How I Rate Books // Star Rating Method

Hi Friends,
There are many differing opinions on star ratings for books. Actually, anything one can review, for that matter. However, star rating is my preferred method of rating things. So, I wanted to give a rundown on what my ratings actually mean to me. I won’t include half star ratings, though, since they mostly mean that I was on the fence about which way the rating should go. It fell somewhere in the middle of those two stars.


Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder: The best of the best. Would read again and recommend. I would sing these books praises any day! In my opinion, everyone should read these books. These are the books that I truly love, it’s that simple.


Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder: Great, but not amazing. I had a great reading experience, but something fell short. Some of the things that could make it a 4 star only are less than adequate character development, book length, or writing style. But, in the end, this book was a good time, which I’d talk about to others.


Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favorite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder: It was okay. I am glad that I read it, but it wasn’t my favorite. I would have been fine not reading the book, but I’m not totally disappointed with picking it up. To me, this seems to be the most common rating.


Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder: Why did I read this? What did I just read? This book wasn’t for me and I wouldn’t read it again. It isn’t something I’d buy or talk about in the future. This is the type of book I’d likely forget about, because it wasn’t anything special to me.


Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder: This is a book that I should have DNF’ed. I can’t, for the life of me, understand why I read this book. Complete waste of my time. I wouldn’t recommend it to others at all. It was absolutely not my type of book, and wasn’t a pleasant reading experience.


I know that my lower ratings might seem a bit harsh, but I don’t intend them to be. I’m a strong believer that not every book is intended for every reader. Just because I give a book a 1 or 2 star rating doesn’t mean it’s a bad book, just that I personally didn’t enjoy it. Remember, if I like or dislike a book, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will feel the same way. So please, take every one of my book reviews with a grain of salt. Please like and share this post if you enjoyed it. And, show your support by following my blog!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

You’ve Reached Sam // Book Review

Authort: Dustin Thao
Published: 2020
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Magical Realism
Rating:Full, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on IconfinderFull, star, bookmark, favorite, favourite, like, rating icon - Download on Iconfinder

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Julie has her future all planned out—move out of her small town with her boyfriend Sam, attend college in the city, spend a summer in Japan. But then Sam dies. And everything changes. Heartbroken, Julie skips his funeral, throws out his things, and tries everything to forget him and the tragic way he died. But a message Sam left behind in her yearbook forces back memories. Desperate to hear his voice one more time, Julie calls Sam’s cellphone just to listen to his voicemail. And Sam picks up the phone.


I don’t want this review to be completely negative, but I always want to give you my true unfiltered opinion. And, truthfully, the story could have been executed better. The plot had so much promise, and I was hoping for a tear-jerking story. But, it didn’t live up to my expectations. The book started off a week after the male love interest, Sam’s, death. This was interesting, since most books don’t follow someone during the grieving process. This is exactly what the plot of the book was – watching someone, in this case Julie, struggle with their grief.

As the synopsis shows, there is a magical realism component in the story, which is that Julie and Sam can talk via phone to one another. The author’s take on this plot point was interesting, but different than how I imagined. I don’t know what I was hoping for – just that I wasn’t sold on the way this element was developed.

Julie as a character was just okay. But, it was annoying that she was clearly oblivious to the fact that she had Sam wrapped around her finger. She was willing to let him change all his plans for her, and forget about some of his friends in order to spend time with her. Their lives literally revolved around one another. Their relationship was frustrating to read about to say the least. Still, I guess that is how first love is for people.

“We are two parts of a song. He is the music. I am the words.”

Sam got on my nerves a lot. He was apparently such a devoted and kind boyfriend while alive, but in death he was kind of rude. At times he would snapped at Julie, even though she was doing things to make him happy. She might have occasionally overstepped, but he didn’t have to be so salty towards her. He always ‘unintentionally’ made her feel guilty about him dying. He claimed to want her to move on, but every time she tried to, he would make her feel bad about it.

All in all, I assume the moral of the story is that we shouldn’t live in the loss, and to not let grief consume us. You can’t hold on to the hope that the person you lost will come back. The only thing one can do is keep them in our hearts, and try to live on for them. The good thing about the book was that it was a quick read, which was nice for me.

However, I wasn’t emotionally invested in the storytelling. I mean, I didn’t even cry. I would recommend the book to fans of ‘If I Stay’ by Gale Forman. I have never read that book, but I did see the movie. For some reason, I find these two stories to be somewhat similar. Also, in ‘If I Stay’, there was the whole in between element, and I think that Sam was definitely caught in the in between.

Please give me your thoughts on this book, since I am probably going to get a lot of flak for this review. However, one thing is for sure – the book cover is stunning! Don’t forget to give my blog a follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 Star Predictions #3 // 2022

Hi Friends,
I thought it was time to guess some 5 star reads. I picked 5 books that I believe will be highly rated books for me. All of the books are young adult books, because that is what I primarily read. Weirdly enough, my last five star predictions post included some 2022 releases. This time I will be including some 2022 releases as well as previously released books.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (January 2020)
I have seen mixed reviews on this book, but I have a feeling that I’d love it. It is a YA enemies-to-lovers that includes food and Twitter. You all know that I am a sucker for a cute YA contemporary.

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky (April 2021)
Don’t know why I am predicting this to be five stars. If nothing else, it has to do with the fact that Mary Shelley interests me. The premise is very intriguing, and it is bound to have a lot of twists.


You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus (November 2021)
This is described as a dark ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’. Three friends’ ditch day turns scary, when things go fatally wrong. I am always in the mood for a good YA thriller, and Karen McManus books usually rank pretty high for me.

Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West (May 2022)
This one might be a letdown, since West’s last book release, Sunkissed, was a big disappointment. Still, I normally always rate her books around 5 stars. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be another amazing book from her.

I Guess I Live Here Now by Claire Ahn (May 2022)
This one is giving me Katharine McGee’s ‘American Royals’ meets ‘The Princess Diaries’ vibes. This book takes places in Korea, and is a ‘found family’ story, which isn’t typically something I gravitate to. But I hear it includes a lot of family drama and hidden secrets, which is something I do love.

I am not sure how accurate these predictions will turn out to be, but I am hoping for the best. Check back for my reviews on each book (if I actually read them) to see my final rating and thoughts. Better yet, follow the blog to get post notifications.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 Star Predictions #2

Hi Friends,
Today, I am doing a “5 Star Book Prediction” post. I have done one of these in the past, which didn’t go so well. Unfortunately, I only managed to read one book from that list, and it didn’t turn out to be a 5 star read, either. So, I don’t have high hopes that I will actually pick up any of these books. Still, it is a fun post to do. I decided to do a mix of older titles and 2022 book releases, since my TBRs include a mix of old and new books.

How to Break a Boy by Laurie Devore (2017)
Who doesn’t like a good fake-dating story? The plot reminds me of “If I’m Being Honest” by Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley, which I gave 5 stars. There is something real about somebody choosing to be a better version of themselves. Maybe this stems from my love of “A Christmas Carol”, but I usually enjoy that type of story. Also, the fake-dating aspect gives me even more reassurance that it will turn out to be a 5 star book.

Lovely War by Julie Berry (2019)
This one might be wishful thinking, because I am not 100% sure that it will get a 5 star rating from me. It is on the list for the sole reason that it is beloved by tons of readers. I want to be one of those readers. So, I am using the power of positivity to believe that I will love this book as much as other. The plot sounds amazing and unique, but historical fiction has never really been my thing. Here’s hoping this book changed my opinion of the genre.

All This Time by Mikki Daughtry, Rachael Lippincott (2020)
I predict that this book will be an automatic 5 star read for me. This year, I read “Five Feet Apart” by these two authors, and loved it. Honestly, that book broke me. The plot sounds heartbreaking, which I seem to be drawn to these days. And, it is my favorite genre, YA contemporary. I don’t think this book will let me down, so my expectations are set pretty high.

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban (2022)
This sounds like a horror/thriller movie that would give me the chills. If you know me and horror movies, then you know that making my skin crawl is pretty hard. The whole kidnapping and dangerous game plot is thrilling. I am going to bet that this will be a 5 star book that might even spook me a but.

No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado (2022)
When I read the plot for this book my jaw dropped, and I want to read it like now. It is a mix of high school drama, social media, going viral and catfishing. I haven’t read anything similar, but I am betting that I am going to have a great time reading it. 5 star read? I think yes!

 
Practice Girl by Estelle Laure (2022)
This book reminds be a lot of “The Duff” by Kody Keplinger. I haven’t had the chance to read that book, but I am a big fan of the movie adaption. The book focuses on labeling people, and making them loose their self worth. It can be a form of bullying. I don’t read a ton of books where the characters push the boundaries of social norms, and that is something I need to work on. Still, I am almost certain that this book will get a 5 star rating from me. However, I could be projecting my love of the film version of “The Duff” on to the book. Let’s hope that’s not the case

That is going to be it for my 5 star predictions. While writing this post, I realize that it is harder than you think to foreseen a books rating. Especially, when one has been disappointment by many books that seemed like 5 star reads. Anyhow, I am thinking good thoughts and know that there will be more 5 star reads in 2022. Give me a like, share and follow.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

5 Star Predictions #1 // 2021

Hello book lovers,
I am back to blogging! I took a little break this week, but I am very excited about today’s post. I am going to talk about my 5 star book predictions. I typically stay in my comfort zone when it comes to reading, so I can normally tell the books I am going to enjoy. I do want to branch out in my reading this year, but these are the books that I have a good feeling I will rate highly.

Fool Me Twice by Carrie Aarons: After the death of her best friend, due to cancer, she sets out to complete her bucket list. One of the major tasks on the list is getting back at Lincoln Kolb, her late best friends jerk of an ex-boyfriend. However, these enemies might not start to look past their bad blood.

I love a good revenge turned love story! I feel like this book could either be great, or just average. I am hoping for the best, and going to predict that I will give it a 5 star rating.

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth: Aideen can’t solve her own problems, so she takes it upon herself to solve one for her overwhelmed classmate. After her act of kindness more of her classmates want Aideen’s help.

This book gives me teen movie vibes, which I am here for. I can picture this as a Netflix movie one day for sure. I think the concept could be very funny and I am looking forward to picking it up. It won’t be released until May 2021, still I will be reading it as soon as possible.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab: Addie LaRue made a deal of a lifetime with the devil. She will live forever, yet be forgot by everyone. She tries to leave her mark on the world and be remembered however she can.

I don’t usually go for these kinds of books, although I am a big fan of V.E. Schwabs middle grade works. This story peaked my interested from it’s release, and I have a good feeling it will become a favorite of mine.

What I Like About You by Marisa Kante: Girl meets boy online. They become the best of internet friends. Girl moves to a new town. Boy happens to live in that town. Girl hides her online identity from boy. A tale as old as time, right?

This is Kante’s debut novel and it sounds adorable. I do see a bit of similarities to Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia, and I could see there being some possible anxiety representation in this book. I find the plot a typical cute, lighthearted contemporary story that I love.

Admission by Julie Buxbaum: Chloe thought she had the perfect life with admission into her dream school, a celebrity mom and amazing prom date. However, things get less than perfect when her mom gets arrested for participating a college admission scandal. Chloe must come face to face with the truth and everything she has taken for granted before.

You all have probably heard about the real college admissions scandal that rocked Hollywood. I knew that some form of fiction would be made from it, though I figured it would be a Lifetime movie, still I think this will be an interesting read. I haven’t heard anyone talk about this book, so I am looking forward to discovering if I like it as much as I expect.

Those are all my star predictions as of now, and I am curious to find out if my intuition is as good as I believe. Please support my blog by liking and sharing this post. I would e honored if you followed the blog as well.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny