diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_goodreads_import.py b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_goodreads_import.py
index d2b0ea7d..a2451292 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_goodreads_import.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_goodreads_import.py
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 """ testing import """
-from collections import namedtuple
 import csv
 import pathlib
 from unittest.mock import patch
@@ -7,11 +6,10 @@ import datetime
 import pytz
 
 from django.test import TestCase
-import responses
 
 from bookwyrm import models
 from bookwyrm.importers import GoodreadsImporter
-from bookwyrm.importers.importer import import_data, handle_imported_book
+from bookwyrm.importers.importer import handle_imported_book
 
 
 def make_date(*args):
@@ -48,9 +46,6 @@ class GoodreadsImport(TestCase):
     def test_create_job(self, *_):
         """creates the import job entry and checks csv"""
         import_job = self.importer.create_job(self.user, self.csv, False, "public")
-        self.assertEqual(import_job.user, self.user)
-        self.assertEqual(import_job.include_reviews, False)
-        self.assertEqual(import_job.privacy, "public")
 
         import_items = models.ImportItem.objects.filter(job=import_job).all()
         self.assertEqual(len(import_items), 3)
@@ -79,33 +74,6 @@ class GoodreadsImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(retry_items[1].index, 1)
         self.assertEqual(retry_items[1].data["Book Id"], "52691223")
 
-    def test_start_import(self, *_):
-        """begin loading books"""
-        import_job = self.importer.create_job(self.user, self.csv, False, "unlisted")
-        MockTask = namedtuple("Task", ("id"))
-        mock_task = MockTask(7)
-        with patch("bookwyrm.importers.importer.import_data.delay") as start:
-            start.return_value = mock_task
-            self.importer.start_import(import_job)
-        import_job.refresh_from_db()
-        self.assertEqual(import_job.task_id, "7")
-
-    @responses.activate
-    def test_import_data(self, *_):
-        """resolve entry"""
-        import_job = self.importer.create_job(self.user, self.csv, False, "unlisted")
-        book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="Test Book")
-
-        with patch(
-            "bookwyrm.models.import_job.ImportItem.get_book_from_isbn"
-        ) as resolve:
-            resolve.return_value = book
-            with patch("bookwyrm.importers.importer.handle_imported_book"):
-                import_data(self.importer.service, import_job.id)
-
-        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.get(job=import_job, index=0)
-        self.assertEqual(import_item.book.id, book.id)
-
     def test_handle_imported_book(self, *_):
         """goodreads import added a book, this adds related connections"""
         shelf = self.user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="read").first()
@@ -137,76 +105,6 @@ class GoodreadsImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.start_date, make_date(2020, 10, 21))
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date, make_date(2020, 10, 25))
 
-    def test_handle_imported_book_already_shelved(self, *_):
-        """goodreads import added a book, this adds related connections"""
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            shelf = self.user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="to-read").first()
-            models.ShelfBook.objects.create(
-                shelf=shelf,
-                user=self.user,
-                book=self.book,
-                shelved_date=make_date(2020, 2, 2),
-            )
-
-        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
-        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/goodreads.csv")
-        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
-        for index, entry in enumerate(list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))):
-            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
-            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
-                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
-            )
-            break
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "public"
-            )
-
-        shelf.refresh_from_db()
-        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
-        self.assertEqual(
-            shelf.shelfbook_set.first().shelved_date, make_date(2020, 2, 2)
-        )
-        self.assertIsNone(self.user.shelf_set.get(identifier="read").books.first())
-
-        readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.get(user=self.user)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.start_date, make_date(2020, 10, 21))
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date, make_date(2020, 10, 25))
-
-    def test_handle_import_twice(self, *_):
-        """re-importing books"""
-        shelf = self.user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="read").first()
-        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
-        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/goodreads.csv")
-        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
-        for index, entry in enumerate(list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))):
-            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
-            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
-                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
-            )
-            break
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "public"
-            )
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "public"
-            )
-
-        shelf.refresh_from_db()
-        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
-        self.assertEqual(
-            shelf.shelfbook_set.first().shelved_date, make_date(2020, 10, 21)
-        )
-
-        readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.get(user=self.user)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.start_date, make_date(2020, 10, 21))
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date, make_date(2020, 10, 25))
-
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_status_task.delay")
     def test_handle_imported_book_review(self, *_):
         """goodreads review import"""
@@ -252,22 +150,3 @@ class GoodreadsImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(review.rating, 2)
         self.assertEqual(review.published_date, make_date(2019, 7, 8))
         self.assertEqual(review.privacy, "unlisted")
-
-    def test_handle_imported_book_reviews_disabled(self, *_):
-        """goodreads review import"""
-        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
-        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/goodreads.csv")
-        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
-        entry = list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))[2]
-        entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
-        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
-            job_id=import_job.id, index=0, data=entry, book=self.book
-        )
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "unlisted"
-            )
-        self.assertFalse(
-            models.Review.objects.filter(book=self.book, user=self.user).exists()
-        )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_importer.py b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_importer.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f5d9af30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_importer.py
@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+""" testing import """
+from collections import namedtuple
+import csv
+import pathlib
+from unittest.mock import patch
+import datetime
+import pytz
+
+from django.test import TestCase
+import responses
+
+from bookwyrm import models
+from bookwyrm.importers import Importer
+from bookwyrm.importers.importer import import_data, handle_imported_book
+
+
+def make_date(*args):
+    """helper function to easily generate a date obj"""
+    return datetime.datetime(*args, tzinfo=pytz.UTC)
+
+
+# pylint: disable=consider-using-with
+@patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay")
+@patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_book_statuses_task.delay")
+class GenericImporter(TestCase):
+    """importing from csv"""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """use a test csv"""
+
+        class TestImporter(Importer):
+            """basic importer"""
+
+            mandatory_fields = ["title", "author"]
+
+            def parse_fields(self, entry):
+                return {
+                    "id": entry["id"],
+                    "Title": entry["title"],
+                    "Author": entry["author"],
+                    "ISBN13": entry["ISBN"],
+                    "Star Rating": entry["rating"],
+                    "My Rating": entry["rating"],
+                    "My Review": entry["review"],
+                    "Exclusive Shelf": entry["shelf"],
+                    "Date Added": entry["added"],
+                    "Date Read": None,
+                }
+
+        self.importer = TestImporter()
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        self.csv = open(datafile, "r", encoding=self.importer.encoding)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
+        ):
+            self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "mouse", "mouse@mouse.mouse", "password", local=True
+            )
+
+        work = models.Work.objects.create(title="Test Work")
+        self.book = models.Edition.objects.create(
+            title="Example Edition",
+            remote_id="https://example.com/book/1",
+            parent_work=work,
+        )
+
+    def test_create_job(self, *_):
+        """creates the import job entry and checks csv"""
+        import_job = self.importer.create_job(
+            self.local_user, self.csv, False, "public"
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(import_job.user, self.local_user)
+        self.assertEqual(import_job.include_reviews, False)
+        self.assertEqual(import_job.privacy, "public")
+
+        import_items = models.ImportItem.objects.filter(job=import_job).all()
+        self.assertEqual(len(import_items), 4)
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[0].index, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[0].data["id"], "38")
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[1].index, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[1].data["id"], "48")
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[2].index, 2)
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[2].data["id"], "23")
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[3].index, 3)
+        self.assertEqual(import_items[3].data["id"], "10")
+
+    def test_create_retry_job(self, *_):
+        """trying again with items that didn't import"""
+        import_job = self.importer.create_job(
+            self.local_user, self.csv, False, "unlisted"
+        )
+        import_items = models.ImportItem.objects.filter(job=import_job).all()[:2]
+
+        retry = self.importer.create_retry_job(
+            self.local_user, import_job, import_items
+        )
+        self.assertNotEqual(import_job, retry)
+        self.assertEqual(retry.user, self.local_user)
+        self.assertEqual(retry.include_reviews, False)
+        self.assertEqual(retry.privacy, "unlisted")
+
+        retry_items = models.ImportItem.objects.filter(job=retry).all()
+        self.assertEqual(len(retry_items), 2)
+        self.assertEqual(retry_items[0].index, 0)
+        self.assertEqual(retry_items[0].data["id"], "38")
+        self.assertEqual(retry_items[1].index, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(retry_items[1].data["id"], "48")
+
+    def test_start_import(self, *_):
+        """check that a task was created"""
+        import_job = self.importer.create_job(
+            self.local_user, self.csv, False, "unlisted"
+        )
+        MockTask = namedtuple("Task", ("id"))
+        mock_task = MockTask(7)
+        with patch("bookwyrm.importers.importer.import_data.delay") as start:
+            start.return_value = mock_task
+            self.importer.start_import(import_job)
+        import_job.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(import_job.task_id, "7")
+
+    @responses.activate
+    def test_import_data(self, *_):
+        """resolve entry"""
+        import_job = self.importer.create_job(
+            self.local_user, self.csv, False, "unlisted"
+        )
+        book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="Test Book")
+
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.models.import_job.ImportItem.get_book_from_isbn"
+        ) as resolve:
+            resolve.return_value = book
+            with patch("bookwyrm.importers.importer.handle_imported_book"):
+                import_data(self.importer.service, import_job.id)
+
+        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.get(job=import_job, index=0)
+        self.assertEqual(import_item.book.id, book.id)
+
+    def test_handle_imported_book(self, *_):
+        """import added a book, this adds related connections"""
+        shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="read").first()
+        self.assertIsNone(shelf.books.first())
+
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        for index, entry in enumerate(list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))):
+            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
+            )
+            break
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, False, "public"
+            )
+
+        shelf.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
+
+    def test_handle_imported_book_already_shelved(self, *_):
+        """import added a book, this adds related connections"""
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="to-read").first()
+            models.ShelfBook.objects.create(
+                shelf=shelf,
+                user=self.local_user,
+                book=self.book,
+                shelved_date=make_date(2020, 2, 2),
+            )
+
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        for index, entry in enumerate(list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))):
+            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
+            )
+            break
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, False, "public"
+            )
+
+        shelf.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            shelf.shelfbook_set.first().shelved_date, make_date(2020, 2, 2)
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(
+            self.local_user.shelf_set.get(identifier="read").books.first()
+        )
+
+    def test_handle_import_twice(self, *_):
+        """re-importing books"""
+        shelf = self.local_user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="read").first()
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        for index, entry in enumerate(list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))):
+            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
+            )
+            break
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, False, "public"
+            )
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, False, "public"
+            )
+
+        shelf.refresh_from_db()
+        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
+
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_status_task.delay")
+    def test_handle_imported_book_review(self, *_):
+        """review import"""
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        entry = list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))[3]
+        entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+            job_id=import_job.id, index=0, data=entry, book=self.book
+        )
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            with patch("bookwyrm.models.Status.broadcast") as broadcast_mock:
+                handle_imported_book(
+                    self.importer.service,
+                    self.local_user,
+                    import_item,
+                    True,
+                    "unlisted",
+                )
+        kwargs = broadcast_mock.call_args.kwargs
+        self.assertEqual(kwargs["software"], "bookwyrm")
+        review = models.Review.objects.get(book=self.book, user=self.local_user)
+        self.assertEqual(review.content, "mixed feelings")
+        self.assertEqual(review.rating, 2.0)
+        self.assertEqual(review.privacy, "unlisted")
+
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_status_task.delay")
+    def test_handle_imported_book_rating(self, *_):
+        """rating import"""
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        entry = list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))[1]
+        entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+            job_id=import_job.id, index=0, data=entry, book=self.book
+        )
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, True, "unlisted"
+            )
+        review = models.ReviewRating.objects.get(book=self.book, user=self.local_user)
+        self.assertIsInstance(review, models.ReviewRating)
+        self.assertEqual(review.rating, 3.0)
+        self.assertEqual(review.privacy, "unlisted")
+
+    def test_handle_imported_book_reviews_disabled(self, *_):
+        """review import"""
+        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.local_user)
+        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/generic.csv")
+        csv_file = open(datafile, "r")  # pylint: disable=unspecified-encoding
+        entry = list(csv.DictReader(csv_file))[2]
+        entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
+        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
+            job_id=import_job.id, index=0, data=entry, book=self.book
+        )
+
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
+            handle_imported_book(
+                self.importer.service, self.local_user, import_item, False, "unlisted"
+            )
+        self.assertFalse(
+            models.Review.objects.filter(book=self.book, user=self.local_user).exists()
+        )
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_librarything_import.py b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_librarything_import.py
index ab92c11b..f76666a7 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_librarything_import.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/importers/test_librarything_import.py
@@ -157,37 +157,6 @@ class LibrarythingImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.start_date, make_date(2007, 4, 16))
         self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date, make_date(2007, 5, 8))
 
-    def test_handle_import_twice(self, *_):
-        """re-importing books"""
-        shelf = self.user.shelf_set.filter(identifier="read").first()
-        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
-        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/librarything.tsv")
-        csv_file = open(datafile, "r", encoding=self.importer.encoding)
-        for index, entry in enumerate(
-            list(csv.DictReader(csv_file, delimiter=self.importer.delimiter))
-        ):
-            entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
-            import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
-                job_id=import_job.id, index=index, data=entry, book=self.book
-            )
-            break
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "public"
-            )
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "public"
-            )
-
-        shelf.refresh_from_db()
-        self.assertEqual(shelf.books.first(), self.book)
-
-        readthrough = models.ReadThrough.objects.get(user=self.user)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.book, self.book)
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.start_date, make_date(2007, 4, 16))
-        self.assertEqual(readthrough.finish_date, make_date(2007, 5, 8))
-
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.add_status_task.delay")
     def test_handle_imported_book_review(self, *_):
         """librarything review import"""
@@ -209,22 +178,3 @@ class LibrarythingImport(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(review.rating, 5)
         self.assertEqual(review.published_date, make_date(2007, 5, 8))
         self.assertEqual(review.privacy, "unlisted")
-
-    def test_handle_imported_book_reviews_disabled(self, *_):
-        """librarything review import"""
-        import_job = models.ImportJob.objects.create(user=self.user)
-        datafile = pathlib.Path(__file__).parent.joinpath("../data/librarything.tsv")
-        csv_file = open(datafile, "r", encoding=self.importer.encoding)
-        entry = list(csv.DictReader(csv_file, delimiter=self.importer.delimiter))[2]
-        entry = self.importer.parse_fields(entry)
-        import_item = models.ImportItem.objects.create(
-            job_id=import_job.id, index=0, data=entry, book=self.book
-        )
-
-        with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
-            handle_imported_book(
-                self.importer.service, self.user, import_item, False, "unlisted"
-            )
-        self.assertFalse(
-            models.Review.objects.filter(book=self.book, user=self.user).exists()
-        )