I recently ran across a couple of posts concerning whether there should be a rating system when reviewing a book. Since my reader and favorites folders contents have disappeared into that internet graveyard in cyberspace (yes, you can join me in shedding a few tears 
), I cannot find the original purveyors of the posts. If you are the originator or know who it is, please clue me in so I can give credit where credit is due. The post that really got my gears turning was originally from Squeetus Blog.
I didn’t comment on this question since I felt it is really a personal opinion and there is no right or wrong answer. I have been using a rating system. I like them. I think they offer a quick snippet of what a reviewer thought of a book and if a reviewer happens to be on the same page as far as digging the same books as I do, a little star/bug/heart/grade is very useful in narrowing down those reads I may be have interest. The original post expressed a concern in trying to decipher exactly what the reviewer was rating – content, personal satisfaction, writing style. I understood this point but thought those details would probably be covered in the review itself and the rating was an overall impression of the book. Well, I have finished two books in the last week or so where I believe it would be completely unfair to rate them. One is a disturbing story and so not my cup of Java Monster that I am not able to generalize this book. Do I rate it low because I personally was uncomfortable with the story? Do I rate it high because I think that is exactly what the author wanted? The other book is a second installment in a series. I liked the book but felt I missed out by not reading the previous adventure. Do I rate it low because of this or rate it higher because I became intrigued and interested in how everything would end? (Reviews will be posted later this week)
Needless to say, I am now questioning using a rating system for my reviews. I suppose if there is clear cut, 100%, life altering book I run into it will be easy to appraise it with an all-inclusive “grade”. This does not happen often and I guarantee, there is someone out there who will completely disagree with me.
While I ponder the question, I am forgoing ratings. I am not sure how I will handle my reviews because I do believe a succint way of expressing my opinion is useful. Arrrgh!!!!
What do you think? Any suggestions?
I don’t use a rating system. Ok, actually, let me back up. If I am posting on Barnesandnoble, amazon, goodreads, etc., then I will use their stars but on my blog, I do not. I let my readers decide for themselves what stars they feel the book deserve. I like to review, post my comments and thoughts and do my recommendation.
I don’t use a rating system but mainly that’s out of sheer laziness on my part.
Plus I have discovered that some books that I reviewed and verbalized my disappointment in seem to have garnered the most comments from people saying they’d be checking the book out. So either I am completely obtuse and not getting my meaning across or my rating should I have given one wouldn’t have made any difference to these readers.
I don’t use a rating system on my blog. If its Amazon or Library Thing I use their star rating systems. I think what I might consider a 5 star the next person might only consider it a 2 stars. I just like to say whether or not I enjoyed the book.
When I first started tracking what I read last year, I decided after a few months to use a rating system just so I could remember what I thought of the books. At the time, ratings were a much quicker way to refresh my memory of what a book was like rather than writing a review or even making notes of what I liked and disliked.
Now that I’ve moved my book tracking to a blog, my rating system has come along as well. It might be time to update the system. I’ll admit that the ratings are almost purely based on personal satisfaction, but my personal rating for a book might open up discussion with someone who felt completely the opposite. I love that the same book came mean so many different things to different people.
i don’t know use a rating system. i don’t know why…maybe it is because i think people can pretty much figure out that i liked the book or not and if it is a not, it’s up to them. i think most people know it is your/my opinion and take it with a grain of salt. there is one reviewer that posts the summary and nothing else…i know that she read the book but having nothing positive to say, she leaves it at that. when she likes a book, you can bet your sweet bippy that there will be her comments after the summary! i don’t much look at the ratings but listen to what the review is or isn’t saying about the book. that is where i get my best cues.
I agree that there’s no right or wrong answer. I personally don’t feel comfortable rating, but to each their own!
I saw two posts about this recently: Heidenkind’s and Libri Touches’. Maybe it was one of them you meant? Sorry to hear about your reader
I use the stars on Amazon etc also. I am still pondering and since I am posting a review tomorrow I better decide. Thanks for your input! Oh, and I found your blog again. My reader “lost” quite a few of the blogs I was following and yours was one of them. For the life of me, I could not remember the exact name so super glad you commented!
I love your reviews! Snap Snap! Thanks for the input! Sometimes people get interested when they find out someone didn’t particularly like a book.
That is the thing about rating systems – they truly are a personal number. Thanks for your thoughts! And good luck on R.I.P.
I also thought the ratings would be more for me, I would be able to keep track of which books brought me the most enjoyment. Quick way to assess a book. I guess I could actually use the ratings and if there are those cases where I just cannot fairly rate, I would just state that! Hmph! I appreciate your comments!
Now that is a great idea, no actual review and so nobody can say you bad-mouthed the book! Thanks for giving me your 50 cents worth
Thank you, thank you! It wasn’t either of the sites you mentioned but I did find the original post through one of them!!!! Yay!