Discussion: How do you rate books?

Let's talk star ratings.

One of the discussions that comes up fairly regularly at our IRL book club is how to rate books. A rating is inevitably a comparison — you’re putting that piece of work up alongside not only other works but also your own expectations and experience with it.

When it comes to books, do you judge them against the author’s previously published titles? Do you judge them against the entirety of literature? Do you judge them as their own entity, removed from expectations (basically, did the author accomplish what they set out to)?

On a personal level, how do your ratings change over time? Should they be snap judgments or thoughtfully measured after some time has passed? Does the reading experience inform the rating (on vacation vs. sick in bed, for example)? How should we separate a book’s cultural value and technical brilliance from our basic enjoyment of it (or lack thereof)?

How we rate books isn’t a cut and dry endeavor. My own answers to all of these questions change somewhat regularly. Even in the same week and from book to book, my opinions will vary.

So, I’m curious to hear from you. How do you rate books? Do you have a system or is it more based on your whims in the moment? Let’s chat!