Crafty Scribbles, How Do You Rate Books?

Nice question. 

With care.

Not enough of an answer?

I understand. 

Nothing's simple, and neither should book reviews. In a world of readers enamored with using five-stars and gushy reviews without a single critique, I guaranteed my place as an outlier - a rating rogue, if I may. 

Five-stars occasionally happen and one-stars, well, if I one-star a book, it's because I did not finish (DNF), or if I completed the book, I suffered devastating calamities. In my opinion, these two options should have limited life online and in print. You want readers to take ratings seriously, and when I venture onto book sites that have too much of these two ratings permeating the book in question, my eyes sweat as they roll to the back of my head.

Yet, I use a system based on fairness, honesty, and a bit of snark. Okay, I use a lot of snark. But, rating wouldn't be fun, if you eliminate sarcasm from the mix, right?

Without further adieu, let me present to you my rating system. 

Review: Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4

Love & Gelato - two delicious items one can get in Italy. While I've enjoyed both in Venice, this story takes place in Florence. Lina visits Tuscany for the summer, despite her mother's dying wish, to live with her father. After all, he never played a part in her sixteen years of life, so why bother? But, after finding her mother's journal, she finds out that expectations aren't so black and white.

Quick wrap-up

Pros:

1. Quick pacing

2. A character that's pretty likeable. She's not dim-witted (though at times she was rather unobservant). Her confusion throughout her short journey is relatable. She's grieving her mother - a woman with secrets and facets unbeknownst to her daughter. While she loves her mother, she sometimes feels as though she never knew her.

3. I loved reading about some landmarks in Florence (I haven't visited yet). Vivid descriptions included throughout the pages helped me visualize the story.

4. A bit of Italian thrown in. While not exactly Rosetta Stone, you pick up a word or two for future reference.

Review: Brown Girl Dreaming

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joy. Tears. Remembrance. Urban. Rural. Racial strife. Racial connection. Sweet. Soulful. Glorious.

All of these words encapsulate my feelings toward this memoir of a brown girl's dreams, dancing during an era where a smile hid fears, pain, and simple pleasures from beyond.

Pros:

1. Connection. I immediately connected with Jacqueline's memories dressed in free verse. From her trips to the South to visit family in summer to her urban observations to simple smells kindled by mentions of hair grease and fresh linen. Her experiences mirrored mine, despite the thirteen year difference. She evoked images almost every black girl of a certain age (age 37 and over) could relate.

2. Free verse format. I love reading stories presented in different fashion from standard formats. While this book is nonfictional, her words never feel like I'm reading an informational avalanche. There's a beauty in her words, flowing with abandon, sends you on a journey, and while you're never sure the outcome, you're willing to go.

3. Quick paced. Reading this book shouldn't take more than two to three days (based on one's schedule).

What's Rhapsody in Hue?

What's Rhapsody in Hue?

Well, it's a portmanteau of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (which I adore) and the fact that I'm a writer and reader of color. In the book and writing community, sometimes I find voices of color (black, Latinx, Asian, Native American and so forth - so many colors, you know!) trampled. Take a look at the booktuber of color lack on Youtube. You'll see and understand.

However...

My point is that I like to read. I want my opinion out there like anyone else's. It's important as we only get one life to share our feelings about what we enjoy and do not enjoy. So yeah. I think that's a pithy statement about my blog's title. Everyone's welcome, black and white, Latino and Asian, and the many groups between. Let's take a breath and enjoy our books. Let's fangirl (or fanboy) over the words on page like goofballs.

What can I do to make my blog more inclusive? All tips are appreciated.

While you wait, here's Mr. Gershwin himself play the song inspiring my blog. Enjoy!

Sincerely,
Crafty Scribbles

Hello, Hello, Hello!

Hello Everyone,

I'm Latanya aka Crafty Scribbles. I'm a reader. Well, obviously this is a book blog. Reading and enjoying the process is a must. Why not share my joy with others like me - or unlike me, pleasant conversation and all being key?

What's there to know? Well, along with reading, I write stories. I'd like to publish them (I've published poetry, which is cool, too). But, until I do, I hope to share my views on the writings of others.

In my personal life, I teach as well as work as a wife and mom to two boys (Yes, these count as work, too!). I currently live in a Los Angeles suburb, but I travel and my mind expands to to other places on the globe.

Care to join me?

I promise to be fair, honest, and respectful. I'm not here to cut fellow writers. But, I do believe in sharing critiques that help others to grow. So, if you're looking for drama, I'm sorry I can't help you with that request.

I hope you enjoy your stay whoever you are.

Sincerely,

Crafty Scribbles.