tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post540375749485866200..comments2024-03-24T20:54:42.846-04:00Comments on Spunk On A Stick's Tips: Writing Reviews That Match a Book’s Star RatingL. Diane Wolfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-66720502120417881312014-02-25T14:52:27.092-05:002014-02-25T14:52:27.092-05:00This makes sense. Right now I am venting over a bo...This makes sense. Right now I am venting over a book that was a Good Reads email suggestion. I found the book over the weekend and of course read the author bio (Which I know now is totally misleading) and of course the back cover. I was about ready to set the book on fire but decided to blog a little about it. For one it is saying it is a #1 NY Best Seller, but only into the second chapter it is feeling like a bad copy cat of another book that I read. The author makes claims in the bio about reviews and when I read the reviews on both Amazon and Good Reads people are giving it a bad review with Five Stars. This book is not a five star nor would I even consider it a #1 and I am only into the first chapters.Gossip_Grlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06603645371306284338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-71815244675098276142014-02-23T19:14:29.701-05:002014-02-23T19:14:29.701-05:00I think your review marks are very fair. I tend t...I think your review marks are very fair. I tend to be rather kind in my reviews, so something that should probably get a 3, I give a 4. Sherry Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07844837212122243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-64821438548179971982014-02-23T10:34:25.231-05:002014-02-23T10:34:25.231-05:00Your star ratings make sense to me. I think a 1 or...Your star ratings make sense to me. I think a 1 or 2-star needs to focus on the craft of the book, not whether the reader just didn't like the material. Sometimes, reviewers don't seem to have read the blurb stating what the book's about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-9136509698977457202014-02-23T01:36:09.730-05:002014-02-23T01:36:09.730-05:00Good guidelines, Spunk. I tend to be a bit too fai...Good guidelines, Spunk. I tend to be a bit too fair. I have an especially difficult time being critical when reviewing friends' books. <br /><br />Be well,<br />xoRobynRawknrobyn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15997241410192066577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-65966015679641980662014-02-22T09:58:14.466-05:002014-02-22T09:58:14.466-05:00Nicki, something besides "This book sucked&qu...Nicki, something besides "This book sucked" of course.<br /><br />JE, that's why I didn't use percentages for the F, because a one star book would be down near 10%.<br /><br />Cathy, thank you!<br /><br />Kimberly, I think that is what most people do.<br /><br />Lee, roller coasters?L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-45765779258602541572014-02-22T09:35:01.528-05:002014-02-22T09:35:01.528-05:00When I leave a review I try to adhere by those sta...When I leave a review I try to adhere by those standards you've mentioned. I always hate having to give a rating of 3 stars or less, but I feel like my reviewer integrity relies on my honesty. And I always try to find something good and put a positive spin on things.<br /><br />You might enjoy my roller coaster post at my memoir blog linked below.<br /><br />Lee <br /><a href="http://wrotebyrote.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Wrote By Rote</a><br />An A to Z Co-host blog<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-38906533488806735642014-02-22T05:32:52.146-05:002014-02-22T05:32:52.146-05:00This review system makes all the sense in the worl...This review system makes all the sense in the world. I've definitely read some reviews that don't match the rating. I'm sure I do that myself. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-84427215749185174032014-02-21T22:31:16.636-05:002014-02-21T22:31:16.636-05:00Great breakdown on your system. I have to say that...Great breakdown on your system. I have to say that I don't really trust all reviews so if the book sounds good to me, I'm going to add it to my list and try to read it and make up my own mind. :)Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17323788304469008867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-35240010664201834952014-02-21T21:56:54.375-05:002014-02-21T21:56:54.375-05:00I'm going to point towards this post on Facebo...I'm going to point towards this post on Facebook - I think it'll be helpful to a lot of readers. Thanks!Cathy Olliffe-Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12729578896443750402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-46994115687051660312014-02-21T19:19:40.099-05:002014-02-21T19:19:40.099-05:00This is a realy great post becuase i have to gotte...This is a realy great post becuase i have to gotten whiplashes from shaking my head in shock at reviews that dont match ratings....its always also nice when the reviewer explains why they missed the expected rating....<br /><br />Thank you Medeia and Diane.<br />Greetings from Johannesburg, SA:<br /><br />Wendy @ Wendy @ <a href="http://fabulosityreadsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2014/02/accepting-hosts-for-this-hop.html" rel="nofollow">Join This Hop</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530886181437955643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-60716296312257658282014-02-21T19:18:41.391-05:002014-02-21T19:18:41.391-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530886181437955643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-67134209159337064752014-02-21T18:21:20.419-05:002014-02-21T18:21:20.419-05:00Since an F is anything below a 60, does that mean ...Since an F is anything below a 60, does that mean a book is only 60 percent good? Because I'd think that would deserve two or two and a half stars.J E Oneilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09780097298061829471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-32142743018075449692014-02-21T17:54:54.846-05:002014-02-21T17:54:54.846-05:00It's so hard to know how others judge books so...It's so hard to know how others judge books so it's hard to trust the reviews. I like your system! :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-9249248474561539132014-02-21T17:52:40.854-05:002014-02-21T17:52:40.854-05:00I like this breakdown! Yeah, I've definitely ...I like this breakdown! Yeah, I've definitely come across reviews where the words don't match up w/ the stars. <br /><br />If someone stopped reading a book because of poor execution (rather than personal preference) I think leaving a review with an explanation of why they didn't continue reading is appropriate---might save other readers from wasting their time/money on it. Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-70858404208885218262014-02-21T15:31:35.020-05:002014-02-21T15:31:35.020-05:00Steven, I've been happy with a 3 star rating b...Steven, I've been happy with a 3 star rating before.<br /><br />LD, I know!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-87336625637645187492014-02-21T14:37:54.901-05:002014-02-21T14:37:54.901-05:00I wish more reviewers would follow your guidelines...I wish more reviewers would follow your guidelines. It's confusing to read a gushing review that only gives three stars or a five star that only discusses the books shortcomings.LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-38530995027842876322014-02-21T14:01:31.320-05:002014-02-21T14:01:31.320-05:00Great guidelines. I'm very particular about th...Great guidelines. I'm very particular about the 5s I give, but give lots of 4s. I know this is a sticking point for a lot of authors. It's made me back off Goodread reviews a bit. This is helpful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741349796538313075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-21186210913062553062014-02-21T13:47:10.934-05:002014-02-21T13:47:10.934-05:00I agree with your assessment on rating. It's c...I agree with your assessment on rating. It's certainly how I review/rate books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-20944724370761230322014-02-21T13:15:59.917-05:002014-02-21T13:15:59.917-05:00I made the mistake of writing a 4-star review for ...I made the mistake of writing a 4-star review for another writer. He was incredibly offended because in his mind 4-stars meant the book was crap. I thought it was good but not absolutely perfect. I guess some people think we all deserve 5 gold stars just for participating. Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06837639807533435390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-78775025387672491102014-02-21T12:27:49.026-05:002014-02-21T12:27:49.026-05:00Good system. A positive review requires the whole ...Good system. A positive review requires the whole book to be read, but I do think it is okay to review a book you were unable to finish due to constant spelling errors or confusing plot as long as that is clearly stated in the review.H. R. Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715450637785127208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-45529160085743594442014-02-21T12:19:39.513-05:002014-02-21T12:19:39.513-05:00I'm signed up for Wormhole. Good points on how...I'm signed up for Wormhole. Good points on how to rate a book in a review.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-64054638801814704412014-02-21T11:38:36.248-05:002014-02-21T11:38:36.248-05:00Johanna, I'm hesitant to leave reviews, too.
...Johanna, I'm hesitant to leave reviews, too.<br /><br />Maurice, that's right! LOL<br /><br />Robin, those kinds of reviews bug me.<br /><br />Lee, that would be nice.<br /><br />Tyrean, that would confuse me.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-79977948283618617192014-02-21T11:33:15.194-05:002014-02-21T11:33:15.194-05:00Ah, I could have used that guide a few times as a ...Ah, I could have used that guide a few times as a reviewer. Some of my three stars should be four stars because even with mistakes I would read them again. <br />On the other side of it, I've received a few three star reviews that gushed and left me confused as a writer. That "three" middle rating seems to be the tough spot. Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-68105826947896140492014-02-21T11:22:59.074-05:002014-02-21T11:22:59.074-05:00The star rating with those descriptors works for m...The star rating with those descriptors works for me. I wish Amazon and goodreads would add those descriptors, so everyone would be on the same page. <br /><br />Thanks for this.<br /><br /><br />I'll stop at Medeia's to say hi.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11634512.post-47052271963347030422014-02-21T11:14:43.316-05:002014-02-21T11:14:43.316-05:00Excellent guidepost. I wish everyone who reviewed ...Excellent guidepost. I wish everyone who reviewed books took a look at this for reference.<br /><br />I cannot tell you how many reviews I read and they are three stars, but full of praise. Which is it? Great or average? Or five stars but full of complaints. Which is it amazing or average or worse? Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14932408372240147454noreply@blogger.com