Glenn Conley

A review on a book chock-full of reviews

Really, the author claims to hate books. Not so, he hates bad books, poorly written books, dull books. As in many cases, some of this hate is a matter of personal taste, just like the rave reviews of some of the five star books he reviews. Shock and awe, there's a lot of profanity going on, so if you're tender hearted, this book may not be for you. Actually, I'm pretty ffing sure this book won't be for you. I thought the one and two star reviews could have been given some more depth, a little extra motivation, instead of extra swear words, although some of the imagery was quite vivid and entertaining.
Seriously, look a bit further (starting at the 3 star reviews) and see Glenn Conley write about his great passion: reading good books. In the process, you might find a gem or two you hadn't heard about. My 'to read' pile has just grown a fair bit, so thanks, Glenn.… (more)

Brutally honest is right.
Especially the honest half.
Based on this book, I don’t think that anyone could ever accuse this man of telling a lie.
At first, to tell you truth, I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to get when first turned past that front cover.
When I did, it was, I have to say, truly shocking.
On with the brutal.
In a good way though.
Yes, its got language.
Who hasn’t dropped an F-Bomb or two? Or three? Or seven?
However, what I saw under the tough exterior of rough language and even rougher analogies is a reviewer that loves to read.
In each of his reviews, even those books that he isn’t as fond of, he gives amazing detail, which shoes someone who actually read the entire story, rather than skimming it and saying “I hated it. I couldn’t finish it” which happens a lot.
Whether you agree with his assessments of the books contained in this compilation or not, his take is different and often-hilarious. I give it 4 stars.
… (more)

As I started reading Glenn’s book on reviews, I thought I had seen artwork like this before… Then I realized he was like Ralphie’s “Old Man”…in A Christmas Story. Glenn Conley works profanities in his reviews the way other artists might use oils or clay. Profanity is his medium. He is a master… (To steal a few lines from the movie). Much like comedians: Dave Attell, Eddie Murphy, and George Carlin or shock jock Howard Stern, Glenn too is a master of his work. The more Glenn dislikes a book, the more profanities can flow into the written review like water rushing over Niagara Falls. A breakdown of the reviews in his book reveals: 10% 1 star, 20% 2 star, 40% 3 star, 20% 4 star and the rare 10% 5 star reviews. His commentary seems to be honest and from his heart, but I believe they are also meant to be entertaining. I have to admit I laughed aloud at many of his statements, I’m sure my dogs thought I was crazy. If you are the type of person that goes to comedy clubs and doesn’t mind some raw language, you are certain to be engaged by his book. I found it purely entertaining. I highly recommend, Glenn Hates Books vol.1.… (more)

This is a book of book reviews. Some profane (okay, almost all profane) and some thoughtful (not many). I give it two stars: one star because you can't give less than one and the second star because the reviews are funny. I could have given it three stars, but as many of the reviews lament the lack of violent sex in the books in question, I just can't take this volume that seriously. Book reviews should tell me something about the books in question, something that lets me know whether or not I want to read them. These reviews mostly tell me how much the author doesn't want to have sex with them.

The main reason I can't take the author seriously as a reviewer is his choice of books and his reactions to the ones he does choose. Many of the books are ones I wouldn't choose to read (horror, mostly) but, of those I would or have read, he hates them. Whereas what I would look for in a reviewer is an opinion that's close to mine on the books I've read so that I know I can trust their opinions to (possibly) match mine on the books I haven't read.

If you're going to read this book, read it for its amusement value only. Not for accurate book reviews.… (more)