I just finished a book that I recognize as being beautifully and skillfully written, but I just couldn’t connect to it. Perhaps it’s a genre thing for me (or similar). It feels wrong to rate it three stars because it genuinely feels like it deserves way more than that, and I would definitely recommend it to others if it sounded like their cup of tea. I’m at the point of adding it to my book list for the year and I’m unsure of how to handle it.
by meroboh
11 Comments
What do your stars indicate? The degree to which you personally found it valuable, or the degree to which others find it so?
If you’re ranking dozens of books by this system, you must already understand what it means, yes?
I think you’ve answered your question yourself. If it feels wrong for you to rate it three stars, then rate it higher. Rate it four stars.
I’d give it a 4 but leave a review explaining it.
5 🌟- Lost my mind
4 🌟- Great, fantastic, really liked it
3 🌟- Fine, not angry that I read it, probably won’t remember it (probably what you’re referring to in your post)
2 🌟- Wish I hadn’t spent time reading it
1 🌟- Either I did not finish it, or I’m angry that I read it
If i don’t like it i rate it low. Regardless of how well it’s written. But that’s just me. My rating scale is based on my enjoyment alone.
Are you rating for yourself or others?
My star ratings represent me and only me. If it is beautiful and not for me I have no problem giving it a three. My star ratings aren’t a recommendation log, they are for me to have and look back on and yada yada.
3 stars
“Incredibly well written. Just not my cup of tea”
And then id probably go back later and change it to 4 stars and note that I should probably reread it at some point.
Well I rate for myself so I’d say 3 is fair maybe even a 2. If I was rating for others though I’d bump it up to a 4.
I give it as many stars as apply, but not all five, because reviews are personal, not meant to be objective.
If you’re rating as a record of what you’ve read it’s not such a problem.
If you’re assuming other people may be influenced, I’d err on the side of a higher rating and explain your reading experience.
Plenty of critics have given stars/thumbs etc that needed context.
Three stars. Note in my review that it was well-written but also include what was not to my taste and include a recommendation of what type of readers will enjoy it (ie fans of what genre,etc).