Why Books Aren't Rated

One of the most common complaints I hear as a librarian is "why don't books have a rating system?" While I always manage to nod politely at the patron's distress over sex/swearing/violence (SSV) in books, my inner state is far more agitated. This question tends to irritate my inner adolescent ire—that is, it makes me want to push back in an irrational manner (including eye rolling) because the idea of a book rating system is ridiculous to me. 

People like to draw a connection between movies and books. "If movies can be rated," the argument goes, "then books can be, too." The connection isn't entirely relevant, however. There is a huge difference between reviewing and rating the roughly 500 movies released per year and the 50,000 or so books. Plus, movies make tons of money. Books, not so much. Sure, there are bestsellers, but the film industry ($479.2 billion) generates significantly more revenue than the publishing industry ($29 billion). Who is going to pay for all this book rating?

Then there is the impact between reading something and looking at something. Likely this is an individual response that is influenced by both life experience and brain chemistry, but for me, if I watch a sex scene or something violent in a movie, it stays with me far longer than if I read one in a book. Plus, there's the fact that if you don't like to read sex scenes, there is always skimming, or just flipping the page until you get past the part you don't like. It's much harder to "skim" a movie.

To me, though, the biggest difference between an offending movie and an offending book is the ease with which you can stop interacting with it. If you're at a movie theater and you don't like something, you have to physically leave the building. If you're reading a book and you don't like something, you just have to put the book down.

But books being rated because movies are rated is really not the point. Movies are rated so that parents can know what is appropriate for their families to watch, not to protect adults from adult content. In essence, where a book is shelved and how it is marketed (which is sort of the same thing) is already a rating system of a sort: novels in the adult section were written with an adult audience in mind; novels in the teen section were written for young adults (which is roughly 14-18, but sometimes 12-17). If you are an adult person browsing in the adult section, you are likely to come across many books that contain violence, sexuality, or swearing, because adult lives contain these things.

Of course, there is an enormous debate right now, as YA literature becomes more and more popular, over what makes a book one that is "good" for teenagers to read. This is based on the difference between reading level (word difficulty and word count, sentence structure, writing style) and content (who and what the story is about). You can have entirely filthy or violent novels written at a teenage reading level, but the content might keep them in the adult section. The argument centers on one's interpretation of the word "good," and there are so many levels or meanings of goodness that it is impossible to decide for an entire group. You (the parent) need to be involved in helping your teenager (the individual) with this choice. Do you really want to hand that responsibility over to someone else?

But let's put aside the YA lit discussion (as it could be an entire post itself!) and just focus on adults. (It is always adults who ask me about a book rating system anyway.) What is considered offensive varies widely between readers. The level of SSV one is sensitive to is individual. For me, the line falls between whether the SSV is included just to have some SSV in the story, or because it is inherently necessary to the plot, character development, or major themes. Let's take sex as a starting point. There are bajillions of novels written every year with a plot that is engineered to get the characters in bed so that the author can write the sex scenes. Choose any bodice-ripper novel and that will be your reading experience. There are also plenty of novels that include sex scenes, but with the purpose of exploring how it changes the character—what he or she might learn, how she might change, what was right and what was not. It's not the point of the story. It's just part of the story. (Like, you know: real life. Where people have sex, among doing other things.) The novel Atonement​ is one I would put in this category. Yes, it's got a fairly explicit sex scene, but it's also got explorations of war, choice, love, creativity, maturing, and regret. The sex scene is just part of it. I read it more than a decade ago and I am still thinking about it (the book, not the sex scene).

I don't read bodice rippers because I think they are emotionally lazy and entirely unrealistic. They are written with the goal of titillation, and that isn't an experience I want from reading. I do read books like Atonement because they are written with the goal of enlightenment or understanding or the sharing of a human experience I couldn't experience otherwise, and that is what I want from reading.

I can hear many of my smart, thoughtful friends objecting and saying "but you can still experience those things in books that don't have SSV." That is true, you can. But (for me), the presence of SSV doesn't negate the wisdom or truth that is also there. It entirely depends upon the author's intent. The key is knowing what level of SSV you are comfortable with—and then putting the book down if it is too much for you.

But that is the wonderful thing about books: there is a book for everyone. There are dozens and dozens of books for everyone. If you like bodice rippers, read them! If you like mystery series with 37 books about a detective, read every single one. If you like books without any SSV, there are dozens to be found. Maybe that is why there are 100 times more new books than movies every year: because reading is a myriad experience involving individual choice.

And that is why I will always be against books being rated.

Reading, even though it's usually done sitting still, is not a passive activity. It's highly active, involving thought and choice. You arrive at your reading delivery system, be it the library or Amazon or a book store, and you have to look. You have to pick up a book and read the summary. You have to look at the cover and think what can I learn about this book from those images? You have to flip through and maybe read a few sentences to get an idea of the writer's voice. Even better, you can arrive there already informed. Read the New York Times Book Review, the "Best Books of the Month" series on Amazon, or a few book blogs. Ask your friends what they read, or your mother or your sister or your neighbor. Or a librarian. Keep a list of books you want to read.

Maybe most importantly: don't be afraid. To try something new. Or to question yourself—why do books with swearing bother you? Or even to challenge yourself: can you read something with an SSV level you might not be comfortable with by looking around that to the story? On the other hand, never be afraid to say this book isn't for me. If you try something with an SSV level that makes you uncomfortable, instead of getting annoyed that a panel of book raters didn't warn you beforehand, just move on. Take the book back to the library. Take it back to the book store where you bought it and see if they'll let you do an exchange. Leave it for a stranger to find in a train station. Then move on to the next one. 

Lazy readers need a rating system. Readers who want only their version of the world confirmed in books need a rating system. Readers who don't want to be actively engaged, just passively, in reading. Fearful readers. I know—that might sound harsh. But it is also true. Wanting someone else to decide what book is right for me is a fear-based decision.

I don't want someone I don't know to tell me what is "good" to read. I don't want to be responsible for telling anyone else what is "good." (Except, of course, my kids.) I do want to choose, basing my reading choices on the reading experience I enjoy best, not an arbitrary count of F words. I can say what is good only for me, and I am the only one responsible for what I put in my brain. Luckily, my brain also has the ability to choose. To consider and savor, to reject and move on.

We adult readers don't need a rating system because we ourselves are the raters of what we read, and we rate a book by whether or not we keep reading it.

Comments

[Feisty Harriet]

I would like to find some kind of reliable rating system made up entirely of people who love the books I love and loathe the books I loathe....that way I can read fewer loathsome books and more than I'd rate a solid 5 stars! :)

xox

[Kay Pavlik]

I came across this post because my of a book my 12 year old daughter received for free from Barnes & Noble through their summer reading program. This book was in the KID"S section and included a homosexual relationship with the description of two boys kissing. I was completely appalled and beyond furious that this book was targeted toward 9-12 year olds. No where in the summary of this book was there any mention of this subject matter. How is this possible???? My daughter took it to school to read during study hall and brought it back home once she read this part of the book. Even my 12 year old knows this subject matter is not appropriate for kids her age!!

My 14 year old daughter picked out a book from the library that was geared toward 12-18 year old girls. Two librarians at the counter said that she would love the book. I asked if it was appropriate for her age and was assured that it was. I later found out that there was a discussion about sex throughout the entire book. How is this appropriate for kids this age? I am learning that I am having to proofread books that are in the kid's section!!

So, I sat down at my computer to find out why there is not a rating system for books. I take issue with some of your reasoning for this. First of all, I am not a "lazy" reader. What I put into my mind is important to me and I try to find out as much about adult books as I can before reading them. What a person reads is just as important as what they see in a movie. I don't have a problem with books being written that don't agree with my "version of my world." However, I would rather have a rating system that helps me spend my time wisely instead of starting a book and deciding half way through it that it is something I need to stop reading. Perhaps it is those who think that spending the time and money to rate books are the ones who are lazy.

You mention the cost of having books rated. If there were a rating system set up, the publishing company would have to follow those guidelines when reading the book. They are reading the books, anyway, right?

My main point is that it is worth the time and money to make sure that kid's books have a rating or a disclaimer in bold print if there are controversial issues such as homosexuality or profanity in them. Our world wonders why there are so many young adults who struggle with their sexual identity. This is one reason.

[John DeWitt]

As an avid reader and writer, I've longed for the day for content ratings or descriptions on books - perhaps done voluntarily by the authors themselves. However, I understand authors and book publishers likely don't want them, as it would possibly discourage even more sales in a struggling industry. Still, I like to be an informed consumer - and vote with my dollars. As it is, I turn to reviews to see what the content might be before I ever purchase a book - unless it's a dollar purchase at a Used Book Store, which doesn't benefit the author. No, I'm not advocating for censorship here. Authors are obviously free to write whatever they want. But I want to be free to decide whether it's something I want to invest my time in. Personally, there's been plenty of books left unfinished because I'm rolling my eyes over the adolescent fascination with pervy sex, overt f-bombs and gratuitous violence. Yeah, yeah, I can see the glossing over of the eyes from the preconceived notion of uptight puritanical prudishness (laugh).

[J.P. Choquette]

Well thought out article, but I have to say I completely disagree with you on the "stickiness" of violence/sex/whatever in movies vs. books. I'm still traumatized by parts of books I read in adolescence (Prince of Tides, anyone?) and wish I could go back and un-read certain books.

I'm not sure if this is because of a vivid imagination, but reading something really transports me into the scene, even more so than watching it. Flipping ahead frustrates me to the point I usually just put the book down and walk away. Who is to know when the next disturbing scene will appear? Especially when kids/animals are involved, I just won't read further.

[Lionel Slade]

Should I let my 12 year daughter read the book Cujo by Stephen King. The film is rated 18 and is terrifying. She's not allowed to watch the film, should she read the book? Is the book appropriate?

[Peach]

Lionel, the ending is strong, and like other Steven King books there is adult language. Some 12 year olds would be ok, others not so much.

[Susan Williams]

There are many parents who are raising their children to to have a clear conscience by avoid filling their minds with media (movies or books) that contain obsenities, sexual scenes, violence, etc. As a substitute teacher, I've seen required reading at the middle and high school levels that are filled with these kinds of dark themes and word images. What you put into your mind effect who you are, your core value system. Parents should have a right to know what they sons and daughters are being exposed to so they can take appropriate steps to request alternative reading options. If a family has established fundamental values in their home, they should ask themselves "would I allow this person (author) to come into my home and talk like this to my son or daughter?"

[Pamela Donze]

Not being rated for adult content....that is dumbest shit I ever heard!!
What about content you don't want your family to read?

[no life]

STFU

[Diane]

Oh my, I almost posted a whole article in response. Let me say instead, that I completely agree that the cost of such a ratings system is a completely legitimate reason for one not to exist. At least not in the same form as for film.
It is so difficult for me to be concise on this because there is so much to say that I feel you really did not consider. But, let's just say that I do research as thoroughly as I can almost every book I purchase. (No easily accessible library for me.) Yet, just recently I found myself with a book that I had to stop reading within the first chapter! (The reasons take more explanation than I will go into here.)
For a woman who often ends up just re-reading the books I already own, because of a limited budget, that is an incredibly frustrating experience. I finally get a new book and it's essentially garbage. It's actually a little bit heart-breaking because I was so looking forward to it and will not be able to get another book for quite some time.
But this frustration had me googling potential solutions and your article is the second interesting response I clicked on. For anybody reading the comments who may be interested, google Book Cave. It has many rated books. It's not perfect, but it may be the best thing out there and a real aid to those of us who are a bit more particular.

[James]

Books can be as dangerous to faith and morals if not more so. Revolutions and wars happen over ideas. A rating system isn't needed so much as banned lists of books. It's a recent (protestant & enlightenment) idea that everyone should have access to everything. Secular culture also doesn't care what children see. Children can easily have their moral formation harmed by reading about sex, seeing bad language, and reading confusing philosophical ideas. Adults without proper education can be thrown off by bad arguments and ideas. Trusted authorities should put together lists of some of the most popular bad books, but not everything could be covered. Ratings could surely be given for award winners, best sellers, and the most well-known authors.

[Foxx Ballard]

I absolutely disagree with James that secular culture doesn't care what children see. Morals don't come from religious readings, they come from a learned understanding and empathy of other people and how they feel. You understand what hurts you, so you don't want to inflict that pain on others. This can be learned through stories or any other number of venues, ideally parents teaching it directly to their kids. I try to be clear when I write a novel as to its target audience and I also try to approach sex scenes I write with clear consent and concern for birth control and safety, so if someone younger gets a hold of it, they should still leave with some idea of what correct behavior is. I believe in reviewing and checking reviews on content before I let my children read it, but I'm also available for them to ask anything they have questions about if they do get their hands on something inappropriate.

[Danielle Conway]

I would love some kind of rating on books. I often listen to audio books and unfortunately I end up returning more than half of those I borrow because of their content. At least I don’t have to pay for them!

[Ella]

I was researching to see if there was a website that rated books and came across your article. I must say I believe that you are flawed in your thinking that lazy readers want a rating system. My time is of value to me and I do not want to spend it reading a book that I have to put down due to its content! I can go to Walmart if I want to surround myself with language, and I have a husband for sexual activity I might be in need of! As an adult I should be able to choose what content I am exposed to. There are also books being labeled as young adults books which could be considered soft porn!! As a parent of a teen I should be able to know what content my child is being exposed to also! I’m not saying books need to be censored but they should be rated appropriately!

[Sarah]

Adults dont always want adult content. And for those with high sensitivity and vivid imaginations, SSV stays in the mind for years just as if it were seen in a movie. When I was a teen I was required to watch Schindler's list in school. That movie is rated R. There was no parent permission form. I got up and walked out after a very violent scene. i wish there had been someone to advocate for me. I dont think books should be any different in a rating system than any other media out there. Follow the money. That is where the laziness lies.

[Paula martin]

I’ve read these comments ,but I too think there should be something to at least warn readers of content or lack of ,I’ve recently read a few really good mysteries but was ruined by the explicit sex scenes I was so disgusted I just stopped reading ,sad point is I paid for the book . Why can’t there be a description in content ? And we as readers should be able to pick and choose what we want to read anyway I hope for some changes in the near future .i so enjoy reading a good book but as lately there hard to come by .