britty books

One of my favourite book reviewers, Arukiyomi, is going on a sabbatical until late November 2010.  While he’s away, I thought I’d steal his very good idea. He feels, as do I, that it is hard to rate a book out of five, or ten.  You may be able to give your overall impression of the book but there are subtle distinctions that are not so subtle to book lovers when it comes to explaining exactly how you feel about it.

His rating systems are Legacy, Plot, Characterization, Readability and Achievement.

He then plots those five points on a spiderweb and the greater amount of area that results lends to a higher percentage rating of the overall book.  Here’s more on his rating techniques. I think it’s ingenious.

But, sadly, I’m not as technically inclined.  Nor as ambitious.  Let’s say I’m barely getting by on smarts.

My rating system is based on three “cool” factors that only highlight how geeky I truly am.

My rating systems are:

1.     Beside the Bed When I Am Dead: There was a quote by George Burns (maybe?) once that went something like “Never read a book that you would be embarrassed to have on your nightstand were you to die in the middle of reading it.”  That’s really clunky but the gist of my point.  And I don’t why you’d be embarrassed if you’re dead but…There are books we read because we’re supposed, they’re literature, they’re classic, etc. but they are simply horrible, hard to read and boring.  I would be proud to say I have a Henry James novel on my nightstand…doesn’t mean I liked reading it.  So the ratings go from (1) I’m embarrassed that I’ve been caught reading this/would never take it on public transit, etc. to (5) people will think I’m a cousin of Albert Einstein/super cool/an intelligent reader, etc.

2.     Sleepless for the Story: Does a good book keep you up at night? Does the story have you wondering while you type up another spreadsheet for work?  Is getting back to the book more important than television, Facebook, having a well-balanced dinner?  Then you may be sleepless for the story and rate your book a (5).  Of course, the opposite rating is if the book puts you to sleep within a page (1).

3.     Regifting this read: This may be a little confusing since people usually associate regifting with cheapskates.  Er, yeah, I slightly resemble that remark.  But, in my defense, I never give a book (I don’t loan books…at least not to anyone but family because I know where they live) unless I REALLY like the book, or think that the other person would find something in common with the book.  Plus, giving a book says something about the giver’s tastes.  I don’t wish to seem uncool (have a mentioned that already?).  So rating of (5) I would regift to anyone and rating of (1) I’d rather recycle it.

Overall, you get an average and a rating out of five and a cool looking chart, as shown.  The overall rating may come close but doesn’t necessarily match a general likability rating…but I promise you that you’ll look cool reading.