With a title like that, some readers might jump to the wrong conclusion. Don’t. Let me make this perfectly clear. I don’t review books I don’t like. Much controversy has been posted around the book blogoshere about writing honest reviews. Many believe that in order to be honest, the bad must be posted along with the good. At one time, I was of the same opinion. Over the last two years though, I’ve learned that nothing is ever black or white when dealing with opinions. It’s a gray area. Not only that, I no longer like reading negative reviews. I have no idea what caused this change of events, but Steve says I’ve been moving in this direction for a long time. And it’s true. I find myself drawn to things that are upbeat and positive. Maybe it’s to counteract so much negativity going on in the world? Who knows.
Is this declaration a shot at my book blogging comrades who do post negative reviews? I hope that’s not how this is viewed. I believe our diversity as book bloggers is what makes us so perfectly unique. Close friends will understand this is a personal change reflected through my book blog.
Another point to bring up is I post my reviews on Amazon and soon will be posting on Barnes & Noble - well, maybe. Either way, I'll still be posting my reviews on Amazon. When doing that, I must rate the book. In light of this new announcement, I feel I should come up with a new system. Take a look at what I found at Barnes & Noble.
Judging by the this rating system, I highly doubt I’ll be completing books labeled just “okay”. I get bored too easily and will stop readings, so ratings will be either four or five stars. Outstanding books that I’d gladly pay the price of retail will be highlighted on Thursday for the What's Your Favorite Book This Week? event. Although I can only pick one book on Thursday, there might a mention of another equally cherished book. Click here for an example. So what if there is no book to fit that category? Simple. There won’t be a post that week. How about the books I don’t like? What happens to those? If you remember in one of my previous posts, I stated when I find a book I don’t care for I simply stop reading. This, folks, is one major reason I could never be a professional reviewer. Yes, there are other reasons, but this is a biggie. I give a book twenty-five pages to interest me. For me, a severe ADD reader, this is more than enough time to feel a connection. If it’s a review book and I don’t feel it, I pass the book on to Steve. He and I have opposite taste in books. If he doesn’t like it, the book will be raffled off. It’s the best I can do.
I know this might not be appealing to authors looking for a review, but I've been changing the direction of my blog. I am reading more of what I want and this rating system complements this new change.
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55 comments:
I totally agree with your thoughts that each blogger needs to make up his or her own mind and that we need to respect each other's decisions. Your choice of what to review won't drive me away.
I do like to read and write negative reviews. I learn a lot about a book through a negative review, and a negative review does not necessarily stop me from reading the book. What's negative to one person may be a bonus to someone else.
The opposite is also true. The most gushing and glowing review of a horror book (for example) won't make me read the book. It's genre I avoid.
So make your blog and your reviews suit yourself! You can't get rid of me that easily.
I agree - everyone's blog should be a reflection of their own unique personality. I'll continue to be a regular reader.
This was a great post. I personally like to use a rating system for my reviews (even though it is subjective). I also love when other bloggers use some type of rating system as well.
I can only recall rating (2) books with a (1) star rating. I usually will give books the 50 page test, and generally will finish the book unless it is totally awful. In most cases all of my reviews will have at LEAST a 2/5 rating, otherwise, I usually will now abandon the book if I just can't connect.
I tend to donate most books I've read to library book sales or swap them of PBS.
BTW: I do tend to be somewhat influenced by reviews and I tend to read those books with glowing reviews first.
Thanks for the great post.
I write predominantly positive reviews simply because I have so little time to spend reading and I prefer to focus on books that I enjoy. I do try to give a balanced review however and point out any flaws or limitations that I have noticed while reading.
Kudos to you for recognising where life it taking you and adapting your blog accordingly. Would that more people were willing to do the same.
I think it is great to recognize that your perspective on life has changed and that you are adapting your blog to parallel that! I've only posted one negative review, but included the positives that I liked about the book as well. I don't rate books, but just share my opinions . . . both the good and the bad. I just have one question for you though . . . when it is a book that a review has been requested for, do you notify your contact to let them know that you do not intend to review the book in the case that you abandon it?
Oh, and by the way, I have passed an award on to you! I think you have already received it, but feel that you deserve it again! Here's the link to the post about it on my blog: http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/lemonade-award.html
I agree with you - My reviews tend to be positive because I only choose books that I know I am going to like. Also, I've been lucky and have truly enjoyed most of the books I've been reading.
I've been considering a rating system too but haven't done that yet.
The least rating I have gone to is 2 :)
I also have a hard time reviewing anything i didn't like. Mostly I pick up books after reading reviews at your sit or other friend bloggers. now i have a fairly good idea.. !
and as i dnt get any ARCs, i dnt think i have this issue at all!
Kaye,
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this today. I very rarely do a poor review...I'm more like you, I review the books I like. But sometimes there are ones that just don't do it for me so I feel the need to let others know. Also, I'm not a professional reviewer so I'm not getting paid for my thoughts. I'm just a reader who wants to share with others.
I enjoy your blog and your personality comes shining out!! Keep being true to you!
I abandon books after a few pages all the time, but if I've made it to page 25, I'm usually going to finish. I like reading comprehensive reviews - something that gives me a feel for whether I'll like the book - it doesn't much matter to me if the reviewer liked it or not (unless it is a reviewer I explicitly trust, and then a less than stellar review may give me pause). I absoulutely believe there is room in the blogosphere for all types of reviewers - so do want YOU want to do with YOUR free time.
Hi J Kaye, WOW, this is fantastic and I couldn't agree with you more. I often think when I've read a book I didn't love that someone else will love it. It all comes down to personal taste.
I hate reading dispassionate reviews that are so obviously ARC's. It makes me wonder. I would rather know when I'm reading an ARC review. We don't really get them is Australia, so none of mine are ARC's.
I also like your 25 pages rule. I try to be patient especially with books that have really good ratings or have been highly recommended. I pick it up three times (often I'm just not in the mood for the genre) and I'll give it 100 pages. Too many good books to waste your time on books you don't feel like reading.
The last point I'd like to make is, I hate reading scathing or really negative reviews on ARC's. A few weeks ago I read a blog, the blogger had come home and found a copy of the second in a series and then went on to mention that she hadn't finished the first book in the series cause she didn't like it. Why on earth would publishers send books to people who didn't like the author or genre. I don't understand that. A real person put their heart and soul into writing that book, so I think you should be kind or not do the review especially if it's not even an author or genre you like.
Well that's my 2 cents worth. Just wanted you to know that I support your decision.
Good for you! I prefer a postive spin myself, so you know I'll still be around!
Lezlie
I love everything about this post. I also don't post negative reviews - mainly because if I don't like a book I won't finish it. I can't review something I haven't read. I love your 25 pages "rule". I wish I could be that efficient. I ususally give a book about 75-100 pages. I'm going to work on streamlining that. I've also been using the Goodreads 5 star rating system in my reviews, but I think I like this one better. It more accurately gives your "recommendation". Great post!
AMEN! I am a reviewer myself and I try not to pick up a book I might not like. Why shred an author just because in your opinion, you didn't like it. It serves no constructive purpose! Thanks so much for your post today, it has been a long time coming.
val
I read on someone's blog recently (sorry can't remember whose) ~ it takes many different blades of grass to make a lawn.
And that is exactly how I feel when I read people's review blogs. It doesn't really worry me if the review is + or - , what rating system they use, what genre, etc as long as some thought has gone into the review and the review is done respectfully.
I tend to review more books that I like because we don't get too many free ones in Australia and time is short so I'm pretty choosy but occasionally I've been disappointed.
I try to remember that it may not be because it's a lousy book, it may be I'm not in the right frame of mind, I'm tired or overwhelmed or its just not for me. It might very well be someone else's cup of tea though!!
So J.Kaye you won't keep me away LOL
I've been known to write negative reviews, but I try not to do so unless the book has really left a bad taste in my mouth. Fortunately, these instances are few and far between.
Hopefully no one will take you to task for your new policy - what you do with your blog and your reading time is for you alone to decide.
I say good for you!
You go with your bad self! LOL And I am one that occasionally posts a somewhat negative review, but I always try to point out the good about the book too! I like to read negative stuff and it doesn't sway my decision on whether I'm going to get the book or not. I loved Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, but I had read a lot of fuss and muss about it! So it just goes to show that not everything is going to appeal to everyone!
Upon further reflection, I would like to add that while I'm not fond of book-trashing reviews, I do like to know what someone didn't like about a book, because it might be something that doesn't bother me at all. A little constructive criticism can be useful, but I think if you just flat-out didn't like a book or weren't interested in it, there's no reason for you to waste time writing about it.
OK. I'm done now. :-)
Lezlie
I agree that the great diversity in styles is one of the best things about the book blogging world. Frankly, it would suck if we all had to follow the "same rules" when it came to reviewing...I think I'd quit reading book blogs altogether if that were the case. Personally, I don't really give bad reviews, because like you, I would never make it to the end of book if it wasn't offering me something.
To me it is a precarious situation in reviewing a book. I have been blessed that it is rare for me to even pick out a book to read/review that I don't like. I try and be honest about my review, I don't believe in nastiness. Above all I am not a professional, just a lay person that has a passion for books.
I was told once/well blasted that "if I'm not honest in my reviews, my reading audience will not respect me."
This is great J.Kaye. I've moved over to reading less ARCs and more what I want recently and don't regret it.
I think if something doesn't grab you you shouldn't be forced to read it, especially since there are so many wonderful books in the world.
I think your choice to write positive reviews is a good one. Life is too short for bad books. This is your blog and it's your right to read and review what you want. I absolutely love your blog and will continue to read it daily.
J. Kaye, I can totally see where you are coming from with this post. I don't enjoy writing negative reviews either. That said, one of the most recent reviews on my blog was quite negative. I accepted the offer for a review copy because it truly sounded like a book that I thought I would enjoy. Unfortunately, that did not turn out to be the case at all but I felt obligated to review it. There have been many positive reviews out there of this title so I was very upfront with the fact that *I* simply did not enjoy the book and gave my reasons.
So far I haven't been using an official rating system but it is something that I would like to begin doing. I think that would help keep me more consistent.
I love learning about this great art of book blogging from other bloggers and posts like this really help me think through what I want to present on my blog.
I agree with your philosophy. Books, like so many things, are subjective. I've always applauded your positive outlook! Keep it up. It's contagious. :)
I like that standpoint.
And good for your positive attitude - definitely need more of those in life!
L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net
I love it that you're able to develop and articulate your decision so well. I do occasionally put up negative reviews, but try to say what bothered me, exactly, and what I appreciated about the book so that readers can decide for themselves if the things that bothered me would bother them.
I appreciate all different kinds of reviews. I also use a star rating system, and have never given a book a one star rating. And, I never write a totally negative review. I can usually find at least something I kind of like in every book I read.
Beth F & bermudaonion ~ Would that be disgusting if everyone was the same? ;)
Diane ~ I am very influenced. I use to not be, but I'm also less rebellious. ;) Great example is Linda Lael Miller's Creed series. I almost didn't read the last book because of the negative reviews. So far, it's my favorite.
Susan @ Reading Upside Down ~ After much discussion with my husband, I am not sure I am qualified to point out any flaws. Obviously Stephen King isn't either with his trash talk about authors that are extremely popular. He bashed one of my favorites too!
Tif ~ Awesome! Thank you! So far, Steve has been able to read the ones I didn't like. And guess what? He loved them. (lol) If Steve wouldn't be able to review them, then yes, I'd contact the person who sent the book. Also though, all of the people I work with know that I'm flaky. The book still gets promoted and most are happy with that. It's the authors who contact me after seeing my reviews on Amazon that I have trouble with. I can't guarantee them a review there and end up saying no to their offer.
Yvonne ~ I can't always tell and this is why I stopped accepting so many books for review. I have a handful of promo people I work with and that's it. The rest, I purchase on my own.
Veens ~ It's because they are sooooo busy and understaffed. There is no way to keep up with reviewers preferences.
Staci ~ Thank you for saying that. I often wonder if people who don't know me can see that too. I do a lot of promo, but it's either about a book I love or it's to let others know what is out there.
Lenore ~ Okay, I had to laugh at the abandoning a book before 25 pages. You're right. I can usually tell before then, but I've promised to give it that much. Sometimes I change my mind and keep on, most of the time I don't.
Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings ~ During some of the reading challenges, I was sticking with books I didn't like. I didn't want to waste that time. I grew sour from those challenges and had to stop doing that. Reading was becoming a chore! :( Come to think about it, that could be what's really behind this change.
Lezlie ~ Oh lady, you make me smile! Thanks!
Pam ~ I really don't have a lot of choices. I will grow bored and stop reading altogether. It's happened. I have to keep it interesting or I will lose interest. (lol)
lastnerve ~ I've come to believe as you do, that it serves no constructive purpose. Can't always say I've done that...sort of grew into this decision.
Teddyree ~ I think reading too many Amazon reviews where they butcher the author is what has weighed me down. The last on was over a book Nona just reviewed. It was the DORK DIARIES. A reviewer said:
"I picked up this book in utter disbelief that it so blatantly copied Diary of a Wimpy Kid - cover, style of text and format, storyline, and characters. However, was it was unsuccessful in copying was the humor, authenticity in the language, and effectiveness of the illustrations that Diary of a Wimpy Kid is known for. Clearly, I will NOT be introducing this to the students in my class unless I am teaching a lesson on intellectual property rights."
All I could think of was what a freakin' ass! I read the book and love it. Kids will love it. Why doesn't the teacher promote reading not book bashing?
Bibliolatrist ~ Sadly I know known to write more than a few...lol! I have changed though. ;)
LOL@ Ruth Schaller ~ If you were here, I'd give you a hug!
Debi ~ And you know how well I follow rules. :/
MissDaisyAnne---Annette ~ I agree...honesty is a must.
Bella ~ I am there with ya and will be more as the year progresses. I wanna get back to what I love to read and do this 24/7.
Jess ~ YES! Down with books we don't like...lol!
Angela ~ I know and really understand EXACTLY where you are right now. For the last few months, I have been working my way out of the "obligation" feeling. I no longer accept books from certain publicists just because of the way they tend to pressure for a review. I don't want to read the book if I don't like it!
It's taken me two years to get to this spot and I'm not going back...lol!
Scobberlotcher ~ Oh yes, yes, yes!
L. Diane Wolfe ~ Thank you!
TexasRed ~ Many other book bloggers feel exactly as you do.
Emily ~ I think that I am too old maybe. I don't want to have to find the good. If it's there for me to grab it, I will. If not, I move on. Like I mentioned to TexasRed, most like to give a mixture to their reviews. I tend to be single focused...lol!
I think this is great, and I applaud you for doing what works for you. Enjoyment is the important thing!
Thanks for posting this J. Kaye. I don't mind reading or writing negative reviews (although I have to admit there were times I just didn't have the heart for it), but I know some people don't. I can definitely see where you're coming from, especially as you don't usually finish books you don't like. I appreciate you being totally up-front about your review policies.
Having read Booklist for years as a school librarian, let me say that they don't publish negative reviews either. Not every review was 100% positive but people who were buying books could count on a Booklist reviewed book to be fairly positive.
So go for it. Skip the books if you don't like them. It isn't that you don't have 20 books on your to read list! (probably more.) Bonnie
Like you, I recently wrote that I only post positive reviews, and I agree, this in no way disparages folks who are willing and able to write negative reviews.
I like to spread the word about books people will likely enjoy, and my tastes are super eclectic.
Thanks for explaining your reasoning on writing positive reviews. When someone, either an author or usually a publisher, asks me to review a book, I study up and only say yes if it looks like an excellent book.
There is so much good in the world, and fine writing, that I like to point it out :)
Now I will read the comments of other folks here. I like to comment before reading so my take is my own and I'm not influenced by the other comments.
I agree actually. I only review books that I enjoy and usually hand sell. If I love them, it's so easy to write about why - because I simply want everyone to pick it up.
If you look closer at my blog, I post which books I receive, which I'm currently reading, so reading between the lines you can see which I don't review. But you have to look very, very closely for this.
For myself I post reviews on shelfari that are both good and bad, but this is mostly to remind myself what I thought of the books I read. Usually I give up on mediocre books so it would be hard to review in any case...
Great post BTW. Thanks for continuing the discussion.
I understand completly. I do rate my books on my shelfs like Goodreads, Shelfari and Amazon but I never rate them on my blog because I want the readers to make up their own minds based on my reviews and not the star rating I give them
I really enjoyed this post and found myself agreeing with much of it.
I enjoy visiting different blogs and finding such a range of styles and opinions and having each accurately reflect the spectrum of personalities. I find that I learn from well thought out reviews, negative and positive.
When I started my blog, I really just wrote about books that really interested me, whether from the library that I'd bought. I read more books than I'd reviewed and only wrote about those that I really enjoyed and wanted others to experience.
Now that I've just started receiving ARCs, there is a great deal of novelty and excitement and learning how to come up with a way to say what I honestly think while being sensitive to the author's efforts. I am trying to figure out how I'd approach a book that I really should not have agreed to review - and reading other bloggers review policies helps me as I work through this.
Thanks for this post - and I'll continue to drop by regularly to see what you have to say!
Makes perfect sense to me. It's your blog, you should do what makes you happy ;o). I don't post many bad reviews either for the same reasons you just stated - if I don't like it, I'm not going to finish it. I mean, honestly, there are *thousands* if not millions of books out there that I want to read. Why waste what precious time I have on a book that's not doing it for me? Doesn't mean it won't be somebody else's favorite book on the planet. And that's cool. That's what makes life interesting.
Besides, someone's negative review rarely makes me not pick up a book that I really want to read. Whereas a favorable opinion of a book I was on the fence about (or have never even heard of) can convince me to read it. So even if every book blogger out there stopped posting negative reviews, I doubt it would have that much impact on my reading choices anyway.
Enjoy your blog, and enjoy your reading, in whatever manner works for you. I'll still be here ;o).
Great posting! And I agree that you shouldn't waste your time with books that don't interest you just in order to publish a review.
You give a bad book 25 pages before you give up? You're much more generous than I am! I prefer the book to grab me on the first page, preferable the first paragraph!
Will keep coming back for your great reviews!
Happy reading! :)
I completely agree with yout thought and review process. I am not going to finish a book I don't like because I received from a publisher or author or whatever. If I don't like it, I don't finish it. Most of my reviews are always very good because of this. That's why I started using the x out of 100 system. For me it's better degrees of A or B. I guess I should post about that :)
Anyway, never finish a book you don't like. There are too many great ones just waiting to be read.
I have given this post much thought throughout the day. I have been thinking a lot about rating systems. I liked your old one that you had posted as it had some objectivity. I have been following your old rating system for myself.
I looked at B&N rating system - I like it but am thinking it is too subjective. Although, on the other hand...book reviews are greatly subjective anyways.
I have only given one book 2 stars and many books 3 to 3.5 stars.
My 3 to 3.5 star books are fun reads but not up to par with the books that I have rated at 4 and 5 stars.
There are only a few books that I have put down and not finished (although, lately I have been putting down more books unread). I have a problem...I have this need to finish each book that I start...afraid it may get better or what not. Also, there have been a few 4 star books that were slow in the beginning and through the encouragement of another I kept reading...thankful that I did.
I do like to know if someone does not like a book...their POV can be helpful and insightful just as positive reviews can be. I do rely on blog posts for building my TBR list. For me, blogs are far more helpful than best seller lists and what not.
Your blog is fabulous. I like reading the reviews that are posted here. Posting reviews for only 4 to 5 star books is fine. I think it is actually better that you know where your limits are for reading and reviews. Reading should never become a chore which is why I am thinking that I have been putting more books down unread lately.
J. Kaye, this was a very interesting post. I agree that bloggers need to respect each other and their decisions on how to write their own blogs. I like what you said about positive reviews. I started my blog as a personal way to keep track of books I read and how I felt about them, so the "reviews" aren't much more than a collection of thoughts.
I don't think I would ever want people to send me books to review for them because I like to choose what I read and I would start to feel stressed. I love reading and would hate to do anything that would lessen my desire to read.
I enjoy your blog and your reviews. You do what you need to do and I'll read it!
Do what you gotta do. I'm not against negative reviews, myself, so long as they're not mean-spirited or add some kind of constructive criticism.
And, when it comes to books a person doesn't like, especially ones they don't bother finishing, they really need to be sincere and respectful.
Joanne ~ YES! And reviewing can get out of hand so easily. Well, for me it can...lol!
heidenkind ~ I really like that term "don't have the heart for it" and maybe that's where I'm at.
Bonnie ~ That is cool to know! And yes, I have a bunch more that need to be read. Doesn't make sense to waste a book that can't hold my interest.
Terra ~ I think you take more responsible approach. I'm too compulsive. :(
Bookgeek ~ Yes, at one time I was posting at Shelfari and the other virtual shelves. I think it's easier to post that you didn't finish a book on those sites, but some of the people are just too nasty with their comments. Ya know? Very much like Amazon. And yes, I have been one of those people...a couple of years back.
Cheryl ~ So good to see you! How have you been?
gaby317 ~ Oh the early years! I look back on when I started with such fond memories. Enjoy the experience!
Kristi ~"Why waste what precious time I have on a book that's not doing it for me?
AMEN!!!
Alexia561 ~ LOL! Yes, 25 pages.
Jenny Girl & ibeeeg ~ Feel free to take my rating and use it for as long as you see fit. I think what you two are doing is fantastic!
Sharon ~ Yes and I can't stress that enough. Sometimes when I blog about stuff like this, I pray others don't take it as criticism. I mean, hello, I have posted some pretty cruel reviews over the last two years not to mention other things. I don't regret much of what I've done...cause I don't think it was wrong. I've just have different tastes now is all. Changes...that's what life is all about. This is just one of my many changes. ;)
Rabid Fox ~ Been there too. I've never stay the same. What you see now will probably not be what you see next year or the year after. Some people remain the same or close to it over the years. I am one of those that change completely through time. People in my past can't believe I am the same person they knew. (lol) It freaks them out.
I can certainly understand not wanting to create a negative review.
For me - I list both positive and negative reviews because I CAN NOT not finish a book. I read from cover to cover because I hope until the very last page there may be some redeeming quality. Most times I am disappointed, but if I don't read the last of a book, I really can not move on.
I agree with there being too much negative/sadness. I can only read one sad book and then must read a bunch of happy books (romances work nicely) before I can read another sad book. Same way with tv. I watch happy tv when going thru stressful/sad times. Home and Garden channel is one that I consider a happy channel.
Witch Baby ~ If I were like you and could not let a book go without completing it, then there would be no posting like this...lol! Because I can't keep on reading sort of makes this a logical step for me.
Cathy ~ I stopped watching TV. The rare times I do pass by when one is going on, I am surprised at how negative shows are. I don't think most people are aware of that.
J. Kaye:
Well said. This has actually been my stance and philosophy since I started my blog last year, for a variety of reasons.
Mainly though, as you rightly indicated the reviewer's opinion is their own and completely subjective. It doesn't mean another person with different preferances will not love the book.
Secondly, is time. I don't have the time to review every book I read. Therefore I only write reviews and present my point of view of books I enjoy thoroughly.
Lastly, author's put hard work into every book they write and they do not deserve IMHO to have their work trashed.
Anyway, thank you again for raising this issue in such a succinct post. :)
L
Lea ~ I'm not sure if I mentioned this earlier, but even Steve and I have opposite opinions on books. If he loves a book, I will guarantee you I won't. It's the same when I love a book, Steve knows not to even bother. He won't like it. That's why we review well together...lol!
My post for today was partly inspired by this post of yours. Mine is about why I will continue to post negative reviews, and to make comments on other peoples' blogs when I don't like a book. I've noticed that this is often interpreted as rudeness, and I think we need more of it in the book blogging community!
http://tinyurl.com/kswyfh
And J. Kaye, please understand that I'm a very different kind of reader from you. I respect your reasons for not finishing books and thus not writing negative reviews. But if I don't finish a book I don't like, it lives on in my imagination until I do. And I'm a very fast reader, so it's usually not a big deal for me to just finish the blasted thing.
Besides, I'm partly an academic, and it's our job to make judgements. :)
Jeanne ~ Growing up, I aspired to be academically endowed, but I was like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I admire what you do and wish I could be more like you and less like me.
Oh no, the world would be a duller place without you exactly as you are!
Jeanne ~ Thank you. {{{HUGS}}}
J. Kaye, This was a very good post! I recently gave up the "rating system"(though I've only been doing this for like three weeks and have only done 3 reviews so far...LOL!) because I was having trouble giving a solid rating. All the books I've picked up lately have been books I've wanted and great books in my eyes! Like you, I can't read a book that doesn't catch my attention within a reasonable amount of time, and therefore an unfinished book shouldn't get a simi-review, eh? So, I completely understand you feeling the need to change up your rating system and not give negitive reviews. I guess the best thing to do is what we feel is right for us-- That's what makes all blogs unique, and, of course our own! You have a great blog, by the way!
P.S. This may be an old post but I'm new and your blog is a little different, so I'm looking around a little bit...LOL!
All the best!
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