Clean Reads discussion
Rating Option on Bookshelves?
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That IS really cool!! Maybe I'll send them a similar note in hopes that it will become even "more likely" that they'll do it :)
I have long wondered why there isn't something like a rating system for books. Way to go. Maybe we should all send in our wishes for this. You know, the squeaky wheel thing and all.
Michele wrote: "I have long wondered why there isn't something like a rating system for books."
The simple answer is - publishers don't want it. The movie industry had to be forced into it.
People often think early movies were clean and good - NOT. Before the rating system was imposed, movies of the 1920s often included female nudity, especially biblical epics of all things - to show the 'Roman pagan culture'. The industry did not police itself.
The same is true for publishers. Unless an outside force imposes a rating system - it's not going to happen.
The simple answer is - publishers don't want it. The movie industry had to be forced into it.
People often think early movies were clean and good - NOT. Before the rating system was imposed, movies of the 1920s often included female nudity, especially biblical epics of all things - to show the 'Roman pagan culture'. The industry did not police itself.
The same is true for publishers. Unless an outside force imposes a rating system - it's not going to happen.
Another thing I think would be awesome was if, like in movies, they had that box underneath the rating that explains why it's rated what it's rated. Because, like movies, there are some PG-13 I watch that are maybe for scariness or a little violence but I don't want to read a PG-13 book that is just plain yucky. Oh and Tracy how did you write to them?
Shawn, interesting. Maybe we can be a loud enough voice somehow to create a change. Anyone have any ideas on how to do that?Emily, great idea. I contacted them through this page: http://www.goodreads.com/about/contac.... Let's not go crazy and ALL contact them, but a couple of more suggestions, especially if you have a good thing to add, would probably be very helpful. (I think if we inundate them, they'll end up getting annoyed, and that might hurt our cause...)
Thanks people. Keep up the awesomeness.
Tracy
Tracy wrote: "Shawn, interesting. Maybe we can be a loud enough voice somehow to create a change. Anyone have any ideas on how to do that?."
Unfortunately, from personal knowledge and experience with the publishing industry, I don't believe there is a coherent and effective way to implement a nation-wide system.
Over past few years many article have been written about the subject of ratings, especially for children's books. Mostly blogs or individuals, but the publishing industry as a whole is NOT receptive to the idea.
Many authors and editors liken it to 'book banning' or 'censorship' - claiming it stifles an author's creativity and they should be able to write whatever, however and for whomever they want. (Although that is far from the truth behind the request.)
It is too hostile environment to attempt to introduce an industry rating system. Even approached in the most meaningful and kind way, the effort would be misconstrued and targeted by every opponent to be vilified.
The best way is exactly what you and others are doing, one step at a time and keep putting it out there. AND buying only those books that are clean. The money is what they follow.
Perhaps some day, the publishing industry and the majority of authors will get the boarder message. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
Unfortunately, from personal knowledge and experience with the publishing industry, I don't believe there is a coherent and effective way to implement a nation-wide system.
Over past few years many article have been written about the subject of ratings, especially for children's books. Mostly blogs or individuals, but the publishing industry as a whole is NOT receptive to the idea.
Many authors and editors liken it to 'book banning' or 'censorship' - claiming it stifles an author's creativity and they should be able to write whatever, however and for whomever they want. (Although that is far from the truth behind the request.)
It is too hostile environment to attempt to introduce an industry rating system. Even approached in the most meaningful and kind way, the effort would be misconstrued and targeted by every opponent to be vilified.
The best way is exactly what you and others are doing, one step at a time and keep putting it out there. AND buying only those books that are clean. The money is what they follow.
Perhaps some day, the publishing industry and the majority of authors will get the boarder message. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
Shawn, great insight. Thank you for educating us. I had a feeling that you'd mention "censorship". It's just so very Isaiah, with the calling evil good and what-not. Well, at least we know it was prophecied to come...Thanks again. You're a great asset to the group.
You're welcome. :)
Although I'm only 50, so much has changed since I was a kid I often feel more like Jeremiah, weeping and lamenting.
Although I'm only 50, so much has changed since I was a kid I often feel more like Jeremiah, weeping and lamenting.
Hi everyone,My group of friends and I had a similar discussion last year, where we decided that someone should make a resource on the web for rating books...so I did.
It's called Squeaky Clean Reads (www.squeakycleanreads.com). Readers, like you, can get on and review and rate books in the areas of violence, profanity, sexual content, recommended age group, mature themes, and more. We are a brand-new site (run only by my sister & myself), so we are adding books as quickly as we can. Anyway, I hope you check it out.
We are constantly having giveaways. This week is Josi Kilpack's culinary mysteries, "Lemon Tart" and "English Trifle", and we have some great titles coming up in the next 8 weeks like: "Matched" by Allie Condie, "Esperanza Rising" by Pam Ryan, "Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn, "Divinely Designed" by Rachael Anderson, "My Fair Godmother" by J. Rallison, and more.
Happy reading!
~Melissa
www.squeakycleanreads.com
> Hello. First of all, LOVE the site. Now, I am the moderator of the group called Clean Reads, which is pretty self-explanatory, I suppose. I am wondering if there's any possible way for us to add a feature to our bookshelves, allowing us to put a "rating" on the books there. I know I may be asking a lot, and if the answer is no, that's okay. But our whole purpose is to recommend books to one another in a way that would be similar to the movie rating system. I personally don't watch R-rated movies, and want to not read the same kind of literature. But since that system doesn't exist out there in the same way for books, we'd like to be able to use our group for that purpose. Now, we are doing a pretty good job in our discussions, but I'm looking for a place where we could boil it all down for a quick glance. Wow, this is why I'm not an author. Way too ramble-y. Anyway, is there any way that something like that could be added? If not, that's okay - but I had to ask. Thanks a million! Tracy Schwartz
Their response:
Hi Tracy, That's a great suggestion - thanks! We actually already have something like that on our "to do" list, but every time someone makes a suggestion, it makes it more likely that we'll get to it sooner. So thanks for writing in! Cheers,Tessa
Pretty cool, huh?