⭐⭐📚 Rating System - 2020 Changes 📚⭐⭐
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| [Personal Rating System - 2020] |
As we head into a new year, and a new decade … and
for me, new territory as a blogger (serious one at that, or rather trying to be)
…
I’d like to do something different this year with
my book reviews.
While Goodreads, Bookbub, and Amazon have their
own rating system – I wanted to do my own thing with rating books when it came
to my blog.
Goodreads has the following criteria when it comes
to rating books:
1
star – Did not
like
2
stars – It was
OK
3
stars – Liked
it
4
stars – Really
liked it
5
stars – It was
amazing!
Compared to Amazon and Bookbub, this is a much
better scale. But, at times it makes it a bit difficult to properly and
adequately rate a book. Some books fall into the “HALF” stars. They’re in
between for one reason or another.
And, Bookbub has an even more basic rating criteria
when it comes to rating books:
1
star – Bad
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| [ While it provides "key words", and a place to rate it; the rating system is very basic. But, it goes along with Goodreads] |
2
stars – Disappointing
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| [This is where Goodreads and Bookbub differ. This would be a 1-star GR rating.] |
3
stars – Okay
 |
| [This is about the best/neutral rating on the website. Again, different than GR. More or less the GR 2-star rating.] |
4
stars – Good
 |
| [Good isn't really on par with "really liked it" from GR.] |
5
stars – Excellent
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| [This could align with GR's 4 and 5 star ratings] |
Compared to Goodreads a book could be both two (2) and three (3) stars which makes it a bit confusing when referencing it on a blog review.
On Goodreads the book is OKAY, and yet on Bookbub it
is DISAPPOINTING.
Amazon just has the basic rating system:
1
star
2
stars
3
stars
4
stars
5
stars
That doesn’t even address the issue of how good or
bad it is, where in the scale the rating falls. For the creative arts – books,
movies, DVDs – that rating is definitely inadequate. Almost archaic. Sorry in
advance to Amazon.
I decided – for my blog at least – to create my
own rating system. I’ll still post the Goodreads and Bookbub review ratings for
comparison ...
BUT …
I will also have a better expanded personal
rating. If the book on the Goodreads or Bookbub was “between” a star, I will
note it in my personal rating where exactly on those ratings scale it falls. I
will use a “blend” of the Goodreads and Bookbub rating scales.
My
personal rating system explained:
1
star –
Bad, Did Not Like AT ALL, CANNOT RECOMMEND
VERY FEW BOOKS WILL GET THIS LOW of a rating
though.
It is not something I feel comfortable in doing. If it was a library
book based on interest, likely to DNF (did not finish) and return; probably
struck it from my Goodreads list. If it is a “review” copy – will have read the
entire thing to properly review as I had committed to doing so. Was more like a
“judicial sentence” to read. Felt like I wasted my time.
Definitely glad it was free. If an ARC, am
disappointed I requested it or entered to win it.
In general, it likely had an interesting premise
which led me to entering to win it, requesting it, or borrowing it from the
library. Didn’t satisfy the build up around the book. The
plot/execution/characters did not satisfy the interest or time vested in
reading it. Plot somewhat differed than the “blurb”.
Likely to place in a “free little library” for
trade to let someone else read if it was won or an ARC. Would definitely trade
with someone who was interested in it. If not an ARC, would donate to the library.
[As of note, most of my books are “nearly new” if
I got them as “new”. I don’t bend spines, covers, or dog-ear pages when reading
so anyone wanting a “newish” copy would enjoy getting it. Paper and hard backs
are both well taken care of. If it was USED when I got it – then I didn’t
damage it any more.]
Would not be reading it again or recommending to
family and friends. Also, out of respect to the author wouldn’t tag them in
social media. Basic mention – here is the review type of mention. Mostly likely I would leave a 2-star rating.
2
stars –
Most of the same criteria as a 1 star rating, but more of a
“conciliatory” rating due to Goodreads and Bookbub’s system. This is, to me, the
MINIMUM I could rate a book that I was asked to review.
As with the above – glad it was “free” or a library
book. If seen at a library book sale would pass it up. Would only discuss it if
asked by family or friends. Would not read it again, or other stories connected
to it. Likely to trade it off in a little free library (ARC), donate to library for sale, or with someone who has
shown interest in it if it was an ARC.
Minimum social media exposure. Review would state what I did/didn’t like about it.
Minimum social media exposure. Review would state what I did/didn’t like about it.
3
stars –
This is a “grey” (“gray”) area for a rating. And,
thus the review would indicate solely as to why it fell into this. Goodreads
has this as “I liked it”, with Bookbub as “okay”. So, this is where I wouldn’t
have too many issues with sharing the review or tagging the author and publisher.
Goes without saying that I’m glad it was free
obviously (prize, ARC/review copy/library copy). Wouldn’t purchase for self at
full price, might buy with a gift card. Iffy on the wish list.
If I bought it at a library for cheap, might
donate it back if it isn’t something I would read again. Story might have had some
interesting moments. Time invested in reading the book was slightly well-spent.
Might read other “connected” books if I could borrow them through the library,
or buy for 25-50¢ at the library’s used book store.
Satisfied/dissatisfied ratio would depend, varies
from book to book. Not likely to read again anytime soon. Recommendations would
vary.
This could also be a “neutral” rating as the book
had enough good to equal out the bad parts. Would help promote the book on
social media accounts.
4
stars –
Might have had minor questions regarding characters,
plot, and execution; otherwise completely satisfied. Might have had some
disappointing moments, but otherwise enjoyed the time spent with the book.
Emotionally connected; definite connection to the
characters or could see them as people I’d know (or want to know). I might have
even cried or felt panic at some moments in the story. Want to know about the
characters after this story or some in it that were not touched on.
Couldn’t put it down as I wanted to know what was
happening, but wanted to pace myself to spend more time with it.
Worth the money paid (if purchased) – but would
have to be on sale due to financial issues. Would have on a wish list. If it
was borrowed from the library – want my own copy for certain. Definitely want
to seek out connected books if part of a series.
On the “re-read” list for absolute 90% certainty, once
I cycle through everything. Would more than likely recommend to family and
friends, would be discussing and highly promoting the book.
5
stars –
Stellar! Everything from the 4 star rating applies here! Completely
satisfied my interest; felt like my time was well spent. Likely couldn’t put it
down or wait to pick it back up.
Book and story was exactly what I thought it would
be. No questions asked.
Definitely high on a “re-read” list (almost right
after reading it the first time, so 100%+), and worth spending the money on.
With that said …
At times my reviews might coincide with Goodreads
and/or Bookbub, other times not so much. That is why my reviews are SO long. I
take my role as a reviewer seriously and want to make sure that the person
reading the review knows it wasn’t a hastily transcribed diatribe of nonsense. I want them to know I'm now fawning over a freebie either.
As with ANY review – I will leave it up to the
reader to ultimately decide if they want to invest the time and/or money on the
book. If it’s a “fencer” – one that is hard to go with, I’ll recommend
searching the library. That’s been a great source for me. Some books I’ve
really wanted to buy, read them … and nope, not buying. I could name them – I prefer not to.
This is where I express my extreme gratitude to the Henderson (Nevada) Public Library (HPL/my “city”), as well as the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (LVCCLD/ “county”) in my bookish and literary adventures. The library is a great way to decide to “sample” the book 100% before decided to hit BUY NOW or not.
And, have I done that? YES! Most recently, I did it with Terri Blackstock’s “Smoke Screen”.
I’d read good and VERY bad reviews. But, the story “called” to me. I found the book at the Green Valley branch of HPL – and borrowed it. I also didn’t have the money to buy it.
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| [Large Print, Library Edition - GV Branch] |
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| [Paperback edition; Amazon.com] |
After “skimming” (cheating way to read – flash through
the pages and highlights, so easy with LARGE PRINT); I HAD to get it. Won a gift card, got the book. FYI: sometimes all the library has of a book is LARGE PRINT.
There were a few I was OH SO EXCITED FOR … tried
to win them, saw them at the library, checked them out.
Admittedly I scrubbed a few off the list, couldn’t
rate them. Others? I was SO grateful to the library that they had them.
Hoping this will work to clarify how I rate on my blog compared to Goodreads and BookBub.
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