How I Rate Books

Since I started publishing book reviews on Homer's Travels I've always given some ratings.  It started with just recommended or not.  I eventually moved to Goodreads which uses a five star scale.  Here is what those stars mean to me.

For fiction I basically consider three criteria.  (1) Do I like the story/characters.  (2) Is it well written.  (3) Is there something novel/unique in the story that surprises/delights me.  If these three criteria are met the book gets five stars.  Most books will not meet all three.  If two are met then it will get four stars.  The most common situation is criteria one and two are met but not criteria three.  If it meets criteria one, but misses on criteria two and three, I would likely give it three stars.  If it misses all three, but I am just disappointed, it will get two stars.  If it makes me angry, or I do not finish the book, it will end with one star.

For non-fiction the criteria are similar.  (1) Am I interested in the subject and approach of the book.  (2) Is it well written.  (3) Do I learn something profound and/or am I surprised by what I learn.  Five and four stars are the same as for fiction.  Three stars means I disagree with the premise/argument but it is well written.  One and two stars mean I think it is wrong, written/argued poorly, or makes me angry in some way.

Obviously there is lots of subjectivity in my ratings.  Sometimes I let things slip.  Other times I give them no leaway.  Reading, especially fiction, is always read in the eyes of the reader.