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Fbone · 06-22-2014, 07:05 PM

While cleaning the house I found a printout of my Goodreads TBR list from 2 years ago. I must have printed it to take with me to the library when I was in my "Library Tax Usage" period. Looking at the list of 87 titles, I was surprised how my tastes have changed in such a short time. Several books I had since removed and, of course, added many more. Quite a few still haven't been read or purchased.

Another thing I noticed was the ratings. Most of the ratings decreased in the 2 years. A few stayed about the same and only one increased (Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? by Carver). Several decreased significantly as the reviews poured in. I will probably rethink whether to read those or not.

From my small example it does seem that the longer the book is available the lower its rating. We can expect initially friends, family and eager fans will rate first giving high grades then, perhaps, the "law of averages" kicks in when others read and rate the book. I don't know when the ratings reach equilibration factoring time and quantity. For example, will a title rated 3.68 after 2000 ratings be rated the same after 20,000 ratings 10 years from now?

Anyway, I thought it was interesting and possibly beneficial to wait if I was on-the-fence about reading a certain title.

06-22-2014, 07:05 PM	#1
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,297 Karma: 101697116 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Goodreads Ratings Then and Now While cleaning the house I found a printout of my Goodreads TBR list from 2 years ago. I must have printed it to take with me to the library when I was in my "Library Tax Usage" period. Looking at the list of 87 titles, I was surprised how my tastes have changed in such a short time. Several books I had since removed and, of course, added many more. Quite a few still haven't been read or purchased. Another thing I noticed was the ratings. Most of the ratings decreased in the 2 years. A few stayed about the same and only one increased (Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? by Carver). Several decreased significantly as the reviews poured in. I will probably rethink whether to read those or not. From my small example it does seem that the longer the book is available the lower its rating. We can expect initially friends, family and eager fans will rate first giving high grades then, perhaps, the "law of averages" kicks in when others read and rate the book. I don't know when the ratings reach equilibration factoring time and quantity. For example, will a title rated 3.68 after 2000 ratings be rated the same after 20,000 ratings 10 years from now? Anyway, I thought it was interesting and possibly beneficial to wait if I was on-the-fence about reading a certain title.