this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2026
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Do you normally read books with less than 4 stars? (programming.dev)
submitted 22 hours ago by cactus_head@programming.dev to c/books@lemmy.world
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I struggle with this a bit. Even if the book is 3.98 stars, i view that as not passing lowest bar. I consider most 4 stars books to not be there time, but rather the number of stars is how i filter out bad books

Also, how do you use your stars? Do you change your rating often?

For me, it generally goes like this:

  • 1 Star -Either its so bad that its offense or i dnf it
  • 2 Stars - Either bad or mediocre, not really work any time
  • 3 Stars - An okay book with a couple of redeeming points
  • 4 Stars - A great book with some flaws that bother me
  • 5 Stars - An excellent book, i am jumping in my sits.
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[–] Multiplexer@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 21 hours ago

I just checked the goodread metric of the books I recently read that I considered beeing completely great.
Only two of the 8 I checked had a rating (slightly) above 4, most were in the range between 3.5 and 4, one even at 3.3.

And this fits, as I would assume that a book that is not at least a little bit controversial, might be making too much compromises to appeal to everyone and thereby loose the stylistic edges or provocative thoughts that could make it an outstanding thing for you personally.

So, I would rather say for me personally: 3.3-4.5 star range seems to be the range where to expect great books.
Below the quality might decline rapidly, while ranges above might be dominated by well crafted, but bland stuff.