As you might expect, I’m pretty sensitive to leaving book reviews and ratings these days because good ratings help authors be found. I’m trying to keep up a Goodreads book list now and dutifully leave reviews for books I’ve enjoyed, hoping to help other authors and readers. I’m always authentic and positive. I won’t leave a bad review unless I purchased the book and think the product description (in this case, the book description) was misleading or the quality is bad. Mostly, I recognize how hard it is to write a good book and, if someone has written one, I want to do my part to help that author be seen.

Reviewing and rating books has been top of mind this week because I’m currently reading a book that has me vexed. I’ll not name it because it has me so conflicted. It’s a period mystery, set in 1901, centered around the world of books. It’s not self-published, it’s under a major publisher, but I found it on sale on Kindle for $2.99 (normally $14.99 unless you are in Kindle Unlimited). It currently has 1,449 reviews and a 4.4 star rating. I should love this book.

At the 40% read mark, I seriously considered giving up. The plot seemed to be developing at a glacial pace and I wasn’t even sure I liked the main character. My reading pace faltered because I just wasn’t compelled to go back to the story. But, I’m not someone who reads multiple fiction books at once. Give up or keep going? Ultimately, I decided to keep going, if just a little longer.

I’m not done with the book yet, perhaps 65% now, and I’m going to finish it. The plot has picked up quite a bit. I’m still not sure I like the main character (I wouldn’t be her friend because she seems like the kind of “friend” who’d get you in trouble) but she’s got a task to do with dire consequences if she doesn’t. I’m compelled to see how it turns out.

How do you rate a book you almost gave up on but will likely like in the end? I had that thought and decided to think through my rules for rating a book. It turns out, they are pretty simple:

(5) Five Stars from Karen: I finished the book, I enjoyed it, the quality was very high (spelling, consistent editing/style), I feel good about the price I paid for the experience, and I’d recommend it to a friend.

(4) Four Stars from Karen: I finished the book, I ultimately enjoyed it, the quality was high or very high, I feel good or okay about the price I paid for the experience, but I may or may not recommend it to a friend.

I’ll round up if I’m on the fence, but I’m probably not going to bother leaving a lower star review. First, I’m a “Midwest nice” introvert who uses her real name online. If I can’t say something nice, I’m probably not going to say anything at all. Second, you can always read the sample of an ebook before purchasing, and that’s usually enough to alert me that I’m not going to enjoy the book. I don’t often buy books I don’t finish. Also, if I’ve picked up an ebook deal for free, I’m not going to leave a bad review because it cost me nothing to try the author out.

Which brings me back to the book I’m currently reading. I haven’t even finished it yet, but I will probably rate it 4 stars unless the ending heavily disappoints or astounds me. I won’t leave a rating on Amazon because that would lower the average for the author, but I will leave a review on Goodreads where it currently has a 3.96 average.

Some things that are not on my list of criteria for rating books:

• Would I read it again? I’ve certainly read books I’d rate five stars that I don’t want to revisit. Usually they are stories with bittersweet or unhappy endings. Even if the writing is superb, I probably won’t go back. I’ll be glad I read it but once is enough.
• Did it match my expectations going in? I’m fine with surprises! I think you should meet a book on the author’s terms, even if the story or even the genre twists away from where you thought you were headed.

Do you rate and review books on Goodreads or purchase sites? Are your criteria different than mine?