I rate a lot of books 5 stars. To me 5 stars means I loved it. It let me escape my everyday troubles and just have some fun for a bit. 5 stars means I cared about the characters and I would read the book over again, if I had time. But in light of just finishing Linger yesterday I feel that I must clarify, there is a class higher than 5 stars. Only very very special books make it into this category. So far this esteemed category only includes things like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and groan if you want, Twilight. Now I’m adding Shiver and Linger in there too.
What this post is about is the way these books make me feel. I read at least 3 books a week and I honestly love a lot of them. Because if they are bad I don’t waste my time on them. So what makes me put the books mentioned before in a whole different class? Because they blow me away. They make me forget the rest of the world. They make me cry like I know these characters in real life. They make me think about them when I’m not reading them. I don’t think that I can really convey how they make me feel. If you are a avid reader than you know what I’m talking about. These are books that I want to live in. If someone can put this feeling into words than please help me out but until then I will just have to come up with new adjectives to explain these books.
What books are in your esteemed category? Is it all just 5 Stars for you? Let me know!
To change the subject, I have another question: I have always wanted to do a read-a-thon but they always seem to happen on the weekends! I work on Saturdays and I usually don’t read much on Sunday’s because that’s the only day off my hubby and I have together. My question is, if I host a weekday read-a-thon, let’s say, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, would you participate? Let me know please!
I try not to give too many books 5 stars, but sometimes I do. . . and then the same thing happens – I realize there are books even WAY better that deserve more than 5. Shiver was ALMOST one of them (though it did get my rare 5 stars – I'm super psyched for Linger!). I've been thinking of making a Super Rad to the power of Infinity button.
There really are some special books out there and there is nothing better in the world than finding them. I'd have to agree that HP is definitely in that category!
I'd participate in a readathon during the week since I
m homeschooled, depending on how busy I am that day.
I would definitely participate in a weekday read-a-thon if 1) you do it after the first week in May (my last week of school for spring semester) and 2) I could schedule my work days for later in the week (I generally work two days per week presently). Oops…sorry for sounding so demanding! Needless to say, if you decide to do it, I will participate even if only partially. Looking forward to hearing what you decide! =O)
Your cats are ADORABLE! You should consider participating in my new weekly meme Cat Thursday since it seems you love cats too! You can see this week's post here: http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/2010/04/cat-thursday.html
I often feel like I judge books too easily. I try to make myself hate books, but I usually find something to like about the story.
And I agree with you- the books you named are all worthy of above five stars. They are my absolute favorites. Well, I haven't read Linger yet, but if I love it as much as I loved Shiver, then it will make my favorites list.
I try not to give a lot of 5 stars either. If I loved a book I would give it a four…I just feel kind of guilty for replacing Harry Potter, the hunger games, and my other 5 star books.
I don't have too many five stars rated books, but I do have several 4 star reviews. I like a lot of the books I read(generally I chose them because they sounds good
).
I would love to enter in a read-a-thon but it never seems to fit into my schedule. Perhaps when it's summer here
I do think that a weekday read-a-thon might work for several people, so it's a good idea.
I understand what you mean about those extra special books that go beyond the ratings – that's what I give my 5s too. If I had to define them, they'd go something like: 0 Didn't finish it; 1 Why did I finish it?; 2 Eh, it was okay; 3 I liked it; 4 I loved it; 5 I love love loved it! Shiver definitely got a 5.
Don't think I'd be able to participate in a mid-week readathon, unless it was during the summer when we're off school.
No doubt I would enter. I like the idea of readathons, but indeed they are always on saturday..I just don't have any time to do anything then, like you I work on that day.