Am I missing something?

Ok this is not a book review – just a mild rant about ratings. I would like to know if I am the only one out here thinking this – or not? Read to the end and please let me know your thoughts.

We have become a society of award givers and receivers. I recently did a car trip for two weeks, stayed in Airbnbs, hotels, places who called themselves resorts, ate a bunch of meals out, visited a ton of tourist type stuff and read several books – all these things came with ratings. I found that a lot of these places have all 5 stars – really? And then I did some research, places like Airbnb need feedback from both sides until 2 weeks after a stay when the review is supposed to be posted. The all 5 star place I stayed in that was “family friendly” and had the rooftop balcony with no railing!! – will not see my review with warning until – well I’m still waiting for it to be posted. Please don’t get me started on the Florida “RESORT” – just because you have places to eat and a pool does not make you a resort! and when I can’t get customer service while I am there but after I do your survey 5 different departments contact me – something is wrong. Maybe if you had been that attentive during my stay I would not have written the poor comments in the survey!

I am finding the same 5 Star Rating with book reviews. I give few 5 stars – a lot of 3 and 4 stars. Because in my world a 3 star is a C – average – a good starting place for a first book (especially if it has not been edited) and 5 star is an A – outstanding – sorry most books are not outstanding in my world. I can enjoy a 3 star book but just because I enjoy it does not make it 5 stars.

Bottom line – I do not star my book blog reviews. I feel like most of the time the stars do not mean anything. What I will do is read the whole book (apparently something some reviews don’t do) and I will read it myself (not have a team that I then take credit for their reviews).

So if you made it to the end of this – tell me – am I over analyzing the rating thing? Are all the books, hotels, travel sites just really awesome and I am not getting it? Or, are we afraid to be honest, give constructive criticism or maybe just like something – or not like? Thoughts??