How I Rate a Nonfiction Book on Goodreads

And on Amazon, Too

How do I rate a nonfiction book? By asking five questions. Then I answer them. Use this shortcut for a meaningful rate-and-review.

Each of my five key questions can make it easy to rate a book fairly, intelligently, thoughtfully. Good karma-ly!

For Starters, I Love to Rate NONFICTION Books

Do you? Personally, I love reading ’em. No wonder, nearly all the books I write are self-help books.

Definitely nonfiction, my how-to books have the purpose of significantly helping readers. Ideally, there will also be some entertainment along the way, in contrast to droning and despair.

Props to Marie Kondo for inventing a superb concept, for her bestselling tidying-up how-to. By now, for many of us this (whether tidy or not), Marie has give us a handy household concept: “Does this spark joy?”

Which Nonfiction Books Spark Joy in YOU?

Come to think of it, nonfiction itself can set in motion a lot of sparking joy. Ever notice?

First and foremost, though, nonfiction books must be content-rich.

Pretty essential for a nonfiction book! However, I recognize the intimidation factor when it comes to rating someone’s content. Or reviewing it.

• With fiction, one can always rate a book based on “I know what I like.”
• But nonfiction? Maybe it’s fair enough to gobble down a book’s nonfiction words. Then belch out some stars. All based on a gut reaction.
• Being a person who loves to develop skill sets, though? It’s no surprise, really. Of course, eventually, Rose Rosetree would develop a Rate Nonfiction Books Skill Set.

Unlike most of the skill sets I teach, this one can be yours by the end of a simple blogpost. This particular blogpost! And you’re already here.

Five Possible Stars????? Aha!

So simple, having a max of five stars: The very idea sparked joy in me, leading me to develop a 5-point way to rate nonfiction books:

1. Awarding each star in response to one particular questions.
2. Because who doesn’t love author interviews?
3. Especially when you’re the one who answers your own questions… on behalf of the author. Haha. All answers falling within the context of one particular book.
4. Depending on each answer, you’ll award one of the stars. Or half of a star. Or no star at all.
5. Rating books — turned into a Mission Possible: Sure, why not?

Maybe you’ll like my questions.

Maybe you won’t. But my fave questions can still inspire you to develop your own handful of favorite questions.

Meanwhile, here we go.

Question 1.

Who Does this Writer Think I Am?

“I” being me, or you, the reader person. Both the content and writing style can tell readers so much about the intended audience.

• Smart?
• Humorless?
• Rushed and rushing?
• Mainly a funloving, casual browser?
• Perhaps a reader with the heart of a poet, even if she seldom publishes all that poetry. But she has chosen to substitute tweets?

Right after you finish reading, do you feels included? Then, star.

Might you, the reader, even feel uplifted and encouraged? Then even glowier, your star.

By contrast, what if you limp away from the reading, feeling as though you’ve been chewing on cardboard? What if the author’s intended audience appears to be only professional anthropologists from Mars?

Not your jam, then. No star awarded, not this time. (In which case, now might also be an excellent time to stop reading that book and try something else.)

Note: “Creativity Secrets with Soul” is an online workshop that I’ve developed to help strengthen creativity. Choosing which person to write for — that’s definitely part of my system to help writing flow. Intended audience always is worth considering if you’re a reader or writer.

Question 2.

High Concept Or Generous?

Over the decades that I’ve been involved in writing and publishing, I’ve noticed, ugh! The emergence of the “High Concept Book.”

So slick and commercial!

• Many books receive top ratings simply because they’re high concept.
• Me, though? I’m allergic.
• Why is “generous” the opposite of high concept? (Generous imo.) Because generous writers share. They don’t dole out just enough to make a sale.

COMMENT below if you’d like to share why your reaction to high concept books is positive or negative.

Also, feel free to ask if you’d like me to share a story about “Just say no to high concept.” (Here I’m thinking of a certain publishing negotiation that helped me to remain an indie author, thank you very much.)

Question 3.

Originality, Anyone?

Of course, many people believe “There is nothing new under the sun.”

But should such people become authors? Maybe not.

• Nonfiction books can include life-changing innovation.
• Even a high degree of thoroughness can bring new details to light. (Witness the career of the amazingly diligent historian Robert Caro.)
• Alternatively, for some, the highest praise goes to books that recycle familiar ideas. Makes the reader feel extra-smart! Sure, I can see the appeal.

Make your choice, being honest with yourself. Then decide: To star or not to star?

Question 4.

Do I Like the Shape of this Book?

These days, many of us read so much free content. Books might seem like a bunch o’ articles, put together like this definition: History is just one damned thing after another.

Yet for those of us who love books, a published book can mean something more.

One of the great luxuries for a thinking person can be the shape of a book. Form-structure-development: Exploring the shape of a book can become a delicious adventure.

If you like the way any nonfiction book is delivered, that’s ample reason to star.

How I Rate a Nonfiction Book Question 5.

Truth Value

Do I agree with this nonfiction book? To what extent do I agree with it?

Many of you might feel this is the question to ask-and-answer.

Personally, though, I care far more about “Truth Value.” Every seeker of truth knows that truth comes in innumerable shades.

You don’t have to become a professional Enlightenment Teacher to develop your own, meaningful standards for truth. Given the huge flow of information that deluges all of us consumers daily, standards help. So I like that I get to set my own standards.

What if I feel a little ashamed after reading a book with low truth value? I won’t rate it that book. Rather, I’ll leave it to be rated by those who find that kind or degree of truth fits them like a glove. You know, feeling proud to leaf through it, or click through it; millions of readers who aren’t me might feel good afterward.

But when a book shines with High Truth Value? To me, my world got a little brigher. My clarity has fewer hiccups. With gratitude, I’ll award that fifth star.

In Conclusion

Rating a nonfiction book can be…

1. Different from judging a book by its cover.
2. Different from rating fiction.

How do you like the idea of awarding up to five stars for a nonfiction book? All based on answering five questions that have meaning for you.

Hey everyone, thanks for reading this how-to, nonfiction blogpost.

Rose Rosetree says, “Thanks for reading. And maybe, see you on Goodreads!”