rating system


here is a brief explanation of what each numerical star rating means to me, specifically, regarding my own personal standards, tastes, and thought processes! however, as a very indecisive and relatively inconclusive person, the number of stars a book receives may change over time.  

"we're gonna fight"

1 star ☆☆☆☆

this is one of the worst books i've ever read. i either don't think that there is anything enjoyable about it or the bad components overwhelmingly outweigh the good. essentially, there is nothing that i find redeemable. i will often rant about these books and actively warn people against reading them.

"what did i just read...?"

2 stars ★★☆☆☆

i didn't like this book, but it wasn't the worst thing that i've ever read. there are some aspects that i can respect, even if there are a lot of things that i didn't enjoy, like an author's ambition or tackling of certain themes. but at the end of the day i don't think it's good and wouldn't recommend it to anybody.

"okay"

3 stars ★★★☆☆

this book is just okay. i enjoyed it to a certain extent and was entertained but after finishing, it didn't stand out. i felt kind of indifferent, but acknowledge it was definitely on the better side. unfortunately, i wasn't moved enough to the point where i felt any really strong emotions about it. 

"that was so good"

4 stars ★★★★

i liked this book, but it wasn't perfect. it maintained my interest, kept my engaged, left me feeling satisfied at the end, but it's just missing a few things that are probably just based off of my own personal preferences. it was a fun read and i would definitely recommend this book to someone.  

"i feel so safe in these pages"

5 stars ★★★★★

this is a book that i would give an arm or limb to read for the first time again. personally i think that it is perfect and it had everything that i wanted. while it may be flawed, other components of the book compensate for where it may lack. i will absolutely rave about these to everyone i meet.

no stars ☆☆☆☆☆

books that do not have any stars means that there is controversy surrounding either the book or the author that i did not find out until after finishing the novel. i will not separate the art from the artist.