What Do You Comment on Book Reviews?

Posted on by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I’ve come to realize, with a couple of years of blogging under my belt, that there are different patterns in the way people comment on other people’s blogs, especially in regards to reviews.

The commenting system is quite important to a lot of bloggers who see it as their main opportunity to interact with followers and to get feedback on just about anything, while other platforms have a less user-friendly setup that makes it a bit too complicated for anyone to take the time to share their thoughts.

But commenting is an art that not a lot of people seek to learn or want to invest in. Some people prefer efficiency, some resort to silent retroaction and others are on the hunt for discussions.

Looking back at reviews I’ve written or read (excluding features, tags and discussion posts), here are some strategies adopted by bloggers that might work for you too!

Classic

A comment letting the person know that you appreciated their review (e.g. Great review!)

Image result for approve gif

Investigation

A comment that looks into further understanding a statement.

Image result for what do you mean gif

Anecdote

A comment that shares a person’s own experience with the product (e.g. book, movie, etc.)

Image result for i feel you gif

Client

A comment to let the person know that they are sold on what you are presenting and will want to give it a try too.

Image result for i want gif

Curiosity

A comment that looks to get more recommendations similar to what was reviewed

Image result for recommendation gif

Beginner

A comment that wants to know where to start in regards to an author, a series or a genre

Image result for i got you gif

Off topic

A comment that has nothing to do with the subject matter

Image result for old man story gif

Humour

A comment that plays with the same kind of humour delivered in the review (e.g. sarcasm, satire, etc.)

Image result for isee what you did there gif

Hater

A comment meant to hurt a person directly or indirectly in regards to the review, the point of view or the person themselves

Image result for dull face gif

Most of the time you’ll often get a mix of all of these and more. It really all depends on the personality of everyone and the comfort in the person to interact with you.

Do you comment on book reviews?

What do you usually say?

In the end, commenting is never an obligation. If you don’t have anything to say, no one will bite you. 😉

Until next time,

lashaansignature

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Published by Lashaan Balasingam @ Roars and Echoes

Reader. Reviewer. Researcher. Criminology Ph.D. Candidate. Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Want to know more? Connect with him!

103 thoughts on “What Do You Comment on Book Reviews?”

  2. So going with the question tactic: What are things you guys do to engage more people in the comments section? Not just with comments on your own posts, because I’ve also had times where I comment on other people’s work and it sort of floats off unanswered…

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    1. I know some people love to end their reviews with questions for the readers. It might not necessarily be on the book itself but just on the subject matter, for example. I personally prefer to interact with them on their own posts and built my “relationship” there so that when I publish something, people would only leave a genuine comment on my own reviews!

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  6. haha, I enjoyed reading this post. I think I comment depending on what the reviewer has said. Sometimes I sympathize when they didn’t like the book, other times I am blown away by the review and when I got nothing, I go for ‘great review’ and maybe complement their pics if any 😀

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  8. I LOVE this post! The gifs are spot-on 😀 My comments depend on the time I had to devote to blog-hopping on that day, if my brain is awake enough to formulate intelligent sentences, and my mood! I try to let people know I’ve read their work as much as possible 🙂

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  9. Yep, done them all. I’m really trying hard though to curb myself on the hater comments though. No matter how satisfying it might feel at the moment to unload on someone who is being an idiot on their blog (or liking a really stupid book that they shouldn’t, hahahahaa), that is not behavior that I want to model. (anecdote)

    I thought your summations were spot on and I just chuckled away as I kept ticking the mental check boxes. How long did it take you come up with these? (question)

    And I think that is it for now. I bet you’re going to get a bunch of comments on this.

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    2. Hahahah I do like to hear your thoughts on books you hate that others/I love though. At least you back up your arguments and you also “know” the reviewer, most of the time, I think… 😂

      It actually didn’t take me long since I’m always, constantly, analyzing what others comment on my posts and on posts by others. I actually thought about the humour one by thinking of your comments on a lot of Orangutanlibrarian’s humouristic posts 😂

      And yes, I had a feeling it would get a bunch of reactions from fellow bloggers too! 😁

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      1. I feel very comfortable at Orangutan’s place and really let myself go. Any time I feel something negative, very strongly, where she feels strongly positive, I do tend to back off. No need to be a complete debby downer 😀 or wear out my welcome!

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  10. It depends on the book reviewed, my interest level, anticipation and experience of it. A fail-safe is the “great review” comment. Sometimes it’s a “this was not for me” comment. But I have used all of the above before.

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  12. Well matey. I tend to be a silent lurker checking in (i.e. spying) on the crew for the most part and letting them know what a good job they have done with likes. The comments are usually when I want to thank someone for a book recommendation, ask a question, or have something fun to say. I do not believe I have ever left a hater comment. People can disagree with me (the Bookstooge has the opposite opinion to mine all the time pretty much) and I think everyone is entiltled to their opinions. But I certainly have used all the other methods. Arrrr!
    x The Captain

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  14. I love comments on my blog, and so I draw people back to the lair by leaving comments on their blog! Ha ha. But I try to always be nice, even if I disagree with the post. This was fun, Lashaan😊

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  15. I just love commenting on reviews even though I know and am well aware about not reading all the books mentioned in the book blogs// I mean there are 100000000000 books / lol .
    But I just love to comment just a simple ‘Great Review ‘ or Awesome Review ‘ to tell the blogger your efforts are appreciated. May be you are a new BLOGGER or a old one a comment on the blog just brings a smile on your face 😄
    isn’t it ??
    btw great post , Lashaan ❤

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  16. Love an off topic comment. I was being spammed for ages by people wanting to sell me sunglasses. It was super annoying.

    This is so on point! This might be a controversial opinion, but unless it’s someone I know already I’m sometimes a little sceptical of ‘great post’. It’s nice, but a part of me sometimes wonders whether they actually read the post, or just commented because they want you to comment back. I prefer – and I make an effort to do this myself – comments that really engage with the material. We do this because we want to have a conversation about books, right? ‘Great post’ doesn’t really facilitate that, as nice as it is if its sincere. I feel like I sound mean now! I do appreciate a ‘great post’ – I just question its sincerity sometimes…

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    1. Hahaha I do love the kind of spam we can get too! I’ve been getting a lot of sex related spam myself. 😂

      I am 100% with you on that! I’ve always been and will likely always be skeptical about “Great review!” from strangers, even if it was all for a good intention. I too prefer letting people know that I’ve really read their review. I know I’d prefer that myself, after all.

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      1. Haha, oh no! That one has never been an issue for me – at least on on the blog. On Instagram it happens all the time. So weird!

        I’m glad you agree! I’m always grateful but I want to start a conversation about whatever I’ve written and there really isn’t anywhere to go from there.

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  17. ah, this is brilliant 😀 i was kind of categorizing my regular commenters in my head 😀 hehe
    I think when it comes to commenting on reviews i’m a mix of anecdote + client… or, quite often actually (especially if i don’t know the book, or it doesn’t look interesting) i’m just a silent observer…

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  19. I usually chime in on a post if it’s about a book I’ve read or am planning to read, because then I feel I have something to add to the discussion. Speaking of which, I like discussion posts too, I love adding my thoughts to interesting questions 😀

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  20. I never thought about the types of comments before. I can definitely say that I’ve used every single version at least one, with the exception of hater cause I have no time for that, but out of all the categories I’d say I fit into the anecdote and client group more than the other. Or, if I’m lazy and have no energy to comment I read and like.

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    1. Hahaha it’s fun to think of the different types of comments we leave on everyone’s post! I think a lot of it comes down to how much time a person has to read and comment too. But yes, I have a hard time leaving any sort of comments filled with hate. Anyone who does, with ill-intention, probably only means harm…

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  22. There are some people who are really great commenters, alas I am not. Sometimes I really want to show that I actually read a whole review and I think about typing something that really is telling, but then suddenly I find it’s trying to hard and I delete it and just type Great Review instead 🙂

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    1. Oh yes, some people indeed are. They take a lot of time to find exactly what merits discussion and give such a beautiful comment that makes us want to talk to them forever hahaha I’m sure everyone appreciate absolutely anything you’ve got to say though, Inge! Even if it’s just a “Great review!” 😉

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  23. Ahah I love this post so much! 🙂 I know that book reviews aren’t the most popular posts out there and, when I can and have something to say, I try to and to show some love to these posts, this way 🙂 I’m always trying to develop more though and not keep it at “great review”, or something just like that, because I just want to… I don’t know, give something more, tell why I appreciated the review, what stood out for me or/and if I have read the book, whether or not I agree with the review and why. I’m always looking for a conversation in my comments so… that’s what I’m always hoping to do 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Marie! And I totally understand. I have a tough time leaving it just at “Great review!”. I prefer letting the person know that I really read what they had to say and that I heard them. And if the review allows me to further develop on certain points, I’ll gladly do it since I love talking to everyone and learning more on everyone. 😛

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  25. So true 🙂

    I try to only comment when I have something to say, a like is my way of showing I’ve read and liked a post… but there are so many great things to read, and so little time, I often end up not commenting on sth that would deserve an input…

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  26. Hahahaha great post! I wonder where I fit in Lashaan! I don’t comment on every review. Either I comment on the reviews of books that I have read (so it will be a shared experience), either I comment on reviews of books far from my genre (like here on your blog) because I want to broaden my horizon and see what makes a person love it so much. Oh and just to tell you that I thought of you writing topday’s top 5 Tuesday and left a little surprise! Just tell me if you know the book I am speaking of! Here is the link if you want to …comment LOL! https://wp.me/p8cg8e-2zD

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    1. Thank you so much, Sophie! The first reaction I had was to put you in anecdote since you often share stories of your own experience with me! 😛 But I’m sure we’re a mix of everything. But I totally agree. I tend to broaden my horizons too since there are soooooo many books out there, and so many that I doubt I’ll read. 😮

      Hahahaaah I’ll definitely hop on over soon! You’re too kind for having thought of me! 😮 😮 ❤

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  27. It totally depends on the book and the blog. If I were already friends with them and a regular at their blog, I ramble a lot and may even spill stories. But otherwise it would be what I think of their review and if I have read the book.

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    1. Yep! It always depends on the relationship you have with the blogger. It’s really curious to see what a person tends to say about the book review though. How much the same person could write a whole paragraph for one person and then a line for another person for the same book review is another one that is quite amazing to see! 😛

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  29. I love your gifs Lashaan! There are soooo many books to read. Many times I read a review for a book I haven’t read. If they are on a topic I’m interested in or curious about I will comment like Asian, mental health, graphic novels or fantasy. Reviews are a blogger’s bread and butter and I appreciate the work that goes into them. I do read off topic especially when someone is excited and passionate about the book. Great post Lashaan 🤩

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    1. Thanks Dani! I totally agree with you there. I think most of the time, I don’t necessarily read a review because I know the book since I find every blogger out there that I check out help in giving me a quick idea of what’s worth checking out and what’s not! I do love to support bloggers through comments even if I won’t read the book in question hahah

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  31. Ah, this was a fun post! I’ve been blogging about books for over a decade, and I recognise all of those. Luckily, the haters don’t come around too often. I think they’re too busy on social media 😉

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  32. Hahaha I often use the classic strategy 😂 I really struggle to write reviews so I’m always amazed at how people *cough* like Lashaan *cough* can turn their thought into a meaningful stream of word 😂 Most often than not, my reaction is just “oh wow, yeah okay, that’s cool, I love it, great 😮”. So I usually go with a classic answer but I sometimes feel like leaving “Great review” all the time is weird so I admit that I often hit the “star button” to let people know I liked their review! 😮 If it’s a book I read, though, I can sometimes feel like writing a more complicated comment 😂
    Anyway, great post, Lashaan! 😄

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    1. Hahahah you’re way too kind ❤ I'm pretty sure you can write reviews but you succumb to your own self-inflicted pressure of potential readers that you tell yourself that whatever you write wouldn't be any good! I know that a lot of people are really happy to get comments in their posts, even more when its a discussion. After all, a lot of readers look to connect with others, even if it might be sometimes hard when we don't always have the same taste in books, for example. But when people show any form of love, only love is often given back! 😛

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  34. I usually stick with a mix of these, but I try to make sure I’m positive and on topic. I find it most difficult to comment on reviews that are awesome and make a books sound great, but for whatever reason, I don’t think I’d personally enjoy the book. How do I say I’m intrigued because of your review, and would now recommend it to others, but the book isn’t for me? It’s difficult!

    On my reviews I don’t see many comments, and so anything is generally appreciated!

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    1. I totally understand that! I’ve found myself in a similar situation far too often as well. After all, a lot of the bloggers I follow read genres that I’d never pick up but I do appreciate it that I can use their thoughts on it to recommend things to others, while reminding them that I haven’t tried it out myself too hahah I think it’s already nice enough that the person commenting took the time to comment too. Anything more than that is a huge bonus for me! Thank you for dropping by this post in particular, Malka! 😀

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  35. Haha I really like this post. I think my way of commenting changed when I became a blogger myself. Now I try to give the comments I like to get, meaning something nice which shows I’ve read and appreciated the review or post. If it is something that particulary sparked my interest I’ll go for discussion or humour. I like talking with people :-). What kind of commenter are you?

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    1. Thanks, Bella! 😀 I love how you put it and that’s exactly how I try to do it as well. Reading wasn’t something that was that well appreciated among my friends (especially guys) and it would have taken so much more energy from myself to discover it alone than what the blog allowed me to do. It’s why I love getting and leaving comments that could potentially lead to online friendships with people like you! 😀

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      1. aaw I am so happy to hear you made bookish friends here and that they helped you to accept yourself! I am blessed with a mother who reads more than a small army of writers can produce in a year so reading was always normal when I grew up. Encouragement is always one of the easiest and most important things anyone can do 🙂

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  36. I really am only compelled to comment, when I have something to say. If I read the book, I will add to what they said or agree with something in the review, or if I want to read the book I will mention that and they talk about something that grabbed me in the review. I also will comment when the rating is really high or really low, but I do try to stay on topic.

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    1. That’s definitely a good logic to abide by. I often also find myself in front of reviews of books I’m never likely to pick up or heard of too. I think, over time, I figured I might as well be inquisitive about those reviews and get to know more about the book, the review or the reader hahah

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  38. Great post! I think I usually just use appreciation comments. Not because I’m not interested but because my broken brain makes coherent thought a struggle at times. And I simply do not understand people who are haters. Just why? Why must people be asshats? Is kindness and consideration really that difficult? I’ll definitely keep this flagged as a guide!

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    1. Thanks, Aislynn! Hahah I do have to admit that there times where my brain is off and can’t come up with anything to say but “Wooooow! <3" hahahah And yes, those haters are unbelievable but the best we can do is ignore them. Nothing pleasant about them.

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  42. I have two blogs – one a movie blog and another a book blog, and I noticed that people following my movie reviews are far more open and commenting constantly – there are more willing to discuss a movie with me, even if one they have not seen, whereas my book blog followers are not as active at all and I receive fewer comments. Well, book-reading people are shy, so I conclude.

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    1. Hahah I like your conclusion about book readers. It’s what I though they were like too, but I can assure you that some love to share, they just need to find you and need to have read the same things as you! But I do love how it is sometimes even more accessible when it comes to talking about movies.

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  43. Wow! Great thread. To comment effectively on a book review (beyond just saying that you like/don’t like the review), you almost have to give a mini-review of the book itself from your own perspective. Sometimes it’s interesting comparing my own posted reviews with what someone else thought about the same book. Other reviewers definitely see things that I hadn’t caught.

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