Rating books

[Margaret 2584]

One thing I have discovered from being in a in-person book club is how people can have such different reactions to the same book! Sometimes the group will be split down the middle with half hating a book and half loving it. Other times most members will love a book and there will be a few that feel "meh" about it. As you mentioned, the analysis is the fun part. Even when other members have an opposite opinion than me, I always find their comments interesting.

My in-person group read The Goldfinch last year, which won the Pulitzer Prize. Half of the group didn't like the book for various, detailed reasons. Of course, there was still the other half which loved it and pointed out all the subtle things that made them love it.

You are right and I agree. They have read the whole book though...

Gali, I agree that it seems unfair for a reader to post their negative views just from reading a short snippet of the book.

Then why provide a sample for people to read and see whether they like it before committing to a full book? Why start a thread specifically asking for people's thoughts? I know that my response may seem perfunctory to some, but I have read a LOT of books. I know what I like, and Free Fish Friday didn't push the buttons. I am sorry, but I can't change that - would you have me only post reviews of things I like?

[zeldas_lullaby]

Hey, I'm on your side, Margaret. And in this instance, the "look inside the book" had, like, the whole first five chapters, right? Some people on this site consider it politically incorrect to leave a rating if you haven't finished the entire book. But I'm kinda the same as you... i can read a chapter and just know, right away, what I think. I wouldn't be qualified to comment on the storyline, but I could definitely say, "I don't like the way it's written, and I'm not caught up in it, and it's not interesting to me," etc. I mean, even without having read the entire story, you know about the writing quality, the pace, etc.

[gali]

Margaret 2584 , alll views are welcome, contrary or not. In the club we usually read the whole book and then discuss it, that's all. You are entitled indeed to your view and no one said you couldn't voice it.

-- October 9th, 2015, 7:23 pm --

Hey, I'm on your side, Margaret. And in this instance, the "look inside the book" had, like, the whole first five chapters, right? Some people on this site consider it politically incorrect to leave a rating if you haven't finished the entire book. But I'm kinda the same as you... i can read a chapter and just know, right away, what I think. I wouldn't be qualified to comment on the storyline, but I could definitely say, "I don't like the way it's written, and I'm not caught up in it, and it's not interesting to me," etc. I mean, even without having read the entire story, you know about the writing quality, the pace, etc.

It isn't a matter of sides, just a discussion.

I also know by the first chapter whether I like a book or not, but I don't rate it or discuss it based on that.

[Margaret 2584]

Hey, I'm on your side, Margaret. And in this instance, the "look inside the book" had, like, the whole first five chapters, right? Some people on this site consider it politically incorrect to leave a rating if you haven't finished the entire book. But I'm kinda the same as you... i can read a chapter and just know, right away, what I think. I wouldn't be qualified to comment on the storyline, but I could definitely say, "I don't like the way it's written, and I'm not caught up in it, and it's not interesting to me," etc. I mean, even without having read the entire story, you know about the writing quality, the pace, etc.

Thank you - it's good to hear that

[zeldas_lullaby]

You're welcome!!

[bookowlie]

There was a long discussion a few months ago about whether it's unfair for people to post reviews about books they haven't finished. The discussion focused on Amazon and Goodreads reviews, from what I remember. Obviously, samples are posted for the very reason Margaret mentioned, to see if the book is a good fit for your reading tastes or any other reason. However, it does seem unfair for a book to be discussed and "reviewed" if only a sample has been read, especially if it's negative. It may ward off people from reading the book who may wind up liking it (or also dislike it!).

My own experience is that many books have a slow start and then the plot and pacing picks up steam. Other books start off with a bang and then go nowhere after the first sections of the story. I know other people have experienced this, too.

[zeldas_lullaby]

I disagree. If the author can't push the plot in the beginning, then I'm going to be suffering if I hang in there. I concede that you cannot review the storyline if you only read the beginning, but you can definitely review the writing, the pacing, and the general tone. If Margaret were to read the whole book, do you think her opinion would differ vastly from what it is now? I think DNFers (do not finish-ers) need to speak up so that more people don't come along and start a book they can't finish.

[bookowlie]

Margaret 2584 , alll views are welcome, contrary or not. In the club we usually read the whole book and then discuss it, that's all. You are entitled indeed to your view and no one said you couldn't voice it.

-- October 9th, 2015, 7:23 pm --

Hey, I'm on your side, Margaret. And in this instance, the "look inside the book" had, like, the whole first five chapters, right? Some people on this site consider it politically incorrect to leave a rating if you haven't finished the entire book. But I'm kinda the same as you... i can read a chapter and just know, right away, what I think. I wouldn't be qualified to comment on the storyline, but I could definitely say, "I don't like the way it's written, and I'm not caught up in it, and it's not interesting to me," etc. I mean, even without having read the entire story, you know about the writing quality, the pace, etc.

It isn't a matter of sides, just a discussion.

I also know by the first chapter whether I like a book or not, but I don't rate it or discuss it based on that.

I totally agree...it's isn't a matter of sides, but rather a discussion of the book.

-- 09 Oct 2015, 16:52 --

As I mentioned, there was a discussion about this issue - reviewing books where the person didn't read the whole book. No one is being forced to finish a book that they are not interested in after reading a sample. The issue is whether it's fair to give an actual review. The BOTM is a voluntary read, as opposed to an OBC official review where the reviewer is required to finish the book. Personally, if I were an author, I would feel it was unfair if someone reviewed my book just from reading a few chapters. It doesn't mean the person has to finish the book, but rating an entire book based on a sample is an entirely different matter.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Well, I know that on Goodreads, there's room for the person to put "DNF--page 20," or whatever. That aids in the understanding of the review. Unfortunately on this site, it's not set up that way. There's just a rating on the bookshelves. 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star, want to read, currently reading, or not interested. We should set up an option for "lost interest and don't want to finish."

[Margaret 2584]

Yes, a 'wasn't interested in finishing/lost interest' would be good, I think.

[zeldas_lullaby]

All right! My good idea for the day!

[Margaret 2584]

That being said, I stand by my right to make a decision about this book, and post a review of it.

We don't just review books here; we discuss them and have 'bookshelves' full of our own books that we liked.

I stand by my review of this book because people here are encouraged to tell each other how they feel about books - somebody coming onto this site with the purpose of finding out which books I like and dislike will be able to tell that from looking at my forum posts and my bookshelves.

It's almost a shorthand, if you like: a way of showing people your own personal tastes, and they will be a lot more clear if you tell people what you don't like as well as what you like.

This wasn't a formal review; there aren't any guidelines that I'm aware of which say I have to read the entire book before submitting a post on the forum.

[zeldas_lullaby]

I'm still with Margaret--DennisK, I've just never had that experience! Every time I "tough it out," I just regret it. It's like, "Shoulda bailed back when I just knew it wasn't happening."

[DennisK]

B&N doesn't offer this book in Nock format ... One of these days, I will have to brake down and get a Kindle.

-- 09 Oct 2015, 15:30 --

You are "sure footed", zeldas_lullaby - when you plant your foot, that is where it stays. We have a difference in personalities. I'm never really sure of anything until all is said and done.

[zeldas_lullaby]

B&N doesn't offer this book in Nock format ... One of these days, I will have to brake down and get a Kindle.

-- 09 Oct 2015, 15:30 --

You are "sure footed", zeldas_lullaby - when you plant your foot, that is where it stays. We have a difference in personalities. I'm never really sure of anything until all is said and done.

I'm not sure why, but it's easier to publish on Kindle. For the self-published among us, BN is more confusing.

HA HA! That's the most political way to put it that I can think of! I am definitely, and I think it may have to do with my astrological sign being Taurus the Bull. I am having a bad day today and I don't know how much it shows, but in general I try to respect differing opinions, and in your case it sounds like differing experiences. I believe you that you've started books that weren't doing it for you, but then they got better. It hasn't happened to me, but you know what I mean...