Star Ratings. They're everywhere. I've been seeing a lot of blogs talking about it, even seeing people say they won't follow a blog if there isn't a star rating! At this time.. my blog doesn't use a star rating. I wonder though... does that confuse people? Do you always glance down first thing and see how many stars someone gave a book? My ratings still correlate with stars... I have 5 crystal balls that go in order of 1-5 stars. After seeing though that most people prefer stars I wonder if this even makes sense. We as readers are just so used to the star ratings that our mind is programmed to see them. And then of course there is the dreaded topic of half star.. yikes. My ratings:
Ratings:
Look into the Crystal Ball to see how the book is rated:
Sun is shinning!!! Great day to go outside and read this book.
Fog is coming..... in the middle of the road on this book!
Rain is pouring... Not sure if this was really worth my time, must get an umbrella.
Thunder is booming!! Run inside and don't bother reading!
I think that our minds are just used to star reviews. There are reviews with stars for everything. From games to movies to books. We see these types of reviews on the major sites like goodreads and Amazon. This post from Book Riot talks all about star ratings and why they matter. I have even seen bloggers say that if a book is three stars or under they won't even take the time to read that book. So it's like 5 stars... excellent... 4 stars... OK... 3 stars and under - no good. I understand this notion but if it is a book I have been wanting to read I'll still give it a shot. Especially if it's in a series I've been reading.
If you notice too, I write out sort of a meaning to each crystal ball. I have seen people do this with stars as well though I am not sure an explanation is needed for a number of stars, for example:
1 star - Terrible books. Books that shouldn't have been written. Books I regret reading the first place. .
2 stars - Books I didn't really like. I wouldn't read again. Boring books, books that have no real worth for me. Books I wouldn't like to buy.
3 stars - Good books. I probably won't read again but might. Books I don't have to own, but might buy them from a discount.
4 stars - Good books I enjoyed a lot. Books I'll probably read again. Books I want to own. Books I recommend to some people.
5 stars - Pure gold. Books I'd consider my all time favorites. Books that have had a huge effect on me. Books I'd recommend to anybody. Books that somehow broadened my horizon. Books I NEED to own.
What do you think? Do you prefer star reviews? What do you use on your blog? Do you try to go outside the box when it comes to the "stars". Or when people use something different is that a turn off?
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