How I Rate Books

Good morning everyone! Yesterday I finished a book and haven't started a new one yet (please comment recommendations, especially Christmasy ones!!) However, since I have a tiny break I wanted to share something to answer a few questions I have been asked. 

A few people have messaged me curious about:

1. Why I don't post 1 and 2 stars reviews much

2. Why I have so many 4 and 5 star ratings

3. How I choose what star level to give each book, what do each mean to me? 

So here are my answers, hopefully they help out. 

Why I Don't Post Many 1 or 2 Star Reviews

For me, this is a fairly simple answer. Truth is, I don't post them because I don't come across them much. This year I have found maybe 3 total books I would give those ratings to. One I did give the low rating and review, but only on one or two sites. The other ones, I didn't finish reading. Also often when I come across these, they are often free ones that come with newsletters, so there also isn't a place to review them mostly.

I won't review a book that I didn't finish, with the exception of giving warnings that aren't in the description. For example I once read a book that the description and reviews made it seem like a great sweet romance clean read for young adults. However, a few chapters in there was a VERY graphic and horrifying sexual assault scene that wasn't expected in the book, so I gave a review on it just so other readers like myself would be aware of it. But then I didn't finish the book, so I didn't do a full blog review. 

Why I Have So Many 4 and 5 Starred Books

With this one, I think I have just lucked out. I have found many authors this year who write wonderful books they have completely blown me away. I have been reading my way through their books and generally I have found that when I like 2 or 3 books by an author, I'll usually feel similar to all of their books. The majority of books I have read this year have been great and amazing because I have chosen to find those. Last year I was in a bit of a reading slump, so this year I tried to find authors who got me to enjoy reading again (thank you especially to Harvest Ranch authors, Meg Easton, Rachael Bloome, D.E. Malone, and Brittany Joy for helping me finding my love of reading again). 

How I Choose My Ratings and What Stars Mean to Me

⭐ 1 star books to me are ones that I feel I poorly written. I would NEVER recommend them to anyone. I don't use this one often because if I dislike the book this much, I usually don't finish it, there are too many good books out there to spend my time unhappy with a book. 1 stars won't have good character descriptions, no good scenery, and no connection. To me it would feel like reading a math textbook my junior year of highschool or coming across a dementor, time consuming and like I'll never feel joy again. They likely have plot holes, errors, and really need a good edit and try again. 

⭐⭐ 2 star books for me are better than 1, obviously haha. I probably wouldn't recommend to anyone, but might if someone was asking specifically about that book. It has some connection to me, but not enough to keep me hooked. Usually with 2 star books I find myself hoping the book will end soon or just have something happen to make it better. For me, reading a 2 star book is like going stepping on a kids toy in the dark (not a Lego, but maybe like a Barbie or toy car) it's not enjoyable, I don't want to do it again, but would probably end up mentioning it conversation at some point, especially if the topic came up. These probably have some plot or character issues, but could be wonderful if fixed.

⭐⭐⭐ 3 star books are good! For me, these are average. It's like getting chocolate ice cream. I LOVE chocolate ice cream, but I would prefer strawberry frozen yogurt. These books keep me hooked, don't have me daydreaming about the next book I can read, and I would recommend to people, even if they aren't talking about this book or author. I might buy it as a gift for others for birthdays and Christmas (yes I'm one of those people). There may be some inconsistencies or things that don't quite line up, but storyline was entertaining enough to keep me reading. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 star books are great! I would definitely recommend to people, especially if talking about books. These ones have me hooked, there is great chemistry and build up between characters, no plot holes or inconsistencies (or just very minor ones that don't affect storyline). I may or may not read again, but really enjoyed it and probably had a hard time putting the book down to do anything else. I probably felt some sort of connection to the story. There is likely to be amazing detail but not too much and characters are realistic. 4 star books for me are like having strawberry frozen yogurt, fantastic and wonderful, just needs a few sprinkles or cheesecake bites.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 star books are AMAZING! I'm talking a large strawberry frozen yogurt, with sprinkles, cheesecake bites, AND white chocolate chips, basically perfection for me. They have amazing chemistry, storyline is catching and engaging, characters are well defined and have their own personalities, and there arent any noticeable plot holes. I will often talk about these books for hours (sorry hubby, neighbors, family, and really anyone who stops by to buy candy from me haha). I will bring up these books to people at random points in conversation and will probably be laughing, crying, scared, embarrassed, etc along with the characters the entire time. These are ones I like to buy physical copies of to keep (or buy and donate to places). I love buying these ones for other people. I will read them more than once almost always. These books play out like a movie in my mind and chances are, I would want it to become a movie or TV show (yes I'm looking at your Poppy Creek books Rachael Bloome). 

So there you have it, my random questions answered and my star guide (well not that type of star guide) breakdown.