Books for all, and all for Books

I have to admit that every time I read about someone trying to define what makes a good read for anyone other than themselves, I slowly back away and think happy thoughts until the coast is clear.  Those people are most dangerous for my reading motto:  Books for all, and all for Books!  Catchy, right?

But as much as I avoid them, I'm equally concerned about those lovely opinionated people who are labelled "nice" or "mean."  I mean, THANK YOU for even having an opinion!  Wouldn't it suck if we all agreed?  Oh, you don't think so?  Okay, robot, have a nice life in robotville.

It concerns me when some of you say on twitter that you find it hard to write positive reviews and hate writing negative reviews.  And some of you are scared to say anything at all in case someone gets offended.  Being a reviewer of books is a rare skill.  When I'm out looking for an opinion on a book--not because I want to be told if something's for me or not--I'm looking for discussion.  I'm looking for like-mindedness and Contrary.  I'm looking for truth.  That's what makes a good review for me. 

For instance, this week I finally got around to reading Shannon Messenger's LET THE SKY FALL.  I enjoyed her Middle Grade, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES.  I didn't think KotLC was particularly original--it had echoes of another famous read.  (In fact, this review is almost exactly how I felt and I appreciate that someone wrote about it).  So I wasn't surprised to find the same with LET THE SKY FALL. 

The plot, rather than the details, reminded me of other stuff.  I can't tell you if that's "good" or "bad" because it's both.  I think some readers like formulaic (my son is one of those) and some like unique (I'm in that camp), but even more of us like a twist.  And that means having a bit of both.  I will say that LET THE SKY FALL is a twist on a genre...and kept me reading by the promise of a kiss.  (A book must be read until the kissing; the rest is optional). 

But something about that story stayed.  I think my son would really like it, even if I do not.  Books for all, and all for Books!

On the other hand, I just started reading THE LAST KINGS OF SARK by Rosa Rankin-Gee, which hasn't debuted in the US yet.  I knew from the first sentence that this book was written for ME.  Going to go right ahead and be greedy.  It is everything, to be specific.  ;)  And I feel giddy when I find a good reading match.  And isn't it perfectly reasonable that this book might not be for you?  It might not tick all your boxes.  I'm not going to tell you that it will or won't.  But I promise that it might.  I can tell you that I have a good feeling about it, spreading out from my center.  And I feel slightly responsible for telling you so.  But the best thing is that if this book isn't for you, I guarantee another one will be. 

Books for all, yo.