Why do I give the books the ratings that I do? Very simple. A book must engage me. Losing myself in the book is a definite plus. Making me see what I'm reading, feel as if I'm right there in the world the book is creating or recreating, will garner a higher rating. If it's fiction, a great story is all-important. If it's non-fiction, the work must be all at once detailed, easy-flowing, logical, and as accurate as possible. But what about the numbers themselves? If I give a children's book a 9 and something like, say, an ancient holy book a 7, does that mean the kids' book is better than the sacred religious text? Maybe, but not necessarily. It means that for kids' books, the one I'm rating gets a 9. And as far as sacred religious books goes, the one I've just read gets a 7. As simple as that. And finally, the decision of the judge isn't necessarily final. |