• Home
  • About Me
  • 5* Elements
  • 2019 Reading Challenges
    • Other Reading Challenges
    • 2013 Reading Challenges
    • 2014 Reading Challenges
    • 2015 Reading Challenges
    • 2016 Reading Challenges
    • 2017 Reading Challenges
    • 2018 Reading Challenges
  • My Bookish Lists
    • My Classics Club List
    • Reading the Newberys
    • Reading My Own Books
Smiling Shelves

Introducing the 5* Elements!

8/24/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
So I've been looking for a way to show in more detail what I like about the books I read. Sometimes it doesn't come out very clearly in the review. Sometimes I spend more time focusing on what I didn't like, even though there are some definite positive things about the book. To solve this problem, I am now introducing the 5* Elements.

For each book review I post on Smiling Shelves, I’ll include a list of those things that I absolutely loved about the book (well, only if it deserves them). For an absolutely amazing book, this will show what was so absolutely amazing about it. For a just plain good (or maybe not-so-good) book, this can show the redeeming features, things that were absolutely amazing even if the book as a whole is not. In other words, it doesn't have to be a five star book to have some 5* Elements.

Here are the general categories I’m thinking of right now:
  • Lovable or fascinating or well-developed characters
  • An interesting or twisty plot
  • Learning (for the nonfiction books)
  • Voice (I’m a sucker for a first-person narrative with a good voice.)
  • Wonderful writing
  • Atmosphere (This means a bit more than just the setting to me, but setting is a large part of it.)
  • Deeper meaning
So how do the 5* Elements help you? Well, you know your own reading preferences. If you read books because of the characters, then look for my book reviews with a 5* Element of Character. If you love plot twists, look for that 5* Element. If, like me, you’ll pick up a book just because someone said they loved the character’s voice, then the ones with a 5* Element of Voice are for you! I’ll also be tagging my reviews with the various 5* Elements, so you can eventually click on the tag and have a whole list of books with that particular element.

I’d love some feedback from you, especially as this system gets going. Does it work? Is it helpful? What are some other 5* Elements that you’d like to see?
2 Comments
Joyful Reader link
8/26/2013 04:44:40 am

This sounds like something I need! Do you mind if I join you and link back her in my posts? Love your place by the way!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
8/26/2013 01:49:55 pm

Sure, as long as you link back! I'm glad you like the idea!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

    Picture
    What are 5* Elements all about?

    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Follow on Bloglovin

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Currently Reading

    Clara and Mr. Tiffany
    A Little Folly

    2019 Reading Challenge

    2019 Reading Challenge
    Julie has read 9 books toward their goal of 75 books.
    hide
    9 of 75 (12%)
    view books

    Archives

    November 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    5* Atmosphere
    5* Characters
    5* Learning
    5* Learning
    5* Meaning
    5* Plot
    5* Plot
    5* Voice
    5* Voice
    5* Writing
    Book Club
    Book Club
    Challenges
    Children's
    Classics Club
    Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    It's Monday
    It's Monday
    Library Loot
    Life
    Newbery Reading Challenge
    Nonfiction
    Read A Thons
    Reading
    Review
    Saturday Snapshot
    Smiling Shelves Soapbox
    Stacking The Shelves
    Top Ten Tuesday
    Travel
    Young Adult


    Picture