"All books are either dreams or swords,/You can cut, or you can drug, with words." - Amy Lowell, 'Sword Blades and Poppy Seed'

About Review Format

Each in-depth review (i.e. not one just imported from Goodreads) will follow the same basic structure: 
  • Cover and Bibliographic Information
  • Description
  • Overall Rating
  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses
  • Full Review
Bibliographic Information: Just in case anyone wishes to find it for themselves.

Description: This provides a brief plot sketch for the book and will usually be taken from the cover of the book itself.

Guide to Ratings:
* (one star) = disliked
** (two stars) = neutral (it was okay)
*** (three stars) = liked
**** (four stars) = really liked
***** (five stars) = loved

Strengths: These are the various parts of the book that, to me, set it apart as a good book.  No matter how much I dislike a book, I will always try to find something commendable about it (very few books are completely lost causes).

Weaknesses: These are aspects of the book that either detracted from my enjoyment or that pulled me out of the story.

Full review: This gives my general impressions about the book. This part may include how I came across the book, why I read it, why I stopped reading it (if that is the case).  When posts are viewed from the main blog page, this part is hidden under a See Full Review link a) to conserve space on the main page and b) for those readers who simply wish to see the highlights immediately.

Related reading: If the book is the first in a series, then I will include the information for the next few books here.  I may also list books on a similar theme to the one being reviewed.  For example, for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I would likely list Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as well as possibly Quiditch Through the Ages.  For Le Morte D'Arthur, I might also include The Once and Future King and The Crystal Cave.