{"id":665,"date":"2026-04-12T16:53:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T21:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=665"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:53:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T21:53:41","slug":"an-interview-with-cathy-lim-of-rated-reads-how-to-check-book-content-before-you-read","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=665","title":{"rendered":"An Interview with Cathy Lim of Rated Reads: How to Check Book Content Before You Read"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I first came across Rated Reads several years ago, and it\u2019s become one of my go-to tools when I want to quickly check the content of a popular \u201cit book.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve also used when it when my boys are interested in a new book or author. Since I can\u2019t read everything they want to pick up, Rated Reads helps me feel confident that what they\u2019re reading aligns with our family\u2019s values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wondered how to check book content before reading, this resource might be exactly what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about how it works, I had the opportunity to interview Cathy Lim, the founder of Rated Reads, about why she created the site and how it helps readers today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7-orange-gray-sweater-fave-circle-60ed7cc37e81907df04d79a33ad72d44-614b785fc7d28.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-671\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7-orange-gray-sweater-fave-circle-60ed7cc37e81907df04d79a33ad72d44-614b785fc7d28.jpeg 1024w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7-orange-gray-sweater-fave-circle-60ed7cc37e81907df04d79a33ad72d44-614b785fc7d28-300x300.jpeg 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7-orange-gray-sweater-fave-circle-60ed7cc37e81907df04d79a33ad72d44-614b785fc7d28-150x150.jpeg 150w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/7-orange-gray-sweater-fave-circle-60ed7cc37e81907df04d79a33ad72d44-614b785fc7d28-768x768.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>What is RatedReads.com?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is Rated Reads?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ratedreads.com\/\">Rated Reads<\/a> is a website dedicated to providing content ratings for books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While it does include brief reviews, it\u2019s main purpose is to help readers understand what kind of content is is inside a book \u2013 <em>before<\/em> they start reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What led to the creation of Rated Reads?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea came from a simple gap in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have rating systems for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Movies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>TV shows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>video games<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026but not for books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cathy decided to fill that gap, even in a small way. She launched Rated Reads and has been running the site for over 18 years, helping readers make informed decisions about what they read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How does the rating system work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rating system is intentionally simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rated Reads uses a structure similar to movie ratings, making it easy for users to understand at a glance. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Cathy chose a familiar format \u2013 and it\u2019s been consistent since day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rating-scale-1024x692.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-666\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rating-scale-1024x692.png 1024w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rating-scale-300x203.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rating-scale-768x519.png 768w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rating-scale.png 1256w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>How Rated Reads Helps Readers Choose Books<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why do content ratings matter for books?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not every reader is concerned about content \u2013 but many are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cathy estimates that about 20% of readers actively want content information before choosing a book. And while that may sound like a minority, it\u2019s still a significant numbers of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Readers may want to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What type of content is included<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How frequently it appears<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether it aligns with their personal preferences or values<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Rated Reads doesn\u2019t tell people <em>what<\/em> to read \u2013 it simply gives them the information they need to decide for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to use Rated Reads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The easiest way to use the site is by searching by a book title or author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Tip: Use the dedicated search fields for <em>Author<\/em> or <em>Title<\/em>\u2014they tend to give better results than the general search bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"802\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/search-result-1024x802.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-667\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/search-result-1024x802.png 1024w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/search-result-300x235.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/search-result-768x601.png 768w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/search-result.png 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do  certain genres have more content warnings than others?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romantasy is a newer sub-genre that has come on the scene just in the last few years, and Cathy shared it seems like the expectation in this sub-genre is that they are \u201cspicy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rated Reads vs. Goodreads: What\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These two platforms serve very different purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Goodreads<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Rated Reads<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Great for tracking reading<\/td><td>Focuses specifically on content ratings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Use crowd-sourced ratings (like 4.2 stars)<\/td><td>Helps readers understand what\u2019s inside the book<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Both are useful \u2013 but for completely different reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Behind the Scenes of Rated Reads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How are books selected for review?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cathy keeps it simple \u2013 she reviews what she wants to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also has a small team of contributors (usually 3-4 active reviewers at any given time), who rate books they\u2019re currently reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She has a checklist she maintains while reading the book that helps determine which rating it gets when she\u2019s done and says it\u2019s usually clear what category a book will fall into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there\u2019s no strict set reading list, there is a focus on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New releases<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Getting information out quickly to readers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>She also shares &#8220;Rapid Ratings&#8221;, which is a quick search of the eBook version for language, sexual content or violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can anyone become a reviewer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes! Rated Reads is always looking for more reviews to help expand its database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 If you\u2019re interested, you can apply <a href=\"https:\/\/ratedreads.com\/our-reviewers\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With so many reviews scattered across Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, Cathy\u2019s long-term goal is to create a central, searchable hub for book content information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Questions About Books and Reading Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are readers more interested in content transparency today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surprisingly, Cathy doesn\u2019t think the percentage has changed much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While social media has made content discussions more visible, she believes interest in content ratings has stayed relatively steady over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How do you avoid spoilers in content ratings?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoiding spoilers is a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, content warnings don\u2019t reveal major plot points. But when they might, Rated Reads includes a clear warnings so readers can choose whether to continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why don\u2019t books have an official ratings system?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cathy shared a few key reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Books aren\u2019t visual in the same way movies are<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There\u2019s a long-standing cultural reverence for books<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The sheer volume of books makes standardization difficult<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>She also noted an important concern: A format rating system could potentially lead to book banning, which is not her goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, she hopes for a collaborative, centralized resource where readers can access content information freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Where to find Rated Reads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can explore Rated Reads and follow along here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Website: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ratedreads.com\">www.ratedreads.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facebook: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ratedreads\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ratedreads <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Instagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ratedreads\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/stories\/ratedreads\/<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>TikTok: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@ratedreads\">https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@ratedreads<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rated Reads fills a unique (and often overlooked) gap in the reading world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not about judging books \u2013 it\u2019s about giving readers the information they need to make the best choices for themselves and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Let\u2019s Talk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you wish books had a standardized rating system?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you someone who checks content before reading \u2013 or do you prefer to go in blind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 Join the daily bookish conversation on my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61571135243421\">Facebook page<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/readersgottaread.blog\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I first came across Rated Reads several years ago, and it\u2019s become one of my go-to tools when I want to quickly check the content of a popular \u201cit book.\u201d I\u2019ve also used when it when my boys are interested in a new book or author. Since I can\u2019t read everything they want to pick [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,447,75],"tags":[13,444,445,446,12],"class_list":["post-665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-rating","category-interview","category-reading-resources","tag-book-content","tag-book-rating-system","tag-cathy-lim","tag-interview","tag-rated-reads"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=665"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":676,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/665\/revisions\/676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}