Discussion Question: Do You Rate Books According to Genre?
Although I don't give star ratings on my blog, I do on Goodreads. And when I look back at my star ratings, I realize that a four star rating for a New Adult novel means something different than a four star rating for a Fantasy novel. I'm subconsciously (or maybe even consciously) comparing the New Adult novel with all of the other New Adult novels I've read and then I rate it accordingly. And I do that for each genre. So if I give four stars to a New Adult novel and four stars to a Fantasy novel, it doesn't necessarily mean that I feel equally about the books. Does that make sense? Does anyone else rate books according to genre?
Posted by: Pam
Wow, I never thought about that before, but I definitely do that! Generally a 4 star fantasy book means something completely different from a 4 star contemporary. Likely, I loved the fantasy one more because I just like fantasy better. That being said, I think I'm more critical of fantasy because I love it so much. Plus I feel like there's a lot more that goes into a fantasy novel so there's more critique points and more chance for it to lose stars. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about it that way before but I do that too. When I get finished with a book I think 've does this compare to other thriller, or fantasy, etc books?" and I go from there with my rating. Great discussion!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. That's an interesting question. I also don't rate on my blog, but do on GR. I don't think I do. Star ratings are really just how I enjoyed the book, I don't really think of it in terms of genre. Great question!
ReplyDeleteI've not really considered this question. I stopped rating on my blog because it stressed me out soo much. But I do do it on GR. However, I rate most everything 4 stars unless I LOVE it or really feel strongly negative. I do not think I rate based on genre. But I need to think a bit more about this before I give a final answer. Thoughtful question!
ReplyDeleteI think I might actually do this. Like 4 stars I give a contemporary aren't the same as the 4 stars I gave a NA. I recently watched an Ariel Bisset booktuber video that discussed this and I completely agreed with her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbzyeQO-GZo
ReplyDeleteWhat a good question. I've been thinking about my rating lately. I try to rate them by how good the book is and how much I enjoyed it. There are some books that weren't perfect or spectacular, but I rated them high because I still loved them and really enjoyed them. Sometimes though, I can be harder on some genres. Like in suspense or fantasy, or really anything with action I'm much harder on. Characters have to be consistent and authentic. Plots have to make sense. Like if someone who supposedly is a top-notch soldier or assassin does something really out of character or makes a mistake that is so obvious and should have never happened, I end up not liking the book. I just expect these types of genres to be really smart. You know? I guess I also expect certain things from other genres too and when they don't meet those expectations then I can be tough on them. Well, I guess I will just say that I do rate a little by genre, but then also by if the book worked for me and made me happy. :)
ReplyDeleteI do not rate books according to genre but I do notice that I do not treat all genres fairly. I will overlook things in one of my favorite genres that I will criticize in one of my not-favorite genres.
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