Why I Started Reviewing Books

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”

George R.R. Martin

Hey there, fellow book lovers! Have you ever lost yourself in a good book and felt completely absorbed by the story, characters, and message? Me too! That’s why I love reviewing books. It’s a way to remember why I loved a particular book and share that enjoyment with others.

But here’s the thing: reviewing books isn’t just about sharing the ones you love. It’s also important to review books that might not be your cup of tea. By sharing your honest opinions, you’re helping others avoid books that might not fit them well. Plus, you’re providing valuable feedback to the author, who can use it to improve their writing in the future. So, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts on a book that didn’t quite hit the mark.

I know it can be overwhelming to choose your next read with so many books out there. That’s why I review books — to help other book lovers like you find your next great read. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming romance, a gripping mystery, or an inspiring memoir, my reviews can help guide you toward a book you’ll love. I developed criteria that I stick by to help me decide how to rate each book.

My Criteria

Here is an explanation of my Star Rating Criteria:

Books that receive a 1 Star rating are books that I thought have several issues:

• They are predictably dull and full of cliches

• The writing style is challenging to get through- no flow

• The characters have no depth

• The overall unenjoyable reading experience

• I would NOT recommend

Books that receive a 2 Star rating are books that I thought were just okay.

• I won’t reread

• It wasn’t good, wasn’t bad

• The writing style is hard to get through

• The characters weren’t anything special – they lacked depth

• It has an interesting premise but disappointing execution

• I probably wouldn’t recommend

Books that receive a 3 Star rating are books I thought were good.

• They have an exciting premise, but the execution could have been better

• The characters lack depth and complexity

• The plot is superficial

• The themes could have been handled better

• There is some momentum – slow in parts but overall good

• It is not a particularly memorable story

• I would probably recommend it with caveats

Books that receive a 4 Star rating are books that I like, and thought were very good.

• I enjoyed the book from start to finish

• The writing style flowed well – great momentum

• The characters were solid and had depth

• There are deeper themes -thought-provoking

• But it is missing the cherry on top – it didn’t blow my socks off entirely.

Books that receive a 5 Star rating are books that I absolutely LOVED and thought were great.

• I can’t stop thinking about the book and the characters. I thought about them when I wasn’t reading them and continued to think about them afterward.

• The story filled me with emotion, making me think about things, laugh, cry, or both.

• There are memorable, multifaceted characters with distinct voices – I would be sad my time ended with them when the story was over.

• A great writing style that brings everything to life in multisensorial ways.

• It is a unique or exciting plot or story that’s well-executed

• The ending is satisfying, yet it makes me want more time with the characters.

• The story transcends its genre.

Audiobooks

And let’s not forget about audiobooks! They’re an increasingly popular format; reviewing them is as important as physical books. When reviewing audiobooks, it’s important to consider the narrator’s performance, the sound quality, and the overall production value. After all, there’s nothing worse than listening to a narrator whose voice annoys you or a production that detracts from your experience.

As someone who loves audiobooks, I know how convenient they can be, especially when you’re short on time. They’re perfect for multitasking, like listening while commuting, doing chores, or exercising. I don’t mind filing anymore when I have a good book to listen to while I work. So, if you’re an audiobook lover like me, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and review them. Your reviews can make a significant difference to potential listeners, helping them discover new books and giving them an idea of what to expect.

Lastly, books have the power to change lives, broaden our horizons, challenge our assumptions, and connect us with others in meaningful ways. By sharing our love of reading and reviewing books, we can inspire others to pick up a book and experience the same joy and enrichment that we did. So, join me in reviewing books and sharing our passion for reading with the world!

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Originally published on xinespack.com - May 2023