How's This Gonna Work?
To read, or not to read. That is the question.
Sometimes, you're looking for a detailed review, right? You want to know all the juicy tidbits--as spoiler free as possible, of course--about the characters, the setting, the plot. You want to know as much as possible before committing to a new read. Well, no worries, because I'm definitely planning on giving you that.
But what if you're one of those readers who's more worried about things like how well the book is written, or how "steamy" the story is, or if it's part of a series when you prefer standalone books? Well, I've got you covered there, too. At the beginning of each post, before the detailed review of the book(s), I'll provide some quick info summarizing the book; that information should let you know what the book is, where it fits into the genre spectrum, etc., so if you don't have the time for a for a longer review, or if reading longer reviews just isn't your thing (no offense taken, if that's the case!), you can hopefully still get a quick picture of what a certain book provides and decide whether or not it's for you.
So, it'll look something like this:
Title: The Tales of Beatrix Potter
Overall Rating : ★★★★★ (ratings out of 5 stars, small star ٭ will indicate a half)
Genre: Children's Short Stories
Point of View (This is a big deal for a lot of readers; if a book is written in 1st person, present tense for example, it's an immediate turn-off for some readers. They just don't like reading books written that way. That's cool. By listing it right at the beginning of the review, you know before you ever pick up/download a book, it's not your cup of tea.): 3rd person, past tense
Stand Alone or Series: I guess technically it's a standalone of a series ... yes? Cut me a break, I'm using a set of children's stories as an example. (It's what was currently on my nightstand; I've been reading to my littles.)
Prose Proficiency (how well the story is actually written, use of language, etc., rated Meh, Average, Good, Excellent): Excellent
Editing (use of proper grammar, proper punctuation, staying within POV, etc., same ratings as above): Excellent
Steam and Smut (Some readers are looking for sex right off the bat; others are looking for a slow burn. Still others don't much care if there's sex or not. Some want romance without the sex; others are perfectly fine with plenty of sex without the romance. Whatever your preference, this is where I'll let you know briefly what you can expect.): Not a smidgen.
Originality (How like or unlike other books in the same genre is this book? Are the characters new and exciting? Is the setting somewhere you've never been before? Does the plot take you by surprise or do you feel like you've already read this book before? Rated on a typical grade scale, A-F): A
Following the above will be the full review of the book. Example: Beatrix Potter's Tales are a delightful collection of children's stories, perfect for naptime, bedtime, or anytime. Following an adorable cast of woodland characters, Beatrix brings us into a world of fantasy, both new and familiar. Peter Rabbit reminds each of us of our inner mischief, daring us to be bold as well as a bit dangerous, while Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle gives us a glimpse of the caretaker in all our lives. Whether you're looking for a set of stories to share with your own children, or are simply hoping to take a walk down memory lane, the Tales of Beatrix Potter are a perfect way to spend a few quiet minutes celebrating the love of a good story.
Ta-da! That's it.
If there's something else you like to know before you dig into the pages of a new story, let me know in the comments. Also, if there's a book you're dying to know more about, comment that as well. My TBR pile is growing ever longer, and that's the way I love it!
Keep turning pages. Until next time ...
MR
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