How I Do Reviews

I love stories. To me it doesn’t really matter whether they are presented to me on a page, screen or through my headphones. One of my favourite things to do is to make film, podcast and book recommendations. Each month, I am going to be sharing some of the stories that I consumed with a ranking out of five and a short (sometimes very short) review.

I tend to make my rankings a bit different from others, so I wanted to go through them briefly here. I tend to look at my surroundings and well being to determine how many stars I will give something. The better the story is, the messier my house is, the crankier I am (from lack of sleep) and the more likely I am consuming the story when I am supposed to be doing other things.

Read on for a more detailed breakdown.

Why You Won’t see 1 or 2 Star Reviews

I should start with some caveats, you won’t likely see anything from me that is only one or two stars. If it is this bad, I didn’t finish it. I don’t need to spread negativity and if it wasn’t great, I won’t take the time to share it. The only difference between one and two stars is that I might have skipped to the end if it was a two star (or looked up the ending online) as nothing bugs me worse than something unfinished.

3 Stars (They meet expectations)

Most of the books and movies that I consume fall into this category. They are enjoyable, I enjoy consuming them and am generally pleased that I took the time to read or watch them. Here is a bit more information about stories I give a 3 star rating tp:

How messy is my house?

While I enjoy reading or watching, I am able to stop after a set time period or natural stopping point like a chapter or episode. This means that I can keep up the day to day habits that keep me living in a somewhat habitable house.

How is my attention span?

When I am consuming this type of story, I am engaged. This engagement however doesn’t continue once I put the book down. I might think fondly towards going to bed and reading but I am not frantically counting down the hours until I can get back into it.

Where or when am I reading/watching?

If this is a book, it stays on my nightstand ready for me to read before bed (fiction) or by my table for early morning reading (non-fiction). If it is a movie or TV series, I could watch it when I have time. I can also watch ONLY one episode. I enjoy it but I don’t feel the all consuming need to keep going.

4 Stars (Things Start to fall apart)

When I am consuming something that is a 4 star story, it starts to take over. I am no longer able to leave the story as even when I have stopped, my brain wants to get back to it.

How messy is my house?

When it comes to 4 star stories, my house starts to get messy. I am too consumed with the story to keep up with my habits. The dishes are likely on my counters (plates of food might be left in various spots around my house), laundry is left in the washing machine and it might be a hazard to walk down the hallways as I certainly haven’t been picking things up (I got better things to do like read or watch something).

Books - When I am deep in a 4 star book I will do the bare minimum that I need to do so that I can get back to the book. Animals and kids are fed on time but likely the menu plan was adjusted to provide something quick (or I was reading while cooking). If the dish washer is empty I will put dirty dishes in it but if it is full, I don’t have time to empty it (I need my book).

Movie / TV - If I have to stop, it is a mad rush to get whatever needs to be done as quickly as possible as I want to get back to the screen.

How is my attention span?

I can hold a conversation about the story but might be a bit distracted if you try to ask me about something else (AND even if you do I will find a way to bring the conversation back to the book or movie). I will likely try to tell you about the story (even when you don’t read books or like movies) and I might have to go home early as I have exciting plans (with a cup of tea and my book or movie).

If I am watching a movie or TV show and need to use the bathroom, the show must be paused as I don’t want to miss anything (plus I will move fast).

Where or when am I reading/watching?

Reading moves away from morning and evening set times. Instead I start looking for a reason to jump back into the story. My books will end up being carted around the house so that I can pick it up if I get any break at all. I also start to loose sleep as I read just one more chapter….

Movies / TV shows are a struggle to turn off. I NEED to know what is going to happen.

5 Stars (Don’t bother me, I’m not here)

There is a reason I can’t consume too many 5 star stories, they take over my life! All I can do is hope that the book/movie/tv show is short as I pretty much can’t stop.

How messy is my house?

This is when things get really embarrassing. My house starts to look like I am auditioning for an episode of Hoarders. I will happily read or watch while the house falls apart around me. Cereal for dinner, who needs clean clothes (we aren’t leaving until this is done anyway) and I won’t be doing dishes or picking up items off the floor until I am finished.

How is my attention span?

Unless you want to talk about the book/movie/tv show, just leave me alone.

Where or when am I reading/watching?

I can’t stop at this point. A book will be carried around with me so that I can read it when I have a moment. Tv or movies will stay on (who needs bathroom breaks or food) until they are done. I will be exhausted tomorrow but also feel it was totally worth it!

The most important point about a 5 Star story is that even when I have finished it, I can’t let it go. I need to reread passages or rewatch scenes, I seek out reviews, look up trivia and if there is a sequel, I have already ordered it and can’t wait until it arrives.

Any Recommendations?

I love to hear your top book/movie and tv recommendations. Please send them my way.