MY RATING SYSTEM:
Keep in mind that all rating systems vary, as do peoples opinions and preferences. I rate a book based on the 5 key points that I find most important. Just because I rate a book a certain way doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t necessarily give it a try. I am merely providing an opportunity for you to consider a book before reading it. If a book interests you, then you should still indulge yourself no matter what others opinions may be. There are a lot of books out there that have been poorly reviewed, and yet have made a place amongst top seller lists. Even the most poorly written book can teach us something, whether its about life, or simply how to smile. They always say you should never judge a book by it’s cover, something I try hard not to do, but you should also never judge a book based on the opinions of others. Only you can truly judge what is or isn’t for you.
Keep in mind that all rating systems vary, as do peoples opinions and preferences. I rate a book based on the 5 key points that I find most important. Just because I rate a book a certain way doesn’t mean you should or shouldn’t necessarily give it a try. I am merely providing an opportunity for you to consider a book before reading it. If a book interests you, then you should still indulge yourself no matter what others opinions may be. There are a lot of books out there that have been poorly reviewed, and yet have made a place amongst top seller lists. Even the most poorly written book can teach us something, whether its about life, or simply how to smile. They always say you should never judge a book by it’s cover, something I try hard not to do, but you should also never judge a book based on the opinions of others. Only you can truly judge what is or isn’t for you.
MY 5 KEY POINTS:
STRONG PLOT / STORYLINE THAT KEEPS YOU INTRIGUED?
I like a storyline that's complex but allows me to enjoy the book without having to keep tabs of what's going on. I don't want to work at it. It has to flow smoothly together, and resolve all issues. Yet, remain un-predictable and keep me guessing at every turn. I don’t like unfinished issues or rushed along stories.
ALL CHARACTERS ARE WELL DEVELOPED AND UNFORGETTABLE?
I am big on character development. This doesn't just fall on the main characters, but all of them. If the Author felt the need to include a character, no matter how small the part they play, then I expect there to be a connection. Same follows for the 'relationships' between characters. Relationships, that just spontaneously happen without development are not believable, and can cause a reader to not connect fully. I want my cake, and I want to eat it to!
REAL PAGE TURNER?
Completely consumed to the point where I can't close the book. I feel as if I put it down, it will continue without me. Sleeping is out of the question, and if I do, I dream of it. It plays through my mind with the many possibilities of how it will go on. Knowing I should slow down, because I'm not ready for it to end, and praying that when it does, it will satisfy me enough until I can become a part of it’s world again.
READ MORE THAN ONCE?
A book that has touched me in some way, that it has permanently become a part of me. One I can not only read a second time, but for the tenth, fiftieth, hundredth time and still be surprised with all that takes place. A world I will never tire with, no matter how many times I visit it. Characters that I enjoy to be surrounded by time and time again. A book that will always promise to make me laugh or cry, never let me down, to be there for me when I need to slip away.
RECOMMEND TO OTHERS?
Recommending something is tricky. When you recommend something, you are attaching your name to it. You are giving your opinion and there's a chance someone might not entirely agree. So I have to ask myself: Am I willing to back this book? Am I willing to tell others they will enjoy it, without worrying if they won't?
HOW I AWARD POINTS:
1 Point will be received for each YES Response
0 Point for each NO Response
5 Points being the Highest Rating.
0 Points being a complete fail.
MY RATING SCALE:
5 Points: TOP SHELF.
The story jumps off the pages, consuming you with ever word. The world around you fades away and you are immersed completely into the imaginative realm of the story, never wanting to leave. The characters seem so real, you find yourself connecting with them and forming strong bonds. You love them, hate them, feel as if you know them personally. It’s a memorable read that stays with long after you have finished it. It touches your heart and soul, becoming forever a part of you. Has everything that I love to find in a book. One to be re-read over and over, again and again. A book like this deserves special recognition. Not only is it Highly Recommended, but a MUST READ!
4 Points: Highly Recommended.
It’s difficult to put the book down, yet you never want it to end. You feel satisfied, though you want more. It only falls a little short of being ‘Top Shelf’ quality. It either had a plot that was too complex and hard to follow or the opposite, or the characters were lacking in full potential. It is definitely a page-turner. One I would re-read again. And I wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend this book.
3 Points: A One Time Read.
A fairly predictable, but still an enjoyable and interesting read. Only way a book would fall into this category/rating, would be either I was unhappy with the storyline or I felt the characters were undeveloped. Also, while it may not be a ‘Must Read’ or one I would re-read, it is still worth reading at least once. It entertained me enough that I would still give it a recommendation, preferably to those who have interest in books similar to it.
2 Points: Just A Taste.
This is the kind of book that spikes your curiosity just enough to keep you interested and turning the page, but not enough to satisfy you. The lack of complexity makes it a quick and easy read. It's slightly predictable, but still has small, or few enjoyable moments. The characters are not developed enough to form any real connections to, or usually the development is found only within the main character. It had potential, and could have been better. While I do not regret the time spent reading this book, it would only be recommended to those who prefer easy reads and don’t mind undeveloped characters.
1 Point: Complete Miss.
A very predictable read. The characters lacked development, or there actions made little to no sense at all. While there may have been few enjoyable moments, there weren’t enough to keep me interested. Whatever redeemable aspects there could have been, the Author made no attempt to fix, or bother with. I gave it a shot, as I do all books, but I would not recommend it, at least not as a book worth purchasing.
0 Points: Epic Fail.
Storyline was fragmented and couldn’t find anything at all interesting. The characters are simple, without depth, making it impossible to connect with them, or find them even believable. I found myself turning the page, only to hurry it along. I felt I wasted valuable time that could have been applied to other books in my TBR pile. I wouldn’t recommend this book at all, to anyone.
