In which I am going to mumble semi incoherently about star ratings, Marmite and books (not that I recommend getting Marmite on your books... particularly if the books are on your Kindle)
I've recently read a couple of books which come highly recommended by all and sundry, have excellent star ratings and "must be read" apparently........ thing is for me, they just didn't work.... and to borrow a phrase I've seen bandied about, it maybe that these are Marmite books - you either love them or you hate them - though admittedly for me hate is too strong a word.... I don't actually know if I am capable of hating a book... I can dislike it, not get on with it, be bored to tears by it... but hate? no, probably not...
I am wary now of reading books which "everybody" ... okay so say 95% of all readers and raters on Goodreads think are 5 stars, though this is not because I worry I'll dislike them, but rather because in my own mind I will build up the book thinking it's going to be brilliant only to feel kind of let down by it when it doesn't really grab me the way I'd built it up to.
The thing is.... there isn't really a problem with this at all. People are all different, they like different things.... it would be boring if we didn't..... and this includes the books they read.... There are a few reviewers on Goodreads and on the blogs I follow whose reading opinions appear to gel pretty much with mine and whose opinions I will trust but I am no longer looking at the overall star rating for a book, or going for the popular choice.....
Which brings me to star ratings....... I am sticking with the fact that my star ratings are for my interpretation... pretty much I can say though, if it gets a 4.5 bounced up to 5 or a 5 stars it will definitely be a book I re-read (and yes, more than once)... 3 or 4 stars means to me it was an enjoyable book... and I think I've only given one book a 2 star review... I have left some books I've read without star ratings at all.... not because they don't deserve any but because these have either been hugely popular books but just not for me or because something in the story bugged the hell out of me and I can't rate it because that one thing overshadows the rest of the book for me, but is really not the be all and end all of the story.
One thing I can't stand is seeing people questioning someone else's rating or review.... after all these ratings are personal opinions nothing more... some readers and authors have said they hate seeing low ratings that aren't justified with reasons... but really, if the star ratings are just personal opinions and what one person loves another may hate.... and we are back to Marmite again......Upon which note I want Marmite on toast.. but I am pretty sure there is no bread in the house......
I agree about the star ratings. Reading isn't a contract that obligates the reader to do anything for the author or for other readers.
ReplyDeleteI trust the ratings of a certain selection of my friends, who I've determined tend to like the sorts of reads I like. You canNOT depend on the masses at GRs!