book reviews

I was looking at book review services for my new book and it got me thinking about book reviews. Lately, it has been hard to find people that will leave a review.  I'm not sure if it's because they are just too busy or they don't want to post their opinion, but I have readers telling me constantly that they enjoyed my book...they just never get around to leaving that review on Amazon.  So, I wonder if reviews are really that important. I know some readers who couldn't care less about reviews, if they want to read a book, they'll read it regardless of what the reviews said. Then, there are some readers who read books solely based on book reviews. So, as an author, I wonder where the happy medium is...if there is one?  I tend to think that reviews are still important because it lets other readers know what a great book it is, or it isn't.  However, if you can't get readers to leave reviews then you have to go to the professional reviewers which can cost quite a penny.  I don't understand why reading a book and leaving a review costs so much....is it because of the effort or is it the company name you're paying for? A lot of authors repeat over and over that you shouldn't pay for reviews, but when you're an indie author with a non-existent budget, what are you supposed to do? What other options are there? I think you have to do what you have to until you can afford to do something better.  Why is that so wrong?  Anyway, just some thoughts I had while looking over the reviews for my new book.  Maybe I should do a poll or survey about book reviews because I really would like to know how important readers think they are. Something to think about.
Until next time....