Beastmomma

Suggested by JM:

I receive a lot of review books, but I have never once told lies about the book just because I got a free copy of it. However, some authors seem to feel that if they send you a copy of their book for free, you should give it a positive review.

Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?

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The issue of whether you are obligated to write a positive review if you get a book for free has been debated all around the blogosphere lately.   I DO NOT think that reviewers are obligated to put of a good review of a book just because they get a free copy.   Although, I know that I try to say something like, "This book is not for me, but may be good for...." If I cannot think of anything about the content, I might write something like "This book is not for me, but may be good for people who appreciate good typeset." 

As for putting up disclaimers, I do not think that they are necessary.  Before I accept a book for review, I check with the author to make sure that I tell whoever is sending me the book that I am going to do an honest review.  I do think it is sad that fear of author egos has made us (as bloggers) consider having to put up disclaimers.