What, for you, is a good book?

Now  that I have sort of gotten the hang of reading books--I have just finished writing a review for my eighth book this year!--I am wondering what to answer people when they ask if the book was good or if it's worth reading. What really is there to look for in a book?

One. The content, of course. Was it worth knowing? Was it value-adding? Did you feel like a smarter person after you've read that particular book? If yes to all three, then that's one star!

Two. The writing style. The technical aspects. For a new member of the bibliophile club (oh how I love this word!), I think it does matter if I get to know new vocabulary, and be exposed to a good writing style. In one way or another, it affects how I will be writing in the days after.

Three. The reading experience. Reading, based from other more experienced readers, is a journey. It's supposed to kidnap you from reality and take you to places--your imagination is the limit! So if a book is capable of bringing you to such places you'd thought you'll never be and evoke feelings as if you are actually part of the story, then that is one effective book.

Four. The appreciation. To the point of having difficulty of only confining it to yourself that you just have to share it to other people. To the point of getting so giddy when you talk about it or hear other people talking about it. To the point of answering "yes" to the question: "will you read it again?"

Five. The catharsis. Not all books may be relatable to our life, but all books may be considered part of us after we have read it. I guess this is the aspect wherein one book touches us in a deeper level that it's already hard to get it out of our system. The line that sets apart the forgettable from the unforgettable.

This is not your critic's guide to rate a book. But it's definitely one way to evaluate. So now, let’s test my theory.

Twisted 8	1	1	1	0.5	0.5	4.0
To Kill A Mockingbird:	1	1	1	1	1	5.0
Good Omens:	1	1	1	1	0.5	4.5
Charlotte's Web:	1	1	1	1	1	5.0
Favorite Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories	1	1	1	0.5	0.5	4.0
The Mysterious Case of Benedict Society:	1	1	1	1	0	4.0
The Devil Wears Prada	1	1	0.5	0.5	0	3.0
Perks of Being A Wallflower	1	1	0.5	0.5	0.5	3.5