I have been inspired by Teresa, and I’m making my “Recent Reads” sidebar more up-to-date and more informative. First of all, I’ve cleared off the books that no longer qualify as “recent,” so there went the whole bottom of the list. Second, I’ve decided to add more information so that all of you kindred spirit book-lovers out there can actually use this feature as a helpful tool. Because some of the books on there aren’t even very good, I would hate to have you waste your time on them because you thought I was recommending them.

Next to the title I would like to place stars like a real critic, but I don’t know how to work pictures into this template, so you will have to settle for a boring 0-5 rating. I may or may not provide further explanation, depending on whether or not I have anything to say. I figure that amazon.com is a great place that you can go on your own if all you want is a plot summary.

Ratings are as follows:
0- This book should count itself lucky if I use it to stabilize a wobbly table.
1- I read it. I am pretty sure it had a plot and some characters.
2- Not a bad choice if you’re stranded in an airport and the only other choice is a car magazine.
3- A good story, but nothing overly memorable…this is the literary version of “wait for it to come out on video.”
4- Pretty dang good. Worth reading at least 3 times, but not consecutively.
5- You’ll laugh, you’ll cry…you’ll start back at the beginning as soon as you finish it just so that you don’t have to say goodbye.