Unforgettable

For most people, the word "unforgettable" dredges up a myriad of different memories. For the older generations, it's likely the song by Nat King Cole that is at the forefront, followed by cherished memories of the past. For the younger generations, it's probably not as significant of a word because every life moment is documented by social media, selfies, and videos. And it seems in advertising, every movie, book, or product can be touted as "unforgettable" or "heart stopping" or "once in a lifetime." 

Unforgettable is fluid depending on the decade you were born in. I would hope that we all have that someone or more than just someone who is unforgettable in their life. I would also hope we are all unforgettable to someone else. For an introvert like myself, being "unforgettable" is both sweetly endearing and completely frightening at the same time because my mind can be a steal trap with it comes to stupidity of my past, mostly in the form of comments or words that only haunt me as I'm attempting to fall asleep. 

While I want to be unforgettable in all the right and wonderful ways as an author, a writer, sometimes the introvert finds it terrifying to be unforgettable (because of something stupid.🤦‍♀️)

But really, what is unforgettable? It's subjective for sure. 

This morning I was thinking about all of those BookTok reviewers that I see as Reels on my Facebook and Instagram feeds. I really have to give it to these women who are actively reviewing and stating their opinions about these books they've read. It's a passion for them and I admire it. I'm not sure how the authors or publisher appreciate some of them, but one thing I can say is some of the posts do get some interaction and cause debate to be held. Whether by real people or bots, I do read the comments and see how readers think.

Of course, the percentage of these reviews are done for the "Romantasy" genre books. These are usually very not what I personally read, or wish to read, and is definitely not what I write but I have to hand it to the authors and publisher's marketing team -- They are really on it because these reviewers really, really get into these books. 

But for the normal person who reads a book for fun, doesn't live on BookTok, or passionately fights for TeamWhomever vs TeamRival, and has never wanted to write a review, how are you supposed to show others that you enjoyed a book without taking to social media and recording a 30-second video?

It's easy. Since eBooks and Readers are so popular these days, it's easier than it's ever been with a rating. A rating is just simply giving a book however many stars based on your opinion. Reading is very subjective. While millions of people out there loved John Steinbeck novels when I was growing up, I didn't. While millions fell in love with Stephanie Meyers Twilight saga, I could barely turn the pages and was rather confused over it. While I enjoyed Terry Pratchett books and love Louis L'Amour novels, I'm aware others don't feel that way. My daughter loves Erin Hunter's Warrior books but I preferred mysteries and and nonfiction at her age. To each their own. I find that a lot of people like to read but not write, so asking for book reviews is the equivalent of asking them to do an in-depth book report like we "had" to do in school. You know, being forced to read a book when you had better things to do then have to prove you actually read it and understood by writing a paragraph about what happened. I get it. It sucks. (I have a 4th and a 6th grader right now so I am VERY aware how much writing is loathed.) 

Unfortunately those bad experiences have carried on to adulthood so that when an author asks for, or reminds you, to rate or review their book, you automatically react --  First by resembling a cat backed into a corner with hackles raised, back arched, baring teeth, claws at ready, and hissing before transforming into the pure definition of "Don't tread on me by telling me what to do." At that point you turn into a 1920s Vampire movie with your cape clad arm protectively up in front of your mouth, your eyes wild and unruly before you hurriedly make your escape, never looking back, and there the book you just read sits, without your opinion expressed. 

So, let me give a quick rundown of what rating a book does. First, as much as we hate to admit it, we are swayed by the popularity of something. People, diets, movies, TV shows, books...Face it, psychologically we are predispositioned to think that if other people like it, we will too. It *has* to be good and wonderful because so many people like it. So sometimes it is but, once again, it's all subjective. 

So, how can you help express your opinion WITHOUT having to write a book report? Easy. You don't even have to take notes so pay attention. 

At the end of your eBook, Amazon Kindle will show you something like this if you have an older Paper-white version:

Or like this if you have the app (Mine is on my phone.)

 All you have to do is touch how many stars and that's it -- Congratulations, your opinion has been shared. (Yes, I rated my book but my ratings don't count on Amazon. I can't review my own books as a "customer" either. They won't let authors do that.) 

So, the coveted 5 stars. You give something five stars because it resonates with you. You love it. It haunts you. You will read it again because it hit you both emotionally and psychologically. (They live rent free in my head, I have laughed, I have cried, I am all in, and I will read it again, just as I have the hundreds of time I've had to read it when I wrote it. It is an unforgettable book. So yes, five stars from me.)

Four stars are given because it is a really great story, plot, premise, and you really enjoyed it. You will likely read it again. Great story. This rating seems to have you involved in the book either emotionally or psychologically, not both. 

Three stars is given when you read a "meh" book. Its okay and had its moments but it also had its boring moments. You don't want to read it again. You didn't really click with it.

Two and one stars are ratings that you will need to write an actual review for. 

Let me repeat the for you: If you give a book a one or two star rating you need to write a review to share why you think it's only worthy of that rating. I say that because those ratings mean total fail. Consider it feedback for the publisher. Did the blurb not match the plot? Was it riddled full of editing mistakes? Did it not make sense or flow well? Was the plot over used? Were the characters unlikable?  If you don't give it a review with a rating like this, we automatically assume you're just a bot bought and paid for by a competitive publisher to intentionally screw with the algorithm to boost sales of one over the other. Or that you're a vengeful bitter ex determined to ruin everything. 🤷‍♀️ (I'm a writer. I think of different scenarios.)

If the only reason you are giving it one or two stars is because of formatting issues or printing mistakes, that is something to take up with the seller/retailer. If you can't get a response from that route first, you can clearly note it in the title and write the review but understand that once it gets resolved, you will what to either delete your review or update it.

So that's how you help influence other people with choosing which books they want to read. It's easy isn't it? If you want more guidance, or wish to know more about the art of being a Book Influencer and how to write reviews or give ratings, I found this awesome site called On Book Street. They have put together a number of handy guides from reviews to book clubs to even book journaling activities (who knew that was a thing?! It sounds exciting.) I think book journaling would be cool to leave behind for future generations who want to feel a connection with their elders. Think of it -- a year of reading books that your grandmother or mom or favorite relative read at your age and then you have their thoughts about it as they read it. It's a conversation over time. (🤔 And it gives me a story idea.) I have journals my grandmother kept when she was my age and it's interesting for me to see the difference between life in her time vs. life today. She did so much in a given day that takes us less time to do now. Plus, it's kind of strange to say, but her time had more familial connections than ours does and ours has what seems like a million different ways to keep connected. 

But the point is, if a book resonates with you, the best way to thank an author is by rating it. If the book is unforgettable, definitely do it. Speaking for myself, I try to bring my characters to life on the pages, to follow their stories, to make them unforgettable to you. If something in your every day life randomly reminds you of my stories, of my characters then that is success. That to me is unforgettable. 

Hope I helped. Remember, there is always an adventure in an Em Brooks book-- Start yours today! They are available 24/7/365 on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and on Kindle. You can also read for free with Kindle Unlimited.