Question of the Week: Ranking Books
by Jenners • 06/08/2010 • Book Talk • 32 Comments
This week’s question comes from me. I asked myself:
What do you mean by your star rankings for various books? Don’t you think it would be helpful to define for your readers what they mean and how you decide to assign them?
Why yes, Jenners, that is an excellent question, and one that has been bothering us for quite some time.
Initially, I didn’t rank books on my blog. The primary reason was that a ranking from just one person doesn’t tell you much. On a site like Amazon, LibraryThing, Shelfari or Goodreads, a collection of rankings is meaningful. A bunch of people rank a book, and the average ranking is probably a good reflection of how people are reacting to a particular book. Although I don’t usually decide whether to read a book based purely on how it ranked by reviews, it does carry some weight with me. If I’m looking for a book on Amazon and I see it has 375 2-star reviews and only 4 5-star reviews, chances are that I’m not going to read that book. However, if only one review appeared, the ranking that reviewer assigned is virtually meaningless as it is just one person’s opinion.
But then I thought that I owe it to my readers to give them a quick overview of what I thought of a book … and a ranking system is perfect for that (especially when you tend to write overly long reviews like I tend to do). Plus, it is quick way for a new reader to find out what kind of books I like and don’t like. After all, if you see my list of 5 star books and you hated every single one of them, chances are we aren’t going to be book compatible. I remember reading the reviews of a particular movie critic years ago and almost always disagreeing with him. So I started using his reviews as a litmus test for what to watch: If he hated a movie, I made sure to see it … pretty confident that it would be something I’d love.
When I was keeping tabs of my reading for my own use, I was using letter grades like A, B, C and so forth. However, I found that system seemed too loaded with meaning from my school days so I switched to a star system. At first, I used 1 to 5 stars … but that seemed like it didn’t have enough wiggle room. Then I settled on using half stars (4.5 stars, 3.5 stars) and so forth. This gave me up to 9 different rankings I could assign to a book, which seemed like enough.
When assigning a ranking to a book, I often knew the ranking I wanted to give it but I could not always put into words what these ranking meant. For example, what is the difference between a 5 star book and a 4.5 star book? What keeps a book at a 3.5 star ranking rather than a 4 star ranking? Well, it was time that I defined for myself (and you) what these rankings mean. So after quite a bit of thought over the last week, I ended up coming up with some “definitions” of my rankings (see below).
After doing this, it caused me to reevaluate some of the rankings I had assigned previously to books. For example, I had previously given The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Fingersmith5 stars but decided they were probably really 4.5 stars when I used my new criteria. (Sometimes when I read a book I really enjoy, I get “razzle dazzled” and give them higher rankings than I think they “deserve” in hindsight.) I also realized that I wanted to differentiate between books that I loved because they entertained me but I didn’t think deserved a 4.5 or 5 star ranking because they didn’t have enough substance; this ended up putting most of Christopher Moore’s books in the 4 star category. 4 stars also became my “go to” category for books I really really liked but realize I probably have a personal weakness for. I also downgraded some books to the 3.5 star category when I realized this was where I put books in genres I don’t love (YA, romance, thrillers, paranormal), but that stood out from the pack for me. All in all, I ended up “reranking” about 41 books.
Here is my new definition of what my rankings mean and how many books I have in each ranking now.
5 star books (5 books)
- Fully engaged me fully from beginning to end (“I got lost in it”).
- Have gravitas and substance to them.
- Connect with me on a personal level, whether emotionally, spiritually or creatively.
- Contain writing that made me appreciate the power of language in a new way.
- Are not soon forgotten and might be read multiple times.
4.5 star books (15 books)
- Involved me throughout but I didn’t get “lost” in it.
- Might lack the gravitas and substance to make them a 5 star book
- Were so close to perfect but had some quality that kept me from giving them 5 stars
- Might deal with subject matter that I couldn’t fully fall in love with.
4 star books (42 books)
- Solid reads but lacking substance at some level
- Often read purely for my own entertainment and enjoyment
- May lack lasting literary value but gave me immense enjoyment
- Might be books that I personally have a weakness for but others might not share
- Might be excellent books that I just didn’t fall in love with for some reason
3.5 star books (29 books)
- Books I admire or think have merit but I thought had serious flaws
- Have flashes of greatness or held in high esteem by others but didn’t work for me
- Could be a book that seemed above average for a genre I don’t really love or expect much from
- Books I didn’t think were great but stood out from the pack
3 star books (33 books)
- Are just OK (didn’t hate them but didn’t love them)
- Might be in a genre that isn’t my favorite
- Often forget about them immediately after reading.
- Aren’t awful but don’t set my world on fire
2.5 stars (or lower) books (only difference is the degree to which I disliked them) (6 books)
- Books I didn’t care for at all
- Books I probably struggled to finish
- Books I wouldn’t recommend
So now that I’ve worked this all out for myself, here is a brief snapshot of each ranking, which I’ll use on the sidebar of my blog. Please give me your feedback on these and suggest any improvements.
- 5 stars: Perfection. Won’t forget this one.
- 4.5 stars: Almost perfect.
- 4 stars: Solid and/or enjoyable read.
- 3.5 stars: Overly difficult or flawed OR above average
- 3 stars: Just OK
- 2.5 stars: Wouldn’t bother
- 2 stars: Ugh
- 1.5 stars: Run for the hills
- 1 star: An abomination
Your system is very detailed! Good for you. I keep thinking to do a post on my ratings, so maybe this will inspire me
When I started my blog this is what I posted at the top of my list of reviewed books…
***** Perfect!
**** Nearly Perfect. You should read it.
*** Average. Read it if the topic or author interests you.
** This was pretty bad.
* I only finished this so that I could enter it on the blog.
And I haven't changed it since. I still use it, but it does need some explanation, I guess. I have so far resisted the urge to go back re-rate books, probably because there are so many now!
I definitely like seeing a rating alongside a review because it gives me a starting point to know which direction the review is going to take. I think it also helps to differentiate between the good books and the excellent books.
I have been tempted to go back and change scores, but decided not to since my reading tastes seem to evolve each year. Something that I thought was a five a few years ago might not get the same rating from me now (like Nicholas Sparks books I used to be so fond of and then grew out of).
I have JUST started using a 1-5 rating system on my blog, but I still have not posted on my sidebar what the ratings mean to me. I think you did an excellent job of explaining your ratings and I loved that yoy included the book examples right along with it. Great post!
Of course I'm always a day late and a dollar short of catching up on posts but I thought your topic was very interesting. I think I tended to overthink the whole rating question until I came up with what I call the "put down pick up factor" and then assigned ratings to go with it. Makes it easier for me to rate and when I go back to a book review I can remember exactly why I gave a book a particular rating. Here it is: 1* couldn't stand it, best used as a paperweight.
2* meh, could take it or leave it but mostly leave it
3* okay enjoyable read, although I liked it, I could put it down easily and not rush back to continue
4* I really liked this one, I could put it down but reluctantly and was somewhat anxious to get back to it
5* Loved it! Couldn't put it down and if I absolutely had to ( if something was on fire or flooding) I couldn't wait to get back to it
There are those times when I am a little tossed up so assign a half star as you have. Thanks for explaining your system and for the post. So many interesting comments!
I do grade ratings and explain them in my review policy — I clearly state there that it's possible for a book to get an A just because it was the right book at the right time or because the audio production was a winner (even if the book itself might have been only B in print).
Regardless of the subjectivity, I like to see a rating system — but I'm not disappointed when one isn't there. (can you say "wishy-washy"?)
Your system works for me! I usually don't use a rating system unless I'm reviewing a book through Goodreads, and even then I don't always post it on my blog.
I love when bloggers use a rating system, even though it can be subjective. My system is similar to yours.
Oh wow Jenners! If only we could take your ranking system and apply it across the board to all book blogs…I love how you broke it down and explained each star thoroughly. I could not agree more.
I do have a *star* (quill) system on my blog in which I assign points to each book based on cover, characters, dialogue, plot and setting. Then I add up and voila ~ each book gets anywhere from a 2 – 5. I don't review any book I would rank below a 2. I just don't have the heart or the time to complete a book I dislike that much.
Thanks for carrying on a discussion about a subject that vexes us from time to time!
I do rate the books I read, and I have a link to the definitions on the sidebar of my blog. I had such fun coming up with the definitions, although I did have a lot of help from my husband and a friend. I'm not sure my rating system means much to others, but I find it very helpful, especially in conjunction with my review.
Great, great, great post. I have a hard time with ratings too. Often I find my opinion changes over time (either I was dazzled at first or it grew on my and I liked it more later). Either way I feel like I shouldn't change it. It helps to have very defined definitions for each rating.
I don't rate books (except on LibraryThing) but I do appreciate ratings on a site where I know that the person has some actual criteria that I can apply to the rating. I love that you spelled things out here. Sometimes I feel ratings are a bit too random. I also like Bibliophile by the Sea's simple thumbs up/thumbs down system.
Very interesting post, not only for discussing your rating system, but how you describe the gradations in your response to books, what you value in a book, etc.
I really like your ranking system…it is very similar to how I rank books (although I didn't explain it as well as you did!).
Love your thoughts on this. I started out ranking, then gave it up because it just seemed so black and white….I was worried someone would, for example, see a 3 star rating and then just skip the review, when really there might have been some redeeming parts of the book. Or parts that made me rate it higher or lower than other people would. ARggggghhhh. It just got to be too much pressure, LOL.
But lately I've been thinking of returning to an A-F grading system. I'm a bit worried about that. But I have to admit I like seeing it on other blogs.
I'm so indecisive these days, LOL.
I don't give star…or any other sort of…ratings. I think about it and always decide not to.
I want to force people to read my whole review and figure out what I thought of the book…just like I had to myself. 'quick overview'? nope.
I'm impressed that you've made this rating system work so well for you! And it makes a lot more sense than those who give an 87 out of 100 for a book, or whatever
.
I don't do ratings for my blog — but I do for LibraryThing; and sometimes it just seems so random to me when I give a book a certain number of stars.
I like how you say books "razzle dazzle" you. LOL.
This is a great explanation! I have similar rankings (1-5, including half stars), but I really like the way you've worded the explanations.
I like ratings because it's a quick way to get a feel for what the rest of the review is going to say.
I think this is a great explanation of your system. I don't particularly review books well and don't think I'd be good at rating them. A lot of times my opinion of a book changes after I've had a day or two to think about it.
I got myself in such a pickle I gave up rating. I figure people can work out whether I loathed, liked or loved a book from my review.
Your ranking system is so well thought out that it leaves no confusion as to what your stars mean anymore…awesome! I myself don't actually rate the books I review. I just comment on them or talk about my reactions. I suppose at some point I should grow up and act like I am actually reviewing books and come up with a rating system!
Yowza! I'm impressed…you make it look so easy to assign a rating. And it seems so clear. I had a hard enough time with the stars for the brief time I was on Goodreads, I've decided it's way too much work and trauma to bother with the ratings.
Great detailed explanation!
I totally agree with your word explanation of the star ranking – and 4 is definitely my "go to" rating
I likey our division of the traditional 5 star ranking to a more differentiated 9 star option. Kinda the difference between an A and an A- in my academic world.
Hi Jenners: I love your post today, maybe we should adapt your system for our show me 5 Saturday. I never really liked writing review lest I spoil the ending for someone, you've never done that for me. It soon became obvious when I was hoping through book review blogs who's taste were what I would enjoy. It has however broadened my horizons. Since I have to read everything I put on a shelf in my "library" at the seniors home I sure appreciate everyone's comments. (I've been cheating and not reading everything, just too much romance for my liking). Thanks for stopping by, the breaking glass was my weird neighbors, their replacing their windows and I guess felt they needed to smash the glass, no idea why? There are some unusual people in my neighborhood.
I'm a big fan of ratings – they are an instant guide to how much you enjoyed a book – something that is often hard to guage from simply reading the review. It is very hard to rate some books though.
I've been struggling over a rating today. I LOVE the book. It engaged me throughout, was really clever but didn't have the best writing in the world and wasn't that thought provoking on a deeper level. It is one of my favourite reads ever though and so despite its flaws I'm going to give it 5 stars.
Some books I read become a lot better (or worse!) after a few months as you begin to forget their flaws and remember only the best (or worse!) bits about them. I'm sure a few of my ratings need slight adjustment over time, but it isn't much and those small changes are not that important compared to the overall helpfulness of an initial rating.
Thank you for explaining your rating system!
It's hard for me to do ratings, I constantly change my mind.
Little Children is one of my favorite books, and movie.
First of all, don't you love how Nymeth uses words like "spoilery" and "samey"? I love that! But on to your post…
See, your numbers mean totally different things than my very same numbers. And even if I told you what they meant, that would be what they mean TODAY, not necessarily what they mean tomorrow. I HATE them. But I use them, because I love doing things I hate and then complaining and whining and so on.
I love how carefully you explained the system you use. I've nothing against ratings, but I can't do them myself. When I try, like on LibraryThing, they end up being incredibly samey. I don't know, my brain works in weird ways and I can't just adjust to the thought of summing up my thoughts, feelings and impressions of a book in a number. No wonder I always blab for so long
Ironically, I started out ranking books, and later switched to not ranking them…
I have given you an award, check it out here –
http://krittersramblings.blogspot.com
I think about my star ratings frequently. I agree that one 5 star review on Amazon means nothing, but on a blog it is more important. I can compare your 5 star review with your other ratings and decide if a book may or may not be for me.
This year I have been a bit more giving with my stars. Last year I had only a handful of 5 stars but this year I have given about that many so far. Not sure why, but I am reading different types of books and aren't comparing them to each other as much.
As far as my stars….
I give some 5's and 4's, but I am a big fan of the 3.5. Just a bit better than average, but not so great that you have to run out an get the book.
I give a 2 if I could not finish a book.
I hardly ever give a 1. I respect the fact that these authors can even come up with stories and write them down. Everytime I write a review, I try to remember that I could not do any better. For me to give a 1, I think I would have to have really really hated the book. Hasn't really happened yet.
Great post!
Thank you for posting this, Jenners! I agree, I often get "razzle dazzled" by books, too. I gave Her Fearful Symmetry 5 stars, but a week or so later, I was already reconsidering that. I don't feel right about changing it, though!!