Customer ReviewsI never buy anything, especially books, without first reading numerous reviews. Nowadays, this is quite easy to do. For good and ill, the Internet has given everybody a platform. Sometimes a preponderance of good or bad reviews makes my decision easy. Other times, the reviews are all over the place and could be summarized as, “People who like this sort of thing will like it. Those who don’t won’t.”

It’s no secret, readers, that authors are keen to get as many customers to review their books as possible. Supposedly there is a magic number of reviews that increases the visibility of books on Amazon. Fifty is the number most widely quoted, though I’m convinced that as soon as everybody claims to have figured out any algorithm, the software engineers change it. Some other author friends of mine get excited about 100 reviews. The really successful ones I know prefer the 1,000-mark as their threshold of achievement.

When you take a few minutes to write and post your reaction to a book, you’re doing much more than getting the author closer to their favorite magic number. You’re providing a gift to your fellow readers.

The more specific you are in your praise (or condemnation), the more helpful your words will be to customers considering that book. While “This was great. I loved it!” is a nice review, taking a moment to specify why you loved it is so much more valuable. If you appreciated the writing craft, the characters that lingered in your mind long after you finished the book, the plot that surprised and delighted you, or whatever it was that held your attention, providing that bit of specificity is the pure gold.

Each of us has preferences in our reading choices, attributes we hope to find in the next book we decide to try. When you read reviews that mention whatever characteristics you’re seeking in a positive light, you feel a connection with those reviewers, and your interest in the book increases. In the case of negative reviews, where numerous customers express disappointment in something you too consider important, you’ll probably move along to other choices, feeling good about having dodged a proverbial bullet. A little specificity in your reviews helps your fellow customers make the same informed choices you desire.

Now, a confession: unless someone tells me that they posted a review for one of my books, I don’t obsessively refresh my browser to see new remarks by customers. Once my books are published, they’re out of my hands and belong to the public. People have a right to their opinion, and those reviews are there to encourage or warn fellow purchasers. Of course, it’s easy for me to embrace this high-minded credo, because I’ve never been targeted by trolls. Ask me about freedom of speech if that ever happens.

In any case, I’ve found that poring over positive reviews makes me feel humble and unworthy of such praise. I also get a little nervous that my current work-in-progress won’t measure up to those standards. Reading negative reviews upsets me, particularly the ones along the lines of “This book is a mystery novel. I hate mysteries. One star.” I’ve ranted for hours over those kinds of “why the #*&% did you buy it then?” reviews, which isn’t healthy. And, despite my intense glaring at the screen, the number of stars those people gave me never increased. Not once.

Still, I’m honored when people take a chance on my work and grateful when they tell the world that they enjoyed my efforts. Most authors feel the same way—and every reader I know appreciates having others’ comments to consider.

So, please do publicly share what you think of the books you read, especially if you’re a customer who counts on other readers’ reviews when making your purchase decisions. It’s a grand way to pay it forward and help not only the author but the next person looking for their new favorite read.