Do you rate the books you read? If so, what scale do you use (1-5, 1-10, fractions…)?
2 Likes
I do use a 1-5 scale, but I also rate in quarter-star increments (so 4.0, 4.25, 4.5, etc.).
I use a 1 - 5 point scale to the tenths (…4.4, 4.5, 4.6…). Ratings are tracked in my reading journal along with other bookish info.
1 Like
I use 1-5 with quarters and it is completely based on my reading enjoyment not on the writing or the storytelling or how it compares to other books in any way. I don’t consider myself a critic so I can only judge a book by how it settled on me.
3 Likes
I usually use a 1-5 rating system, and I will add some written comments to explain why I chose that rating. Often, this rating will remind me which books to suggest to my book groups.
1 Like
I rate on the BookBrowse 1 - 5 scale. I find that when I let some time elapse after I’ve read and rated a book, I will sometimes lower the book’s rating, especially in comparison to other books I’ve read since. I guess I’m rating and ranking in my mind.
1 Like
Interesting comments! @Anne_Glasgow, I had this conversation with BookBrowse staff not that long ago. I personally rated a book I’d read a 2, because I hated it, but as a reviewer gave it a 3 because there were aspects of it that were well done, from a writing standpoint. Then there’s my totally trashy space pirate series. For me, they’re five-star reads, but if I were to review them they’d definitely not hit that mark (four stars would be generous).
@Lana_Maskus I’m glad I’m not the only person who does this; my personal ratings for some books definitely go up or down over time.
Hmmm, I suspect if I were a legitimate reviewer I would feel obligated to look at books a little differently so I get what you are saying. I post reviews on IG and I do tend to choose my words carefully as I don’t want to deal with irate authors or readers. (I did get read the riot act by an angry author once and all I did was say how a book landed on me—seems fair game. 
) There’s always something positive that can be said. I hope that people who read my reviews regularly can tell when I am truly happy with a book.
1 Like
I rate the books I read on a 1 to 5 star system, sometimes adding a half. I list the title & author, then a very few sentences that might jog my memory when I look back at what I’ve read. I don’t write reviews of them, other than “better than expected”, “disappointing addition to the series”, “slow moving plot”, or “inbelieveable characters”–even a very few “loved this!”, I handwrite them in a small notebook–swag from an open house–that begins with Jan 2015. I number the titles as I go, always dividing them by month so I can compare/contrast each year. I’m very close to finally filling up my “bible” but have volume 2 ready to go.
1 Like
My scale is pretty simple because it’s just my personal preferences and reactions:
Grade A:
A book I’d highly recommend without hesitation or qualifications. Very few books warrant this grade. You may not enjoy the book as much as I did, but we’ll definitely be talking about this book the next time we get together. And I want my copy back…
Grade B:
A book that I’d recommend to friends whose tastes seem aligned with mine. Again your rating might be different, but I hope you’ll find it a good read. And, if you want, please pass this book to someone else who may enjoy it. Books like these deserve a wide audience.
Grade C
A book that has some merit and is OK under certain circumstances like a long plane ride, a beach vacation, or just as a “break”. A good detective series, a well-written thriller, a satisfying escape, or a wry look at life all fit into this grade. I leave these books in the airport lounge, the vacation rental, or the nearest Little Free Library when I’m done.
Grade D
Did not finish; waste of money. Best place for these is the re-cycling bin so they can be turned into something useful. Too many “best sellers” and “award winning” books in this pile. I try to choose wisely, but the PR machine is insidious and sometimes my defenses are breached.
3 Likes
Hahaha! That’s probably the best determination of quality yet. Love that!
I do rate the books I read using a scale of 1/5.
I have never given a 1/5, but I have given a 2/5 and a 3/5 - most of my ratings are 4/5 or 5/5.
I rate books on a 1-5 scale. I research the book readers 1st to see if I would have a connection. I also enjoy the reviews from Other book browse members. I have a blocking point that that 50%. The book does not appeal to me then I put it in the Did not finish category
Nothing fancy for this reader, I use 1-5 as my scale. And that’s simply because I admit to using GoodReads to keep track of my reading. Its easy and I’m lazy. And as a retired admin, whose job it was to write and/or edit major communications, It gives me a chance to write now and then. There have been times when I think another .5 could be used, but not too often. Why reinvent something more complicated, if it works, it’s a good thing.
Kim, If I really like the book, I will write about it, tell my friends, or buy it as a gift for them (that’s about the highest rating you can give a book). Giving a number or letter or stars is, I think, something children do when they like a book.
A “loner” again. Nope, I don’t rate books I’ve read. Most titles are those highly recommended by BB readers and the BB team. So they’re all 4s or 5s, just like these folks!
1 Like
@Kassapa, oh, I don’t know that I agree at all with that. I like having an actual rating for my books so that when I look back on my reading for the year, I can easily see the standouts. It’s also easier to respond to others when they ask me what I thought of a specific book. Plus, some of us just like rating things, haha!
4 Likes
Kim, I know my last comment was probably not going to land well. But let me take it a step further. You’re having dinner with your partner and you say “I love you 8.5 on a ten scale.” “On character I’d say 7.7.” How do I love thee, let me could the ways – I always thought that was metaphorical. After Rex Reed, the film critic, some critics began using stars. Give me a review by Pauline Kael anyday because I will know exactly what she thinks of the film. If rating was such a good idea, instead of reviews, why don’t we just designate on a five star system. At best, it wouldn’t tell us much.
1 Like
I rate books on goodreads and then have used that rating system for other trackers. It is a 1-5 rating. I know that storygraph allows partial ratings, and I do wish goodreads did that.
For a close reading buddy, I change the 1-5 stars to something that relates to the book, for example for Heart the Lover, it was a rating of 1-5 boyfriends while Whistler was a rating of 1-5 horses. It just adds a little fun to the rating system.
2 Likes
I’m sorry but I am going to disagree with your statement that ratings are childish. I have been rated for most of my life: grades in school, ratings for job applications, for salary adjustments, for annual reviews of accomplishments, etc. Sports teams keep score so they can rate which team wins and then wins to see which teams advance. Meat is graded which is a form of rating as are fruits and vegetables. Ratings are all around us and books are no exception. I choose to rate my books as an assessment of how well my reading suits me. By giving numbers I can easily check to see how successful my reading has been over a month, a year, for my book club, an award list, etc. I like to be able to calculate how well the books I’m selecting fit me. Numbers make that process clear and efficient in a way that words alone do not. As @kim.kovacs has already said I also am asked by reading friends whether or not I’ve read a book and if I liked it. In a glance I can check my numeric rating and give the questioner an answer about whether or not and approximately how much I enjoyed a particular book. There’s nothing childish in my mind about giving some analytical thought about how I want to assess a book with a single number and then using that process to review my reading track record.
4 Likes