THURSDAY THOUGHTS June 26: Rating Systems with @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

June 26: Rating Systems

Do you use a star rating system when you read/review books?

I haven't been on this blog. I might start soon.

What are your opinions on star rating systems?

I think that they are a helpful evil. Reviews are really subjective. Ratings can help provide a clearer picture of an opinion.

Are there any other forms of rating books that you use?

Not at the moment. I'd be interested in learning more about other forms.

How do you think rating systems could be improved?

I've got no suggestions. Perhaps a change in user attitudes. I don't think that a rating of 3 out of 5 is bad. To me, it is good. I'd read a book with a rating of 3. Some authors think that it is an insult.

I've gotten a few review requests from authors who stated that if I couldn't give their books a rating of 4 or better "don't waste my time." <sigh> Why ask for an "honest" review if you are going to tell me what my opinion needs to be in advance.

Along that same line, do you see any problems with the way Goodreads' rating systems work?

My main problems with Goodreads' rating system is user-related. I don't like it when people give ratings to books that they haven't read. Usually based on their like or dislike of the author and/or series.


So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS June 19: Rereads with @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

June 19: Rereads

Do you/have you ever reread books/a book?

Occasionally. There are so many books and so little time.

What do you look for when rereading a book?

Usually, it has to be a book that I really enjoyed.

What have you found in the way of changes in your opinions when you reread a book, if any?

I've found that I have a better appreciation of some of the books that I was required to read in high school.

Would you ever reread a book that you didn't like the first time around?
Maybe. More than likely, it would have to be in a different format from the first time that I read it.

I might consider listening to an audiobook of a book that I didn't like the first time around if the subject matter was appealing or lingered on my mind.

I might consider rereading an audiobook in paper or digital form if I didn't like the narrator and the subject matter was appealing or lingered on my mind.



So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS June 12: Bookshelf Organization with @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

June 12: Bookshelf Organization

Do you have a set way of organizing your bookshelves?

Right now, the organized part is arranged by color. The color sections aren't in any particular order.

Do you like your bookshelves to be organized or does it not matter too much to you?

It's doesn't matter to me until I get too many books and it starts getting cluttered. Then I have to trade some of them away.

Do you store your TBR books and your read books separately or together?

Kinda sorta, but not really. The TBR books that I am about to read soon are stacked on a separate table. Once a book makes it onto my bookshelf, it might not make it off and get read. Pretty colored books beware! SMH.

What do you think about the rainbow bookshelf organization trend?

Sounds like a good plan.



So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS June 5: TBR Lists with @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

June 5: TBR Lists  

Do you make a small TBR list every month (or week)?

Yes. I usually make a monthly list.

If so, how strict are you on following your TBR?

I follow it - more or less. I may change the reading order to suit my mood or schedule. It is considerably smaller and more manageable than it has been in years past.*

Do you feel like making a regular TBR each month (or other increment of time) helps or hurts your reading habits?

I think that it mostly helps. *Sometimes I feel guilty about getting it 100% done.


[TBR = To Be Read]


So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme!

THURSDAT THOUGHTS May 29: Book Hype with @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

May 29: Book Hype 

If a book is over-hyped does it make you want to read it more, less, or does it not effect you whatsoever?

It depends on the genre. I am less judgmental when it come to romances. More judgmental when it comes to young adult, mysteries and sci-fi.

Do you think book-hype helps or hurts new releases?

I think that it does both.

Do you think book-hype can sometimes skew or taint people's opinions on a book?

Yes definitely. Lovers are gonna love. Haters are gonna hate.

What was the most recent over-hyped up book you can recall?

The Fifty Shades of Grey series. The movie is going to send the series hype over the top.




So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme!

THURSDAY THOUGHTS for May 22: Book Buying Bans via @okletsread

Thursday Thoughts is an original, weekly meme created by Ok, Let's Read. Each week Ashley will post a new, conversational post talking about a specific, book-related topic. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to join!

May 22: Book Buying Bans

Have you ever put yourself on a book buying ban?

Yes.

In fact, I am on one right now. I am not allowed to buy any books with my own money until the first day of summer. It's a good thing that I love to enter giveaways :-)


Do you believe that book buying bans actually can make a difference?

Yes. It's like one of those chain reaction Direct TV commercials.

1. A book ban helps me save money.
2. It encourages me to utilize my local library services more.
3. Spending time at the library forces me to interact with more readers.
4. Interaction exposes me to a wider variety of books.
5. Variety encourages me to be more choosey about what I spend my money on to read.
6. Being choosey means no more buying books just because they are on sale.

At what point do you decide that it's really time to put yourself on a book buying ban?

When my e-reader gets too full of bargain books.
When I have a pile of books from PaperBackSwap that haven't been read yet.
When I get frustrated about what to read next because I have too many options at my finger tips.



So what are your thoughts?

Are you sharing your thoughts? I am joining starting 5/22 | @okletsread : THURSDAY THOUGHTS http://t.co/mvtFmjf0Fy
— Skeeter Lee (@KinkyVanillaRom) May 18, 2014

Special thanks to Oh Magic Hour for putting on to this meme! I might go back and answer the previous May questions ;-)