I thought it would be fun to have a rating system for the chick lit I read and review, so I came up with the Chick Literate Heart Awards. I rate all of the books 0 to 5 hearts, and there’s a graphic to go with each one.
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The 5 Hearts Award is only for books that I love and re-read at regular intervals. They are always clever and laugh-out-loud funny, because for me reading is about enjoyment, first and foremost. There are tons of serious books out there that are extremely well-written and intelligent, but I like to laugh, and if I don’t laugh I can’t love a book. 5 Heart Award winners are mostly early chick lit because the first books were some of the best. |
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I give the 4 Hearts Award to books that I really liked but that have some kind of a flaw, such as a plot device or character that bothers me. I also give it to otherwise great books that just aren’t funny enough. If I don’t laugh a lot, I simply can’t give the full complement of hearts. But I’ve probably reread most 4 Hearts books at least a couple of times. |
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Books that receive the 3 Hearts Award are fun and/or clever and/or interesting, but they just don’t make me want to read them over and over. Sometimes I also give 3 hearts to books that I really didn’t care for, but whose authors have written so many great books that I can’t bear to take away too many hearts even for a less-than-great novel. |
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I give the 2 Hearts Award to books that I only enjoyed a few parts of and was able to finish reading, but that I will never read again. I also give it to books that would otherwise get 1 or no hearts by an author that usually does better. Maybe I shouldn’t let my feelings about a book be influenced by other books by the same author, but I can’t help it. Everyone has an off day, or even an off book, right? |
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The 1 Heart Award goes to books that I disliked for the most part, but that still had a funny moment or some other very slightly redeeming quality, and that I was able to finish reading (even if I spent most of my time rolling my eyes or complaining about how bad they were). Also, sometimes I just feel bad about giving a terrible review, and one heart is better than none. |
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I give 0 Hearts to books I hated and couldn’t finish because they were ultra boring, had ridiculous characters and/or situations, showed excessive meanness, whatever. If I’m not laughing and relating to some of the characters, then there’s no point in reading. I’m sorry, I know some of these books are beloved by others, but they just didn’t do it for me. |