Sandra’s Comments (group member since Jan 22, 2014)

Sandra’s comments from the 50 Book Pledge group.

So interesting to read everyone's take on ratings! Thank you...

Tanya wrote: "I do read the reviews. When they're evenly spread between 4/5 & 1/2, it really gets my attention. However, I do go by the review's content. I like to rate both the writing and the way a book affec..."

I don't usually read reviews until after I am finished a book, and then only to see if my take on the book was similar to other people's. I write reviews mainly for myself, so I can go back later and see what I was thinking at the time I read the book. I see your point though, other people do read our reviews, I tend to forget that. I am mainly interested in finding out about the 1-5 star ratings and how people arrive at a rating. I think a rating without a review is almost pointless, if you rate a book 5 stars, I want to know why. Maybe that is just me, lol.

Lise wrote: "I am also very stingy with 5 star ratings. Of the 48 books I read last year I only rated 1 with 5 stars, and another 6 with 4 stars! Most books I give 3 stars. I find most books just do not impr..."

I pretty much rate the same way. From talking to people, I am coming to the conclusion that ratings are a very personal thing. They are mostly about someone's connection to a book more than they are about the book itself, if that makes sense. I feel odd, though, when I absolutely love a book that people have given low ratings to or when the opposite happens and I hate a highly rated book. Which brings me to the next question, how much do these ratings actually mean? I do look at ratings before I read a book, but this has never stopped me from reading a book or made me want to read a book. So, are ratings actually useful, or will a reader read what he/she wants to read no matter what?

Thank you for responding! This subject has been on my mind for a while and it's interesting to hear other reader's opinions.

I am very stingy with 5 star ratings. I have to absolutely be in love with a book to give it 5 stars. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece and it certainly doesn't need to be the book that every one is talking about. I want my 5 star rating to mean something, which means that, for me, this was one of the best books I have ever read. I do give a lot of books 3 or 4 star ratings, which to me, are just as meaningful as a 5 star rating. How about you? What moves you to give a book a 5 star rating? This is something I've been thinking about for a while, especially when I see an author gushing about how many 5 star ratings their book has recieved. Does a heartfelt review do as much for an author as those 5 little stars? Thoughts anyone?

Thanks, here is the link to my shelf.

http://www.50bookpledge.ca/user/69318...

Hi,
I just noticed that there is a badge for reading a Jonas Jonasson book. I added The 100 Year Old Man to my read shelf a few weeks ago, but have not received the badge. Should I remove it and add it again?

I just finished reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty and One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. These were both awesome books!
This summer I plan to read, in no particular order:
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
The City by Dean Koontz
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Mating for Life by Marissa Stapley
After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
Omens by Kelley Armstrong

I'll probably buy or borrow a few more in between, but these are the books I already own. Actually just waiting for Landline and After I Do to come in the mail and then I will own all of them, lol.

Carla,
Bird box is very good! You won't be able to stop reading.

Robert wrote: "I just finished my #21 book for the year so far Doctor Sleep"

How did you enjoy Dr. Sleep, Robert? I really liked it! Looking forward to reading Mr. Mercedes, are you planning on reading it also?

Part of the reason I love Miriam Toews so much is that I live in the province where she sets many of her books. I know the small Mennonite town she is talking about and I grew up in Winnipeg. Also, I have a signed copy of All My Puny Sorrows! The book is just so amazing and sad and funny, I don't see how it could not be a favourite of many readers. As for A J Fikry, that book was just so good also. I love books about books and bookstores and this one was exceptional. I also loved Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore.

Christina wrote: "Reading All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Towes, then will probably read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry .... And after that, I don't know, so many choices!"

Those are two of my favourite books! All My Puny Sorrows is just so good, I still think about it...

I have read other books by Chevy Stevens and I've liked them all. I am really having difficulty with The Hundred Yr Old Man, find it very silly and unrealistic. Which is why they call it fiction I guess! I forgot to say that I have read 44 books on my way to my goal of 100.

There are no less than 5 or 6 books coming out this month that I want to read! First is Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and That Night by Chevy Stevens. Also a couple of others, like Top Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich and All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner. Right now I am finishing up The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. I also read Bird Box by Josh Malerman and I highly recommend it.

When I want to add a book to my "read" shelves that I have read on my Kobo, the choice is always "Kindle" edition. Is that generic for any e reading device? Why doesn't it just say e book?

No, I have read all of his books. This one is about Penn Cage who appears in another series that he wrote. I wouldn't say you have to read the others to enjoy this one, it works as a stand alone, although I think this is going to be a new trilogy...

I just finished Natchez Burning by Greg Iles which was long but very good! Right now I am reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

Robert, you are reading, that's what counts! I set a goal of 100, but quality means more to me than quantity so if I don't make it, I am okay with it.

I just finished All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews last week. This book had such an effect on me, that I seem to be having trouble getting into anything else... I am now reading Natchez Burning by Greg Iles. I have read all of his other books and have great hopes for this one. Everyone should read All My Puny Sorrows, such a great book. The subject matter is difficult, but definitely worth reading.
I must add that I am planning to read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green for the new book club chat hosted by Indigo/Chapters. They are picking one book a month and hosting a twitter chat to discuss the book. This was the first pick, and it seems like a big lot of marketing to me, but I have wanted to read it, so I will give it a try and see what book they pick next.

So far this month I have read:
The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld This was a great book! Very sad and dark, but also hopeful...
Missing You by Harlan Coben Great mystery, kept me turning pages.
The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers Did not like the subject, but the writing was good.
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen A nice, sweet, uncomplicated story. A little bit magical...
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry byGabrielle Zevin This was my favourite book so far this month. Absolutely!

I am currently reading The Hole in the Middle by Kate Hilton I seem to be having problems getting into this one, has taken me 2 days to read 65 pages, which is usually a sign that the book is boring me. Hopefully it gets better...