To write or not to write a NEGATIVE book review

I read THIS BLOG POST from Thoughts at One in the Morning recently. Thank Jessica you for that post. It's good to know that I am not alone in this.

And the topic/issue is: 

WHETHER OR NOT 

TO WRITE A NEGATIVE BOOK REVIEW

Recently, I have read a number of books I didn't like. I don't know whether I should write a review or not. If I do, it would not come out positive, and I hate doing that. If I don't, would it not amount to censorship? I have to say that it's very difficult to find nice things to say about a book when you just forced yourself to finish it. This is especially difficult for me as my reviews include the things I loved about a book and the things I didn't love.

Personally, I think book bloggers should be allowed to write negative and (overly) positive book reviews. Book blogging is an expression of oneself, and if book bloggers limit themselves to writing positive reviews ONLY, then that would amount to a curtailment of that freedom to express oneself freely. In addition, book bloggers read books and write reviews without being compensated. When book bloggers (at least the legitimate ones; those that are not compensated) review books, there is no binding contract to write a positive book review. When authors publish their books, they are putting themselves out there, and that means their masterpieces would be subject to criticism. Some readers would love their work. Some would hate it. Some would not care. That's just the way it is, and that is how it should be.

But of course, some semblance of professionalism should still be maintained when writing negative book reviews. There is simply no excuse in using foul words in describing someone else's masterpiece. I am all for respect. We owe one another that.

I want to know what you guys think about this... There's a poll at the bottom of this post. Please vote.

Air your views, leave comments. BE NICE.