Retro Reads discussion

Do you write reviews on GR for every book you read?

I try to. I am by no means a writer, but I like to at least say something about a book, even if it's just the letters DNF. If I write a long review with quotes, then you know I really enjoyed the book!

My favorite thing about GR is the reviews. When deciding to follow or friend someone I always go for folks with a high amount of reviews. I also click "like" on reviews I agree with from friends and those I follow.

When I joined Goodreads I decided I was going to review every book & I have stuck to that, although nowadays I don't always have that much to say. I find 2.5 & 3★ reviews the hardest to write as they are average/only just above average books for me. If I ever start to tire of writing reviews, I would stop writing reviews for those books first. I find the reviews for 1/1.5★ books just about write themselves! 😁but thanks to my Goodreads friends & people I follow on here I rarely have those any more. Like Cindy I read a lot of reviews. When I first came on Goodreads I would read up to 50 reviews a day. Nowadays it is more like 10-20.

& I only follow people who write reviews. Friends can be people I know from different groups.

I used to do it only randomly, and frequently only gave a star rating. But I have started trying to write a review for every book I finish, especially those that are re-reads. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing a review. I tend to write short ones, sometimes quote but generally only when I read the ebook and kindle saves the quote for me, and I refrain from describing much, if any of the plot. I dislike both blurbs and reviews that tell you the plot. I want to read the book to find out what happens, not know ahead of time. I do want to know if some enjoyed it or not, and why.

Carol, I used to finish almost every book but since I stopped doing that I never have 1 star reviews anymore.

Jackie wrote: "Carol, I used to finish almost every book but since I stopped doing that I never have 1 star reviews anymore."

I rate my DNFs as well. I've only had two this year . With one in particular I felt it was heading towards 1★, so finished while I still felt 2★ was a fair ranking. The other was a NZ book - possibly the first NZ book I have had as a DNF. Still gave it 3★ as it was well written - just not my sort of book. & I am softer on Kiwi authors than on authors from other countries - if I ever give a Kiwi authored book a 1★ you had better believe it is bad!!!

So far this year I haven't had a 1★ & only had one last year.

Does everyone know how to find their stats on Gr?

I review most books I read, sometimes I don’t have a lot to say, and I don’t want to pan something unless it’s really bad - it might just be that it’s not to my taste. Others may like it! So I try and be honest but nonjudgmental, say something like “failed to hold my interest”, or “too many characters to keep track of”, etc.

Sometimes I’ve read a book from a series or author I’ve followed for years, and I’ll just give a star rating, no review - especially if the series has become rather samey or formulaic. I feel some loyalty for the years of reading enjoyment the author has given me, and it may be me who’s unsatisfied , not that the author has failed! So I’ll give it 3-3.5 stars, which is my rather generic ‘ok’ rating.

Carol, I hadn't known so I went looking and saw my stats. I've read only two this year that I didn't write a review for. Or, wait, is it only showing me the stars I gave? So two I read and didn't rate.

Is that what you meant?

Jackie wrote: "Carol, I hadn't known so I went looking and saw my stats. I've read only two this year that I didn't write a review for. Or, wait, is it only showing me the stars I gave? So two I read and didn't r..."

What I mean is this page (which you find through clicking on my books, then stats.)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/stat...

This shows as my page for me, should show as your page for you.

Yes, that was what I found. And it shows me your page!

So, if it shows how many stars you gave a book (after clicking details) does that mean you wrote a review or not necessarily? I suppose I could just look but haven't even had coffee yet, lol.

Jackie wrote: "Yes, that was what I found. And it shows me your page!

So, if it shows how many stars you gave a book (after clicking details) does that mean you wrote a review or not necessarily? I suppose I co..."

Interesting I thought it went to each persons page.

It doesn't show that you have reviewed the books. You can see some of that though if you do the compare books thing.

If you want to see your reviews listed, go to the My Books page, to your read shelf, and at the top of your list where it says cover/title/author, etc. click on REVIEW and you will see every review you wrote. If you didn't write one, then it says Write a Review.

thank you!

I've been checking out my stats since I never explored that before, pretty interesting! It looks like the months where I read the most books were the months I participated in the most challenges. Which makes sense but challenges gave me reading stress. I have to lower my yearly book goal. Or maybe not make one at all in 2026 and see how many I achieve. hmmmm......