Ep 06 "1 Star...It Shouldn't Exist!" Our STAR RATING System

This week Ashley and Liz start off with a life or 💀 fave and fail of the week before breaking down the logistics of our five star rating and spice systems. Are we rating books based on vibes and feelings? Or on objective characteristics and markers we look for in good storytelling? The answer: it’s complicated.

We then delve into the ethics of rating books, and some potentially controversial topics like the accuracy of ARC reviews, rating books negatively, and rating books you don’t finish.
Then we wrap it up with our signature smash or pass… of the animal variety. A little bit of octopus, a little bit of gorilla. You really never know what you’re gonna get.

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Shop bookish apparel worn in this episode!
Ashley is wearing: Quinlan Starborn Hoodie from @lionheartthreads | Use Code LIZ15 to save! * https://go.magik.ly/ml/20qel/
Liz is wearing: “Riorson Shadow Daddy” Fourth Wing Tee by @thebeanworkshop | https://thebeanworkshop.store/products/xaden-riorson-tee-shirt

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Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Besties and the Books Podcast!
• 3:27 Faves and Fails of the Week
• 15:42 Our Book Review Systems
• 16:28 5 Star Ratings
• 23:25 4 Star Ratings
• 26:36 3 Star Ratings
• 29:52 2 Star Ratings
• 33:59 1 Star Ratings
• 38:45 Spice Level Rating 🌶
• 45:45 Controversial Book Rating Opinions
• 59:50 Unhinged Smash or Pass
• 1:06:23 Don't Forget to Follow!