Opinions on opinions in book blogging

The other day I saw a lot of hate on Twitter for a book series that I really love and for a minute I actually considered not sharing my love because of the sheer number of people I knew I would be going against.

I thought, there must be a blog post in there somewhere, so I put out a Tweet asking for other peoples opinions and within five minutes I got a lot of responses.

Do people think it’s sensible or ignorant to look away from negative opinions of things you love? Especially in book blogging 🤔

— rebecca 🦖 (@_rebeccastobart) 4 March 2018

Sometimes I feel the need to avoid the negativity surrounding my favourite books because too often I'm made to feel stupid or inferior for finding joy in something that other people dislike. I'm not saying I'm oblivious to the faults in a book I love. A review that says 'I found the writing childish' is okay because it's just an opinion, quite often I read books and think the same thing. My problem is when reviewers say things like 'no young adult is going to be able to relate to this scenario, but a ten year old might',  which is very similar to something I have read about a book I love and relate to as a 23 year old. This is a very sweeping statement and it makes me feel very uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassed, I know it shouldn't but on a bad day I can't help it.

Basically, you can admit something is objectively problematic and still enjoy it - that's allowed! And in many cases the critic WON'T have an objective stance, just their opinion, which shouldn't colour yours anyway :)

— Sarah Elizabeth 🧙🏻‍♀️🌏⚡️ (@xpectopatronerd) 4 March 2018

I'm someone who generally doesn't just like things. I LOVE THINGS WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL. So I am guilty of taking things too personally when someone doesn't enjoy something I love. This lasts about five minutes and then I'm over it and I'm back to enjoy myself because life is too short not to just love the things you love.

Also about how emotionally invested in it you are. I like discussing things where I disagree with someone, but if it is something that you love then it can get too personal.

— Liam (@notsotweets) 4 March 2018

If I dislike something I don't generally talk about it very much and I only review books if I have something nice to say about them as well as bad things and if I have more bad to say I do NOT tag the author, that's not nice.

No harm in passion. Someone else’s dislike of something I love takes nothing away from my opinion of them OR the thing I love. Their manner in dealing with it can have a massive impact tho.

— Steph alittlebutalot (@eenalol) 4 March 2018

I've also had experiences where I've said my favourite book is a Harry Potter one, only to be met with eye rolls. The same goes with a lot of my favourites, the Shadowhunters books, The Hunger Games, Twilight -funnily enough no one says anything when I talk about The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde being my favourite classic. There seems to be a lot of snobbery which doesn't make sense when I'm a predominantly a reviewer of 'teen' books, if all my favourites were classics or indie-adult books then I'd be reviewing the wrong genre.

I think it's worse when someone thinks they are more sophisticated because they read a book and you haven't.

— Hannah Kaye (@cupofwonderland) 4 March 2018

There's no need for a battle of superiority in any aspect of book blogging, but least of all in a simple exchange of opinions. You can hate something that some one else loves but don't belittle them about it and if they don't want to know why you hate it, find someone who does because in the book blogging community, there will always be someone who wants to sip the tea. 

I feel this. I love Twilight. But that's such an unpopular opinion and I've given up trying to discuss with some people because of the attitude that they're somehow better than me because they don't like it or haven't read it.

— Charlotte Burns (@charlotteswhere) 4 March 2018

Don't get me wrong, most people are amazing. I have definitely found my tribe on Twitter and fangirling about novels is one of my favourite pass times. It's only when I'm having a low day and don't feel as confident in myself that I feel affected by negativity. I'm going to make a point of keeping my negative opinions to myself if they are not constructive while shouting louder about things I do like.

I like negative reviews because I love the discussion they can prompt, but not if they're just an all out attack on the book/author. Some of my favourite bookish discussions stem from opposing opinions of a book.

— Cora, Tea Party Princess ☕ 👑 (@Corazzz) 5 March 2018

Having conversations with people who have different opinions to you is an amazing experience when it isn't a personal attack, there's no reason why we can't be civil and I really want to have more positive experiences. Please get in touch if you have opinions on books I've read and loved that you didn't like so much and let me know your thoughts on this topic either in the comments or by going to the original tweet!

Thanks for reading!