Books

Confused About Book Rating Systems? Me too!

Retirement Reflections

Ever feel confined by a five-star book rating system and wonder what the ratings actually mean? As it turns out, even major players in the book rating game mean different things when using the five-star system. For example, when comparing Goodreads’ star rating definitions with Amazon’s, we quickly see that Goodreads’ three star-rating is Amazon’s four star-rating, while Goodreads’ two-star rating is Amazon’s three. No wonder I’ve been confused!

While I would love for Goodreads to allow readers to use half-stars, they have stated that due to the added layer of complexity that this would bring, they have no current plans to allow for decimal ratings.

What is my book rating strategy, and how does it compare with that used by Goodreads or Amazon? Here’s what I discovered!

So, what’s a book lover to do in the face of these inconsistencies? A first step is to determine what we mean by our review ratings and remain consistent with them. As a next step, when reviewing publically, we should ensure that our rating aligns with the platform’s system. If our grading system differs, we can clarify that in our written comment.

I personally use half-stars (quite frequently). I list my rating at the top of my review and then clarify what I mean by that particular grading. To fit into Goodreads’ or Amazon’s systems, I round up or down. I then say why in my comment. The process is much simpler than it sounds! 😀

BookSirens.com:

BookSirens.com offers free Advanced Reader Copies to readers willing to write honest reviews in a timely manner (this is not a sponsored ad, just my experience). As a bonus, they provide readers with a detailed summary of that reader’s individual reading and reviewing style, including handy dandy charts and graphs. According to Book Sirens, as of November 9, 2022, I rated 248 books (over 72k pages) with an average rating of 4.0. Seventeen of these books were ranked in the last three months. They also noted that I have written reviews for 155 of these books.

This graph provided by BooksSirens suggests that I am a strict reviewer when compared to other readers. The green on this chart indicates where my ratings were higher. The red shows where they were lower. In my defence, I have given 5-star ratings to six of my last twenty-four books read. Not every book can be a favourite!

October/November Reading:

Without further ado, here are the books that were on my bookshelf recently. Sticking with the book rating theme, I have included the current average rating from Goodreads and Amazon alongside my own. Interesting finds! I have listed the books from my highest rated to my lowest. If I had listed them in order of Goodreads’ or Amazon’s ratings, the sequence would have been drastically different. My highest-rated book (which I firmly stand by) was Amazon’s lowest of this set and Goodreads’ second lowest.

Indians on Vacation, Thomas King


Book’s Blurb: By turns witty, sly and poignant, this is the unforgettable tale of one couple’s holiday trip to Europe, where their wanderings through its famous capitals reveal a complicated history, both personal and political.
MyRating: 5
Current Rating on Goodreads: 3.79
Current Rating on Amazon: 4.2
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Glory G., who blogs at Women’s Wealth Canada.
My Review: In reading Indians on Vacation, I was once again reminded that while our small actions may not be able to change the world as we would like, they do change us. And that makes a mighty difference. Read More Here.

The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett


Book’s Blurb: The Vanishing Half was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. It thoughtfully considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions, desires, expectations and actions.
My Rating: 4
Current Rating on Goodreads: 4.18
Current Rating on Amazon: 4.3
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Ann (who blogs at The Unretired). I spied this book on her TBR pile!
My Review: The Vanishing Half deals with relationships, racism, colourism, domestic violence, gender identity and numerous other multilayered, provocative themes. Bennett handles this complex subject matter sensitively without becoming moralistic or preachy. Read More Here.

Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus


Book’s Blurb: Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.
My Rating: 4
Current Rating on Goodreads: 4.38
Current Rating on Amazon: 4.5
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Elizabeth H., a teacher, scientist, cook and baker — all extraordinaire!
My Review: With a powerful running message of breaking free of society’s shackles, by the end of the novel, the main characters begin to do just that. Read More Here. PS – This book was not laugh-out-loud funny to me…but I did laugh out loud once, perhaps twice!

The Alice Network, Kate Quinn


Book’s Blurb: Two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
My Rating: 3.5
Current Rating on Goodreads: 4.31
Current Rating on Amazon: 4.6
Who Might Enjoy This Book: Sue L. who blogs at Women Living Well After 50. Sue loved Quinn’s The Rose Code (which I have not yet read).
My Review: I liked that this Historical Fiction was based on WW1 French Secret Agent Louise de Bettignies (Alice Dubois) and her network of female spies (The Alice Network). I learned a great deal. Read More Here.

The Day the Falls Stood Still, C. Buchanan


Book’s Blurb: A transporting novel that captures both the majesty of nature and the mystery of love.
MyRating: 3
Current Rating on Goodreads: 3.70
Current Rating on Amazon: 4.4
Who Might Enjoy this Book: Gillian W., who was raised on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.
My Review: I’m known for being critical of book endings. So often, I am completely engrossed in a book until its final chapters, and then the last pages ruin it. For me, it was the exact opposite with The Day the Falls Stood Still. Read More Here

How About You?

If you rate books even casually/occasionally, what system do you use? Do you ever give just one or two stars? Half-stars? Do you rate books that you did not finish? I’d love to know more.

Debbie, Jo, Sue and I also invite you to share what’s been on your bookshelf recently. You can do that in the comments or via this handy link below.

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

108 thoughts on “Confused About Book Rating Systems? Me too!”

  1. Interesting how the rating systems vary. I came up with my own 1 – 5 star system and use it to rate the books I read for Book Club. Like you, my stars are often percentages.

    I read The Vanishing Half and Lessons in Chemistry and enjoyed them both (although I think the LiC cover is awful… it looks like chick lit and it really isn’t). I thought the WBA might enjoy LiC.

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  2. Fascinating! I haven’t thought about the review rating as deeply as you have. If I like a book, I give it a 4 (really enjoyed) or a 5 (magnificent!). Anything under, I don’t review it. Being an author, I know how awful bad reviews are, so I think it better for me to say nothing (about a book I didn’t enjoy) than a middle-of the line ho hum review. One reviewer said on one of my romantic suspense books (which got all 4s and 5s til then): “Had to read for a book club. Enough said,” with a “1” rating. OUCH!! I almost gave up writing, but then learned that she hates romance, so ohhhhh welllll. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Pam – I have heard other author’s say the same thing. I completely respect this point of view. As I rate almost all of the books that I read on Goodreads (and some on Netgalley) I try to give a very honest rating . I do work hard to keep my written review as respectful as possible. If I didn’t like the book written by an Indie Author (this has happened), I would not assign a rating. Although I want to be honest, I also aim to ‘do no harm’. 😀

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  3. I didn’t even realize there was a rating system behind the ratings! I just find it fascinating that one person can love a book to death and another can completely hate it (hello Hamnet!) So when I go to Goodreads to check a review I tend to start with the 1 stars and then compare with the 5 stars – it’s always a fun process.

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    1. Hi, Leanne – I love reading Goodread reviews. As you say, one person’s love is another person’s displeasure. This is always so fascinating to me. And, I can find this lack of agreement even within myself. Some books that I read and loved years ago now have a completely different affect on me!

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  4. The only one of your titles I have read is The Other Half – after seeing Brit Bennett interviewed (online) by Nicola Sturgeon, no less! We are lucky to have a First Minister who reads and promotes reading. (Well, that’s what I think. There are many who berate her for having the time to read.) I enjoyed the book, but didn’t love it. On your scale, probably 4*.

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    1. Wait…what? Your First Minister is criticized for reading? Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett (to name just three) all share a passion for reading. They make it a priority and attribute their reading habit to their successes. In fact, Gates stated “I read (at least) 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works”. It’s incredible what people can be criticized for.
      I completely agree with your 4-star rating of The Vanishing Half.

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      1. Exactly. I think she is a lot more empathetic than most politicians and that is a good reason for reading. The criticism is mostly from those who dislike her politics and therefore despise everything she does. Apparently she shouldn’t be allowed any respite from running the country. I’ve even seen it suggested that she’s making it up!

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  5. Oh, book reviews…is there a rating for this notion? LOL! Great post, Donna, and rather illuminating about the review system. I agree with Pam, 4 (really liked it but not perfect) and 5 (excellent). Anything under is not reviewed unless I’m super irritated about it! Plus I’m into reading other bloggers’ works and share reviews, usually 4-5.

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    1. Hi, Terri – Like you, I love reading books written by fellow bloggers. I have racked up quite a few so far. The ones that I have read I have all sincerely enjoyed (at least so far), so rating them has not been a problem. I have received a couple of “Contact Me” requests to review some Indie books. If I really do not think the book will be for me, I decline from the start. Thus, I avoid a potentially negative experience for both the author and for me.

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  6. In the blog I use our book club ratings which are fun rather than serious…you may have noticed! I couldn’t get past about page 10 of Lessons in Chemistry. I took an instant dislike to the main character and that was that! I know it has been popular but it is one I regret buying and will pass it on to the charity shop.

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    1. Hi, Barb – I can see that with Lessons in Chemistry. I read it for our book club. The woman who recommended it was a bit OTT about her love for the book so that had me a bit suspicious from the start (I often don’t go with the mainstream when it comes to reading). When I started Lessons in Chemistry I was originally afraid that it was going to be a 2-star read for me. But something happened part way through and I actually got into it. However, it definitely was not the laugh-out-loud read that it is often described to be…at least not for me!

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  7. Definitely interesting to see other people’s systems. Personally, I’m very stingy with my 5 star ratings. I use 3 stars to mean that I liked the book an average amount, 2 for a bit below average, 4 for more than average, and so on. I do use half stars, and I do find that my average rating is right around 3!

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    1. Hi, Shannon – Thank you for stopping by. I just popped over to your blog and greatly enjoyed what I read there. I believe that I have become stingier with my five star ratings over time. Still, I was surprised (shocked actually) when my BookSirens profile categorized me as stringent in my reviews. Their other reviewers must be incredibly generous or have more control of their book selections. The majority of my books are chosen by book clubs so I am continually reading books that I would never have chosen on my own! 😀

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      1. Yeah, I can see where that might affect things. I read books for fun but also to try to improve my writing and to get a feel for the current market, so I suppose I might read more books I’m not inclined to enjoy as much as others. But I’ve just always been the type to reserve the highest rating on anything for the really special things!

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  8. I used to read a lot. Then covid happened and for some reason I don’t have enough attention span to finish anything. I think I’ve read maybe 1 book possibly 2 this year. I’m going to try again though. I used to blame my dog on my lack of reading, called her my ‘anti-reading’ dog because she didn’t like me sitting around, always wanted me to be playing with her. But she crossed the rainbow bridge in June and still I am not reading…so it probably wasn’t her fault at all!

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    1. Hi, Dawn – I think that many of have “reading seasons” times where we read more, times where we read less, and times where we barely read at all. I know that I have had all three. My cohosts and I have agreed to continue WOYBS into 2023. I am delighted to do this. Still, I did have a small moment of panic. What if a ‘non-reading season’ happens to me while I am cohosting. My answer: reruns! 😀

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  9. I have observed that my tastes in reading a very different from yours and different from many other good friends. Just because we get along in real life doesn’t mean we will like the same books. If fact i only know 2 people who like the same books I do. I don’t find my likes are similar to the majority of Goodreads readers but when i don’t like a book there will be a few goodreads readers who also hated the book and write reviews that a interesting to read. My ratings are only for me so i don’t reread a book i hated and so friends can see books i liked if they tend to like the same kinds of book i do. I thought your personal rating score better than others. I’d add a category of meh 🫤

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    1. Hi, Ann – Your comment makes great sense to me. I have numerous friends with whom I feel like-minded in so many ways — still, we tend to enjoy completely different kinds of books. Richard is a great example of this. He just finished RE-reading The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany (1,249 pages). If I was trapped on a desert island and that was the only book available…I would definitely use it as firestarter, paper towels or toilet paper!
      BTW – Did you notice that I recommended a book for you? I saw it on your TBR pile. Have you read it?

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      1. No i haven’t read it yet. I have a back log of books from the free store. I scan in the bar codes on the back of the books i acquire so i don’t pick them up again! These go into the to be read file. Once again my interests align with Richard. He might enjoy the 3 volume biography of Winston Churchill by william Manchester or the trilogy by ken Follet Fall of Giants.

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  10. Hi Donna, I get confused with ratings and lately I’ve been doing my own thing. I’ve even gone back and changed some of my previous ratings. For me, whether the book is a best seller or not, if I really like it and it grabs my attention it is a 5 from me. If I haven’t finished a book because I just couldn’t get into it, I still rate it maybe a 1 or 2 star because the author has written a book (something I don’t think I could do). so they get a star for trying 🙂

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    1. Hi, Sue – Great minds think alike! I have also gone back and changed review ratings at times. Sometimes a book feels very different after I have finished reading it for awhile. To me, that lasting impression is most important.
      Did you notice that I recommended a book for you? Have you read it?

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  11. Hi Donna – this is a subject I am always interested in. Thanks for sharing your system! I remember noticing that Amazon’s rating descriptions do not line up with Goodreads. I find that really weird, since Amazon owns Goodreads! I’m also a strict reviewer and for me 3 stars means I liked the book. I love the .5 stars because sometimes you need a mid-rating. Also, I’m glad to see your reviews of Lessons in Chemistry and The Vanishing Half because they are on my list. Happy reading!

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  12. I don’t rate books in terms of stars but I also only read reviews after I’ve read the book. I only ver go to Good reads if I really hate a book to see if I’m alone – usually it’s some book everyone on good reads thinks is wonderful, so I ffigure good reads reviews are not for me, but more critical newspaper ones (tho often I disagree with those too – ha!)

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    1. Hi, Lydia – I totally agree that Goodreads is not for everyone and that we need to choose our Social Media wisely (otherwise we would never ever get release from our screens). I never got the hang of Pinterest, LinkedIn or Twitter…and I only fake getting the hang of Instagram. But I truly love Goodreads. I have connected with some great friends from the past there. I greatly enjoy seeing what my friends and reading and what they have to say about certain books. So many reviews leave me in awe wishing that I had said just that! I should check journal reviews more often.

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  13. Donna the star rating system has always bamboozled me. I just developed my own, which looks to be similar to yours. I usually place it at the bottom of my bookish posts. I too would love Goodreads to give half stars. For me, there’s a huge gap between a four star rating and three stars. I haven’t read any of the books that you’ve read, so more for the list.

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    1. Exactly! So many books are not a 3 star and definitely not a 4…but somewhere in between. I hate having to round up or down.
      I noticed your review rating system at the end of your bookish posts. That’s a brilliant idea which I plan to borrow!

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  14. Pingback: What makes a book a good read? #WOYBS – Deb's World

  15. I really enjoyed this Donna and all the comments have been so in interesting too! I have my own system for reviewing books and stick to it pretty well. Five stars are for books I’ve really really enjoyed and then I fan downwards from there, most of mine are 3 or 4 stars. It was so good the way you’ve suggested people who would like the books too! Very creative and insightful. You are a great co-host of our monthly linkup and really get people thinking and engaging with your posts 🙂

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  16. Good reviews Donna. I’ve also read Lessons in Chemistry, I enjoyed it and finished it so I think I gave it 5. I probably give most books I finish a 5! Mainly because if I don’t like the first three chapters of a book I never finish it🙄
    I wasn’t that keen on The Rose Code because of all the paragraphs describing the code breaking machines, I did like the fact Prince Philip was featured (I hope I’m remembering the correct book). I do like an intriguing mystery though.

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    1. Hi, Alison – Thank you so much for commenting. I truly need to learn to abandon books. To my memory, I’ve only ever done that once. I felt so guilty about it (it was an author that I truly love) that I know I should go back and read it again. As most of the books I read are for book clubs, I know that I will likely not to be able to break this habbit soon. 😦

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  17. Rating books can be very different. I don’t leave a review if I consider the book a 1 or a 2 star. I think 3 stars is still a good book. As a writer of course I look at the writing style as well as the subject matter.

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    1. Hi, Darlene – Writing style is also number one for me. I would gladly read even a grocery list written by Jane Austen. Regardless of the plot or subject matter, lackluster writing (or noticeably missing editors) never work for me. Clever, lyrical prose rule!

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  18. Hi Donna – I’ve not read any of these … and I tend to go by blogging friend’s suggestions or something I come across here in the UK … and never rate them – they are books or concepts or ideas I think I might enjoy – some I most definitely do … sadly too many are a-a-a-waiting for me to read!! I’ll take note of these … and perhaps get from the library – the Chemistry one sounds interesting … cheers for now – Hilary
    That didn’t work … just ordered!

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  19. Excellent post on rating books, Donna! I clearly haven’t given it as much thought as you but my rating goes something like this:
    3 star – book was OK; probably won’t read again. I pretty much begin every book thinking it will be 3 stars, and then it goes up or down as I get into it.
    4 stars- better than expected; quite enjoyable
    5 stars – still thinking about the book days after finishing; touched my soul; will reread again and again and/or character(s)/plot/writing was brilliant.
    1 and 2 stars – probably didn’t finish the book. Too predictable and/or poor writing/character development/where the hell was their editor…that sort of thing.

    Deb

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    1. Hi, Deb – I like your rating system and your realistic outlook. I begin every book believing that it will be 4 stars…okay, 5…but I hate to appear overly naïve. 😳
      I still cannot believe that I missed WBA in Janis’s comment. Where in the heck was my brain!

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      1. I start everybody at a 3 because they actually wrote a book! Something I don’t think I could ever do. So kudos to you authors, just for putting together a book! Books really have to be bad for me to drop them less than a 3.

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      2. Hi, Deb – Once again, our core values are similar but our way in achieiving them is slightly different. According to Goodreads, only 4% of my book ratings are lower than a 3 (ten 2-stars and two 1-stars). I just checked what books they were and I still stand by those ratings. For one of the 1-star books that I read over 5 years ago — I still have nightmares — literally! 😦

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  20. Great topic and post, Donna. I see you had fun with some lists and graphs as well. 🙂 I think it’s so important for readers to be honest and true to their ratings and reviews. Yet, as an author I have found this incredibly tricky.

    Reviews are so important and I try to write and post one for every book I read. The issue is: what to do when I didn’t enjoy the story or I got too annoyed with typos and inconsistencies?

    I know other authors don’t review anything they deem worthy of less than three stars. At the moment, that’s where I’m at. I do find myself (trying to be) more lenient when I’m reading a book by someone I know…

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – I agree that reviewing is a fine balance. It is important to be honest or else the entire review system is rendered useless. However, I also believe that we need to be very thoughtful when reviewing publically and never flippant or hasty. As a result, I often spend longer writing my reviews than my blog posts. 😩

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  21. I loved The Alice Network when I read it years ago. It’s one book that I often recommend. I pay no attention to ratings, had no idea there were so many from which to choose. Good for you trying to understand what appears to be non-understandable.

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    1. Hi, Ally – I love discussing books and knowing what makes a particular book click for some but not others. Reviews are an easy way for me to access this. On Goodreads, I was particular struck by those that absolutely loved The Alice Network and those that simply couldn’t get into Charlie’s storyline. For me, the two interwoven storylines helped to provide perspective and balance.

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  22. I was expecting Lessons in Chemistry to be so much funnier (though in all fairness I didn’t even finish it so maybe it got funnier). I often don’t pay much attention to ratings of books (though I do like reading why certain bloggers enjoy the books they read!).

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    1. Hi, Joanne – I was expecting it to be funnier as well. In the book’s defence I am not usually a laugh out loud kind of gal (although all bets are off when I read Bill Bryson). 😀 Once I gave up on LiC making me laugh, and lost all of the other expectations that the books’ hype had created for me, I found the second half of the book to be a thought-provoking read.
      I also greatly enjoy reading why others enjoy (or don’t enjoy) the books that they read.

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      1. Oh yes, Bill Bryson is one of the few artists that make me laugh out loud too. Though I did chuckle quite a bit over She’s Up To No Good that I read this month; the grandmother was quite feisty.

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  23. I save my 5 star ratings for the best of the best, for books that have a WOW factor, for books I will remember forever and might want to reread, for books that connected with me emotionally, and for books I will recommend to everyone I see! It took me a while to develop my rating system so that I could apply it consistently. I think a rating system is personal and needs to be carefully and thoughtfully formulated.

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    1. Hi, Carol – Saving your five-stars for the best of the best makes sense to me. Otherwise they lose their significance. I also agree that our ratings need to be thoughtfully given. I know authors who have lost sleep over hasty, thoughtless comments.

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  24. Honestly, most of the books I read are recommended by a couple of friends who know what I like. Sometimes I will check out reviews on Goodreads, to make sure it’s not going to be a waste of time. I particularly like when the reviews are well-crafted and informative, as opposed to superficial or self-indulgent. I love your graphic and the additional choices you included for your rating system.

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  25. Hi Donna, I’ve had Indians on Vacation on my TBR list for a while. Hope to get to it soon. While I’m aware of book rating systems, I don’t pay attention to the ratings because to me, they’re individual opinions at one point in time. I agree with you that we need to be very thoughtful when posting our book reviews publically. It takes time to write fair book reviews and you’re doing it so well.

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  26. Thank for the clarification in the rating system. I am always at a loss when I am o. The edge of 3 or 4 but somehow 4 stars is not an issue. If it’s compelling and great story, 5 stars.

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    1. Hi, Antoinette – I agree that books that are on the edge of a 3 and 4 are the most difficult to rate — especially when I’ve read them alongside a true 4. Books that totally blow me away are the easiest for me to review! 😀

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  27. Hi, Donna. I like what Deb offered: she starts at a “3” because just writing a book deserves some kind of a baseline of respect. I don’t think I’ve ever rated anyone below a three either, and her reason is a perfectly acceptable one to me. I’m actually very uncomfortable even choosing a rating to be honest because fair-minded people are allowed to disagree on likes and dislikes. I’ve never rated a book that I haven’t finished. – Marty

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    1. Hi, Marty – Thank you so much for joining in. I’ve loved reading everyone’s varying points of view on book ratings. I’ve only once not finished a book (heck, I had barely begun it) and I did not rate it. My New Year’s Resolution just may be to guiltlessly abandon any book that I am not enjoying — incuding those for book club! 😀

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  28. I appreciate this very informative post and all the work you put into it! I’m also grateful for the reminder about Lessons in Chemistry. A friend’s book club read it and enjoyed it. (I’ll ask her if she laughed!)

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  29. Hi Donna – oh gosh, I had never considered how complicated rating books is. I just rate on my own personal enjoyment of the book. I do however feel uncomfortable giving a low mark if I don’t enjoy a book as it seems unfair to put other readers off a book which they may well enjoy. Another great list of interesting books to add to my list! Thanks for sharing

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    1. Hi, Janine – ‘Complicated’ doesn’t begin to subscribe it. Once I began to use Goodreads, I was in awe of some of the well-thought out and cleverly written reviews that I saw there. As I read many of my book club books well in advance, I began to write reviews as well. This was partly so that I would remember how I felt about the book long after I had finished it, and partly to pay it forward to other reviewers.
      I was surprised to discover what big business reviewing can be. There are several companies, Netgalley and BookSirens to name only two, where publishers and authors pay to have their books listed and reviewed there — book reviews being important to publicity. In most cases (and definitely in my case) reviewers are not paid, but are given a free advanced digital book copy. According to Writerswrite.com, Netgalley alone has over 230,000 members and over 40,000 reviews are submitted each month. Mindblowing! 😀

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      1. Wow as you say big business. Reviewing therefore brings responsibility, as whilst you want to be truthful to the reader, a bad review could negatively impact a writer’s sales. A difficult balance to obtain I’m sure.

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      2. Hi, Janine – That is so true. Ultimately I do seek to be as honest as possible in my reviews (otherwise who would ever believe what I say about other books?). But I try to do it as constructively as possible.

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  30. My 5 star rating simple is quite simple: 5* I loved it and it took me to where I wanted to be. I really liked it and it took me to where I wanted to be. End of ratings. As an aside, I really enjoyed The Alice Network too, but not as much as The Rose Code.

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  31. I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of rating books. If I finish a book, it means I thought it was a good read. I much prefer to write about what struck me about a book, what made it a good read. And, most important, how much I cared about the characters.

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  33. Pingback: Reads for November 2022 – Eat, Play, Live

  34. As a writer and a reader, people’s reviewing behavior fascinates me. I rarely leave reviews (mostly due to lack of time but also the writing community is small, and being anything less than glowing about someone else’s work can create problems). I leave star ratings most of the time. 5 stars = didn’t want to put it down, neglected food and sleep to keep reading. 4 stars = really enjoyable read. 3 stars = somewhat enjoyable. Anything below 3 stars will be a did-not-finish for me. I won’t waste time reading books I don’t like, and I won’t leave ratings or reviews for them.

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    1. Ah, the “neglected food and sleep to keep reading” category. That is a very apt description! I’m currently finishing (or trying to finish reading) a book that fails into that pile. It’s been a busy weekend filled with tons of commitments….and I’m becoming a bit cranky not being able to get back to my book! 😦

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  35. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #310 – Thistles and Kiwis
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  39. For book club, we used to use just a 1-5 system but people struggled with it. So, we changed it to words (that I then convert to numbers for averaging) that coincidentally match what you show for Amazon’s list. Seems to work well for us, even though there are times when you’d like something in between!!

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree that book rating systems are complicated (at best) :D. Personalizing them for book clubs make much sense. I agree that descriptive words are clearer than numbers.
      Congratulations on your spot on Feed Spots Top 100 Retirement Blogs.

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  40. Pingback: WQW #46: Are Abandoned Buildings Compelling Art? – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  41. Hi again, Donna,
    I used to get wrapped up in ratings. Now I just go with my gut. If it wasn’t very good, I don’t usually rate it because I don’t usually finish it. LOL. I’m too late for the link party here – as usual, but I added a link to this post so others can find your post and contribute to next month’s party. It’s a good place to go when choosing your next book. 🙂

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