Why I Don’t Post My Book Reviews to Amazon

I started this blog because I’ve always found that I have some very definite opinions about the books I read. I wouldn’t call myself a voracious reader – more of an avid reader with a limited amount of time in which to read. I never thought much about posting my reviews anywhere else, other than on here. However, when I received a nice request from a fellow book blogger, asking me to post my five star review on Amazon and Goodreads I wanted to oblige. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted with this message from Amazon’s powers that be:

What? Although Amazon has become a super giant in the retail industry, I have only purchased from them once. And that was for an item that I found impossible to find at any of my local retailers. Said item was a mere 19.99 (plus shipping and handling) so it didn’t amount to the fifty dollar minimum requirement. It got me thinking...is it fair of Amazon to do this? After all, Barnes and Noble doesn’t require reviewers to reach a minimum purchase before allowing them to post reviews.

I get the supposed reason behind this. The number of fake positive Amazon reviews has steadily skyrocketed over the past couple or so years. Consumers were sick of it. I was sick of it. I do go to Amazon (and other websites) to check out reviews on a variety of products before I decide to make a purchase. I don’t want to read a bunch of glowing reviews from people who have received a "free product in exchange for a review”. I don’t care what anyone says. Receiving a free product in exchange for a review most definitely skews your opinion. 

Review clubs are now banned from Amazon and that’s a very good thing. Amazon is really starting to crack down on fake reviews and biased reviews. That’s also a good thing. But, requiring reviewers to purchase at least $50 worth of products before granting them permission to post a review is, in my humble opinion, wrong. I get a lot of my books from the library, Half Price Books and at places other than Amazon. Does that make my opinion of these books less valuable? Of course not.

I could go to Amazon, purchase some things and then receive permission to review but I won't, just on principle now. I have since signed up for a Goodreads account (Goodreads was cleverly acquired by Amazon in 2013, by the way) and I've begun posting reviews there. I also post to Barnes and Noble. That's good enough for me. 

What do you think about this? I’d love to know.

Next time...the topic of Amazon verified reviews...

Bob

Book Review of Rosie and Friends Positively Different by Helen Hipp

I recently participated in the Rosie and Friends Positively Different by Helen Hipp book tour by sharing an author guest post here. Now I'm back with my book review!

ABOUT ROSIE AND FRIENDS POSITIVELY DIFFERENT:

Rosie the Pink Hippo asks readers "What advice would you give your friends who want to feel better about themselves" in this adventure book to help readers see that being different can be positive. Join Rosie the Pink Hippo, Olivia the Ostrich, and many others in this educational and eye-opening 28-page illustrated children's book, Rosie and Friends Positively Different, a creative and fun teaching tool intended for parents, caregivers, teachers, and children who may have felt at some point in their life that they were different from their peers.

BOB READS BOOKS REVIEW:

Rosie is positively different indeed. Rosie is a pink hippo and she’s quite happy being different. When the other animals here Rosie thinking out loud, they all stop to listen. They want to know what’s so great about being different. A playful monkey wants to know “why is celebrating your differences so important?” They gather around to hear the important explanation and they all learn some valuable lessons about being different.

This is a positively positive book. I always appreciate books that encourage children and this one certainly does. The illustrations and characters are colorful, cute and expressive. The story allows parents and other adults an opportunity to go into even more detail about what it means to be different and why we should all be celebrating our own uniqueness.

I’d recommend Rosie and Friends Positively Different to anyone who works with children. As an uncle, with two young nephews I know I’m going to be reading this book to them! Thanks to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of her book.

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Bob Martin

PURCHASE ROSIE AND FRIENDS POSITIVELY DIFFERENT ON AMAZON