It is not possible to read all the Sci-Fi books out there. So you must have a process for selecting what you do read. Reading a book is an investment in your time. Your time is valuable. No one wants to waste that time reading unworthy books.
I have never codified my criteria. And it has changed and evolved over time. I suspect it will continue to change moving forward, as who I am tomorrow is not who I was yesterday.
What is your criteria to date?
Mine is that it must meet ALL the following criteria, some objective and some subjective.
- it must have at least 1,000 reviews
- it must have at least 70% 5-star reviews
- if after reading about it I get the suspicion that it's a romance disguised as Sci-Fi, I automatically reject it no matter what
- if it's YA, it really needs to be exceedingly compelling to choose it
- Space Opera also needs to be exceedingly compelling
- if I get the feeling it's trying to preach I'll reject it
- if i get the feeling it has (messaging, strong opinions, or political overtones) about today's societal issues, I probably won't choose it. Not judging; I primarily read for escapism.
I guess that's about it. There's probably more but I just haven't put that much thought into it yet.
I'm very interested in how y'all decide to choose a book to spend your valuable time reading.
Saw it today. It could have been so much more. Lots of inconsistencies regarding what the child can do.
Pretty much a blow everything up, action, special effects type of movie. Story was okay. Somewhat original. A few emotional manipulation tricks towards the end.
I'd give it a B-.
Update: wanted to add the cinematography was really good. Very inspiring scenery. That was the best part. The child actor was very good too. Those were the best parts of the movie. The US Army General was one dimensional, shallow, and just a bad stereotype. Very poorly done. That was the stupidest/worse parts of the movie.