Yeah it’s pretty subjective imo. Especially since everyone is at different stages of learning. What makes a book good for language learning is different for everyone, just like what makes an enjoyable book is different for everyone. I usually take a look at difficulty and whether it’s good for learning something specific.
For example, I think 極主夫道 (series) | L25 is a good introduction to 関西弁 and yakuza slang because of its otherwise relatively simple grammar, so I rated it high for language learning. And https://learnnatively.com/book/e64ff658e3/ is good for getting used to prose instead of manga due to its straightforward descriptions, and is also good for cooking/sewing vocab.
On the other hand, I gave https://learnnatively.com/book/f8c9ce04d3/ only 3 stars because while its grammar is easy for a beginner, the vocabulary you learn is all over the place. And マグナムリリィ 1 | L20 only got 3 stars because although it teaches some boxing vocab, it’s a bit hard to parse things due to the casual speech and otherwise is maybe not beneficial for learning (all the anglicisms). But also you could argue that these should be rated highly for language learning. But that’s why it’s helpful to explain reasons in your review.
idk if I’d ever rate anything under 3 stars for language learning though. But I’m sure someday there will be a situation where I do? Maybe if it’s a manga with very little dialogue (basically just an art book with a couple words here or there)? Or maybe something like the Japanese equivalent to the Jabberwocky those could be fun to try to read, but I don’t think you’d learn much
I suspect that @omk3 might not use the language learning rating much for the same reason I don’t - mainly because we overlap a lot on books, especially in the upper 30s for books with fancy prose and complex characters.
When I read things in the 20s I often give a language learning rating because of the reasons you mentioned, and because I can put myself back in my beginner shoes and imagine what would have been fresh and exciting to me.
But now, when I’m reading a say, 36 or 38 - and specifically one that’s difficult due to prose or plot and not just huge vocab spread or archaic grammar* or something - it starts to feel like more of a forced question. Do I give something a low language learning rating due to flowery but gorgeous prose? Or high one? Is it good for learning because it has tons of legal terms and police ranks? It just doesn’t feel right anymore to evaluate them on that level somehow.
Hopefully that makes sense
*I also don’t really know how to evaluate archaic grammar/kanji/vocab for language learning purposes. I love old Japanese writing, and I know there are others who do too, but the majority is probably still people who don’t want to google 古語. So I often leave that unrated as well and just mention it in the review.
That makes a lot of sense! And I didn’t think about it from that perspective. I’m still very much a beginner so the language learning rating is easier for me to decide, but I totally get why it could be difficult at higher levels.
Just wanted to come back and say all your suggestions and thoughts have been so helpful! I just wrote up another review for a manga and it felt so much less intimidating to be the first person to review it on Natively! Thanks for helping me be a better contributor to our reading community
I like reviews that indicate the readers level and who should read the book level wise. I appreciate the spoiler free summaries and all, but I do like know if a book is for me or not language level wise.
So the readers JLPT level, not perceived level, but certified level OR general fluency. Like if they are fluent (can comprehend material similar to their own mother tongue) or just started learning, or somewhere in between.
So I’ve never taken the JLPT nor do I intend to. I’m certainly not fluent but I haven’t just started learning either. How would I even begin to describe my so-called level?
Gradings are there for exactly this reason, to give an idea of difficulty. The level of the book, along with a glance at the level of other books the reviewer has read recently should be enough information surely? Why include a self introduction in a review? I can see that being useful for lower level beginner books maybe, but not further than that.
those could be fun to try to read, but I don’t think you’d learn much
