How I rate books
As an author, I welcome both good and critical reviews. I believe you have something to learn from the opinion of everybody who reads your books.
As a reader, I tend to be a little strict. This is why I'd like to explain my system of rating books.
1 star: I couldn't finish the book.
2 stars: I finished, but it took me considerable effort, and I had to push myself to overcome my reluctance. These are books with serious faults, which I would not recommend.
3 stars: The book has faults, but I can imagine that other people, who have different tastes than me in style, language, or content, might like it.
4 stars: A good book, with only minor faults, which engaged me and made me feel good.
5 stars: A stellar book. One which I will not forget. Content, language, style, all unique.
If I rate your book, in most cases the rating will come with a review, so you can see exactly what I liked and what my issues with your book where.
Happy writing, happy reading!
As a reader, I tend to be a little strict. This is why I'd like to explain my system of rating books.
1 star: I couldn't finish the book.
2 stars: I finished, but it took me considerable effort, and I had to push myself to overcome my reluctance. These are books with serious faults, which I would not recommend.
3 stars: The book has faults, but I can imagine that other people, who have different tastes than me in style, language, or content, might like it.
4 stars: A good book, with only minor faults, which engaged me and made me feel good.
5 stars: A stellar book. One which I will not forget. Content, language, style, all unique.
If I rate your book, in most cases the rating will come with a review, so you can see exactly what I liked and what my issues with your book where.
Happy writing, happy reading!
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I’m very similar and agree that you have to write your reasons in the review. It’s the only way others can relate and know if your feelings will reflect theirs.
I rarely give 5s now. This feels like sacrilege. It feels like indies need 5s so much I should always give them, but this would be wrong and counter productive.
Also, I’ve recently changed my rating system. I’ve adopted my movie system and applied it to books. It’s now more about how I felt and how much I wanted to keep returning to the book, plus my overall satisfaction at the end. With movies I also include how likely I am to watch it again. This can play a part in book reviews but not usually.
This means, there are books that I’m happy to admit have problems or mistakes; perhaps they are just demonstrably of a lower quality, yet, I’m giving them 3,4 or even 5 stars. If I really liked the story and couldn’t wait to get back to it, was extremely satisfied at the end and want to recommend it, then it gets a 5.
It’s still rare though. Mostly 4s at the moment.
For 1s or 2s I will definitely states why I had to lower the score. That reason might be enough to dissuade others. Or perhaps it won’t matter to them. Their choice.