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Are professional book reviewers more trustworthy than ordinary readers?

Connor Luckes

Well, well, well, my fellow social media aficionados, it seems we have a question for the ages: are professional book reviewers more trustworthy than ordinary readers? Drumroll, please!

Now, listen up, because I have thoughts on this matter. As a self-proclaimed bookworm and social media advocate, I know a thing or two about reviews. I’ve seen the highs and lows, the good and the bad, the thought-provoking and downright infuriating reviews on my feeds. And let me tell you, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to who to trust more.

First of all, let’s define our terms. Who are these “professional book reviewers” we keep talking about? Are they like celebrities of the book world, with their own talk shows and red carpet events? Or are they just people who happen to get paid to write reviews? And who decides who’s “professional” and who’s not? These are important questions, my friends. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume we’re talking about the latter definition - people who make a living (or at least a part-time gig) out of reviewing books.

So, why might we trust them more than “ordinary readers”? (Side note: I take offense to the term “ordinary” - we bookworms are anything but ordinary!) Well, for one thing, professional reviewers tend to have more experience and knowledge about books and the industry. They know what to look for in a good story, what makes a book stand out (or fall flat), and how to analyze and critique literature in a way that most of us mere mortals can’t. Plus, they’ve likely read hundreds, if not thousands, of books in their time as reviewers, so they have a pretty good idea of what’s out there and what’s worth your time and money.

But - and this is a big but (no, not that kind of big butt, get your mind out of the gutter) - professional reviewers are also human. They have biases, preferences, and pet peeves just like the rest of us. And sometimes their reviews can be more about showcasing their own writing skills or impressing their peers than actually helping you decide whether to read a book or not. Plus, let’s not forget that the book industry can be pretty cutthroat and competitive. Reviewers may feel pressure to give glowing reviews to certain authors or publishers, or to trash books that are seen as “uncool” or “lowbrow”. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns in the world of professional book reviewing, folks.

On the other hand, what about “ordinary readers” (ugh, that term still bugs me)? Why should we trust them more than those fancy-shmancy reviewers with their literary degrees and polished prose? Well, for one thing, they’re just like us. They’re reading for pleasure, not for a job (usually), so their opinions are probably more indicative of what the average reader will think. They’re not trying to be clever or impress anyone - they just want to share their thoughts on a book they loved (or hated). And when you read a review from someone who’s not a professional critic, you get a sense of their personality, their tastes, and their values. You might find a kindred spirit, or you might realize that you and that reviewer could not be more different. Either way, it’s a more personal connection than you’d get from a “professional” review.

But of course, there are downsides to trusting “ordinary readers” too. Sometimes their reviews are too vague or emotional to be helpful, or they might not have the same level of expertise as a professional reviewer. And let’s not forget that anyone can post a review online these days, regardless of whether they’ve actually read the book or not. *cough* trolls *cough*

So, what’s the verdict? Who should we trust more - the pros or the amateurs? Well, as much as it pains me to say it (as a writer myself), I’m gonna have to go with the “ordinary readers” on this one. Not because professional reviews aren’t valuable or insightful, but because at the end of the day, books are meant to be enjoyed. They’re not just academic exercises or status symbols - they’re stories that touch our hearts and minds and make us feel something. And who better to judge whether a book does that than a fellow reader who’s experiencing it for the same reasons we are?

But hey, that’s just my opinion. Take it with a grain of salt (or a whole shaker) if you want. After all, isn’t the beauty of social media and online book communities the fact that we can all share our opinions, regardless of whether we’re “professional” or “ordinary”? So let’s keep reading, keep reviewing, and keep engaging with each other, my bookish friends. Who knows what gems we’ll discover along the way?