I don't think I've heard the word "crap" so much since my Grandma died... :)

I think that both reviews are equally valid. The objection I had was not to whether the review was positive or negative, but to the assertion that some books just are crap, end of story. I also don't agree that some books just are wonderful and perfect in every way, end of story. I would argue that to my dying day about, for example, The Remains of the Day, but it's still just my opinion.

Elisabeth, are you saying that every book has at least one redeeming feature and that every book has at least one flaw? Why must that be true? Do you think everything in life is that way - TV shows, paintings, plays, people? I strongly disagree with that viewpoint. I am an avid reader and have read thousands upon thousands of books. Every now and then - say once every 5-7 years - I read a book that is "perfect". Unfortunately, I don't do quite as well at avoiding books that are total crap. I probably end up reading one of those every 3-4 years.

Desiree--

No, I'm not saying that. I seem to be having a hard time getting my point across; maybe because I'm a reader, not a writer. What I was trying to say is that there is not one opinion about a book that represents "reality". A book that you may find to be perfect (I agree, really hard to find!), I may find to have flaws. And vice-versa. So to insist that some books are just crap because you deem them so is, in my opinion, an untenable position. But feel free to disagree.

I agree that individual opinions will differ but if a given individual (or book reviewer for the purposes of this discussion) likes everything then they are either dishonest or not worth listening to. A reviewer should be totally honest when they write a review. Otherwise what good is it to the reader? Am I being naive in assuming that book reviews are intended to assist the reader in finding worthwhile books to read? If the reviewer finds the book to be a complete failure (crap) then they should say so! As long as their review is supported by specific reasons and examples as to why they didn't like the book (as Beth's review was) then I fail to understand why anyone would be offended. If my criteria for judging a book is different than the reviewer's, then I may choose to buy that book anyway (and sometimes I do). What upsets me are all those book reviews (especially in the romance genre) written with a positive spin. They sound like they are running for office. Are these people paid to rhapsodize over every book? How am I supposed to trust they are being honest when they never, ever read a book they just can't stand.

I will take honesty and truth over political correctness anyday. If by some bizarre reason the goal of a book reviewer is not to offend anyone, then any review they write is useless to me, and I will completely ignore anything that reviewer has to say.

On the other hand, if a reviewer finds a book to be absolute perfection, then by all means they should say that. But they need to elaborate on the criteria they used to judge the book.

Now I know how my 2-year old feels. It's so frustrating to be misunderstood!

I never said that reviewers shouldn't be honest and truthful. For pete's sake, OF COURSE they should. I never said they should be politically correct. Every person has their own voice and I think they should use it, pc or not. If I'm reading a review I want to know that the writer is giving me their honest opinion, otherwise the review is completely invalid and does me no good at all. That doesn't mean that I like every reviewer's voice, but I also have the freedom to choose what I read, don't I?

What I have a problem with is the following assertion that was made in Beth's review--"why can't we just admit that some books are crap?" As if there are certain books that we can label with a big crap sticker because every reader must undeniably agree that it is fact--this book SUCKS. Give me a break! If you THINK a book is crap, by all means say so and I will thank you for your honest opinion, but opinion (even popular) does not equal truth, and I take offense to THAT, not anything else.

Elisabeth -- I do understand your position, and I think it will be clearer to others now as well.