I’ve been a bit of a goodreads junkie since I was in high school. There is something that is so fun to me about seeing what friends are reading, having a list of all the books I’ve read and what I thought of them, and watching the way my taste in books have changed. My taste isn’t the only thing that’s changed though … recent;y I’ve noticed that the way I’m rating books has changed as well. I used to think a book started at a three and then if it was amazing it went up and if I didn’t like it the rating went down. Now, I’m more likely to start a book at a five and then knock off ratings for things I didn’t like as much.
I don’t know if that’s because I’m better at choosing books than I used to be so I generally love almost everything I’m reading. Or maybe now that I’ve written a novel and want to be a writer I want to be gentler on other people doing the same thing. Perhaps I’m just a more positive person.
Still, while three stars is supposed to mean “liked it” now that feels like a really harsh/mean rating to give a book that I actually liked. What do you think? Do you have your own system for rating books? Has it changed over time? I’m feeling very curious.
Alison Doherty 