Rating System

When I first started Fictionally Inclined, I used the typical 1-5 star rating system, but I learned pretty quickly that I didn't like using it for my reviews. For one, I have a weird hang-up against giving books 5 stars unless they ARE actually flawlessly epic in every way, whereas I see 5-star reviews all over the place on other blogs. I have nothing at all against this, but because of this, it seemed like I was putting down books with my ratings even when I wanted to elevate them. Plus, I really enjoy more original rating systems, so I decided to invent and implement one of my own. Thus, the Imperative Factor system was born.

imperative (n): something that demands attention or action (dictionary.com)

Basically, the idea is that I rate how strong the pull of the book is. Is it a book you'll have no problem setting down? Will it be one of those books you attempt to read whilst drying your hair and cooking dinner at the same time? The Imperative Factor of the book will tell you. Or, at least it will tell you the Factor it had for me.

For the record, I do still use the 1-5 rating system, mainly for my own OCD organizational, totally Type A purposes. If you prefer, you can check it by my reviews on Goodreads or my yearly list of books read. I generally do not share these on reviews anymore, though.

Imperative Factor Scale

Last Resort - You're in the doctor's office. Your iPod just died, you've read the magazine in front of you twice, and the television is playing infomercials on a loop. This is the time to break out this book.

Like a Train Wreck - A very addicting book that has some redeeming qualities, but is not overall something you would recommend.

Stash in the Glove Box - Not great, but worth reading. You can easily put it down without any hard feelings for a couple weeks until the next time you need it again.

Lunch Break Read - A good book, but it's just missing that special factor that makes you feel like you never want to leave the story.

Staying in Tonight - A really good book. It's not quite compelling enough to keep you from much-needed sleep, but it's totally worth spending the evening curled up on the couch with your nose in the pages.

Stay Up 'til 2 AM - A great book. You can't tear yourself away until the need for sleep finally overcomes you, despite your valiant efforts.

Read Through the Apocalypse - A mind-blowingly, stunningly, adjective-defyingly amazing book. Nothing will come between the two of you. Come friends, dates, 4 AM, store-wide book sales, or the apocalypse, you will not be torn away.