Last year I did a blog post where I wrote all about 5 books that I thought I was going a 5 star rating to (Check it out HERE), was I right? Was I way wrong? Let's find out together. I'll be referring to my Goodreads to get each rating that I gave the books, so be sure to go befriend me there. Let's bond over books!
So, my first prediction was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, a classic that I had never read. This is of course a novel about the life of a young lady named Jane Eyre and the adventures/misdeeds she goes through. I did enjoy this book for what it is, I found the writing compelling and stayed up far too late for 'just one more chapter'. However, I found the last half of the book semi boring and with each tragic turn I grew a little too exasperated to continue reading in large chunks. Overall I gave this a solid 4 star rating, so technically I failed, but it was very close.Rating: 4/5 stars.
Second, I predicted The Help by Kathryn Stockett to be a 5 star book and it most definitely was. I fell in love with this story set in the 1960's surrounding a white woman who decides to write a novel about the lives of the black women who have raised both her and the other people in her life. I know this is quite a dividing book as many deem it problematic, but I felt captivated by the story and grew truly fond of each female character. I felt empowered while reading this, which is a difficult accomplishment. I loved it, and devoured it in two sittings.
Rating: 5/5
Thirdly I chose The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, the latest release by one of my favourite authors. A surefire thing, right? Oy Vey. I didn't hate this survivalist story, but I definitely didn't enjoy it. Set in Alaska this is centred around a young girl who gets moved to the middle of nowhere by her father who has PTSD after serving in the war. Once there they prepare for Winter, a time that everyone warns them will be life or death - no daylight, predators, lack of food. Will they survive? This was one of those books that read like torture porn in many ways. I know many say that A Little Life is like that, but I could look past that as Jude's past always helped develop the story. The Great Alone however seemed gloomy for the sake of being gloomy. I felt like I needed a shower after I turned the last page. Huge disappointment.
Rating: 2.5/5
Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson was my fourth pick. Epic fantasies aren't something that I usually read, but I do have a huge soft spot for Sanderson's world building and strong female characters. This was the epitome of a 5 star read. Set in the political world of Nalthis, Vivenna and Siri are sisters. The oldest of the sisters has been destined since birth to marry the God king of a viral nation and because of this, the youngest goes through life unnoticed. But when something unexpected happens, their lives get put into a tailspin of mercenaries, powered swords, and a royal court. Though huge, this read quickly with great character development and enough intrigue to keep me from ever getting bored.
Rating: 5/5
My fifth prediction was Educated by Tara Westover. Another survivalist story but with much much much higher stakes. This is a memoir written by a woman who was brought up by a family of survivalists. She didn't see doctors, didn't have a proper childhood, and never went to school until she decided to educate herself. Now she had a PHd and writes words in books that I have to Google. This is a horrible book to read but one that you just have to. Her life story broke my heart but left me with glimmers of hope and a whole heap of inspiration. I always feel weird rating memoirs, but I gave this 4 stars for the sake of this blog post. I enjoyed it, but felt like it dragged a little. Which is heavily critical as it's her story to tell. But yeah, as solely a reader, 4 stars.
Rating: 4/5
Lastly, I chose A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Translated from Swedish, this hilarious yet heartbreaking story revolves around Ove, a grump old man who recently lost his wife and job. Because of this he decides to do the only thing that makes sense to him, he's going to kill himself. But with each attempt comes a distraction from the new neighbours - a loud but endearing family. I've never laughed as tears ran down my cheeks so many times during a book. This was just beautiful and put Fredrik Backman on the shortlist for one of my favourite authors. Ever. However, and I say this was a heavy heart, I gave this book 4.5 stars. I know, I know. There were some fatphobic comments that really got to me and I just couldn't look past them despite my love for the story. Deary me.
Rating: 4.5/5
So, yes, not bad but definitely not great. One fell quite short while others got dishearteningly close to their predicted 5 stars. Be sure to check out 5 Star Book Predictions Part II which will be up soon!
Have you read any of these?
What book on your TBR do you predict that you'll give 5 stars to?
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