks.
Hear, hear! Thanks, Megan!
Does anyone even read that journal?? And, for that matter, who takes the time to read someone tearing things down?
That’s so awful and ridiculous!
Randomly publishing one-star reviews from GR is most definitely not journalism/criticism/anything in that sphere
This is so disappointing. I love that you called it out. And for what it's worth, I just mentioned you as one of my favorite must-read authors in a Q&A :)
Aw, thanks so much!
yikes, what a dumb article! (for the record, I thought We Were Never Here is so fun and twisty--and wow if a reader's test of a book is "do I believe this could have literally happened?" they should steer clear of everything but documentary, I guess!)
Great point! And thank you!
Lame! One-star reviews are only good for making fun of. And every book has them. So unserious and helpful to no one.
Exactly, it's so actively unhelpful! If people want to browse Goodreads reviews to figure out if a book is for them, fine, but to pull those out to say "no one should read this"? Senseless.
This is so egregious on their part. It’s clear they’re looking for clicks. Why use the space for negativity? So weird.
Right? It’s not interesting enough to get them spite views, and wouldn’t recommendations make more sense for affiliate links? Such a waste of space in a media landscape that already does too little book coverage.
Haven’t visited Threads in many months but just skedaddled over there to contribute and got sucked into a rabbit hole. Glad so many people are saying something about this—and was shocked to see so many great books on the full list!
Ugh! I can't believe this hot mess of a piece, and I'm sorry your book got dragged into it, Andi. I just don't get casual cruelty for clicks. Also, I'm genuinely sad for the writer for not having an editor who could ask, "Hmm, what's a legit thoughtful and useful story idea?"
Yes!!
This is WILD. How gross.
The women.com article is as bad as the AI written article of books that didn’t exist. A waste of reader’s attention.
Truly!
gross.
Damn this sucks. Boggles the mind that they’d publish this. ❤️
I’m so sorry this happened to you and the other authors. Here’s the thing: it’s just a “cheap grab for eyeballs”, as you say, part of a vaster shift toward what’s mean and snarky and easy, rather than what’s hard and smart and honest. I’d be surprised if anyone at the “journal” actually reads books. There’s a difference in tone between book readers and online-only readers. As an aside, I really like your books and your smart, vulnerable takes on this industry.
It's always easier to tear down than to build! Thanks, Shelley!