Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Book Review Star Rating System

I am going to do another book post tomorrow, and I thought it would be a good idea to give you a bit more detail on my 5-star rating system:

★: did not finish the book due to its lame-ness. It got printed, but that's all I can say for it. Usually there's some fundamental perspective barrier between the author and myself that prevents me from connecting to what's going on in the story. (examples: When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa; Eat, Pray, Love--the movie is better)


★★: didn't like it, but finished it, and would not recommend. May try the book again in a different setting to see if it was me or the book. (examples: Phantom of the Opera, Matched, and The Time Keeper)


★★★: liked it, not earth shattering, but enjoyed the read. Would recommend depending on my mood. (examples: Sing Me to Sleep, 33 Men, Gourmet Rhapsody, and 1984)


★★★★: really liked it, and would recommend in a heartbeat! May purchase if the price on Amazon is right. (examples: Ella Minnow Pea, Outliers, Same Kind of Different As Me)


★★★★★: absolutely loved it! Will probably buy it and keep it on my shelf so I can read it anytime I want. The book caused me to change my perspective or behavior in life and is on the top of my recommend list. (examples: March, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, Heaven is Here, The Glass Castle, Room, and The Hiding Place)


 I hope that helps as I plan on doing a lot of book reviews in the future on the blog. And if you have any recommendations for me, or Nick, or Alexa who both also like to read, please share!

2 comments:

Dani and Dave said...

First off, in HS, I read and loved the Great Gatsby and the Scarlet Letter. I think you need to try again. Second off, I have some recommendations if you have a few book slots left to fill (let me know if I've already told you and told you to read these!)

1. Yearning for the Living God (F. Enzio Bushe)
2. Catch Me If You Can (Frank Abagnale)
3. Hunger Games Series (Suzanne Collins)
4. The Hiding Place (Corrie Ten Boom)
5. Angels & Demons (Dan Brown)

Rachel said...

Thanks for the recommendations! Numbers 2, 3, and 4 are already on my to-read list, but I'll add the others. And, I know you read those books in high school...we went to the same school smarty-pants!