What an amazing reading year it has been! Combined with some of my kids read alouds I managed to read 118 books last year! That's pretty cool! Everyone always asks how do you manage to have so much time for reading? Honestly I find pockets of time throughout my day. I also don't sleep all that great so the nights that I have trouble sleeping I find myself with book in hand. Sometimes I lose sleep just because the books are that incredible that you just can't put them down! Like these below!!
Since becoming a book reviewer I've had to examine myself and how I rate books. I know not everyone does it the same. I can't really say that some books are bad and others are good. Everyone has a different way of doing things and everyone doesn't like the same type of stories, style of writing or love of genre. I think that's the beauty of a book review. Everyone has a different opinion and I don't know about you but I look at them subjectively when I am looking at my next read because if I dwell too much on someone's negative review it may deter me from reading an amazing book for me!
So because we have to give ratings when we review for me a 5 star book has to have different elements. Right off the bat it has to touch my soul. Something deep within me must stir in order for me to be wowed by a book especially if its a genre that I am not familiar with, like fantasy or sci-fi. If its a historical book I look for authenticity. I mean you can tell right away when you are reading if the author has done their historical research by the way you have to look up things just to make sure that actually didn't happen! When they make it believable enough that you think it could be a part of history you know they did their research. A romance for me must be clean but have that romance that is for ages. You know the swoon worthy type of romance yep that's what I look for! Oh, in a suspense book I must be kept at the edge of my seat and be kept guessing on who the culprit is. And there are just stories that hit ya, because they put you in a place of relatability that you can't get past but to connect with a book.
All these elements for me make for a great book that rank up there with the rating of 5 Stars. You may not agree with me and that is totally okay! Again like I previously stated, everyone has their own opinion and I think that's the beauty of having so many books readily available and so many amazing book reviewers out there that tell us what they think of books!
I love to read. I love to read great books that take me out of my normal world and put me in amazing fictional places. (Oh and most of these below I have reviewed here on the blog if you would like to check them out!)
"A book is a magical thing that lets you travel to far-away places without ever leaving your chair."
~ Katrina Mayer
I haven't read any of them but they have lovely covers. I'm glad you've enjoyed them. Like you said, everyone have their own taste and preferences so not every book appeals to the same people.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.