Book Reviews: Useful?

I admit that I read book reviews, even the ones with spoilers. I can't seem to help it, especially if it is a book that I am on the fence about reading. There are several authors and series that I don't usually read the reviews because no matter what, I will be buying their books or am committed to the series, a good example is Laurell K. Hamilton. A fair amount of people have not been thrilled with her latest in the Anita Blake series, but I love her work and that series and will continue to buy them until she stops writing it! But besides those few authors that I buy no matter what, I tend to read reviews. I do take a grain of salt with any review, after all it is that person's opinion and they may care about situations and stuff that I do not.

This post came about yesterday, when I was reading some reviews about a book that was on my To Be Read list and just came out. After reading the reviews, I have decided to put off on buying the book, I will probably read it eventually, but not right now. The reviews highlighted certain events in the book that I know would bother me and generally piss me off. It is a little easier for me to decide not to read this book right now, because I am not invested in the series, there have only been 2 other books. I read for enjoyment and to escape real life for awhile, I try not to read stuff that will irritate me. I am very much a comedy, adventure, romance girl, I don't tend to go for the drama or depressing stuff (I am that way with movies too).

That got me thinking what other deal breakers (with books) I have come across and realized the biggest one is cliff hanger endings. I understand the overall story arc from the series being left unresolved, but it bothers me when most of the main story is left unresolved, it is kinda like that To Be Continued 2 part TV show that seem to always end the season. What I have started doing is if I know about the ending, I wait to buy the book until the next one comes out, buy both of them, and then read them both as 1 big book.

I know that some people would say that it ruins the experience of reading the book and it is all about the journey, but it doesn't ruin anything for me, I still enjoy every minute and every page.

Anyway, that is my opinions on book reviews and how I use them. Now I am off to read!