I really enjoy rating things — books, movies, experiences — you name it. Naturally, that extends to the books I read. I give each one a star rating based on how I felt about it. Please remember: your preferences might be very different from mine. You might love a book I couldn’t finish, or dislike one I adored.
Here’s what my star ratings mean:
5 stars
A 5-star book is one I really enjoyed. It was fun, engaging, well-written, and something I’d gladly read again. If you read in this genre, I’d recommend it without hesitation.
Sometimes, my 5-star reads are wildly different from one another — that just means I enjoyed them equally, even if for different reasons. Not every 5-star book becomes an all-time favorite, but I’ll always explain what earned it the rating.
4 stars
I loved this book, but something held it back from a perfect score — often a matter of personal taste (isn’t everything, though?). Still, it’s a strong recommendation from me.
3 stars
I liked this book, though not without reservations. Something — maybe the characters, pacing, or worldbuilding — didn’t fully land for me. It’s a solid read, and I wouldn’t warn anyone off it, but I’d want to know someone’s taste before recommending it.
2 stars
I didn’t enjoy this one. There were significant flaws — whether in plot, characters, or immersion — that kept me from connecting with the story. I wouldn’t recommend it.
1 star
I really didn’t like this book. I may not even publish a review unless there’s a compelling reason to. In general, I’d suggest steering clear if asked about it.
What if I do not finish a book?
If I don’t finish a book, I usually won’t review it.
That said, if the book was sent to me for review, I will finish it and post my thoughts — with full transparency about where I got it and what my honest impressions were.