This is an informative post for those who enjoy my book review posts.
This year, I decided to start a reading journal. As part of that, I’ve redone my book rating system so I can rate books more evenly. I still intend to share book reviews, but only those where I have a lot to say, good or bad.
I created a decision flowchart to help me with this new system in the beginning.
View the text version of the flowchart
Decision Flowchart
Decision 1: Did I like this book?
- Yes: proceed to decision 2
- No: proceed to decision 5
Decision 2: Did I like everything about it?
- Yes: 5-star rating
- No: proceed to decision 3
Decision 3: Would I re-read this book?
- Yes: 4-star rating
- Maybe/No: proceed to decision 4
Decision 4: Would I recommend this book to others?
- Yes: 4-star rating
- Maybe: 3-star rating
- No: proceed to decision 5
Decision 5: Did I like something in this book?
- Yes: 2-star rating
- Maybe/No: proceed to decision 6
Decision 6: Did I finish reading this book?
- Yes: proceed to decision 7
- No: 0-star rating
Decision 7: Should I have stopped reading the book?
- No: 2-star rating
- Yes: 1-star rating
Error Deductions
The flowchart gets me to my base rating. Beyond that, I deduct from the star rating if there are too many errors. Errors I see most often are:
- Spelling;
- Punctuation;
- Grammar, including missing or misused words; and
- Continuity.
I will excuse a random error here and there, especially for self-published books. However, if I notice enough errors that it starts to annoy me, I take off a half-star. And, if the errors are very frequent, or combined with significant issues in pace, writing, or plot — typically, a 3-star rating or lower — I’ll take off a full star.
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