Let's try this blog thing again...

Tabletop gaming has been sadly lacking since I posted last.  My work schedule has eliminated pretty much all opportunity to game.  I think it's time to evolve this blog.

One thing I've been contemplating is a review blog.  I've been reading a lot more lately.  I've also joined a cool little site that sends review copies of books out to be read and reviewed.  I certainly don't fancy myself any kind of real journalist, but if a review is being solicited, then a review I will deliver.

As such, I think I'll establish a rating system here:

***** - Worth re-reading.  Thought provoking, entertaining, or intriguing in different measures.
**** - Engaging.  Something that stays with you and makes you wish for more.
*** - Average.  Forgettable, but enjoyable while it lasts.
** - Difficult.  Not so bad that it wasn't worth finishing, but unfulfilling in the end.
* - Impossible. Too thick or boring or vile to finish.  Not worth anybody's time.

Bearing in mind, of course, that these are *my* ratings, and entirely subjective.  Here's an example of books by rating:

***** - Ender's Game
**** - Honor Harrington series
*** - Dragonlance series
** - Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction
* - 50 Shades of Grey

The thing is, I like three star books.  Most books I read will be three star books.  I *own* some of the Dragonlance novels.  But that doesn't mean they are something special, like Ender's Game is to me.  I think I've read that book a dozen times.  I've bought it 3 or 4 times, and loaned it away each time and never had it returned.  I assume that means others like it as much as I do, and refuse to return it.  With the Honorverse, I couldn't tell you where one book stops and the other begins, all I can tell you is it is a wonderful setting to lose your imagination in.  I could read books set there, with or without Stephanie Harrington, all day long.

In any case, I am going to attempt to review some books in the future.  I'm hardly what you'd call a hard nosed book critic.  We shall see where this takes us.

Jay