Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?

Yes, I read all my book reviews. I know that there is equal value in both good and bad reviews. First, why read the good ones? It is very encouraging to read positive things about your work. I like to read a review that indicates the reader has got what l was trying to say. This serves to reinforce the message for me.

Second, the bad ones. I try to determine if the writer has found a shortcoming in my work which l need to address. Sometimes, the person is just having a go or is being mean. But where the review is a serious criticism with the intent of showing my shortcoming in the book, l look closely and try to incorporate the suggestions made or have the observation addressed. I am constantly looking to see what l can do better. So sometimes my feelings are hurt but l am willing to listen and to try to present my experiences in a better way thanks to the criticism  received.