✨Bookmarked✨ discussion

How do you rate books? Are you a strict rater or a generous one? Do you go easy on debut books while rating?

Let us know here!

How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but something was missing
4 stars- Loved a lot but something was missing
5 stars- Loved it/ new favourite

I post this on all my review as well!

I noticed I was a stricter rater when I first joined GR than now (having had a long iatus also), maybe I'm just getting old lol.

Now I'm quite generous with stars but I believe only 5 stars are quite a difficult system to rate properly, so the real difference for me is whether I write a review or now. If I do, I usually have good cause to, otherwise I just rate and go on. But that started just June last year so I have very few as of now, compared to how much I read. I was too shy to write them before eheh

I think goodreads should start a half star rating!

🌟 This was a waste of time. Trees were insulted, pages were ripped, my rant meter went through the roof, extremely disgusted at why I have finished such a piece of dung and question every book onward. Also, would rather place a limb (preferably one I do not like very much and gets in the way of functioning like a high self-esteemed, professional alien) in acid (non-toxic of course, I very much appreciate how I am now).


🌟🌟 Why would someone publish this? It was meh, characters were floppy, it did not disgust me but if given the chance, would burn to the pits of Hades's throne.


🌟🌟🌟 It had potential. For something. I could probably see it being turned into a movie, and the movie surpassing the book (completely and utterly). Would I re-read it? No. Would I quote it? Depends. Would I fangirl repeatedly about said books' existence? Absolutely, positively...not. Ahem, Reign the Earth. I'm looking right at YOU. Oh! And also, very disappointed.


🌟🌟🌟🌟 OMG. Um...what--how--um...what?! How in the world does a gem such as this one, exist?! The characters were magnificent, the plot was glorious, the action was illuminating, and the world building?! 2020 has NOTHING on it. (2020? Please don't take that as an initiative. Please don't. I have had enough shopping withdrawals to last a century)Would I re-read? At this point, we're probably conjoined as one lovely, bookish existence.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 *silence* *politically correct silence* *silence that is currently arguing on a debate concerning the wealthy Chewbacca-*

That is basically how I do it. Or I just rate by gut feeling.

Did it make me hungry?

Or did it make me want to throw up?

Hunger Rating could be an amazing parody of Hunger Games. Like, everything is the same, but with books to rate. If you can't finish the book on time, you are dead.

I believe in general there is a huge psychological gap between 3 and 4 stars, like three is ok but four is already bordering on great and five is off scale. One and two are bad and sligthly less bad.

Fabitha wrote: "Hunger Rating could be an amazing parody of Hunger Games. Like, everything is the same, but with books to rate. If you can't finish the book on time, you are dead.

I believe in general there is a..."

Oh! I agree with you on the part of 3 and 4 star ratings...

Bhavya wrote: "How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjoyed a lot but s..."

This is a great way to rate books!

Rushali wrote: "Bhavya wrote: "How I Rate-
1 star- Hardly liked anything/ was disappointed
2 star- Had potential but did not deliver/ was disappointed
3 stars- Was ok but could have been better/ was average / Enjo..."

Thanks!

Booktastically wrote: "🌟 This was a waste of time. Trees were insulted, pages were ripped, my rant meter went through the roof, extremely disgusted at why I have finished such a piece of dung and question every book onwa..."

Such a descriptive style of rating you have...I am sure you fall somewhere between a strict and a generous rater.

Fabitha wrote: "I noticed I was a stricter rater when I first joined GR than now (having had a long iatus also), maybe I'm just getting old lol.

Now I'm quite generous with stars but I believe only 5 stars are q..."

I also feel I have evolved/changed regarding rating the books.. I think the more you read the more you gain an experience and hence the change in rating style.
P.s. I always look forward to how you rate a book :-)

Rushali wrote: "I also feel I have evolved/changed regarding rating the books.. I think the more you read the more you gain an experience and hence the change in rating style.
P.s. I always look forward to how you rate a book :-)."

Aww! Me too! I feel we have a lot in common, even if I read maybe fewer genres than you do. I mean, there are so many great YA fantasy lying around, why should I look elsewhere? XD

Actually, I feel like I grew easier to please, not the contrary. Also, I started to place more value in the pure entertainment component than before, some books maybe were cheesy or didn't leave me a long lasting impression but I needed the escape, so I rated three anyway. There are so many things to consider in a book, I may give the same rating to en essay and a fantasy for completely different reasons.

Fabitha wrote: "Rushali wrote: "I also feel I have evolved/changed regarding rating the books.. I think the more you read the more you gain an experience and hence the change in rating style.
P.s. I always look fo..."

This is so very true for me as well....we are indeed alike :-)

Here's how I rate:-

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I absolutely loved the book, it's characters and the author's writing style and would recommend everyone to read it atleast once. Generally, the books I complete in 2 days end up being 5 stars! They also find place in my favorites shelf.
Absolutely worth my time and money.❤️

🌟🌟🌟🌟 I loved the book and the characters were perfect and the story plot/setting was amazing, but I thought that there's something missing or it could have been best but it isn't. Or maybe sometimes it's that I end up comparing the book with another one with a similar plot and end up giving it 4 stars if it's short of something 💖(I know this might be not the best way to rate books but that's how my mind processes it..)

🌟🌟🌟 I liked the book but it was average and I didn't find anything new in it, the same old plot, the similar writing style and the turn of events are common, the familiar way of character progression. It's good for only one time read and if you need a light read you can pick this one up.💗

🌟🌟 It wasn't a good one but was readable, it's slow and basically I dreadingly finished it just to know how story ends. The writing style of author isn't good and repetitive. 💚

🌟 These are mostly DNFs and the ones I absolutely hate. I hardly liked anything and ended up being disappointed and wouldn't ever recommend reading this one...it was a waste of time and money.🖤

I'm really bad at knowing whether a book is a debut book or not, so I don't go easy on debuts. My strictness level is based on my mental health. If I'm not doing too well, I judge books harshly. Generally this is how my ratings are:
5 stars - amazing
4 stars - pretty good
3 stars - I either liked it or thought it was just okay
2 stars - didn't like it
1 star - hated it

So I rate based on the plot, characters, and writing.

In order for a book to be five stars I need an awesome plot which is captivating and has many twists. I need characters which have amazing personalities and grow during the book. And the writing needs to be enjoyable, and descriptive.

So:
5 star: Perfect everything!
4 star: Amazing, had some small things I didn't like
3 star: It was okay, but not one of my favorites. Didn't like the plot, characters, or writing.
2 star: Had to slog through it, didn't like it at all.
1 star: Completely bombed it! What the heck nothing was good.

Overall, I am a really nice rater, I find it hard for me to rate a book low.
If you look at my average rating it's 4.87...yeah that easy going. I'm trying to get more critical now though!

Haha you think I'm consistant in how I rate things?

5 stars I probably finished the book and wanted to reread it. I was completely entertained. I want other people to read this book.

4 stars Really entertaining but maybe a few things were troubling. In a series I like it could be a boring plot or follow characters that aren't my faves.

3 stars I enjoyed it but maybe I don't think I should have. It might have been depressing but well written.

2 stars I am unlikely to reread. It probably was boring or nothing special.

1 star I hated reading it and might not have finished it.

Mostly there's a difference between non-fiction and fiction ratings. Also I do go back and change ratings usually it's to down grade because the more you read you find books that are more unique.

I'm a super easy rater so I give a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews. (That's all I've given so far! Lol)

5 stars: OhMyGoshYouNeedToReadThis!!!! LikeRightNow!!!!

4 stars: Ok, definitely not my fave, and not high on my priority list for the rest of the series. :/ I would recommend it, though.

3 stars: I wouldn't recommend it. Some points for certain things, but not most of the stuff.

2 stars: Pretty much sucked. Don't read this one.

1 star: Did not finish this book. It should be wiped from the face of the earth!!!! Don't read it, it's terrible!!!!!

I rate things on how I feel, really. *snort* Giving lots of .5 or .2 because I'm indecisive. They don't even mean that much.

I have given my fair share of 4-star reviews, mainly because in my mind, this is how rating happens:

🌟 This was a waste of time. Trees were insulted, pages were ripped, my rant meter went through the roof, extremely disgusted at why I have finished such a piece of dung and question every book onward. Also, would rather place a limb (preferably one I do not like very much and gets in the way of functioning like a high self-esteemed, professional alien) in acid (non-toxic of course, I very much appreciate how I am now).


🌟🌟 Why would someone publish this? It was meh, characters were floppy, it did not disgust me but if given the chance, would burn to the pits of Hades's throne.


🌟🌟🌟 It had potential. For something. I could probably see it being turned into a movie, and the movie surpassing the book (completely and utterly). Would I re-read it? No. Would I quote it? Depends. Would I fangirl repeatedly about said books' existence? Absolutely, positively...not. Ahem, Reign the Earth. I'm looking right at YOU. Oh! And also, very disappointed.


🌟🌟🌟🌟 OMG. Um...what--how--um...what?! How in the world does a gem such as this one, exist?! The characters were magnificent, the plot was glorious, the action was illuminating, and the world building?! 2020 has NOTHING on it. (2020? Please don't take that as an initiative. Please don't. I have had enough shopping withdrawals to last a century)Would I re-read? At this point, we're probably conjoined as one lovely, bookish existence.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 *silence* *politically correct silence* *silence that is currently arguing on a debate concerning the wealthy Chewbacca-*


I got this out of one of my previous blog posts because I'm unoriginal like that.

Rating System:
⭐️- I didn’t like this book at all, un-enjoyable and boring

⭐️⭐️- there were a few good moments but overall not a fan

⭐️⭐️⭐️- i like this book but there were quite a few flaws

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- this is a great book only one or two little critiques

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- I LOVE THIS BOOK! AMAZING! PERFECT!!

* = Lame. Why Did I even finish this book? Crap!
** = Had Potential but they ruined it.
*** = Passable, 1 time read, some statements, plots ruined it, could predict plot. I rate most of my books at here.
**** = Hey!! Nice read, I did not see that one coming! Will def re-read it.
***** = WOW! I LOVED THIS! MIND BLOWN!!!

5 Stars - THE GREATEST THING EVER INVENTED!
4 Stars - ALMOST THE GREATEST THING EVER INVENTED!
3 Stars - EH!,
2 Stars- NOPE!,
1 Stars - AHHH!, I HATE IT THE WORST THING EVER INVENTED!

5 stars: Amazing! I'm in love with this book, xD or it touched me very deeply. Will recommend.
4 stars: I loved this book too but they were some minor flaws. Will recommend.
3 stars: I found some flaws; probably overused tropes. Had potential though. Would recommend to the right person. Or, it's a nice leisure read. 3 stars are sometimes personal preferences, would be a 4 star for the right reader.
2 stars: Bit boring, didn't catch my interest. Only liked few scenes. Not well executed. Mostly 2 star reads are when only one aspect of the book is good such as plot/characters/writing style etc.
1 star: Nope, sorry, I just couldn't like this book. Was disappointed. Writing style/plot/characters wasn't very good.

My ratings vary to my moods though; sometimes I feel a bit generous. 2 star and 3 star reads are often mixed up....

My rating key
1/5 — ugh, the book was awful. i didn't like anything. the plot was shitty, the characters annoyed the hell out of me and it wasn’t my type of book.

2/5 — it was kinda bad. i probably liked some parts of the book. the plot was boring, but the characters were almost okay.

3/5 — well, i almost liked the book. some parts annoyed me or made me sad, i had big expectations about the book and characters.

4/5 — okay, i liked the book, but the plot wasn’t the type of plot that can literally make me go WOW, the characters were okay and i loved some parts.

5/5 — LITERALLY AMAZING. everything was good and i loved the plot and characters

•JMCDC• wrote: "My Rating System:
★ - characters’ personalities match the sense of the story; [and the] characters are agreeable
★- storytelling technique is satisfactory
★- overall structure (especially worth an..."

This is such a great rating system. And I agree, books are for enjoyment!

My rating system is:

5 stars - Loved it! My favorite (or if I'm being generous) and would recommend.
4 stars - Good! I liked it and would recommend but it just wasn't good enough for a 5 star.
3 stars - Not good but not bad either. Doesn't made a long last impression but would recommend to some specific friends.
2 stars - Bad but not the worst, the book has many issues and wouldn't recommend.
1 star - DNF's and terrible books, I would probably write an assay just to say I hate this book or I just DNF'ed it because it was boring or had many problematic thing I didn't agree.

😲😲😲 I don't give only 5 star ratings, I have added one more element, hearts, because personally I think the 5 star rating doesn't cover my feelings for a book.

Rating System :
🌠Stars -
⭐ : Either dnf'd or wondering why bother finishing
⭐⭐ : Okay.. but whatever, do something about the plot holes
⭐⭐⭐ : Hm.. but I don't feel it
⭐⭐⭐⭐ : You gave me something good which could've been better
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ : Talk about my favorite

❣️ Hearts -
💛 : Oh.. I read it? Yesterday? No impact. Will forget the MC's name tomorrow.
💚 : Confused if I should lower the ratings
💙 : Happy got to read it.
💜: I looooved it but boy where did you miss??
❤️ : Giddy, Crying, Screaming. Don't talk to me rn pls

✨No hearts, No stars : HATED
✨ ❤️ heart, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars : ALL TIME FAVOURITE

Mia wrote: "😲😲😲 I don't give only 5 star ratings, I have added one more element, hearts, because personally I think the 5 star rating doesn't cover my feelings for a book.

Rating System :
🌠Stars -
⭐ : Either ..."

Omg! I love your hearts criteria! It's so much more expressive than stars! 😍

5 stars - liked it a lot (doesn't have to be exactly a new favourite, but it has to be close)
4 stars - so close to five, but something is missing
3 stars - nice, could recommend to some people
2 stars - didn't like it, disappointing, would not recommend (still has several redeeming qualities)
1 star - terrible, why would I ever recommend it to anybody, it couldn't even reach two stars, I hate it (or the book has such an unimpressive beginning that I don't have the will to continue, and I'm forgiving of beginnings, it is just that unimpressive)

I rate DNFs either two stars or one star.
My most common ratings are five, three and two stars.
I don't leave anything unrated, even if I read it long ago.

5 stars are common because I'm easy to satisfy.
3 stars are common because not everything can be an absolute win, but I struggle to find books where just one or a few elements prevent it from reaching five most of the time.
2 stars are common because the popular opinion isn't always right (I rarely read underrated books because I'm from Serbia and have had to look for PDF versions everywhere, which isn't always that easy). It isn't always terrible either. I don't know why I would think that.

I'm easy to satisfy, but I have less of an emotional connection than others when it comes to books. I also have a short attention span because I'm a bit anxious. It may influence my ratings at times.

Rushali wrote: "Mia wrote: "😲😲😲 I don't give only 5 star ratings, I have added one more element, hearts, because personally I think the 5 star rating doesn't cover my feelings for a book.

Rating System :
🌠Stars -..."

We have that in common, I love my heart ratings as well😉

Mia wrote: "Rushali wrote: "Mia wrote: "😲😲😲 I don't give only 5 star ratings, I have added one more element, hearts, because personally I think the 5 star rating doesn't cover my feelings for a book.

Rating S..."

Haha yeah! 😊

Not a strict rater but really reluctant to give out 5 stars. That’s for books which who gets everything right with little flaws. Or maybe has such a unique idea or concept done so well that it stands out from the rest.

⭐️- very rare. I probably dnf’d or found literally nothing good. Or maybe it’s very problematic. Either way, probably not enjoyable by anybody
⭐️⭐️- bad and difficult to read. Maybe a personal taste but I found it unenjoyable or probably found a lot of flaws.
⭐️⭐️⭐️- the most common one. Could mean many things. Most probably the book is mediocre. Or maybe I liked it but it still had a few flaws. Or maybe the book is really good but I couldn’t connect to it,
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- the book was really good and enjoyable. As long the book was entertaining, I’m willing to give 4 stars. This mostly depends on my personal taste.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- rare. The book which got everything right to the small details. Or books whose ideas or concept are so unique and well done that they stand out. Or maybe books which are really special to me.

5 stars - Outstanding book with little to no faults
4 stars - Good book with some flashes of brilliance and not so good parts as well
3 stars - Boring book

No 2 stars and 1 star in my rating system.

★: wouldn’t this recommend to anyone
★★: this wasn’t for me
★★★: pretty unforgettable with many issues
★★★★: almost perfect but not quite
★★★★★: all time favourite, PERFECT. I would recommend this to everyone!

So hard for me to rate: I am supportive of anyone who is creative - would rather 'over' rate than 'under' rate!

Jon wrote: "So hard for me to rate: I am supportive of anyone who is creative - would rather 'over' rate than 'under' rate!"

That's a really good thought. I also tend to rate generously and rarely rate less than 3 stars.