I know that most of these reviewers were younger. Thus, the word "boring" I know this is an exasperating term. And the ones mentioning academia and having to read certain book, already it has a black cloud. And genre, as you say, has everything to do with it. And some Victorian books are too long. I'll agree. I love the domestic Victorian. I never thought I had ever read a more gripping book as Lady Audley's Secret. Then finding out it was a sensation novel, I now know what they are and who wrote them. Some books are not someone's tea. I would not pick up a thousand page biography of someone if I knew they struggled with mental illness if I didn't want to be drawn in, I like happy books but some happy books end up sad. That doesn't mean I would write a bad review. I just cry at the end.
You're absolutely right about some books not being for certain people. And I always try to keep that in mind when I come across a book I dislike. It's frequently because I'm not the right audience for it, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad book.
Enjoyed your reviews of reviews! I often like to read those as well. Of those books, the only one I read was Deerbrook & I gave it 4 stars. I did bounce between 3 & 4 stars as I read it, but in the end I did feel it tipped to a 4 for me. It's not often that I give 5 star ratings to books aside from my theological books I read. I did give a 5 to East Lynne by Mrs Henry Wood this year. I found it stayed with me long after reading. I would never give a review to a book I had not completed! That's just rude imo. DNF & move on I say :) Merry Christmas!
Glad you enjoyed! East Lynne was 3 stars for me, but I need to give it a reread. I think I went in with the wrong expectations. And that's exactly how I feel about reviewing a book I haven't finished!
No Name - I did want more focus on Norah, but I don't think for me it's because she's more morally upright... I guess I just wanted it more even between the two sisters? I initially thought when I started the book it would be like an alternating POV type story where we get both Norah and Magdalene and when it wasn't I was a little disappointed but it's not a terrible book! Still fun. And I loved the Wragges!
That's completely fair. The summaries I'd read/heard made it sound like it was more equally focused. The Wragges were amazing. And the cat and mouse game between Captain Wragge and Mrs. Lecount was superb!
I don’t DNF often, but when I do I usually do rate them even though it depends on several factors. But DNFs almost never get 1 star from me, if it’s a case of “not for me but good” I give them three stars and if the reason for DNFing is that something bothered me a lot them it’s two to one star. I almost only give one star for stromg ethical objections to the content of the book.
Oh that's interesting that you rarely give DNFs 1 star. I very rarely give out 1 star reviews in general (mostly because I know how to pick books I like haha). Even if I hated something, I usually give it at least 1.5. It has to be really bad to get a 1.
I only rate my DNF if I got around the 75% mark and I'm so fed up that I don't want to keep reading anymore but at the same time I need some kind of satisfaction like crossing the title as "read" on my spreadsheet... that kind of feeling... otherwise, if I read less than 75% of the book, I don't rate them and I don't shelve them as "read" on Goodreads.
Deerbrook😭 I get it lol... but it's such a great book!!
I know that most of these reviewers were younger. Thus, the word "boring" I know this is an exasperating term. And the ones mentioning academia and having to read certain book, already it has a black cloud. And genre, as you say, has everything to do with it. And some Victorian books are too long. I'll agree. I love the domestic Victorian. I never thought I had ever read a more gripping book as Lady Audley's Secret. Then finding out it was a sensation novel, I now know what they are and who wrote them. Some books are not someone's tea. I would not pick up a thousand page biography of someone if I knew they struggled with mental illness if I didn't want to be drawn in, I like happy books but some happy books end up sad. That doesn't mean I would write a bad review. I just cry at the end.
You're absolutely right about some books not being for certain people. And I always try to keep that in mind when I come across a book I dislike. It's frequently because I'm not the right audience for it, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad book.
Enjoyed your reviews of reviews! I often like to read those as well. Of those books, the only one I read was Deerbrook & I gave it 4 stars. I did bounce between 3 & 4 stars as I read it, but in the end I did feel it tipped to a 4 for me. It's not often that I give 5 star ratings to books aside from my theological books I read. I did give a 5 to East Lynne by Mrs Henry Wood this year. I found it stayed with me long after reading. I would never give a review to a book I had not completed! That's just rude imo. DNF & move on I say :) Merry Christmas!
Glad you enjoyed! East Lynne was 3 stars for me, but I need to give it a reread. I think I went in with the wrong expectations. And that's exactly how I feel about reviewing a book I haven't finished!
No Name - I did want more focus on Norah, but I don't think for me it's because she's more morally upright... I guess I just wanted it more even between the two sisters? I initially thought when I started the book it would be like an alternating POV type story where we get both Norah and Magdalene and when it wasn't I was a little disappointed but it's not a terrible book! Still fun. And I loved the Wragges!
That's completely fair. The summaries I'd read/heard made it sound like it was more equally focused. The Wragges were amazing. And the cat and mouse game between Captain Wragge and Mrs. Lecount was superb!
I don’t DNF often, but when I do I usually do rate them even though it depends on several factors. But DNFs almost never get 1 star from me, if it’s a case of “not for me but good” I give them three stars and if the reason for DNFing is that something bothered me a lot them it’s two to one star. I almost only give one star for stromg ethical objections to the content of the book.
Oh that's interesting that you rarely give DNFs 1 star. I very rarely give out 1 star reviews in general (mostly because I know how to pick books I like haha). Even if I hated something, I usually give it at least 1.5. It has to be really bad to get a 1.
I only rate my DNF if I got around the 75% mark and I'm so fed up that I don't want to keep reading anymore but at the same time I need some kind of satisfaction like crossing the title as "read" on my spreadsheet... that kind of feeling... otherwise, if I read less than 75% of the book, I don't rate them and I don't shelve them as "read" on Goodreads.
I think 75% is a good place to call it. Even 50% seems fair. But definitely not 50 pages into the 500 page book haha.
How does anyone find Austen boring? I guess they don't find it funny.
I don't get it either. Probably also an issue of genre.