5 Star Reads

We are all familiar with 5 stars as the goal for every book, especially if you are on Goodreads. I know there are people who will say that I’m a book snob, or I’m stingy with my 5 stars. However, I really don’t feel that is the case. I read almost every genre, and I read books with an open mind. Do I have my favorite genres? Of course. Do I gravitate toward certain authors? You better believe it. Do I look down on those who read the not so serious genres? Absolutely not. In fact, I do love me a heart-wrenching, give me the feels (Yes, I’m talking about you Abby J.) romance novel. Nevertheless, I can also appreciate a book categorized as literary fiction and a strong contender for the National Book Award just as much as a spicy tome. I think to have valid opinions about books as a whole, one must be a patrons of all genres.

What does it mean if a book gets a 5 star rating? It is really relative to be perfectly honest. Book Raters are assessing the book on a scale, but many people don’t understand the scale, or the scale is arbitrary. A teacher would never just arbitrarily give a grade; a student gets a handout with all the grading requirements and a rubric. Without this knowledge, students would be maneuvering in the dark. I don’t want you to maneuver in the dark with my reviews, so here my book rating “rubric” to help you make sense of the stars.

• 5 Stars — This book has captured my imagination and has swept me away. I do not want to put the book down because I just want to live in the world that the author has created and watch the drama unfold. This book is provocative and raises questions for me to rethink situations, people, or events in my own life. The writing is gorgeous, and I could take a selection for close reading in my classroom and have long conversation about the things the author is doing with the writing to create additional meaning. I can’t find one thing to critique in this book, and the subtle nuances of the book stay with me long after I finish it. I do recommend these books, but for some, they may feel like an endeavor. Even so, this literary endeavor will pay big dividends in the end.
• 4 Stars — A 4 star read is a book that draws me in, and I am devouring the plot or the characters, sometimes both. These books have a nice balance between the provocative nature of books and entertainment/escapism. These books are solid in their plot, and the author has contemplated how to develop important plot aspects. They have thoughtfully determined when best to hit the reader with the twist. These books also have the character that we love to hate. The author is able to create a great deal of empathy for the characters, but the audience also wants to step in like an older sibling to save these characters from themselves. A 4 star book may not have the same depth in writing, meaning I’m not spiraling over the beauty of the words that are been put forth, but it does have voice in the style of writing. A 4 star book is one that I will recommend to anyone and everyone because I enjoyed it that much.
• 3 Stars — This book is entertaining and provided an escape for the time being. This is a book that I can see why people like the book, but I just wasn’t drawn to it the same way others have been. I will be able to pinpoint things that I would change if I was the author’s editor; however, someone might pick up the book and love all of the author’s choices. I do recommend these books to people. A 3 star book means that it is palatable to the masses, but will find success within its own genre fans. It is often a book that has mass market appeal, but may not fulfill the literary soul. 3 star books are my favorite vacation books; these books focus on creating an intriguing plot or loveable characters. These books provide the precious escape that I need during my school breaks. If I give a book a 3 star, it means that the book is worth your time, but it is not going to be one that will be renting space in your mind for a long time.
• 2 Stars — There a numerous things that I didn’t like in the book, but it wasn’t completely terrible. However, a 2 star rating also means that I wouldn’t recommend the book. I do finish (because I have this ridiculous sense that I have to finish a book I start) these books, but it may take me a while to slog through it. In my mind, I have perceived plot holes or an aspect of unbelievability within the plot. I might not find the characters completely fleshed out or their choices are not in accordance to their characterization. Sadly, the book make lack a vibrant voice in the writing, or I find storytelling to be basic. Sometimes, the structure of sentences can cause me to really dislike a book as well.
• 1 star — This really just means I did not find enough redeeming qualities in the writing or the book to compel me to continue to read the book. Essentially, a 1 star rating means that I did not finish the book.

This is my “rubric” for rating books. My ratings aren’t inflated, so I do have more 3 star and 4 star rated books. I do love discovering a 5 star book, but I don’t expect that every book can reach that pinnacle. Furthermore, it is more important to read the review to see what aspects I liked and what aspects I wasn’t so fond of.

Happy Reading!