At the time of writing this post, I have given exactly one five-star rating. The only criteria I've used to separate a four star from a five star is that I would read a five star novel again. After reviewing books for a few months, I now believe that to be flawed.
I'm very picky about what I read, which means I enjoy most everything I read. As a result, most of my reviews wind up being four-stars. That's not to say I haven't found a few I didn't enjoy, but life is too short, and my time too precious to waste it on a story that isn't keeping my interest, and I don't review a book if I don't finish it. The problem I've run into now is I have all these four-star reviews, none of which I may ever read again, but some I liked a good deal more than others.
So, just give more three star ratings, you might say. No, these aren't three-star books. I wouldn't finish a book I would give a two-star rating, and there aren't any of these books that deserve a rating just above "couldn't finish".
My solution: I need to start giving more five-star reviews. Now I'm not giving these out willy-nilly, or they lose all value. Know this, if you get a five-star review from me, it means I didn't just read your book when I got some free time. No, I made time to read it, carved it out of time I should have spent doing something else, suffered nasty looks from my wife, and neglected my own work to read yours, all without a single regret. That's my new criteria for a five-star review vs a four-star review.
Who am I, and why does this matter?
I'm nobody, and to most people this change won't matter at all. The only ones who may appreciate it are the authors, and I'm more than happy to give them my support.
I've read several posts and blogs from people emphasizing the need to write bad reviews, all of which have convinced me of one thing: I don't need to write a bad review, as it seems there are plenty who will. Writing a bad review about a book I didn't enjoy seems like it would be an awful experience and a waste of time, neither of which interest me. What does interest me is writing a review and giving a rating that will perhaps encourage someone else to take a chance on a book I feel is definitely worth it.
