My Goodreads Ratings Explained

​Are you ever curious about how others rate their reads on platforms like Goodreads? Today, I invite you on a journey through my rating system. Let's dive in!

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​The Art of Being Generous... and Critical

​In my public reviews, I confess to a dual nature: I lean towards generosity when I find redeeming qualities in a book, yet I'm equally forthright in my criticism if a book fails to capture my interest or feels incoherent. This approach is partly strategic, aiming to steer algorithms for better future suggestions, and partly communal, guiding readers towards literary gems and away from less engaging reads. As a result, my public reviews might seem a bit more polarized, accentuating the positive or negative aspects more distinctly.

​The Role of Engagement

​Engagement is key in my rating system. A book that consistently holds my attention usually earns a higher rating. If, however, I find my mind wandering due to weak plot development, lack of relatability, poorly written characters, or excessive detail, it tends to lower the book's rating. Audiobooks, which I often enjoy on road trips, have a slightly different criterion. They need to be engaging enough to keep me focused, yet accessible enough to allow for intermittent attention. That way I can smoothly re-enter a story after brief distractions. The ideal audiobook is concise and captivating, preferably under 12 hours, with around 6 hours being the sweet spot. This length allows for a thorough story that can typically be consumed in 1-3 sittings, making it perfect for road trips. Exceptional audiobooks I've already read and loved can extend beyond this limit as they allow for easy re-engagement due to prior knowledge of the story.

​Redundancy and Relevance in Non-Fiction

​I approach non-fiction with a critical eye. Books that are repetitive or drift off-topic receive lower ratings. However, those that align with my current interests, delve deep into topics, and assume some level of pre-existing knowledge are highly favoured.

​Book Clubs and Gifted Books

Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels. 

​Choosing books on my own means that if they don't capture my interest early on, they're unlikely to be finished or reviewed. However, book club selections and gifted books present a different scenario. I often read these books to completion, even if they don't initially align with my preferences, leading to a higher incidence of 2-3 star ratings. Despite this, I value the challenge and the opportunity for discovery that these books present. This approach has also led me to discover numerous 4-5 star reads – a testament to the insightful selections of my book club and the thoughtful gifts I receive. It’s always a pleasant surprise when a book exceeds my expectations or turns out to be exactly what I needed, even though I might not have picked it myself.

​The 3-5 Star Spectrum

Most of my ratings fall between 3 to 5 stars, as I rarely finish books that don't resonate with me. Here's my breakdown:

• 5 Stars: These books resonate with me deeply, are well-crafted in terms of story and characters, possess exceptional world building, consistently hold my attention, and I find myself wholeheartedly recommending them to others. Sometimes, a book might earn this top rating solely for its exceptional qualities, even if it's not entirely relatable to me.
• 4 Stars: Great stories that I recommend, but they might not have struck a deep personal chord. Alternatively, they might resonate personally but lack broader appeal in aspects like plot or character development.
• 3 Stars: Decent books that are alright but perhaps lacked elements to fully capture my attention or imagination.

​The 1-2 Star Range

• 2 Stars: These books have a small number of redeeming qualities, but overall, they fail to capture my interest or imagination. I wouldn't recommend them. This rating is rare, as it's unusual for me to finish a book that falls so short of engaging me.
• 1 Star: I consider these books the lowest of the low. They're utterly unable to hold my attention, lack any redeeming qualities, and are not recommendable. In reality, this rating is non-existent for me, as I've never completed a book that I would rate so poorly.

​The Exceptional 5-Star Plus

​If Goodreads offered a special rating higher than 5 stars, it would be reserved for those extraordinary books – the ones I would re-read and that resonate deeply, like Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune’ or J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. What books would be in your '5-Star Plus' category?

Image by Pau Llopart Cervello from Pixabay. 

​Your Thoughts?

​Now, I turn to you, fellow readers. How do you rate books on Goodreads or other platforms? Do you review differently in public compared to your private musings? Is there a special tier in your heart for books that transcend the 5-star limit?

​I'm eager to hear about your rating philosophies and how they shape your reading journey. Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below. 

​Happy reading!