I've realized many people don't like to give books a rating of three. I don't get what's wrong with a three. (especially when it accompanies a written review) To me it can mean at least one of the following, a solid read, very likable, good with potential. Using any of those definitions I would definitely read the author again.
But four has become the new three. I don't get the point of rating books if everything is going to be a four or five, with an occasional three. Some people give fives away. Everything can't be a five, if that's the case the expectation bar must be raised.
I read a lot of the popular or buzzed about YA fiction which more times than not features an all Whitecast. If really like or love such a title will I mention or review it. If I didn't, I won't talk about it. There's a good chance the book gave me a bad case of readers potty mouth and I skimmed my way through it. So an evenhanded critique would be impossible.
Plus I simpy don't feel I need to give space to books with all whitecast that I thought were blah. There are enough blogs that focus on these titles. After I finish a blah read, I like to see what other people thought. When I see a lot of five ratings, all I can think is that is not a five. I do rate the blah reads on my goodreads page. A one or two rating says it all. No review required.
4 comments:
The whole star thing is why I'm not keen on Goodreads....I know when I LOVE a book, and I know when I don't, but I am not sure when to give three stars, or four.
this is very true. i've contemplated stopping the whole rating system and just giving my opinion on the book. what i like and what i didn't like.
you've got a new follower :)
here's my blog: http://sashandem.blogspot.com
Amen! There's been a lot of complaining around the internets on rating books... but an honest review (as you say, a single star says plenty!) is so useful.
Charlotte - I give out a lot of three and four ratings at goodreads.
Sasha - Thanks, your opinion is much more important then the rating.
Anne - When four and five ratings are given out so easily, they begin to not mean as much
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