It sounds so easy. Write a review and use 1-5 stars to summarize your overall view. But what do those stars mean? 5 is the best, 1 is the worst. That’s the closest you’ll ever get to a rulebook for ratings.
I’m in a Facebook group with other book reviewers, and someone posed an excellent question: Is a 3-star review good or bad? I used an analogy to explain why I thought a 3-star review was good. I like analogies. In this case, I used steaks and hamburgers. I also like food.
Amy’s Rating System
Five Stars
You’re at a terrific restaurant. The chef is incredible and has presented a sensational steak. It’s a high-quality cut of grass-fed beef, perfectly cooked and seasoned. You will be raving to anyone who’ll listen to you about how much you enjoyed the meal and encouraging them to try that steak. You know you’ll go back.
Four Stars
Steak lovers, rejoice! It’s a steak you’ll thoroughly enjoy. It hits the spot. It doesn’t have to be the perfect cut, but it tastes great. You might be at a chain steakhouse. Someone might be grilling it in their backyard.
Three Stars
Sometimes, you’re in the mood for a hamburger. It fits your mood. It fits the situation. You want to eat with your hands. A paper plate is just fine. You’re not expecting fine dining, but you want something yum.
I don’t think a 3-star review is bad. I enjoy burgers! Sometimes, I want a gooey burger loaded with cheese, bacon, and so much more on it that makes it hard to fit in my mouth. Other times, just lettuce, tomato, and mustard. My husband and younger son can grill me a burger any time they want.
You know what? I’m going to end the analogy there because I’m drooling.
Two Stars
I really wanted to like the book, but it had flaws that I just couldn’t get past. The plot could be interesting, but then the author throws on an ending that is a cop-out or doesn’t make sense. Maybe the main character acts consistently for the first half, but then the characterization takes a complete u-turn that diminishes the story. It could be a later book in a series that didn’t live up to the quality of the previous books.
I’ll sometimes give 2 stars to a book that insults the reader. When I was pregnant, I read any pregnancy book I could find. Some of them claimed to have helpful tips but shamed anyone who didn’t follow their instructions to the letter. If they did have some good advice but made me feel like a failure before my child was even born, I’d give it 2 stars.
One Star
I probably didn’t finish it. If I did, I skimmed most of the pages so I could get it over with and move onto something I’d like.
When I was in a book club, I tried so hard to read one of the selections, but I just couldn’t. The next book club meeting had low attendance, and none of us was able to finish the book. That was a 1-star book.
My Promise To You
I will give an honest review. I’m not claiming to be the ultimate judge of whether a book is good or not. I’m sharing my opinion. YMMV.
When my younger son was still in elementary school, he told me he didn’t like the book he was reading. I asked him if it was required reading for school, and he said no. I told him to stop reading the book and pick another one. Astonished, he asked, “I can really do that?”
Here’s what I told him: If you don’t like a book, and you aren’t required to read it, just stop. You won’t have enough time in your life to read all of the books you want to, so don’t waste time on books you don’t.
That’s why I review books and why I read other people’s reviews. I want to be part of the conversation. It’s terrific when people steer me toward a wonderful book I would have never found on my own. I appreciate it when people warn me not to set my expectations too high if a book is poorly-reviewed.
I hope I can help you navigate the massive world of books.
