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| Three stars (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The first post I saw about ratings was more about the algorithm Amazon uses to determine featured books. At Amazon, only 4 and 5 star ratings are considered. Because everyone knows this, it might be encouraged that reviewers leave 4 and 5 stars to help the author out. Also, because of the reliance on 4 and 5 star reviews, 3 stars have been deemed a negative review. One post I read argued for reviewers to change their perception on how they think about the ratings and reconsider 3 stars not to be helpful. It is interesting to note that Publisher's Weekly only provides a starred review. I kind of wonder if a thumbs up or down would be better than the 5 star rating system.
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| Concept Processing (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Since most people are incapable of being 100% objective, reviews always contain at least a small degree of bias. I think ratings show the most potential for bias. Why? Because we automatically compare books when we put them on a scale. Have you ever read the most outstanding book, then read another in the same genre and feel let down? You would give it a lower rating, right? However, would that have been the rating had you never read the outstanding book? I try to vary the genres I read for this purpose.
If you are going to include a rating system on your blog, I encourage you to denote what each category means. I don't mind Goodreads rating system, because when you hover over the stars a scale is provide denoting what each star rating means (1 = didn't like it, 2 = it was ok, 3 = liked it, 4 = really liked it, 5 = it was amazing). Amazon does not provide any explanation of its rating system that I can find. Therefore, whereas a 3 star rating may mean I liked it, to someone else it might mean I didn't like it.
Because of the subjectivity in the star rating, a reviewer should always qualify their response with an actual review as to why they rated it they way they did. Nothing irks me (or the author) more to see a rating on Goodreads and no explanation as to why.
What do you think about the star rating system? Do you consider how many stars a book has when choosing it? Would it be better just to give a thumbs up or down a la Siskel and Ebert?
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Great post! You definitely bring up a good point. I think a star rating system works if you explain the rating scale (like Goodreads). Personally I like to read reviews rather than see a star rating. I want to know why you liked it or why you disliked it. I'm more inclined to read a book because of the reviews rather than its star rating. The thumbs up or thumbs down thing could work, but again I'd like to see a review accompany that.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the review (and not the rating) is most helpful.
DeleteThis is a fantastic post! I've been lucky that over the years I've been reading I've developed an eye for books I'll like - mostly fours, the occasional fives. Since I've started taking a chance on more things, I have noticed 3s. They're NOT bad books, just as you say - they may just need some development or not be quite the right fit for me. I hate writing 1 and 2 star reviews as it ruins my blogging day and I've found on the odd occasion that a book is 1-2 stars I don't want to finish it. Too many good books in the world!
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband's book came out he said 'I'd love a three star average. I'll know I'm on the right track then.' To me, that seems a much more sensible approach. As an author, do you want to learn from your reviews or are they purely as a sales tool?
It is rare that I finish a 1 star review. I have on occasion fishined one because I felt the negative view pointed needed to be represented. Since I do not post reviews of books I do not finish, I forced myself to finish it.
DeleteGreat post Donna. I agree with you 100%. I don't use the star system for the very same reasons.
ReplyDeleteI don't rate on my blog either but have to on Amazon/Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteI have gotten knocked for giving 3-star reviews but it does mean it is a good book, just not one that grabbed me.
The thumbs up/down is like the rating system on YouTube and yes, 3 stars would be thumbs up.
I've been told that since I don't do 1/2 star ratings that I'm more of a book recommendation than a reviewer.
I'm not sure I agree because if I can't finish a book I can't very well rate it fairly or if I do struggle through it not enjoying it I'll be even more ticked off when writing a review. hehe It's a catch 22 I know.
Bottom line, no one is paying me to review books so I can review them as I please.
I don't feel beholden to the author to give it a 4-5 stars for their sales and sometimes if I find typos or sloppy editing then that's an automatic one star deduction.
I have gotten more picky entering my second year of reviewing Indies so I am tossing books that don't 'grab' me in the first 25%.
In the beginning, most of my reviews were 3 stars. Then I saw an upswing in 4s and 5s. I am hopeful that it means I was finding truly great books.
DeleteI do use the star rating system on my blog, but I have a separate page where I explain how books fall on that scale. It's very similar to the GR scale. And should books fall anywhere below a 3, I do my best to include something positive in my review to offset the negative.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic!
I don't think it is wrong or anything to have a rating system as long as there is info somewhere on what it means. I will occasionally refer to stars in my reviews. People are use to seeing ratings (Stars, thumbs, letter grades, etc) with reviews.
DeleteI've been reviewing quite a bit more lately, and am still feeling my way, but it does seem like most reviews I write are 3 stars, meaning I liked it, but it didn't rock my world.
ReplyDeleteI have had authors feel angry with me for that. Now that I am reading more Indie, I do what Coral (above) mentioned - I drop a book if it doesn't grab me in the first 25%.
I tend to NOT write 1 or 2 star reviews because I can be somewhat sharp-tongued and arrogant, and I would rather not trash someone's book. I will rate books 1 or 2 stars on Goodreads, however, without a narrative review, mostly because I am working to get all books I read listed there for my own reference.
Maybe I hope the 1 or 2 stars will be less hurtful than my words might be? Usually that rating is earned because I found a book dull, uninspired, trite, or just plain boring. I'm not sure how a wordy review can be helpful in those cases.
Great topic - LOL - the same one I've been talking about on my Thursday blog!
You could always just give a brief reason why you gave it 1 or 2 stars on Goodreads. Saying you found the book dull, uninspired, trite, or boring would be helpful. Otherwise I just have to imagine why you gave it 1 star.
DeleteIt definitely is a hot topic write now.
I don't mind 3 star reviews, as either a reader or writer, as long as the reviewer explains what didn't work for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat I can't stand, is when a three star review is given and no review is provided.
Thank you very much for the thought-provoking post.
ReplyDeleteI review quite a few books myself on Smashwords and Goodreads, but only rate books which I deem, in my honest opinion, to be worthy of either four or five stars, being, books which I feel that have been amazing, interesting, worthy of comment etcetera.
I don't rate books below four stars as I only like to make other readers aware of books which I have liked for the above reasons, but this is a personal decision on my part.
I have read quite a few books which I haven't been unable to finish or would not have awarded four or five stars to; I feel it is not fair to post a review about something which is only half-read,or struggled to read, in essence.
In the end, though, opinions vary greatly; what may be my favorite, may not be someone else's, this is what makes things so interesting; the difference of opinion that abounds!