how to rate a book: fiction

Now that I've figured out how consistently to rate non-fiction books, I admit that, on occasion, I've furtively read a novel. Or two.

Expertise and voice meant a lot in non-fiction. Voice, narrative, or storytelling is here the most important element. Along with character and plot. The classic fiction tools. 

★ "And then he woke up": Obviously the author didn't care enough to tell a story and fill it with characters. A nightmare of a book.

★★ Everyone has one good novel in them, right? Or so the saying goes, and this author just squeezed out a comprehensible plot and some almost believable characters. Just.

★★★ WYSIWYG: Standard, comfortable fare - tasty now, but will you remember it next year? (This is where the franchise authors live: Clancy, Patterson, Sparks, Grisham.)

★★★★ There goes my subway stop: An engrossing narrative moved along by real people. Escapism in the best sense of the word.

★★★★★ My life will never be the same: A story etched into your memory, filled with characters who will become your best friends for life, speaking in utterly memorable language. Tears are acceptable.

how to rate a book: non-fiction

Five-star ranking systems are popular among book readers. But what does a star mean? That you like a book? Through a year, how can you be sure that the two-stars you gave in January means the same as two-stars in July?

So, thinking about topic expertise and quality of writing, let's set out stars we can stick with.

★ How did I reach the end: Somehow the author found a publisher who overlooked their ignorance of the subject, and an editor who helped them string together sentences. At least they can spell.

★★ My mum said if you have nothing nice to say: Well, the author does sound like they know what they're talking about and can talk well. Albeit in a monotone.

★★★ Worth the time: Now you've got a decent chance of learning something new from an experienced researcher whose writing gets out of the way. Standard issue.

★★★★ Tell your friends: You're reading an expert in the field with something intelligent and original to say, who can explain it to the layman. Confidently recommend it.

★★★★★ Make room on your shelf: An outstanding book that challenges your thinking with memorable writing. Buy the hardcover and never let it go.

On occasion, you may be permitted to give a bonus star.

yes, I listen to music sometimes. a review.

Lacking expertise in music or audio equipment, I offer only a casual listener's praise of Bose's SoundLink Mini.

It appeared at Christmas. It's quite unprepossessing. And portable yet of solid metal build. But turning up the volume will vibrate your table.

Now, when people talk about speakers, they always seem to say, "Check out the bass man!" Sorry, just can't hear it. Your modern music isn't complicated enough.

But run some Palestrina through this thing. Or eight-part Russian Orthodox chant. You'll hear parts you never knew existed. Glorious.

lazy thinking. and you can't own customers.

At the book office today, I read this headline:

New Amazon Low: Trying to Steal Customers Outside Indie Store

I've no love for Amazon and, yes, they play hard. But let's avoid assumptions and sloppy thinking (except my own).

So, Amazon set up a marketing kiosk outside a university bookstore. Maybe campus bookstores are different in America, but I wouldn't call them indies and the virtuous hardships that label often implies. A fairly captive audience, mark-ups on academic titles, and high margin paraphernalia with the school logo.

But my bigger problem is the phrase "steal customers". You can't steal customers. They aren't serfs. They aren't indentured purchasers. You can compete for customers. You can encourage them to shop with you. But, they're free. In the market.

Once you start feeling entitled to your customers, it's unsurprising you complain about the competition instead of taking the fight to them.