Hey all,

So as it says in the title, I don't really rate books anymore. I used to do so, and I actually had my own system for how many stars a book should be.

But then rating books became really difficult. It felt sort of wrong for me to rate works with different contexts and which I had read for different reasons (fun vs study vs to challenge myself). And as the years progressed, I realised what I may have once rated 3-4 stars had stuck with me more than I expected. I realised that I can't predict nor quantify the impact a book will have on me. That's especially the case for books I study. There may be a book I didn't enjoy reading, but loved analysing and therefore have a greater connection with it outside the first-time reading experience. So when I rated a book, I felt like I was condensing my experiences into a number, which didn't capture the messiness of my experience.

So I just stopped rating. I love discussing books and can definitely tell which ones have stood out to me and which ones were more disappointing. Ask me what books I recommend or which ones have changed me and I can do that easily.

Maybe I'll change my mind in the future. But for now, the stars will be empty.

Anyone else the same? What are your thoughts?

Hello!!

I seem to be really enjoying dystopian sci-fi books at the moment, having read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, 1984 by George Orwell, The Last Midwife by Karen Lawrence, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Currently reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxle and I have Never Let Me Go, Animal Farm and The Windup Girl on my list to read next. I also have a bunch of books in my Amazon wishlist (kindle user) that I have my eye on.

Are there any books that you would really recommend? Im not fussed at when it was written, I have just sort of found my type of book and im enjoying the stories in this category. Where there any that literally shocked you? Maybe had a twist? Throw me ideas!!! X