How I Rate the Books I Read

To begin with my ratings are my own opinion, they are what I think the book deserves based on how much I enjoyed it.  Sometimes a book will be filled with clichés but I was charmed by the characters, so I still really enjoyed it and gave it four stars.  Other times the book will be exciting, full of action, but I notice numerous editing mistakes that make it hard for me to concentrate on the action, so I can't give it more than two stars because I didn't enjoy it as much as I should.  I have trouble with themes, I don't recognise them when I see them, so if a book is full of themes I can be counted on to miss them or to misunderstand them.  I don't care what other reviewers have thought of the book, if I didn't/did like it then that's my opinion and I will write a review that reflects that opinion.  I also don't care what an author wants me to think, I'm not a weak-minded storm trooper who can be talked out of thinking what I want to think - these are the droids I'm looking for and you can't go about your business.

 

Authors often ask why a reviewer gave a book a certain rating, well if I'm not clear enough in the review that applies to you here's what I have a problem with/am looking for in each star rating I give.

 

1 Star

 

I may have given your book one star because of a number of things.  These things include, but are not limited to:

 

• missing or incorrectly placed punctuation
• missing or incorrectly spelled words
• weird formatting (usually only applies to eBooks)
• crappy covers (usually only applies to self-published books)
• having a large number of pages of accolades/samples from other books to pad out the page number
• weak characters who behave stupidly/out of character
• dreadful dialogue that sounds forced
• absolutely nothing going on to hold my attention
• depending on what combination of the above points a book might have I may not even be able to finish a book
• after I put the book down I feel no compunction to pick it back up, and if I do pick it back up it's under sufferance because I feel I should
• I won't read any more from this author unless it's by mistake during an impulsive borrow from the library

 

2 Stars

 

I may have given your book two stars because of a number of things.  These things include, but are not limited to:

 

• having a large number of pages of accolades/samples from other books to pad out the page number
• missing or incorrectly placed punctuation
• missing or incorrectly spelled words
• weak characters who behave stupidly/out of character
• dreadful dialogue that sounds forced
• I managed to finish the book but it was a bit of an effort
• I will give the author another go, I'm an eternal optimist

 

3 Stars

 

I may have given your book three stars because of a number of things.  These things include, but are not limited to:

• in a three star book I don't expect to see any editing mistakes
• the plot will be reasonably simple but diverting enough for a quiet afternoon
• the characters will be reasonably simple but engaging enough to keep me interested
• I will look out for other books by the author

4 Stars

I may have given your book four stars because of a number of things.  These things include, but are not limited to:

• amusing, interesting characters that I want to meet
• a strong plot that makes me want to keep reading
• dialogue that sounds realistic and believable and true to each character's personality
• well described locations that make me want to visit
• I've likely put the next book by this author on hold at the library

5 Stars

I may have given your book five stars because of a number of things.  These things include, but are not limited to:

• a five star book will have everything that a four star book has plus that little bit more, more interesting characters, even better dialogue, even better described locations, a plot so strong that I literally can't put it down and when I pass out from exhaustion all I dream about is getting back to that book
• I loved this book so much I wouldn't be surprised to find myself actually willing to buy this book new, at full price