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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
I always try to finish a book. If I'm having difficulty getting through one, I always put it to one side and then pick it up a while later. But I can understand if sometimes you never want to pick up that book again, but if you make it more than halfway through I think you should rate the book. After all, you did spend your time on it when you could have been doing something else; you may have even bought it. But if you're stuck in the beginning and feel like giving up, I recommend reading it in "chunks", sometimes a book takes a while to kick off and it wouldn't be fair to give it a bad rating just because it was a bit slow at the start.
My rating scheme:1) horrible, awful book. Just terrible. A complete waste of time.
2) wasn't for me, but others might enjoy it.
3) a good read. I liked it.
4) I really liked it. Above average.
5) favourites. Brilliant.
Though I do find that the more books I read, the more critical I get. Anyone gets that?
B the BookAddict wrote: "I really banged heads with another GR person who wrote a scathing review after reading less than 50 pages of a book, so maybe I shouldn't comment as it still angers me 12 months later.However, I ..."
Bette, I agree with you . If I haven't finished a book I don't review it .( I have to admit that I did it once but felt badly about doing it .) In all fairness to the author, I think it's important to read the whole book if I'm going to review it . I used to force myself to finish every book even if I wasn't liking it and then decided that life is too short and there are too many books I want to read . I have a shelf called abandoned- not - for -me .
Btw - I think I remember the review you are talking about and it seemed like the person was attacking the author rather than reviewing a book that hadn't been finished .
Angela M wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I really banged heads with another GR person who wrote a scathing review after reading less than 50 pages of a book, so maybe I shouldn't comment as it still angers me 12 m...Btw - I think I remember the review you are talking about and it seemed like the person was attacking the author rather than reviewing a book that hadn't been finished."
Yes, she was attacking the author. I commented and she then had a go at me, it was awful. I was so angry at her it made me shake, which is saying something! Since then, I've been very careful about how I reply to people's reviews.
The point is, that by being such a bigmouth and obviously set against the author, she put so many people off reading what is a very good book of historical faction.
I haven't always been so consistent on this, but I think if you don't finish a book you shouldn't rate it. I guess it's okay to rate a book if you've read, like, 75+ percent of it. But it's fine to review as long as you specify how much of it you've read. Because when you rate a book it adds it to your 'read' shelf and it affects the rating of that book.
Firstly I never insult an author and don't believe that should be part of any review. That is someone's baby, they put work and time in it and obviously they think it is good. I don't rate books I don't finish, will just place a thought in the comment section on why I have given up on a book. I usually give a book sixty pages, if it hasn't grabbed me by then, it's done. Too many books out there. the only exception is if the reviews of a trusted friend are good, I will read on a bit, thinking I've missed something. But never over a hundred pages.
Charbel wrote: "Though I do find that the more books I read, the more critical I get. Anyone get that?"I'm the same. I'm generous with my five-star reviews, but then I read something that's so wonderful that, by my rating system, it deserves six or seven stars and I feel bad that I can't give them.
But then I've seen a few people on here that give one one-star review after another, and I wonder why they bother.
I see the other way too, where people rate everything 5 stars, which for me loses it's meaning. I don't see the point. I think it's good to use a range of ratings, no matter how you decide to award stars.I've just checked my shelf and I've DNF'd 5 books this year. Three of them I rated 2 stars and explained why they weren't right for me. The other two I hated and said so in my review. I move these books off my read shelf onto my DNF shelf.
I wouldn't mind rating a book after less than 50 pages, but don't think I've ever done it. If I've bothered to pick a book up it's because I think I'll like it, so I'll persevere for as long as possible, rarely I'll give up less than 100 pages in, more if it's a longer book. Many books turn around long into the story, so I like to make sure.
One thing I DO NOT UNDERSTAND are people that repeatedly pick up genres that they clearly despise, just to slate it with a 'hilarious' review. I don't think I'd like 50 shades of Grey, if I read it I'd probably hate it and want to rant about how awful it is. Instead I just don't read it. Although I do have a 'never ever' shelf for books like this, which is sort of like giving my opinion without rating I suppose.
One thing I DO NOT UNDERSTAND are people that repeatedly pick up genres that they clearly despise, just to slate it with a 'hilarious' review. I don't think I'd like 50 shades of Grey, if I read it I'd probably hate it and want to rant about how awful it is. Instead I just don't read it."Same here, but I did enjoy the hilarious review of 50 Shades of Grey on here with all the animated GIFs!
I enjoyed some of the funny GIF reviews when I joined, then I realised it was a huge thing and quickly got bored. Can't remember the 50 shades one...might have to go and look!
B the BookAddict wrote: "I really banged heads with another GR person who wrote a scathing review after reading less than 50 pages of a book, so maybe I shouldn't comment as it still angers me 12 months later.However, I ..."
I am trying to get over the compulsion to finish every book I start, especially if I am clearly not enjoying it. I tend to rate those books if I feel I have read enough to have a valid opinion & explain why I DNF'd it. Sometimes I can see it is a book that others might like (for example for the quality of the writing) but doesn't appeal to me at all so I might give it a 2 or even higher even though I gave up on it. A 1 star for me is a book that I don't believe anyone should read!
Sometimes I give up on a book that I suspect I would like if I was in a different mood -- those I do not rate but put back on the TBR.
Pink wrote: "I see the other way too, where people rate everything 5 stars, which for me loses it's meaning. I don't see the point. I think it's good to use a range of ratings, no matter how you decide to award..."Pushing the imaginary "like" button!
While I was away I've read The Martian by Andy Weir 1*I knew it wasn't a book for me but seen that everyone talks about it and, above all, seen that it was on amazon for 99 cents, I bought it. I also wanted to read it in these days because reviewers say it's a funny book and there's a lot to laugh.
It was so boring and not credible and there was nothing funny, just a couple of sentences! A man survives on Mars, lives there for two years without having a nervous breakdown? Something went wrong, but he always had a solution. It wasn't believable: he is there alone for two years, can't speak to anyone, he is able to do and repair everything and all this without a breakdown.
In addition to this the book is full of technical and chemical details because the man on Mars explains with a lot of details how things work and how he is repairing things. Seen that I'm not into technology and chemistry, I found these parts very annoying and sadly the book is about these details, there isn't a lot more.
Read it only if you like technology and chemistry and things like these.
dely wrote: "While I was away I've read The Martian by Andy Weir 1*I knew it wasn't a book for me but seen that everyone talks about it and, above all, seen that it was on amaz..."
I also finished the book and i have to say that even as an environmental engineer this wasn't a good book. I think of myself as quite interested in technology and other topics that are discussed in the book. All this doesn't matter when the story is so boring and the characters are flat and unemotional or too sarcastic all the time. I also agree with you about that he has a solution for everything. It's just not believable like you said.
I can't understand the hype about the book and i am happy to see that someone has the same opinion here.
I don't read much Science fiction at all and was almost swayed by everyone's raving about this book. Was going to buy it, but stopped myself. Glad to hear from people who did not like it. Makes me feel better, Thanks,Dely and Simon. Hope you had a good time, Dely.
Mod
I see a 3-star read as a good book....just not memorable. It's a book I enjoy and woul..."
It looks like mine Petra!
Simon wrote: "dely wrote: "While I was away I've read The Martian by Andy Weir 1*I knew it wasn't a book for me but seen that everyone talks about it and, above all, seen that i..."
I'm glad too I'm not the only one who didn't like it! Sometimes I'm scared to express my opinion above all with books that are loved by a lot of people. Was it funny for you? I thought that perhaps I didn't find it funny because of a bad translation. But I also think that a person that survives on Mars hasn't a lot to be ironical. It's impossible to be it for two years.
☔Diane S. wrote: "Hope you had a good time, Dely. "Yes, thanks ;-)
And I hope you are feeling better, hadn't much time to check up the health&medicine thread.
dely wrote: "U'm glad too I'm not the only one who didn't like it! Sometimes I'm scared to express my opinion above all with books that are loved by a lot of people. Was it funny for you? I thought that perhaps I didn't find it funny because of a bad translation. But I also think that a person that survives on Mars hasn't a lot to be ironical. It's impossible to be it for two years. "I tried reading it when it first came out. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind or something, but it struck me as being quite juvenile.
dely wrote: "Simon wrote: "dely wrote: "While I was away I've read The Martian by Andy Weir 1*I knew it wasn't a book for me but seen that everyone talks about it and, above al..."
I too don't like it when my opinion is different than to the majority of readers. But in this case i was sure. I think there are a few funny parts in the book but it was nothing brilliant about them. It's not like the book is a catastrophe but it's also nothing special or truly worth reading.
I have completed Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle. I gave it five stars. You must decide if it is a book that will fit your interests or mood. I try to explain what you will get in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...ETA: Leslie, thank you very much for suggesting it.
Chrissie wrote: "I have completed Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle. I gave it five stars. You must decide if it is a book that will fit your interests or mood. I try to explain what you will get in my..."Good review Chrissie. It sounds like something I would like, even if it does start off being incomprehensible. And you found a sci fi book you liked too :-)
Leslie, one simply cannot recommend this book to anyone.I hope I explained well enough so others can decide if it is for them. Totally amazing that I could enjoy a book of science fiction!
The Orion Ghost was a pretty good read that I got for free on Smashwords. it was a pretty good YA adventure story.
Dely wrote about The Martian: It was so boring and not credible and there was nothing funny while saying she doesn't read a lot of Sci-Fi.I do read a lot of Sci-Fi and I totally agree with Dely. Boring. So not credible. You know how they say don't buy a book without a cover? Well, in this case the cover is the only worthwhile part. IMHO.
I am certainly NOT going to read The Martian.
You would not believe how many of these entries I caught up on just now ... and I absolutely love what Luffy said in post 5251 - if anyone wants to track back ;)While I was away, one of the books I read was I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. Compelling reading.
Here's my review.
Oh Greg - you said you'd meant to read it with a group, but missed the date. Well if the group was "Reading For Pleasure", then I'm happy to tell you you haven't at all! We're halfway through the read, as it's a 2 month one :)
Jon wrote: "Dely wrote about The Martian: It was so boring and not credible and there was nothing funny while saying she doesn't read a lot of Sci-Fi.I do read a lot of Sci-Fi and I totally agree with Dely. ..."
I'm sure the movie they want to produce will be better but I don't know if I will watch it!
Chrissie wrote: "I am certainly NOT going to read The Martian."Spare your money and time for something better. I bought it because it was very cheap but it was a real waste of time. I could have read something better in all that time.
I just finished LEAVING BERLIN by Joseph Kanon. It's for a f2f book group and I wasn't too happy to hear it was a spy thriller but I really enjoyed it. It's set in Berlin after WW2 and before the wall was built and was very interesting.
Mod
1) horrible, awful book. Just terrible. A complete waste of time.
2) wasn't for me, but others might enjoy it.
3) a good read. I liked it.
4) I really liked it. Above average.
5)..."
This is pretty much my scale. Unfortunately, I'm pretty good at guessing which authors I will like. I avoid authors I suspect I won't like. I also often re-read books I've formerly read and loved. The result of that is that most of my reads are 3-5 star.
I don't want to give 2 stars to a good read just to open up the scale. I don’t want to rate lower than 5 stars for a brilliant book even if I've read one or two others that month.
But sometimes books aren't just brilliant - they're supernova in the brain brilliant. That's where I really wish for the half or quarter stars.
Jon wrote: "Susan wrote: 1 = absolutely bloody - don't touch it with a bargepole
2 = bloody - probably don't bother, but it might be one up from the back of a cereal packet
3 = poor - approach with hope but w..."
You're very welcome, Jon. :)
Mod
Good to know Jean! :)
A very clever little book which I enjoyed thoroughly was historical fiction set in 1975, story is told by a teenage boy who is a screw up but has a good heart. It ranges from very sad to laugh out loud funny : When Saigon Surrendered
Finally finished The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London, which I've had on the go for a while. I have very mixed feelings - it's rather dry, but also some parts are fascinating. Probably different bits would appeal to different people. I'm trying to write a review but have scrapped 4 drafts already :(
Jean wrote: " I'm trying to write a review but have scrapped 4 drafts already :( ..."
Oh no, Jean! Your reviews are always so detailed and well thought out. I can't imagine the time that went into 4 drafts.
I've heard mixed reviews about this book. It's making me rather interested in giving it a try myself to see what I think. LOL! It wasn't even on my radar before.
It's a bit of a curate's egg Petra. I finally gave up yesterday in the early hours - and was told by a very grumpy Chris that I was far too late to bed! LOL!It's a new day today. Can I face looking at it again? ;)
I've just finished reading His Masterpiece. Here's the link to my short review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jean wrote: "Finally finished The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London, which I've had on the go for a while. I have very mixed feelings - it's rather dry, but also some parts are fa..."I don't know much at all about Dickens or I'd probably be all over that new book: Death and Mr. Pickwick: A Novel.
Ok, I'm admitting it, I had to look up what 'a bit of a curate's egg' means. Might be one for A Thread of Words.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Ok, I'm admitting it, I had to look up what 'a bit of a curate's egg' means. Might be one for A Thread of Words."Yes indeed! I have never heard that expression before.
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I think it depends on how easily you give u..."
Snap, same as you Chrissie. I rate and review everything I read, but rarely give up. If I do, I'll give the book a good try, then rate and review so everyone knows exactly why I gave up on it. If I hated it, I'll give it 1 star, if I thought the book was okay, just not for me, I'll rate it 2 stars and explain why it didn't work for me. Then they go onto my DNF shelf.