Today’s question, from Wendi at Wendi’s Book Corner: Do you use a rating system on your blog? How do you feel about using the rating system provided on sites like Library Thing and Amazon? When looking up information on a book you are interested in, do you use the ratings provided by these sites (or similar sites) to help you make the decision on purchasing the book?
My answer: Well, this is funny (to me, anyway!). When I typed in the title of this post I wrote “How important are RANTINGS?” instead of “ratings”. Appropriate summary for me, because I find the text of a review more telling than a simple starred rating system (or thumbs up, or book covers, or whatever cute symbol the system uses).
I do not give ratings in my reviews on She is Too Fond of Books; I let my review tell the recommendation (or not). I do fill in the appropriate number of stars at LibraryThing; I know I could leave it blank, but since the system is set up that way I don’t want to leave it blank and have a zero rating averaged in.
I run thru the Netflix rating system in my head when assigning star ratings:
- 1 – didn’t like it
- 2 – just OK
- 3 – liked it
- 4 – really liked it
- 5 – loved it
Of course, the full review will tell the reader why I did (or didn’t) like a book, citing examples. I’m also careful to point out if I didn’t like a book simply because the genre isn’t my “cup of tea”, and who it might appeal to (i.e., “I’m not a fan of paranormal fiction, but people who liked Twilight might enjoy My Gym Teacher is a Vampire“).
When I’m choosing a book for myself, I’ll read reviews at sites such as LibraryThing and Amazon. The review/recommendation carries much more weight when it’s written by a reviewer I’ve come to know and trust.
Well, talk about ranting! I went on and on with this answer, didn’t I!? It’s your turn … Do you consider the ratings on review sites when choosing a book?
I’m the same. I don’t use ratings on my blog, but I’ll fill in what I think is the appropriate rating on LT. I want my voice heard in the little chart because I know some people don’t read reviews, whereas if they’re hanging around the blog world I know they’re already interested in reading a review.
I don’t use a rating system either. I do use it on LT but I always seem to go against the trend, so I’m not sure it’s all that worthwhile.
I don´t use ratings. If I know the reviewer well, the number of stars might help me, but the review is certainly what helps me make up my mind.
I like the rating system at GoodReads. It’s helpful & if it’s put together with some comments that’s really helpful.
The reviews at Powells are helpful too. You can sign up for daily reviews. One from the pros and one from regular readers.
Amazon sucks.
I agree that I am finding Amazon’s reviews and rating less and less useful. First of all because a person’s rating will often disagree with what they write. So which am I to believe? I assume what they write…which makes all the stars useless.
I don’t use the rating system on my blog either, but I will click on the stars on Shelfari and LT.
I really like this question and reading the different answers. I agree with you for the most part … but I have seen a rating system on someone’s blog that was really well thought out. I wish I could find it again. Though I do think the written summary is the best way to tell what someone thinks … and I like how you say that “I might not like this but you might like it if you like this …”
I do think that the “star” ratings are most effective when a lot of people all do them and you can get a pretty good idea of the general consensus. One person saying a book is 5 stars doesn’t mean as much as 100 people saying it.
Great post!
Like you, I don’t use ratings in my book reviews. I do give stars on LibraryThing. The stars translate to what you have above. A lot of books get somewhere between 2 and 4 stars.
Meghan – that’s true, LibraryThing is a self-selected group of readers, isn’t it?!
Kathy – every voice counts
Dorte – I do consider the source, as well.
sherry – I’ll check out the daily review at Powell’s, that sounds interesting. I’ve never posted a review at Amazon, and have said “no” (politely) to authors who have asked me to.
caite – that is (more than) a bit of a disconnect! Actions speak louder than words; words speak louder than star ratings …
Jenners – yes! The larger the pool of answers, the more accurate the average answer will be. But, that still doesn’t tell us WHY someone rated a book 1-star (or 5, or … whatever)
Amber – my LT ratings are really just those words that Netflix pops up when your cursor hovers over a star rating. They’re easy for me to remember, but not very telling.
I like ratings because I don’t always want to read the review if I haven’t read the book. I always look at the book rating if there is one, though.
Oh – I LOVE what you said about rantings! It is so true. I pay a lot more attention to a review than I do to a rating. After all, I may like a book for the same reason you did, or I may be interested in reading it because of something you didn’t like.
Thanks for stopping by and participating in Thingers last week! I’ve got the post up for this week. ~ Wendi
Is My Gym Teacher is a Vampire a real book? Sounds hilar!
3m – I think the compiled ratings (on a site like Amazon or LibraryThing) have more value than an individual rating on my blog. I avoid spoilers, but I totally see your point … one careless reviewer and you may as well not read the book!
Wendi – we’re just getting back from vacation, so I’m missing Tuesday Thingers this week … will hop around the blogosphere and check them out.
Lenore – LOL! No, that was my creative example. Maybe I’ll write it one day