You know what. I just read your first question and had an epiphany. I don't even look at the ratings, just read the review. Have been trying to decide on a rating system myself and kept feeling like was limiting myself within a certain choice. Thanks to your question, I realized I didn't want a rating system. Will just write an honest opinion of the book and my words will be the rating. Thanks for the insight.
I use a point system which is basically the same as star ratings, just without the stars. I added it when a reader asked me to - I guess it really helps sum things up.
I use numbers as well! My revelation is that I like to see a rating and yet I don't publish my own gradings. I do use them on my records but noton my blog! I was thinking about changing that for next year but I am definitely decided now!
You could get creative and use a dung heap for the books you dislike, a happy sun for ones you enjoyed, a beating heart for the ones you absolutely loved. I don't know. :) Just being goofy.
I don't know what I look at. I think I glance through the initial paragraph to see what they thought and then read the book synopsis. If it sounds interesting then I read more, but sometimes not.
I think if you're going to do a ratings system, it might be useful (but a lot of work) to break it down like "writing style = 4" "plot = 3" "characters = 4" etc.
When looking at reviews I completely ignore stars, letters or percentage ratings. I find the reviewers actual writing and thoughts much more useful. Ratings are too black/white for me, I wanna know all about that gray area in between.
I am sorry but I intensely dislike star ratings, I guess I'm a non conformist. I agree with Joanne about writing about the book and giving my thoughts.
Everyone's different I suppose. I enjoy looking at others' star ratings. I use them too, but sometimes it's hard to determine for me which rating to actually give.
I only use star ratings on my LT account, and I "translate" the Netflix system: 1 - didn't like it 2 - just OK 3 - liked it 4 - really liked it 5 - loved it
On my blog I don't use a rating system.
I feel a rating without a backup sentence or two (or a summary, "I give this only 3 stars out of 5 because while the writing was strong, the plot left too many loose ends") doesn't do much for me.
The rating, of any style, is the first and sometimes only thing I look for on a review.
ReplyDeleteYou know what. I just read your first question and had an epiphany. I don't even look at the ratings, just read the review. Have been trying to decide on a rating system myself and kept feeling like was limiting myself within a certain choice. Thanks to your question, I realized I didn't want a rating system. Will just write an honest opinion of the book and my words will be the rating. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteI voted star rating but I think either that or the letter grade would be fine.
ReplyDeleteI always look for a grade before I read a review...I'm nosy like that. =)
ReplyDeleteI use a point system which is basically the same as star ratings, just without the stars. I added it when a reader asked me to - I guess it really helps sum things up.
ReplyDeleteI use numbers as well! My revelation is that I like to see a rating and yet I don't publish my own gradings. I do use them on my records but noton my blog! I was thinking about changing that for next year but I am definitely decided now!
ReplyDeleteI look at a rating if it is there, but don't need one. I do think stars are too subjective. A 4 to one person is a 3 to another, you know?
ReplyDeleteYou could get creative and use a dung heap for the books you dislike, a happy sun for ones you enjoyed, a beating heart for the ones you absolutely loved. I don't know. :) Just being goofy.
ReplyDeleteMimi B
I use a number rating that corresponds with star ratings. For instance:
ReplyDelete1-2: 1 star
3-4: 2 stars
5-6: 3 stars
7-8: 4 stars
9-10: 5 stars
So, a 7 on my blog translates to a 4 star review on Amazon or LibraryThing.
I don't know what I look at. I think I glance through the initial paragraph to see what they thought and then read the book synopsis. If it sounds interesting then I read more, but sometimes not.
ReplyDeleteI think if you're going to do a ratings system, it might be useful (but a lot of work) to break it down like "writing style = 4" "plot = 3" "characters = 4" etc.
When looking at reviews I completely ignore stars, letters or percentage ratings. I find the reviewers actual writing and thoughts much more useful. Ratings are too black/white for me, I wanna know all about that gray area in between.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry but I intensely dislike star ratings, I guess I'm a non conformist.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joanne about writing about the book and giving my thoughts.
Everyone's different I suppose. I enjoy looking at others' star ratings. I use them too, but sometimes it's hard to determine for me which rating to actually give.
ReplyDeleteI only use star ratings on my LT account, and I "translate" the Netflix system:
ReplyDelete1 - didn't like it
2 - just OK
3 - liked it
4 - really liked it
5 - loved it
On my blog I don't use a rating system.
I feel a rating without a backup sentence or two (or a summary, "I give this only 3 stars out of 5 because while the writing was strong, the plot left too many loose ends") doesn't do much for me.