As most of my closest friends and dear family members know, I am VERY particular when it comes to books.

Books rarely get a full five stars (or bookwyrm bingos) from me. I believe this is because there are three different kinds of readers:

Pleasure readers read just for the joy of it. The book is only as good as the story makes them feel. It doesn't matter if the characters have any depth or the setting makes any sense. Pleasure readers usually stress an excitable plot and relatable characters over all other aspects of the story. They want to live in the story, journey with the characters, and escape into the plot that gives them the most "feels." Pleasure readers are usually captivated by the most recent book they've read, but as soon as the story is over and they start a new one, the new story is the best book they've ever read. Pleasure readers are (usually) easy to please.

Analytic readers must analyze every aspect of a book. A story will not likely satisfy them unless each part of the story meets their expectations. Analytic readers look at characters, the plot, the setting, and even the wording critically -- and by that I mean deeply, not pessimistically. They want to know what the author's purpose is and how this story holds up to other pieces of literature. While analytic readers still enjoy the story of the book, they are less likely to recommend books indiscriminately. They want to feel sure that it was a truly good book before they tell others about it -- and if something did not meet their expectations, they often share this opinion freely. Analytic readers are (usually) harder to please.

And then there are the mediatory readers, those of us who read books both with pleasure on how they make them feel and the story they experience, but also carefully utilizing critical thinking. Mediatory readers may finish a story and have that same adrenaline rush as pleasure readers but think back on the book critically. They still analyze the characters, plot, and setting but if something fell short or could have been written better, they are more likely to acknowledge the shortcoming while still admiring the story.

I am a mediatory reader. I love a good story, but I usually think critically about that it means and how it changed my understanding of a certain subject or even people. Even when I find a shortcoming in a book, I don't throw the story out completely. I still admire the best parts of the book, and occasionally love a shallow, clichéd character because of the way they made me feel.

I know both pleasure readers and analytic readers. My mother is definitely a pleasure reader. My best friend is an analytic reader beyond a doubt. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the different ways they read books. Everyone has different perspectives and preferences.

This is why books that I give four bookwyrm bingos may be a five star book for a pleasure reader or a two star book for an analytic reader. But whether you are a pleasure reader, a analytic reader, or a mediatory reader (like me!) I hope my reviews help you understand the books you read and perhaps show you something you did not think of before.