*Please note that although Julie is no longer blogging, I have permission to recycle some of her old questions. You can see her previous answers by clicking on the post graphic.
This happens to me on a fairly regular basis; it’s not usually a MASSIVE change, like say from 2-stars to 5, but I tend to rate my books on GoodReads immediately after I have finished reading them, write a couple of lines about my initial thoughts, and then will type up my review a few days (weeks… months…) later. I often find that I’ll forget parts of a story, especially if it’s a novel that’s taken me more than 48 hours to complete, or I had several titles on the go simultaneously, only to have the pieces fall back into place while I’m in the process of drafting my post.
My preliminary rating is based on my opinion of a book at that point in time, and the ending can play a huge role in that. I try to take notes while I’m reading for precisely this reason because although a strong finish can squeeze an extra star out of me on the spot; I like giving my followers the full picture, and think that it’s important to not let a mind blowing conclusion eclipse the elements that didn’t jive quite as well. The reverse is of course true as well, if the final pages sucked the big one, but the rest of the novel was A+, that should be taken into account too.
For those of you who follow me on GoodReads, you’ve probably noticed that sometimes I’ll flat out say that my rating may change once I write my review. That’s my way of saying that even though I enjoyed a title, my overall feelings are a bit of a jumbled mess, so I need to let the story sink in for a couple of days. Once I’ve posted my feedback though, I don’t go back on my star count; the only exceptions to this rule are re-reads. When a series wraps-up, I’ll occasionally start from the beginning just to get a feel for the whole picture, and that can have a dramatic impact on my rating because it allows me to catch stuff I missed the first time around, or I’ve since gained a better appreciation of what the author was trying to accomplish now that I have a better understanding of what the end goal is.
Have a bookish question you’d like Rabid Reads to weigh-in on? E-mail me, and be sure you include your blog URL (if you have one), so we can give you credit!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Mostly I make changes after a re-read. The other time, is when I finish a book and I’m excited about it, then after a week or two, and I’ve thought about it more, I remember things that I might have forgotten. Like you, it is only a slight change, usually a 1/2 star. This is one of the reasons I’ve gotten to where I rarely write a review as soon as I’m done with a book. I like to let it sit for at least a few days before I write it.
The other thing I notice, I usually go down. I rarely go up.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Haunting You by Viola Estrella
I usually only write reviews immediately after finishing a book when it was really good or bad. No need to let it simmer cuz I know my opinion won’t change. Same here on the go down vs up.
I often want to, but I don’t unless I have done a reread and changed my mind. At the same time I don’t put a rating down until after I write a review. But I figure that rating catches my feelings the best at the time of reading so I owe it to anyone looking to leave it alone.
Nathan ( recently posted…Tough Travels – High Priests
That’s a good system; I wish I could hold off on my rating until I draft my feedback, but it’s become automatic, especially with that GoodReads auto popup as soon as you mark a title as complete.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who changes my rating. No, mine never get changed from 2 to 5 either but I have finished a book before thinking it was a 3 star read. Then a few days later when I set about writing my review, I realize it was my mood or something that was making me feel that way. I have also finished a book thinking it was really good and then when I go to write my review, I can’t remember why I thought that. And by that I mean it was a good book but it didn’t stick with me. Changing my rating happens rarely but it has happened. Great post, Carmel!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**That’s What HE Said ~ #19**
I only started using .5’s this year, so that has helped cut down my waffling a lot, instead of being torn that a novel wasn’t quite a 5, but 4 felt too low.
Sometimes but usually it is no more than a 1/2 star. Usually it occurs when I am writing my review I realize I was either particularly hard about an element or too generous. I usually write my reviews within 72 hrs.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…The Wolf in Winter: A Charlie Parker Thriller by John Connolly
I’ve gotten better at writing my posts promptly after finishing a book, but every so often RL gets in the way, and that plan goes out the window. I’m overly generous towards werewolf titles, I admit it!
I have done this after pondering the book a bit while thinking about what to write and decide that maybe it was a bit better than or worst than I thought before putting thought to computer screen.
Stormi recently posted…2015 Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge
Once the killer ending euphoria wears off it’s easier to think straight, however if you rate a novel while you’re ‘in the moment’ it’s not difficult to get carried away.
A while ago I made some changes that happened between 2.5 – 3.5 stars. Most of them went down with half a star, just because I felt I actually didn’t enjoy them enough to keep their rating. I don’t mind changing, because I want to have my honest ratings and opinions on my blog 🙂 so when I don’t stand a 100% behind a rating, it’s only fair to change it.
Mel recently posted…Review 304. Marie Rutkoski – The winner’s curse.
Exactly! Your rating is basically your stamp of approval of a title, so accuracy is important. It’s ok to tweak!
I’ve changed my rating by one star. Either up or down once I get to writing my review. Usually for the same reason you mentioned about the ending be awesome but then remembering I had issues with the book earlier on. Or sometimes the beginning is awesome and then it craps out at the end. A book has three parts for me. The beginning, middle and end. Sometimes they are not all equal and that can effect my rating.
Jennifer recently posted…An Island Kind of Christmas with Kat & Stone Bastion
It’s important that your star count reflects your overall impression of a novel, instead of just one specific part. It can be hard to stay objective when the beginning was clearly way better than the ending (or vice versa), but we must try!
Oh, I do this from time to time. Last year I went trough my older reviews on Goodreads and lowered a lot of ratings. In the beginning I was overly forgiving when it comes to some things. Plus, when you read for a while, you get clearer picture of what you like and don’t like.
Glass recently posted…Maybe Not (Maybe Someday, #1.5) by Colleen Hoover
I try not to backtrack because it’s how I felt at the time, however I agree that I’ve become a better reviewer over the years, and wouldn’t necessarily rank certain titles the same way today.
Yep. Sometimes, it takes a few days for me to actually write a review. So when I’ve calmed down some, the rating changes. This goes for both loved/hated reads. Some books are not as perfect as I’d originally thought, and some are not as bad.
Great post, Carmel!
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…[466]: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Time has a way of putting things into perspective, or at the very least allowing you to see thing from a different angle / with a clear head. Thank goodness ratings aren’t set in stone!
I have changed my rating before but just by one or two like you said. Nothing drastic. I have change a rating from 5 to 4 before. But it doesn’t happen very often.
Cynthia recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: The Chocolate Rose (Amour et Chocolat)
Yup. Small changes make sense while as the crazy ones would be cause for concern. Like, were you drunk at the time? LOL 😉
Simple answer: YES!
I wish I was one of those people that wrote reviews the second I finish a book but I’m not. I immediately rate it and write down a first thought. Though by the time I get to the writing of the review there is a chance that my feelings about the book have changed. I either decide I like or dislike it more than originally. This happens a lot with borderline 3/4 books.
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…New Look by Creative Whim! #Awesome
I’ve gotten a lot better at turning my reviews around quickly, but that might be because I have a lot of free time on my hands at the moment. Those borderline books can be tough cookies!
Hi Carmel!
I haven’t changed from 2 to 5 rating ever (and have a policy not to post negative reviews like 2 stars and below). Once I’ve finished a book, I tend to go with my gut feeling. I feel guilty about giving 3 stars because that doesn’t mean I thought that a book was bad, but for me 3 means I liked it but I wasn’t ranting and raving about it or hailing it was a must-read. Like others, I try not to be too generous with 5 stars unless I think a book merits it.
I will very rarely post feedback that’s below 3-stars; I just don’t feel right doing it unless there was significantly something wrong with the title that readers should be informed about. 3 means it was ok, but not for me.
Like you I’ve never made a drastic change to a rating, but I have moved it up and down slightly once the book has had time to sink in and I’m doing my review. There have been times when that first initial rating on Goodreads is one thing and then during writing the actual review I realize that what I’ve written doesn’t really support the rating, so I’ll change it. It’s usually only half-star either way.
Traci recently posted…Gift Ideas for the Book Lover, #8
That happens to me too. Sometimes I’ll be typing up my thoughts, and then realize that they don’t jive with my rating at all, so I modify it.
I’m jealous of those that can write their reviews weeks or months after reading the book! I can’t pick up a new book to start reading without having written the review for the book before it. It gives me a nervous tic 😉 As a result, I don’t usually change my ratings, I put my thoughts down and leave them at that for the most part. The only exception is when I’m genuinely torn and have the rating down as a range – 3.5-4/5 or something like that. Sometimes I’ll go back and choose a rating before the review goes live:)
I only do that when I’m reading installments in the same series back-to-back. I’ll refuse to pick-up the next novel until my review is done out of fear of mixing the two up.
I have but it doesn’t happen often. But usually it is also either during writing the review or a couple of days later after I have left everything process and thought about it all.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review: You Were Mine by Abbi Glines
It only happens to me on occasion as well, but still frequently enough that the topic merited a discussion post. 😀
Usually while I read I know by gut feeling what rating a book it’s gonna get, but sometimes that rating changes from the moment I’ve finished a book till the moment I right the review, since it can be a few days later. Never by more than a star, more usually by a half star.
Pili recently posted…2014 Debut Author Giveaway Hop!
Ditto! The difference is usually negligible, but I’m a perfectionist, and that +/- .5 is important.
I might revise my rating if I did a quick rate before I wrote a full review, but I won’t go back to previously read books to re-rate unless I re-read them again 🙂
Julie recently posted…That’s what HE said Thursday- Dec 4, 2014
That’s my standard MO too. There’s no point in constantly revising old ratings otherwise we’d never get anything done.
I most certainly have! Mine changes overtime like when I revisit my GR shelves, I’d see a few books that I want to rate differently.
I get what you’re saying though, that has happened to me too. There’s a couple that I did not rate because it made a mess out of me. Also I usually avoid giving halfies but at times it’s difficult not to so there’s that, do I go conservative or generous? Like if it’s 3.5 should I select 4 or 3 stars for it.
Great discussion as always 😉
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Naughty Nooner: Need You Now by Lisa Renee Jones
I used to be against 1/2 stars, but they are slowly growing on me. Now, I struggle with whether to round up or not when it comes time to rate the book on Amazon / GoodReads. I think that’s where most of my changes occur.
Sometimes I know what my rating will be as soon as I finish the book but most of the time it will change as I’m writing my review. I realize things bothered me more than I thought or that I liked it more than I thought. I don’t rate books on gr until I actually write and post my review. This also helps me with knowing which books I still have to review.
I still wish GR had half star ratings. for a 3.5 star book, I feel guilty for lowering it to 3 stars, but then I feel like I’m always 4 starring everything, off topic, but still 🙂
Nereyda recently posted…Is a happy couple…a boring couple???
I have A LOT of 4 star reviews on GR too for this very reason. It’s kinda annoying, I wish they’d get with the program already!
I’ve never actually changed a rating once I’ve written up the review. That being said, I’ve changed my mind a lot up to the point of writing b/c like you a book headed for one rating in the beginning or middle might change by the end. Also, I’ve marked books DNF, but gone back in a different frame of mind, finished them and given them a rating.
I’m not sure what I’d do with a re-read since I haven’t gone back and changed a review on a re-read not to mention I just don’t have time to do much re-reading.
Sophia Rose recently posted…President’s Daughter + KGI Operative = Explosive #Review #Giveaway #Excerpt
Sometimes it really does just come down to your mood at the time. This summer I had a huge hate on for all things Norse mythology because I read so many similar titles back-to-back, and I think my ratings suffered as a result. Like you said though, there are only so many hours in a day, so we have to do what we can.
Yes, I do that too. I find that I have an initial impression rating when I finish but often when I write my review I will bump it up or down, usually by a half star. It depends on how I feel after I stew on it. I don’t go back though and change ratings from months ago because I know a lot of the ratings would go down.
Heidi recently posted…Review: The Vault (The Farm #3) by Emily McKay
It definitely helps to talk it out via a blog post; this is also why I rarely read other peeps’ reviews before I write my own, I don’t want their thoughts to influence mine.
That’s the exact same thing I’ll do too. Usually only going up or down one star as I get my thoughts together. I’ve been trying not to star rate when I mark my books read on Goodreads anymore for that very reason. lol
I try to always give a book 48 hours from finish before I review it just so I have that time to process all of it emotionally so I can be objective when I have strong feelings about elements.
Rhianna recently posted…Cover Reveal: SONG OF BLOOD & STONE by L. Penelope [Excerpt + giveaway!]
I HAVE to rate a novel the moment I finish it otherwise I feel like I’m not ready to move on to my next read yet.
I do it sometimes, most often rate it down, it just feels right
blodeuedd recently posted…Days of Blood and Starlight – Laini Taylor
Down’s normally the direction mine take as well.
Like you, it happens sometimes that I change my rating from the one I put up just after finishing a book, and the one I feel is more correct after writing my review. It can go both ways, though, even if it usually goes down rather than up…
I think that if I rated a book 4 stars just after reading it, then I write my review a little while later and can’t really find all that much to say, I just think the book should rather receive three than four stars.
This is a great question, Carmel 🙂 Thanks for sharing your opinion.
Have a terrific Thursday afternoon 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Up Close and (un)Conventional #10 – WP Security?
It’s never a good sign whenever you draw a blank when it comes time to put your thoughts into words. If your review was painful to write, then I agree, your rating should reflect that.
I’ve adjusted my rating after writing my review. It’s usually only like a 1/2, and almost always down, when I really think.write out my feelings about the story/characters.
Kristina D recently posted…Some Thursday Randomness
That seems to be the go-to answer today. At least we’re in good company!
I think I will often have a initial reaction to the book, but once I write my review and consider the points that come out regarding the book, I may change my rating. In fact I’ve gone back and forth on Talon which I just reviewed – initially it was 1 star, now I’ve changed it to 2 stars because the writing was still fantastic but I was so disappointed in the story. Great topic Carmel, interesting to see that you do this is as well.
Jeann recently posted…Talon by Julie Kagawa Review: Lamest Dragons Ever
Aahh yes, Talon… I was SO looking forward to this book, but the reviews have not painted it in a pretty light, so I’m passing on it. Isn’t great to discover that some of the things you do are normal? 😉
I don’t recall ever changing my rating on older reviews although there are many books that I would rate differently today than when I first read them.
I have thought of doing it but just left my original impression.
I have changed my rating within a day or so of posting on Goodreads. Sometimes I go with a 2 but then think on it and feel more generous in the morning or the reverse – I’m steaming mad by the time I wake up and downgrade it from a 3 to a 1 or 2 stars. lol
It’s hard not to rage rate in the heat of the moment, especially when an author does something especially heinous to piss you off. I try not to take it personally, but sometimes there’s just no helping it! Those usually turn out to be the more entertaining reviews to write AND read.
I have before when thinking about a book that has stuck with me more than I thought or if I can’t remember anything from it
This is why procrastination is a reviewer’s worst enemy! I hate staring at a blank screen and going euuuh, what was this book about again?
Yeah, I occasionally change my ratings, if I happened to reread some titles that I’ve read years ago. Sometimes, my opinions may change once I understand what is really going on in the book years later if I reread the book.
Ronyell (a.k.a Rabbitearsblog) recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #7: Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2015
It’s amazing how much you catch on a 2nd or 3rd re-read. Sometimes it’s for the better, and sometimes not so much.
This is something I’ve struggled with because like you , I often feel like I rate a little high when I’m on that “end of book” high – I actually wrote a post about this – asking people how soon they review. I’ve actually been tempted to go back and adjust some of my reviews by a half star, but I haven’t done it. I HAVE changed a Goodreads rating when I go and write the review though (just did it the other day). I haven’t done it often, but I have done it.
Nicole recently posted…5 Star Review – Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
It’s challenging enough as it is staying on top of my ARC commitments, so there’s no way that I’m going to start revisiting my 400+ reviews. I think a good timeframe is 24-72 hours.
It was fun finding out how your opinions changed as you thought more about the book. While I’m reading I usually have a good idea of the range it will be in (Like 7 or 8 stars) and as I analyze the book and my enjoyment of it and how much I want to read it again, I somehow decide how to rate it, but I flip flop back and forth often. Like you once I post my review I don’t change my mind. (It was hard enough to decide the first time)
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Indie Book Review: Elemental Rancor by Charles Lominec
I keep a running rating in my head while I read; I always start out at 5, then subtract or re-add as I progress through the pages. But, Math was never my forte, so sometimes I need to tweak.
Soooo much yes, Carmel! It usually doesn’t change much, like you mentioned, but I usually rate it at that point in time as well. After I’ve thought over the review and written it, I often find faults that bothered me and this would usually impact on the way I look at the book from an objective perspective. This usually leads to a ratings change…not often, but it does happen.
Joy recently posted…Book Tag: Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award
It’s interesting how certain aspects of a story can come back to you once your fingers start flowing over a keyboard. This is why I take notes, however sometimes I just can’t bring myself to take a 2 mins break because the novel is too good.
It rarely happens. When I read something, an opinion is usually formed early on. It goes up or down as I approach the finish. By the time I start writing a review, the rating is usually set.
Sounds like you’re pretty good at sticking with your original decision. Nice!
I’ll only change my star rating for a book if it’s a re-read, but even then I’m pretty hesitant to do it. I’m definitely a “go with your gut” style reviewer, I’m pretty decisive and I like to stick to my guns. It usually works out but sometimes I do scratch my head over my ratings (I rated a lot of the books that I read in 2009/2010 when I first started on gr weirdly low for me).
Danya recently posted…Tough Traveling: High Priest
Usually peeps get more harsh as their number of reviews increases, not the reverse. I rely on my instinct, but every so often my brain disagrees. LOL!
To keep this from happening to me, I don’t rate the book until I have had a chance to write the review on the books that I write a review for. But I know exactly what you mean. I usually have a number in my head going into the review, and then dependent on what comes out while writing it, the number can change. If I’m not writing a review, I usually go with my gut and then leave it be. Great Topic!
Judith recently posted…@TastyBookTours Review: A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise by Maggie McGinnis
Sometimes I go into a review fully expecting to have only positive things to say, however once it comes time to re-read I realize that that wasn’t the case at all, and have to change my star count. It happens to the majority of us it would seem.
Yes I do. I also rate the book right after I read it.. but that’s just my knee jerk reaction kind of rating. I usually right my review after 2-3 days then think about my final rating. Sometimes the rating stays the same, but there are times that it changes. I sometimes change my rating if it’s a re read 🙂
Paula M. recently posted…ARC REVIEW: The Stag Lord (Bannerman Boru #1) by Darby Kaye
That’s how I roll too! I’m an on-the-spot mood rater, but after I’ve had time to give it some thought, I usually have to revisit my original star count.
I try not to change my ratings because it was my feeling at the moment but it’s possible for me to change it for 1 star for example but it’s usually not long after rating the book and because I’m still not sure about my feelings about it. But otherwise I stay like that.
You’re pretty decisive in your ratings. Way to put your foot down, Melliane. Hehe!
I have, mostly when I re-visit, or when I finish the series. Like in The Fever series Dark fever was originally a 3.5, but than I changed to four I think. There are some books I liked a lot more after I read the following book.
Lupdilup recently posted…Audiobooks I should have read instead
Yup. Book 1’s have a way of redeeming themselves via a follow-up installment because then everything become crystal clear. It’s the reason why I usually give series debuts a mulligan. 🙂
I try not to change because I figure what I rated a book is a reflection of what I felt at the time of reading, and even though it’s a long time ago, it’s still as valid as any. It serves as a good record for posterity as well. I wouldn’t change a journal entry for any reason, so I sort of see this the same way. But boy, sometimes it does get tempting to change those number of stars!
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: All Those Vanished Engines by Paul Park
I’m convinced that you could read the same novel every year, and come up with a different rating every time which is why I don’t revise oldies. What’s going on in your life currently can have an impact on how you connect with a story.
For sure. I’ve looked at older reviews on GR and think, “Did I REALLY like it that much” or “you know, it really wasn’t that bad.” I’ve changed them. That’s partly why I hate rating them. I try to take notes too, because I notice a difference when I do.
Christy recently posted…Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol
I know of some reviewers who forgo ratings altogether, and although I understand their reasoning behind it, I just can’t do it.
You know I totally used to back before my book blogging days and now I will if its within a short time of having read versus writing the review – I don’t always mark my rating as soon as I’m done because I need time to digest and think about it and write out my thoughts and then its best for me to rate it. So that’s what I’ve been trying to do more.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp
I’m surprised that so many bloggers take their ratings so seriously! The overall conscientious seems to be to let it stew for a few days, then establish how a title ranked out of 5. Us fan-girls take our job to heart!
I’ve changed my star ratings a few times. Mostly, like you, it usually happens in the review process where I decide, after writing, that maybe my rating wasn’t quite right. The majority of the time I only change by half star — the full star change doesn’t happen. (I’ve maybe only done that once or twice.)
Amanda recently posted…Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean {Amanda’s Review}
The 1/2 modification is definitely the most common for me as well. It makes sense because a small element might pop into your head while you’re typing up your thoughts. The biggies tend to be more memorable.
I usually have a solid rating in mind about 3/4ths into the book, but of course that can change with the last page.
I think the most I’ved changed my ratings is about a half star up or down. Usually if I’m not too sure on a rating, I won’t rate it until I write my review to get a better overview. Also sometimes I need some time to think about what I liked and what I didn’t like.
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
Endings have a way of completely flipping your opinion on its head, but otherwise, your response matches most of the peeps’ who weighed-in this week.
No, I’ve never changed my rating. But I usually wait until I have the entire review written before I post and rate it.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Freebie Friday!
You make it sound so easy!
You don’t have to ask…When I read more books I learn more and my taste and opinion starts to develop, it would go from awesome to like disgusting…I kinda feel bad for the books I’ve read in the past, I don’t think I’ll love them as much now. 🙁
Chyna recently posted…Books with pretty fonts!
I’m right there with you. I’m positive that what I thought was original at the time would now feel overdone if I re-read it.
Lately this has become a problem for me, changing my rating. Especially for a book which is the last in the series. I get so swept up in the emotion of the book, knowing it is the last and there will never be another again! When I finish I find myself immediately going to Goodreads and giving it a 5 star. Then, I sit down and start thinking about it. Days later I realise all the things that may have been missing in the book. I am then forced to reconsider and go rerate my books. So, I have learnt, to wait a few days upon finishing a book before I rate it.
Series finales are the most difficult novels to rate IMO. It’s impossible for an author to please every fan with their end game, and last books are always bitter sweet.
I used to do this a lot, but now I actually write my reviews as soon as I finish a book and the rating isn’t established until I’m done writing the review. But I think it could also easily happen with rereads – especially for books I read pre-blogging.
Berls recently posted…My TBR List | December 2014 Voting
You’re so organized, Kimberly! Whenever I finish a title my first thought isn’t ‘I need to write my review’ but rather ‘what should I read next!?’
It happens a few times: sometimes when I re-read it and sometimes after a few weeks/months after I finished it and I see someone else reading it, I usually remember stuff that annoyed me and I down-rate it 😀
Other peeps’ GoodReads status updates can make it tough to stick to your rating guns!
True… When I see what they see, I start to doubt my rating :))
Aly P recently posted…Giveaway: HOP CADOURI DE CRACIUN!(Christmas Presents blog hop)
Sometimes it’s best to avoid GR altogether. 🙂
My ratings definitely change sometimes. Like you, the immediate rating is usually what goes on Goodreads but then, when I’m thinking more about it and writing a review, it can change. Weird but there you go.
Mary recently posted…Speed Date with Chase: Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover by Sarah MacLean
It’s not weird at all, I’m the same way.
I have changed my rating on Goodreads, but once I post it to the blog…its pretty much set in stone.
sharonda recently posted…#BookSpotlight: Dangerous Beauty by Michele Hardin
No take backsies once it has been sent out into the blogopshere! 😀
Oh that is an excellent question. I have changed my rating for books that I look back and think nahhh, that book did NOT deserve that rating. But, that only ever happens on Goodreads. Also, I don’t do it all that much, and when I do, I only ever bother changing it if it’s some drastic change, not like if it’s a matter of a .5 star.
Great post, Carmel! <33
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads) recently posted…Midnight Madness Newsletter (74)
Plus, your GoodReads friends might start questioning your sanity if you were constantly changing your ratings on old reads!
I’ve actually been debating whether or not I should go through and change my reviews on my personal site. I notice that I experience a book high immediately after reading a book, and I tend to write my reviews during that book high, so my ratings are a little inflated. The ratings don’t seem to reflect my honest feelings about a book after the high has fizzled out, so I’ve been leaning toward “Yes, I will change my ratings”.
Jackie recently posted…Weekend Review: Trial & Error
It’s damned near impossible to give a fair rating when you’re still ridding that OMG buzz. I try not to visit GoodReads when I’m in that kinda mood, but sometimes you just need to fan-girl it up!
I usually don’t change my rating, but I write my review right after I finish the book. Even though my opinion of a book might change over time I usually don’t change my rating as it was true at the point I read it.
I have had a few instances were I gave the rating then wrote my review and then changed the rating as I felt like my review was either more negative or mroe positive then I thought I felt at first.
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #103
My reviews often have a mind of their own, so I just let them run their course and adjust my star count accordingly.
I haven’t changed a rating yet. But this year, I just marked the books as read on GoodReads and wrote reviews. The stars are not mandatory. I plan to go back at the end of the year and look at all the books I read and give them stars at that time.
I actually find a graded/star system difficult. I either liked a book or I didn’t. So on my blog the books get a simple thumbs up or thumbs down. I try to explain in my review why I didn’t like a book.
Terri M.
Second Run Reviews
Terri M recently posted…Scenic Sundays 14: All the colors and Beryl Bainbridge
The thumbs up / down approach would definitely make my life way easier, however sites like Amazon require a star rating, so unless you are only posting on your blog + GR, there’s no way around it if you review ARCs.
Very good point! I do review ARCs and when I post on a site like Amazon, I pay close attention to the tool tips that pop up when you hover over those stars. I read what each star means and pick the one that seems to match my review.
Terri M. recently posted…Scenic Sundays 14: All the colors and Beryl Bainbridge
I’ve worked my scale to match Amazon’s that way I’m consistent across all sites, just makes things easier.
I think for me a book might go down slightly in rating. However I might rate something on Goodreads a 4 but on the blog it will really be a 3.5 which to me isn’t downgrading the rating only going as close as I can to the full star ratings on Goodreads. I do sometimes rate something too high because it is of a fav author or series but then as I think about the book I realize the imperfections that decrease the rating. I usually don’t go up in ratings unless it was a re-read that I enjoyed more the second time around.
Alexa recently posted…The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin *Alexa’s Review*
I try round up / down on GR accordingly; sometimes a book is closer to a 4, however the reverse can be true as well. The author does play a role in that too.
Occasionally, I do change my ratings, mostly for the reasons already mentioned. I don’t think I do it very often though. I usually like my initial reaction to guide my ratings. but there are some books that require a little more thought/time put into the rating. I compare my books though — like, I loved this book, but did I love it as much as this other 4 or 5 star book? Should they have the same rating? — that kind of thing! Very interesting question!
I’ll compare installments within the same series, but otherwise I try to avoid doing so for different authors / genres because for me, it’s not a fair correlation IMO. Thanks for weighing-in!
Yes, this exactly. I have had a 5* go to a 3* after I’d had time to ponder it more, but I did note that in my review & I explained why my opinion changed. (The previous book I’d read had been so horrible that anything was awesome in comparison).
That’s good that you included your reasoning in your review, definitely helps to put things into perspective.