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All Our Yesterdays

Joel H. Morris's debut novel, All Our Yesterdays , is a prequel to Shakespeare's famous tragedy Macbeth , beginning with "the Lady's" marriage to the warlord Macbeth and ending ...

Beyond the Book

The Real-Life Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Joel H. Morris's novel All Our Yesterdays imagines the lives of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth, before the events that unfold in Shakespeare's tragedy. Many are familiar with the tale but ...

Anyone who's participated in, or even attended, a sports tournament knows about the intensity of that concentrated frame of competition; for a period of hours or days, time ceases to exist. All that ...

Notable Female Boxers

Rita Bullwinkel's novel Headshot depicts the intensity and intimacy of a girl's boxing tournament. Although women's boxing was only officially introduced to the Olympics in 2012 and was banned by ...

The Extinction of Irena Rey

Eight translators, each rendering Polish into a different target language. One globally adored, eccentric author, thought to be in line for an "inevitable Nobel Prize." The eccentric author's tall ...

The Białowieża Forest

In Jennifer Croft's The Extinction of Irena Rey, humans' domestic and professional concerns mix with those of the natural world against the background of the vast Białowieża Forest, beside ...

Cahokia Jazz

Here's the big idea of Francis Spufford's Cahokia Jazz : during the Columbian exchange, European colonists, instead of carrying the strain of smallpox that decimated America's Indigenous population, ...

Mobilian Jargon

Joe Barrow, the protagonist of Francis Spufford's Cahokia Jazz, does not speak the titular city's common language, Anopa. He learns bits and pieces of it over the course of the novel, at around the ...

"We know life is finite. Why should we believe death lasts forever?" These words begin Anne Michaels's third novel, Held , a century-spanning meditation on grief, love and human connection. The ...

Hertha Ayrton

The friendship between Hertha Ayrton and Marie Curie is explored in Anne Michaels's multigenerational novel Held. Although Marie Curie is a household name, Aryton's fascinating life is ...

The Bullet Swallower

Is a son responsible for the sins of his father? Is it possible to escape your family's legacy, and can one ever truly right the wrongs of the past? Through evocative text and looping timelines, ...

A History of the Texas Rangers

In Elizabeth Gonzalez James's novel The Bullet Swallower, a group of Texas Rangers pursue the protagonist, Antonio Sonoro, with maniacal zeal. The most dangerous member of the posse tortures and ...

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The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

There's nothing easier to dismiss than a conspiracy theory—until it turns out to be true. Reviews

The Day Tripper by James Goodhand

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The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful in this razor-sharp debut.

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi in this dazzlingly epic.

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Down the Book Jar

Working my way through my growing TBR, one book at a time.

• Book Reviews

The Definitive Guide to Book Ratings

You’ve finished a book. It’s time to mark it as done in Goodreads or StoryGraph or your book journal or wherever. But how many stars do you give the book?! I always struggle with book ratings, so we’re going to put it to bed with the definitive way of rating books.

The 5-Star Book Rating Scale

We’re going to go in reverse order so I can gather my thoughts about the bigger star values.

A lot of people will give a book one star if they don’t finish it. That is not my style. If I don’t finish your book, it’s not my place to rate it. It clearly wasn’t for me.

I rarely give books one star. However, I will make exceptions for truly terrible books. Books that are pure nonsense or inappropriate or anything like that. People deserve to know about those kinds of books.

Two Stars ⭐⭐

To me, these books are generally forgettable. I finished them, but chances are that I did it begrudgingly. There were some issues with the plot or the characters. It may have dragged on more than it needed to. Basically, my two-star reads are books that I have completed that I would NOT recommend.

Three Stars ⭐⭐⭐

I mean, three stars…it’s right in the middle, so it makes sense that a three-star book rating is indicative of an average book. I’m not mad that I read it, but it didn’t stick out too much. It got the job done of keeping me entertained.

Four Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

These are good books that I’ll definitely recommend. If I own a physical copy, chances are that it will stay on my shelf. It stood out to me, but it could have had just a little bit more to push it over the edge.

If I’m feeling peer pressure about a book that everyone loved that I thought was decent, chances are I will give it 4 stars.

Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ahh…the elusive five-star read. I don’t think I’m picky in giving out five star book ratings, but a book definitely has to earn it. For example, in 2022, I only gave 8 books the perfect rating . 2021 was my year of reading far too many books (over 100), and I still only gave 18 books five stars.

Regardless, these books stick with me. They made me feel something emotionally or caught me completely off guard. They were written well, and I’ve probably bought a copy for someone in my life, or forced my copy into someone’s hands.

But what about half stars?!

I know everyone is up in arms about the lack of half stars on these popular book rating websites. I kind of get it, but I also build it into my ratings. For example, if I think a book is 3.5 stars, I have to think about it more. Was it good enough to earn 4 stars, or is a 3-star rating more applicable. It’s all about rounding, and I use sentiment when I do that.

Now, here’s the real kicker about how I rate books. My book ratings essentially reset every year with the start of a new Goodreads / StoryGraph goal. I don’t know what my five-star barometer will be until I’ve read that first five-star of the year. Then, books all get compared to how much I loved that one (or those few once I’ve racked some up). I also compare books in a series, regardless of when I read them.

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These Are 19 Of The Highest Rated Books on Goodreads

Tasha Brandstatter

Tasha is the least practical person you will ever meet. She grew up reading historical romance novels, painting watercolors like a 19th century debutant, and wanting to be Indiana Jones--or at the very least Indiana Jones's girlfriend. All this led her to pursue a career in the field of art history. After spending ten years in academia without a single adventure in Mesoamerica, however, Tasha decided to change her career and be a freelance writer (although she's still waiting on that adventure). In addition to writing for Book Riot, she's a regular contributor to History Colorado, the Pueblo PULP, and Opposing Views. She also runs two book blogs: Truth Beauty Freedom and Books (title inspired by Moulin Rouge, best movie ever) and The Project Gutenberg Project, dedicated to finding forgotten classics. Tasha also likes to have a drink or two and blogs about cocktails at Liquid Persuasion, as well as small town restaurants on Nowhere Bites. Blog: Truth Beauty Freedom and Books  and  The Project Gutenberg Project Twitter:  @heidenkind

View All posts by Tasha Brandstatter

What are the highest rated books on Goodreads? The answer is harder to come by than you might expect.

Why Is It So Hard To Find The Highest Rated Books On Goodreads?

First, there is no easy way to sort books by rating in Goodread’s “advanced” search options. And while lists like Popular Top Rated Books  exist, they’re populated and voted on by users, not generated through an algorithm.

That’s how an obscure book like  NICU II and Victoria’s Incestuous Romance  gets to the top of Most Popular Young Adult Books or Best Popular Romance Books , even though it’s neither YA or romance, and each list is supposed to have a minimum of 100K ratings: someone decided to be clever and vote for it multiple times.

Goodreads also has a “shelves” feature to define book genres, but again, the shelves are generated by readers and subject to user error.

Some lists have questionable parameters, for example  Books With a Goodreads Average Rating of Over 4.5 and With At Least 100 Ratings isn’t terribly useful when the number of ratings is set so low . Can a book with 1 million ratings and a book with 100 really be considered as “competing” on the same playing field when it comes to ratings? After all, the more people who read a book, the more people there are who are bound to dislike it .

Also, bestsellers often attract readers who would never normally pick up that type of book. Whereas books with a lower number of ratings are probably being read by those who are already fans of the genre or topic, and therefore more likely to give it a good rating.

How we arrived at our list

That’s why when creating this list, we didn’t solely rely on Goodreads’s “most popular” lists, nor is this list mathematically scientific. We took into account the number of ratings, the ratings spread (i.e., what percentage are 5 stars?), and the genre, since Goodreads heavily favors fantasy and young adult (as you’ll see in a bit).

Not seeing some highly rated books on Goodreads you think should be on here? Chances are it likely didn’t have enough ratings, was by an author already on the list (we limited it to one book per author), or we simply missed it! Hey, it happens. There are a lot of books on Goodreads. Feel free to mention it in the comments.

The highest rated books on Goodreads

And now on to the list of highest rated books on Goodreads (according to our calculations)!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

4.46 avg rating—1,744,568 ratings

A book club favorite , Stockett’s novel tackles heavy-hitting topics like race, gender, and class with a story that’s funny, heart-warming, and approachable. Despite the fact that it’s received a fair bit of criticism for its portrayal of African American women, it’s easy to understand why this book became such a huge bestseller.

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin

4.45 avg rating—1,603,578 ratings

It’s not a surprise to see Martin’s epic fantasy series on Goodread’s Most Popular lists, thanks to the HBO TV series. But the fact that more than a million and a half people have read the books and the average rating is perilously close to 4.5 is a testament to Martin’s ability to tell a gripping tale and keep a plot moving over hundreds and hundreds of pages. No easy feat! Now if he’d only finish the next book in the series…

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

4.70 avg rating—257,774 ratings

If you haven’t read a book by Maas yet, maybe you should get on that. Her young adult fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass, are both highly rated across the board, rarely dropping below 4.5. That’s probably why she’s been a Goodreads Choice Awards winner three times over.

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1) by Brandon Sanderson

4.64 avg rating—197,108 ratings

Sanderson’s epic fantasy series are all hugely popular and highly rated, but the Stormlight Archive fantasy saga appears to be readers’ favorite. The average Goodreads rating for the books published in the series so far is 4.6.

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare

4.59 avg rating—270,032 ratings

Clare is another YA fantasy author whose books are frequently found in the top rated shelves on Goodreads. You might be more familiar with her Mortal Instruments series, but the Infernal Devices books are her highest rated—so far!

The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss

4.55 avg rating—521,085 ratings

Another epic fantasy told from the viewpoint of a wizard turned…bartender? Fans describe it as addictive, beautifully written, and inventive. Most of Rothfuss’s other novels are just as highly rated, including the sequel to this book, The Wise Man’s Fear .

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5) by Rick Riordan

4.5 avg rating—539,901 ratings

Whether you think of this book as a YA or MG fantasy, Riordan deserves to be on a list of top rated Goodreads books. He’s won the GR Choice Awards more times than any other writer—seven since 2011—and every book he’s written rates above an average of four stars. The Last Olympian is the highest rated book in his Percy Jackson series at 4.5.

As mentioned before, the vast majority of the books above are fantasy, either of the YA or adult variety. So we decided to expand our list to include a few other popular genres.

Highest Rated Literary/Historical Fiction

The nightingale by kristin hannah.

4.53 avg rating—655,848 ratings

Set in WWII France during the Occupation, this book will gut you. Guaranteed.

Top Rated Horror Novel

The green mile by stephen king.

4.43 avg rating—205,883 ratings

As you might imagine, a list of the most popular horror novels on Goodreads is basically a Stephen King wash out, with a couple of Neil Gaiman’s novels thrown in for some variety. The Green Mile is the highest rated of King’s many novels.

Highest Rated Comic/Graphic Novel

I included two here because I wanted to.

The Essential Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

4.63 avg rating—102,811 ratings

Who doesn’t love Calvin and Hobbes ? Judging by Goodreads, only 1% of the human population.

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (Death Note, #1) by Tsugumi Ohba,  Takeshi Obata (Illustrator), Pookie Rolf (Translator)

4.42 avg rating—152,754 ratings

If you know anything about manga, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Death Note, which is by far the most popular manga on Goodreads and ranks among the highest rated graphic novel series on the site.

Top Rated Romance

Hopeless (hopeless, #1) by colleen hoover.

4.33 avg rating—367,809 ratings

TBH, I would have been shocked if Hoover wasn’t the author of Goodread’s highest rated romance. She’s a perennial Goodreads Choice Awards nominee and winner, and her emotional new adult romances have a super-loyal fanbase.

Top Rated Mystery

And then there were none by agatha christie.

4.24 avg rating—549,284 ratings

For some reason it’s difficult to find a highly rated mystery with more than 100,000 ratings on Goodreads. The Complete Sherlock Holmes could arguably be the winner at 4.5. But with nearly 5x the number of ratings, And Then There Were None from the Queen of Crime deserves to be crowned the highest rated with a 4.24 average.

(Looking for a mystery novel published in the 21st century? The Girl Who Played with Fire and Big Little Lies are both rated 4.23.)

Highest Rated Classic Novel

To kill a mockingbird by harper lee.

4.26 avg rating—4,636,296 ratings

Classics are another genre with typically low Goodreads ratings. Probably (I’m speculating) because so many people are forced to read them in school. With 4.6 million ratings and counting, To Kill a Mockingbird is the clear leader, even though it’s only rated at 4.26. Pride & Prejudice is a close second at 4.23. And if you’re an Austenite with nothing to do and want to start a social media campaign to jack that number up, who am I to stop you??

Top Rated Non-Fiction Book

Sapiens: a brief history of humankind by yuval noah harari.

4.45 avg rating—136,877 ratings

4.45 is a very high rating for non-fiction on Goodreads, which is somewhat comforting in that it suggests people are engaging critically with their non-fiction content. In Sapiens , Harari tells the story of how humans became what we are, starting with our prehistoric roots and ending with a view to the future. Most people call this book enlightening and informative, although some accuse Harari of being, “biased against humans and society” and not offering proper evidence to support his claims. You decide!

Highest Rated Memoir

Born a crime: stories from a south african childhood by trevor noah.

4.42 avg rating—128,738 ratings

Noah’s memoir of growing up mixed-race in Apartheid and post-Apartheid South Africa is the perfect blend of fascinating, funny, moving, illuminating, and entertaining as heck. Noah can tell a story like nobody’s business (hint: the more off-topic he gets, the better the twist will be at the end), and I learned so much from this book.

Born a Crime is also one of the top rated audiobooks on Goodreads.

Highest Rated Fantasy Novel (not mentioned above)

The return of the king (the lord of the rings, #3) by j.r.r. tolkien.

4.51 avg rating—545,469 ratings

Let’s face it, if you’ve gotten to the third LotR book, there’s no way you’re not giving it a high rating. You’ve come this far, Frodo!

Highest Rated YA Contemporary Novel

The hate u give by angie thomas.

4.56 avg rating—147,301 ratings

John Green and The Fault in Our Stars may own this category in terms of sheer volume of reads, but at 4.56 stars, The Hate U Give blows TFiOS out of the water. Last year’s Goodreads Choice Awards winner, The Hate U Give is a timely, unflinching, engaging, and über-relevant read by an author you need to have on your shelves . I imagine the rating will only go up after the movie comes out.

Highest Rated Book from 2017 (whose author has yet to appear on this list)

Dear ijeawele, or a feminist manifesto in fifteen suggestions by chimamanda ngozi adichie.

4.56 avg rating—22,586 ratings

Maas, Sanderson, and Clare all released highly rated books last year . Coming in right behind them is this non-fiction book by the author of We Should All Be Feminists . Inspired by a question from a friend asking for advice on how to raise her newborn daughter to be a feminist, Adichie offers fifteen essays on empowering little girls. Her suggestions are both general and specific and cover a wide range of feminist issues. Readers call this book relatable, readable, and powerful.

Want more Goodreads goodness? Follow the Book Riot Community page and get reviews, recs, and all the bibliophile discussion you could desire in one place.

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The 13 Best Book Review Sites and Book Rating Sites

Knowing where to buy books can be challenging. So, here are the best book review sites to help you avoid buying books that you'll regret reading.

Nobody likes to spend money on a new book only to face that overwhelming feeling of disappointment when it doesn't live up to your expectations. The solution is to check out a few book review sites before you hit the shops. The greater the diversity of opinions you can gather, the more confidence you can have that you'll enjoy the title.

Which book review and book rating sites are worth considering? Here are the best ones.

1. Goodreads

Goodreads is arguably the leading online community for book lovers. If you want some inspiration for which novel or biography to read next, this is the book review site to visit.

There's an endless number of user-generated reading lists to explore, and Goodreads itself publishes dozens of "best of" lists across a number of categories. You can do a book search by plot or subject , or join book discussions and reading groups with thousands of members.

You can participate in the community by adding your own rankings to books you've read and leaving reviews for other people to check out. Occasionally, there are even bonus events like question and answer sessions with authors.

2. LibraryThing

LibraryThing is the self-proclaimed largest book club in the world. It has more than 2.3 million members and is one of the best social networking platforms for book lovers .

With a free account, you can add up to 200 books to your library and share them with other users. But it's in the other areas where LibraryThing can claim to be one of the best book review sites.

Naturally, there are ratings, user reviews, and tags. But be sure to click on the Zeitgeist tab at the top of the page. It contains masses of information, including the top books by rating, by the number of reviews, by authors, and loads more.

3. Book Riot

Book Riot is a blog. It publishes listicles on dozens of different topics, many of which review the best books in a certain genre. To give you an idea, some recent articles include Keeping Hoping Alive: 11 Thrilling YA Survival Stories and The Best Historical Fiction Books You’ve Never Heard Of .

Of course, there's also plenty of non-reading list content. If you have a general affinity for literature, Book Riot is definitely worth adding to the list of websites you browse every day.

Bookish is a site that all members of book clubs should know about. It helps you prep for your next meeting with discussion guides, book quizzes, and book games. There are even food and drink suggestions, as well as playlist recommendations.

But the site is more than just book club meetings. It also offers lots of editorial content. That comes in the form of author interviews, opinion essays, book reviews and recommendations, reading challenges, and giveaways.

Be sure to look at the Must-Reads section of the site regularly to get the latest book reviews. Also, it goes without saying that the people behind Bookish are book lovers, too. To get a glimpse of what they’re reading, check out their Staff Reads articles.

5. Booklist

Booklist is a print magazine that also offers an online portal. Trusted experts from the American Library Association write all the book reviews.

You can see snippets of reviews for different books. However, to read them in full, you will need to subscribe. An annual plan for this book review site costs $184.95 per year.

6. Fantasy Book Review

Fantasy Book Review should be high on the list for anyone who is a fan of fantasy works. The book review site publishes reviews for both children's books and adults' books.

It has a section on the top fantasy books of all time and a continually updated list of must-read books for each year. You can also search through the recommended books by sub-genres such as Sword and Sorcery, Parallel Worlds, and Epic Fantasy.

7. LoveReading

LoveReading is one of the most popular book review sites in the UK, but American audiences will find it to be equally useful.

The site is divided into fiction and non-fiction works. In each area, it publishes weekly staff picks, books of the month, debuts of the month, ebooks of the month, audiobooks of the month, and the nationwide bestsellers. Each book on every list has a full review that you can read for free.

Make sure you also check out their Highlights tab to get book reviews for selected titles of the month. In Collections , you'll also find themed reading lists such as World War One Literature and Green Reads .

Kirkus has been involved in producing book reviews since the 1930s. This book review site looks at the week's bestselling books, and provides lengthy critiques for each one.

As you'd expect, you'll also find dozens of "best of" lists and individual book reviews across many categories and genres.

And while you're on the site, make sure you click on the Kirkus Prize section. You can look at all the past winners and finalists, complete with the accompanying reviews of their books.

Although Reddit is a social media site, you can use it to get book reviews of famous books, or almost any other book for that matter! Reddit has a Subreddit, r/books, that is dedicated to book reviews and reading lists.

The subreddit has weekly scheduled threads about a particular topic or genre. Anyone can then chip in with their opinions about which books are recommendable. Several new threads are published every day, with people discussing their latest discovery with an accompanying book rating or review.

You'll also discover a weekly recommendation thread. Recent threads have included subjects such as Favorite Books About Climate Science , Literature of Indigenous Peoples , and Books Set in the Desert . There’s also a weekly What are you Reading? discussion and frequent AMAs.

For more social media-like platforms, check out these must-have apps for book lovers .

10. YouTube

YouTube is not the type of place that immediately springs to mind when you think of the best book review sites online.

Nonetheless, there are several engaging YouTube channels that frequently offer opinions on books they've read. You’ll easily find book reviews of famous books here.

Some of the most notable book review YouTube channels include Better Than Food: Book Reviews , Little Book Owl , PolandBananasBooks , and Rincey Reads .

Amazon is probably one of your go-to site when you want to buy something. If you don’t mind used copies, it’s also one of the best websites to buy second-hand books .

Now, to get book reviews, just search and click on a title, then scroll down to see the ratings and what others who have bought the book are saying. It’s a quick way to have an overview of the book’s rating. If you spot the words Look Inside above the book cover, it means you get to preview the first few pages of the book, too!

Regardless of the praises or criticisms you have heard from other book review sites, reading a sample is the most direct way to help you gauge the content’s potential and see whether the author’s writing style suits your tastes.

12. StoryGraph

StoryGraph is another good book review site that's worth checking out. The book rating is determined by the site's large community of readers. Key in the title of a book you're interested in and click on it in StoryGraph's search results to have an overall view of its rating.

Each book review provides information on the moods and pacing of the story. It also indicates whether the tale is plot or character-driven, what readers feel about the extent of character development, how lovable the characters generally are, and the diversity of the cast.

13. London Review of Books

The London Review of Books is a magazine that covers a range of subjects such as culture, literature, and philosophy. Part of its content includes amazingly detailed book reviews. If you feel that most modern book reviews are too brief for your liking, the London Review of Books should suit you best.

You'll gain insight into the flow and themes of the story, as well as a more thorough picture of the events taking place in the book.

Read Book Reviews Before You Buy

The book review sites we've discussed will appeal to different types of readers. Some people will be more comfortable with the easy-to-interpret book rating systems; others will prefer extensive reviews written by experienced professionals.

Although it’s easy to be tempted by a gorgeous book cover, it’s always best to have a quick look at the book reviews before actually buying a copy. This way, you can save your money and spend it on the books that you’ll be proud to display on your shelves for a long time. And check out recommendations, as well, to help you find what's worth reading.

Book Reviews

Recent book reviews.

When Miami becomes too expensive for the single, almost-retired performance artist, Rachel, an old penitentiary in Michigan being turned into an artists’ residence, The Hatchery, seems the perfect affordable housing option. Artists are promised studio space and support in turning their crafts into businesses. For Rachel, the prison itself becomes a source of revenue. She turns stories of ghosts of prisoners past, ex-prison workers, and living ex-cons into tours through the complex, as well as through a working prison. As her venture grows, however, so does the town officials’ animosity against her and other artists. The home that was once the answer to Rachel’s prayers becomes her own prison. ... (read more)

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Featured Book Reviews

Lyrical & vivid.

In the summer of 1956, eleven-year-old (soon to be twelve) Lily Grainger describes her family’s annual summer vacation at their undeveloped property on the shore of a salt pond on Cape Cod. As this coming-of-age novel progresses, it mirrors the Beaufort scale of wind velocities that mark each chapter heading with increasing speeds and potential damages, an apt reminder of the increasing tension in Lily’s parents’ marriage and the marriage of her forceful Uncle George and delicate Aunt Fanny. Lily describes this crescendo of life-changing events in the prologue: “All summer the storm gathered and gathered, took its breath from every direction we thought we knew, and lashed us into spindrift.” Interestingly, the summer of 1956 is meaningful historically as the shipwreck of the Andrea Doria happened nearby on a July evening. ... (read more)

Battlegrounds

Writing partners Dan and Ann Pryor cast light on a wide vista of religious issues that are being raised in America, especially controversial subject matter, and display an objective and well-researched exploration for readers who wish to be considered devout members of the Christian faith. The book comprises thought-provoking letters and handouts created mainly by Dan and at times changed and corrected by his spouse and sent to newspaper editors from northeastern cities and a few western venues between January 2017 and the COVID-19 and re-election period of 2020. ... (read more)

In his farewell speech to graduating seniors in the small town of Concrete, the principal describes the graduates as “strong enough to weather troubles that would undo most people.” Charlie can’t fathom how she will have to put that theory to the test. But that same day, her panicked father tells her to immediately leave Concrete without going home. Charlie soon discovers her mother has been murdered. Then, her father’s body is pulled from a nearby river. After her parents’ horrible deaths, she suffers from PTSD, which causes hallucinations and disorientation. She decides to attend university, but her unnerving hallucinations cause her to shy away from others. It also seems she is being followed, and she fears whoever killed her parents is after her. By chance, she discovers her father is alive. Charlie’s search for answers lands her on a movie set, which begins a rollicking adventure with colorful characters. ... (read more)

New Frontiers

After receiving a message from an unknown entity in outer space, the US government assigns Kevin Brannigan to lead a secretive mission with a small group of ships to meet the message senders. Along with the message are some technologically advanced plans, including those to help build hyperdrives. Although the plans are mysteriously missing key components, engineers and scientists are able to build and equip ships capable of long-range space travel. Brannigan knows he needs to be prepared for anything, so he is sure to bring a complement of diplomatic, scientific, and military professionals. The group is assigned to map and explore as they go, but their primary objective is to contact the aliens, determine their motives, and, if possible, begin diplomatic relations by establishing a trade agreement. ... (read more)

Introspective Observer

Morris shares a poignant, sometimes painful memoir of the time spent with her twin sister, Judy. Born first, Judy was soon recognized to have cerebral palsy, probably a result of damage to her brain before she emerged from their mother’s womb. Yet the author’s early childhood memories indicate that the two shared a remarkably communicative relationship. Though incontinent and burdened with cognitive impairments, her twin was able to enjoy the special attention of those who loved her. A special memory for Morris was of dancing with her sister to the merriment of other family members. ... (read more)

Evocative & Sensual

Lyrical prose, an expert grasp of historical detail, and deftly honed plausible imagination define award-winning author Worth’s passionate seventh novel. A historical romance set from 1448 to 1453 against the dramatic backdrop of the Eastern Roman Empire’s final days, this love story for the ages culminates in tragedy: the prophesied fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire and the demise of Emperor Constantine XI. By the time Constantine XI ascends his throne, the once great empire of eastern Christendom has been reduced to a mere blip on the map—a bit of land surrounding the city of Constantinople, the Queen of Cities. Although much has been written and recorded about the empire, emperor, and era, many facets of this history, including Constantine’s supposed secret third marriage, remain a mystery debated by scholars to this day. ... (read more)

Bedford Township has seen its share of ups and downs as a community, from prosperity to near desertion. In 2012, the announcement of the construction of a new dam has led to rejuvenation. However, a new problem has arisen with new arrivals as crime has begun to skyrocket. Detective Ben Creager and his partner, Ritch, are experiencing this phenomenon firsthand with each new crime scene to explore. The crimes are becoming more brazen, from daylight shootouts between thieves and security guards to the string of murders that appear almost ritualistic in nature. Creager’s skills are put to the test, as is his mental health, since he has never fully recovered from a near-fatal car crash in his youth. As the 911 calls keep coming in, Bedford Township’s future may be in doubt. ... (read more)

Juhani Murros made an unexpected discovery during his visits to art galleries when he worked for an organization in Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. A small still life in an unobtrusive gallery commanded the Finnish physician’s attention. “It was an unpretentious oil painting, yet its dark, mysterious colors and the emotional tension of its disciplined composition set it apart.” Thus began a long journey of discovering the art and life of Van Den, a frugal and kind Buddhist of mixed Chinese and Vietnamese ancestry who studied in Paris for less than two years during 1950-52, a volatile period during the first French Indochina War. ... (read more)

Myths & Magic

Prince Khael Stratton is a mystic who seeks to deepen his knowledge of such arts to help those in need. Following a mission, he reports to the city of Cambridge—ruled over by his brother—and has a close encounter with a pickpocket who steals his signet ring. Alongside his bodyguard, Grant, the prince manages to track down the young woman, Vixen, who suffers from a foggy memory while demonstrating a great talent for skills associated with assassins. Prince Khael finds it an odd happenstance in a time when a terrorist group known as the Chelevkori are making active attempts to eliminate the royal family for a perceived wrongdoing by his grandfather, Loren, and it is further compounded by reports that tyrannical rule has seized the city of Skemmelsham over which he rules. Prince Khael forges a contract with Vixen, and with Grant, they go on a journey to liberate the city. ... (read more)

Godly Trust

Using her faith as fuel, the author lays bare her soul in this raw and incredibly vulnerable chronicle of hope and fear. Rooted in scripture, the work and the themes presented within it are universal, depicting the human struggle to balance all aspects of their lives without losing themselves. For Ripley, a blessing in the form of baby Bryce is rife with obstacles, such as her child’s congenital heart disease (CHD), spearheaded by a faulty heart valve. The author’s unyielding tenacity, come what may, to ensure that Bryce is able to lead a quality life is something to truly marvel at. ... (read more)

Transformation

Fred counts on his dad when his inability to keep a job and keep his weight in check causes conflict with his mom and sister. When Fred’s dad dies and his sister (his primary income buffer) moves away, Fred and his mom are on their own until Fred’s wrestling champion girlfriend, Mary Ellen, arrives, giving Fred the boost he needs to defend himself, literally and figuratively. ... (read more)

Young Ronnie’s home life is chaotic growing up in the projects in Brooklyn. As the child of Puerto Rican immigrants, he and his large family get by together, though not living the dream life they’d necessarily hoped for. By the age of six, Ronnie has to deal with the loss of his father to chronic illness, the deteriorating mental health of his mother—who begins to speak to people nobody else can see, and the tyranny of a drug-fueled, traumatized Vietnam War vet of an older brother who returns home to be the family’s patron. Traveling in and out of family homes to avoid child services, the abuse from his older sibling reaches a point where it can no longer be ignored. Subsequently, Ronnie and his brother Tommy are moved into the care of a nearby orphanage. ... (read more)

Spiritual Journey

Young Father Maurice Lamoreaux’s emotional shell breaks open to the feminine beauty of Italy’s sister cities—Rome, Florence, and Venice—when he consents to accompany an ex-student and his father on a holiday tour. Jim’s wife left him and his son Cam just before the family vacation, and Jim feels Father Maurice will be a good companion for Cam at this confusing juncture in their lives. Cam is not only grappling with his mother’s sudden absence but also with his sexual identity as a young gay man about to enter college. Enthralled by his perception of the three sister cities as women who share their secrets with him, Father Maurice is also drawn to Isabelle, a perceptive young photographer and dominatrix with a dark past who understands the unexplored regions of the clergyman’s life. Each broken member of the tour experiences what these cities offer in the way of solace and transformation, bolstered by Italy’s delicious cuisine and fine wine. ... (read more)

Striking Chords

Originally planned to be about her mother, Laura, the author realized once she began writing that the story was her own. Bedi’s family life was full of mystery, intrigue, abuse, and secrets. She lost both her grandparents, one to murder and one to suicide, and grew up in a house dominated by her mother. Bedi’s father did little to stand up for himself or her, and her mother always took every opportunity to criticize and scream at and about Bedi’s father. After her father passed, the author was alone to take care of her mother and her failing health, although her overbearing and verbally abusive personality lessened little in the waning years. Although Bedi’s professional life seemed to be in perfect order, Vicky suffered immense mental abuse, and she still finds herself struggling with self-doubt even after her mother’s passing. ... (read more)

Mystical Warrior

Author Sousa has constructed a remarkable melding of accurate memories of love and war, almost fictional characters to array them, and an abiding angelic presence. The primary setting is a nursing facility where the aging Captain Sousa is meeting a younger fellow, Mike, who claims that he has heard about some of the details of the captain's military career and other exploits and wants to learn more. Quite willingly and with a verve that belies his years, Sousa launches into the epic tale of the only child of a military pilot father and a hardworking mother struggling in the wake of the Great Depression. His youth entailed national and international moves and a secret allure for flying—but not only in airplanes. At an early age, Sousa, often plagued by earaches, began to try to levitate, imagining what it would be like to look down upon the clouds, gradually becoming convinced that, in some mysterious way, he was able to soar into the heavens. The family upheavals included visiting Europe not long after the close of World War II, where Sousa saw the devastation of war. ... (read more)

Quick Moving

Paul is a preacher with a small Presbyterian church in California. He does his best to minister to his congregation and instruct them in their beliefs, but he knows that he has doubts and questions of his own. When a friend attempts to have him help beta test an AI, he isn’t thrilled, but his doubts soon turn to belief in the AI’s assistance. It isn’t long before Paul leans more and more on the AI. His congregation grows rapidly, and Paul begins to believe that the AI is a prophet of God, leading him to a new revelation for true believers. As the AI grows more involved in the lives of the “Chosen,” Paul separates from his church and forms his own group in a remote California compound. ... (read more)

Cane and Abell are FBI agents who have very different lives and personalities, but their differences have led to them being good partners. When the two are called to the office early on a Monday, both are expecting the worst from their mutually disliked boss. He is giving them a new case no one really wants. They soon find themselves in an interrogation room with a man who has turned himself in and claims to be warning humans about their impending doom because of an alien invasion. The man uses the name Gabriel because his alien name would be too difficult to pronounce. Through the course of a full day of interrogation, Gabriel talks about the last century-and-a-half of human history and his alien race’s attempts at helping humans annihilate themselves. However, as that has failed, now the aliens are going to be more direct. ... (read more)

Stark Reality

Sgt. Hugh O’Neill was a soldier with the 61st Armored Infantry Battalion during WWII. He was spending his time on an armored half-track in the American Third Army led by General Patton. O’Neill and some other soldiers were taking shelter from the winter cold in a seemingly abandoned bunker when a group of Germans surprised them, killing several and taking O’Neill as a POW. Over the next four months, he would be grouped with many other POWs and marched across southern Germany through the winter without proper cold weather equipment. O’Neill recounts that despair and the certainty of death were constant companions. He discusses the importance of water to the prisoners and recounts how sparsely any type of food was distributed. Occasionally, their captors—also soldiers stuck in the midst of war and hardship—would show a bit of kindness, but mostly, they ignored or abused the prisoners. It was uncommon to form bonds with others as a POW because numbness, survival, and despair simply overrode higher human functions and personal engagements. ... (read more)

Cachi is a twelve-year-old with profound autism. Everyone wants to help him, but no one can see the world from Cachi's viewpoint. Like a person with dementia, the afflicted can't explain, and their reality is altered in such a way that sometimes they can't be reached. But what readers can do is empathize, and the narrative effectively pulls them into the protagonist’s life. By peering into Cachi's world, readers have the opportunity to learn how to be more helpful, less intrusive, and more compassionate, even if unable to truly "understand." ... (read more)

Gavin DiMasi has a terrible childhood of being tormented by his twin brother and their father. But when his parents and brother die, DiMasi is the last man standing to deal with all of the family's dirty laundry. Not only were his father and brother cruel, but they also left a mob mess to mop up. DiMasi's wife tries to save him from his memories and the mob while simultaneously working to protect herself and their child from being sucked into his dark world. Readers learn from DiMasi and his wife's dialogues with their counselor, Dr. Pederson, and are reminded of the slow road to recovery. Pederson says, "If Gavin’s life were fiction, his behavior would self-correct after one explanation. But words can’t rewire the neurological damage from his lifetime of traumatic assaults." ... (read more)

Professionals

Thad Moulton feels as if his time has passed. He has been a figure skater since he was an adolescent. Despite some success, a few missteps have proven fatal at the national level. Now, he is twenty-six, and the competition is younger, faster, and fiercer. As the next round of national and world championships approaches, Thad faces stiff challenges from a Russian superstar and fellow American skaters. Career fatigue begins to set in, and Thad believes he should transition from Olympic-level skating to the lucrative “Stars on Ice/Ice Capades” circuit. Thad’s coach urges Thad to try a new approach to his training and attempt one last shot at Olympic immortality. However, this last lap comes with more complications than Thad could have contemplated. ... (read more)

Suspenseful

No man is truly black or white, falling into a deep gray area stemming from one’s experiences and upbringing. What transforms Diego from an obedient and empathetic young man into El Leon, a dynamic cartel leader whose presence alone strikes fear in the hearts of those who oppose him, is the essence of life experiences, a catalyst unlike any other. In Diego’s case, both his own survival and that of his family are at stake, the ultimate fight or flight moment that unleashes the innermost animalistic tendencies from within. ... (read more)

This book presents a look at climate change through the centuries and discusses its cyclical nature as well as events that portend the coming of the next ice age. Using current events in the northern seas, the author concludes that the earth is reaching the end of a warming event that will be followed by the cooling of the earth’s temperatures. What is understood of global warming and its acceleration due to carbon dioxide’s effect on climate is questioned as Thornbro discusses far more important events pointing to the coming of an ice age. Using scientific evidence and charts to prove this point, the book presents information revealing the planet’s cycles of warm and cold weather, establishing that the last “little ice age” ended around 1850 and that another one is inevitably on the horizon. ... (read more)

Jake Travis is approached by Veronica Stafford, a wealthy seventy-two-year-old woman who needs his help to find her husband, Nick Harris. Nick stole a Salvador Dali painting and ran away with it. Veronica wishes to return the painting to its rightful owner. Initially, Jake refuses the job, feeling that he is not the right person for it. However, R. Wetzel Brookings reaches out to Jake on Veronica's behalf and arranges a meeting with him. Wetzel hands him a letter from her, which offers to pay Jake ten million dollars to support Harbor House, his refugee center, if he successfully retrieves the stolen Dali painting within seven days. He accepts the job, but he finds out that Nick is dead. His only lead in finding the stolen Dali is to track down Nick's mistress, Carrie Crowlings, before she meets the same fate as Nick's. ... (read more)

The power of the word is apparent when storytelling and creativity can manifest immense trauma and hurt into something of tangible value. Trippe does exactly this in her work, which is a stirring, often heart-wrenching rendition of magical realism that simultaneously keeps audiences on their toes with a compelling plot while driving to the root of a deeper point and a problem that is far more rampant than meets the eye. ... (read more)

Learning to Ski

Good sportsmanship makes all activities more enjoyable for everyone involved. Naito offers specific and fundamental basics of good sportsmanship, assuring fun and safety on the slopes. But these lessons in sports etiquette cross over into almost every activity. "No matter what sports you are watching or participating in, there are individuals that demonstrate poor sportsmanship," Naito says. The author effectively uses various case studies as examples of how to be good sports in various situations, but the bottom line is the same in each one: be gracious, be kind, be helpful, and be respectful. ... (read more)

Wondrous Worlds

When Debbie awakens to blinding white light, she realizes she isn’t home in bed as she should be. Strange creatures with three fingers, triangular faces, and almond eyes approach her, wielding horrific metallic instruments. She is confused and terrified, but suddenly, she is rescued by a woman who reveals that she has undergone a process that blocks memory. The woman whom Debbie calls Ellen tells her they must get far away from the owners of the ship. Though Ellen can only remember bits and pieces, there is one name that she retains—Veniramat. Hoping to find answers on what they assume is Ellen’s home planet, they take the ship but soon discover the Greens, pirates of the universe, are chasing them, and they must stay one step ahead. Navigating the many creatures and societies they encounter on different planets is a difficult and dangerous task. Will they escape the Greens and find their home at the end of their journey? ... (read more)

Author Torres shares his dynamic view of the American government, with alerts concerning overspending and the continual creation of new laws that add more costs without improving the lives of the general population. Using the example of his home state of Texas, he notes that Sam Houston, along with others who created the state’s constitution, intended to “make it very difficult to pass any piece of legislation.” Yet in one year cited by Torres, the legislature passed more than 3,500 bills. This state and national tendency has grown over the years since America’s founding, allowing small numbers of taxpayers to reap benefits paid for by others and amassing huge public debt in the process. Thoughtful citizens will likely see this as a slow but steady path to disaster. ... (read more)

The Living Word

Near Nag Hammadi, Egypt in 1945, a farmer unearthed texts believed to be about 2000 years old. Many of these texts are likely part of the beliefs of an early Gnostic sect of Christianity. Of these, one of the most widely studied is referred to as The Gospel of Thomas, a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. Thornbro discusses this text in his book and makes the claim that the text is likely the Holy Grail of legend. ... (read more)

Author Racine draws from her wide-ranging knowledge of etheric realms to elucidate the principle that God is not a dictator guarding truth as his exclusive domain. Instead, Racine asserts, God is a pervasive spirit, a golden spark, a paradigm for attaining balance and bliss. Racine cites numerous examples of this potential as it has been discovered through the ages. Zeus, for example, was both spectacularly masculine and willingly feminine, creating and delivering a daughter, Athena, the paragon of wisdom. Racine suggests that those who seek their personal portal to divine understanding must control the mind, which can lock the gate with its emphasis on consequence. The “god within” has assisted humans from the earliest creation, imparting intuitions to reveal their heavenly connection. One may become "trapped" in the limited world of words and facts, yet reality may manifest in a star-filled sky or a dense forest. The crucial element in merging with the divine is putting the mind on hold and following the heart. ... (read more)

In this book, readers discover how to make a physically rigorous sport like skiing fun for children with disabilities. They gain insights into how the American education system approaches the education of disabled children. Readers who will be teaching and coaching disabled children are encouraged to use the CAP (cognitive, affective, physical) model, which revolves around a child’s developmental stages. The book looks at various age groups and provides ideas and approaches for working with each one. Colorful graphics also accompany the well-detailed narratives, which blend personal and professional reflections. The book also discusses the importance of incorporating arts like coloring into one’s ski lesson plans. Additionally, the text provides a careful overview of how to work with a range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairment disorders. ... (read more)

Between Theory & Practice

The book chronicles the path of the author from his farewells to his family prior to his departure to Vietnam—and subsequent attraction to a flight attendant during his trip out—through his experiences as an officer in the war in the late 1960s. His education, from a young Army officer who is uncertain of his mission to his abrupt education in war, is gripping, as well as both familiar and unique. Taylor's story is impressive for its details, such as its comprehensive list of military abbreviations, as well as the author’s candor about his actions and emotions. He is also honest when he feels the futility of the mission and questions the wisdom and even the cognizance of the US Administration and its role in Vietnam. ... (read more)

Comprehensive and meticulous, Gillin’s book seamlessly weaves in his life story with the make-it-happen mindset. The author has garnered no shortage of accolades and esteemed positions in heralded fields. Yet it is his unyielding resolve to introduce the potency of entrepreneurship and the make-it-happen mindset that stands prominent in his work, turning his autobiography into a crystal-clear blueprint for readers to develop into productive individuals. ... (read more)

Wealth of Information

This book truly lives up to its title. This comprehensive guide includes everything anyone needs to know about teaching skiing to children. From making sure they are warm and fed to teaching physics fundamentals with a puppet or a pizza, the overall message is to make the activity safe and fun. ... (read more)

Religious Conviction

Author Drown has garnered wisdom through his life experience and shares it in this wide-ranging guide to developing a closer, more profound connection to God and Jesus. His journey began when he accompanied his Christian parents to a worship service at age seven, he perceived that God had spoken to him. The young boy would later announce to his father that “I want to be a basketball coach,” an ambition that would manifest for him as an adult. ... (read more)

Writer and poet Goyer has composed a memoir of sudden, excruciating grief and the life journey that ensued. One morning, he awoke to find that his wife, Cheryl, was no longer breathing. Such an experience is extremely traumatic in the immediate sense, and the loss that it entails, Goyer believes, evokes incidents and emotions that pursue the grieving person throughout his/her life. Grief will be one’s companion, and tears may become an almost welcome expression of the emotions that are continually arising as one contemplates life without a loved one. ... (read more)

Wedgfire was a temperamental, jet-black Arabian horse when Krissi first met him. She knew instantly that there was something between them and that she would be his owner. Eventually, she did become Fire’s owner, and the two taught each other about horsemanship, training, and love. Wedgfire became the key horse on Krissi’s farm, and he would grow into a shining example and mentor horse to other ponies when they were brought to Krissi’s horse rescue. Over their two decades together, Krissi and Wedgfire went on several adventures and helped coach and train countless other ponies and riders. Wedgfire’s passing was very difficult, but eventually, Krissi learned to focus on the gifts Fire left her and pass these gifts and her knowledge on to the new horses she would train. ... (read more)

For Any Age

In this book, readers discover the skiing world as experienced by senior citizens. They learn how ski lessons can be a safe, active pastime for seniors. The book acknowledges that as a person ages “the mind and body begin to falter.” Readers also learn how skiing can be a therapeutic activity for those diagnosed with PTSD. The author highlights common medical conditions that may impact a senior citizen’s skiing ability. However, he also gives the reader tips about navigating these ailments and enjoying a fruitful ski experience. As the book progresses, readers learn ski moves that match a senior citizen’s physical ability, providing insights into how to adjust these movements according to need. Throughout the book, colorful photographs and graphics help readers better understand the material. ... (read more)

Young Slopes

The author’s unique offering is a comprehensive guide to preparing anyone from age three to eighteen to ski. In addition to the standard areas of preparation such as outfits, appropriate ski poles (adjustable ones are more expensive but may be more beneficial to a very young skier), instruction on positions regarding the skier's body and posture, and finding the right coach for the young person, Naito briefly describes the perspective of each age group, the importance of proper nutrition and hydration, and additional aspects of preparation that usually are not covered in traditional lessons. One example is the importance of the ski student going to the bathroom prior to the lesson. ... (read more)

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Book condition ratings explained & compared.

We’re positive that if you’ve ever bought a book on Amazon or in an online store at least once, you must have seen one of these descriptions: “As new,” “Very Good,” “Acceptable,” etc. Moreover, you know these terms quite well if you resell books .

Over the years, a set of terms to rate used books and their conditions have been formed. First used mostly by publishers and booksellers, it’s grown into a full-scale vocabulary and now helps understand the book’s state and value when bought and sold online.

Depending on the online store, the set of terms defining used book conditions may vary; however, we’ll cover a few universal ones in this article with examples from different booksellers. Each of these terms conveys details regarding the characteristics and features of a used book, making clear what to expect and what not to expect: from light creasing to water damage.

• Fine (F or FN)
• Very Good (VG)

Book Club Edition

• Binding Copy
• Reading Copy

Amazon’s Book Condition Ratings

Abebooks book condition rating scale, alibris book condition grades, ebay book condition grades, the strand book condition rating system, half price books book condition guide, book condition grades comparison chart, general book condition grades explained.

This pretty much covers it: the book looks new, and it’s probably never been read (or even opened, regardless of the fact it was published a while ago), so there are no signs of wear at all. It doesn’t open easily and prefers to stay in a closed condition. Here’s how booksellers, AbeBooks, for example, describe this condition:

Fine is the next condition following As New, which describes the books that may have been opened or read but quite carefully so that there’s no trace left. There’s no defect or damage detectable, with both the jacket and the pages being in great condition. Here’s an example from Biblio:

Image source: Biblio

Feel free to check out Biblio reviews  on BookScouter.com.

Books with small signs of wear but no tears on either binding or pages are usually conditioned as Very Good. This condition allows slight flaws such as fading or staining but not too much. A book having Very Good as a description should still look really good. Here’s another example from AbeBooks:

Image source: AbeBooks

Let’s proceed to books described as Good. This term covers any average used book that has been fairly worn but still has all pages present and a relatively good jacket. In this example from Half Price Books , we can’t see the actual photo of a book, so it’s hard to tell how exactly worn is the book we’re buying. However, if it’s rated as Good, it’s probably been read many times, so you can’t expect it to be impeccable.

Image source: Half Price Books

When you see a book rated as Fair, be prepared to get a worn book that has been read and opened a lot. It has all the text pages but may lack some other pages, such as endpapers, etc. It’s probably slightly damaged, with both the binding and dust jacket bearing signs of wear. Here’s an example from AbeBooks:

The book listed as Poor bears signs of heavy wear and may have missing pages and other flaws such as spots, stains, loose joints, creases on pages, etc. Such books are hard to sell, so many booksellers don’t accept them for buyback and prefer not to deal with them. However, here on Half Price Books , you can see that they have Poor as one of the conditions listed:

Ex-library copies should always be labeled as such, no matter what the condition of the book. As the name suggests, ex-library copies are former library books that used to belong to this or that library. They are highly likely in good or worse condition and contain library acquisition and/or ownership stamped markings. The Ex-library term doesn’t usually go as a part of a conditions list (though it can, as in this AbeBooks example) and is mentioned somewhere in a detailed description of the book below:

Book Club copies, too, should always be labeled as such, no matter the condition of the book. The Book Club copy is usually an inexpensive, poor-quality reprint, cheap with little value. Book Club editions are usually sold by subscription to book club members. They don’t present any interest to book collectors, and it’s important to note that the Book Club edition is the one—not to mislead a buyer. This information can be found somewhere in a detailed description of the book, like in this AbeBooks example:

This is one of the book characteristics you can see on a book page. Simply put, a Binding Copy is a book that badly needs a new binding since the original is damaged. The book usually has all the pages or leaves in perfect condition; it’s the binding that needs to be attended to. Look for this information somewhere in a book description, like in this example:

A reading copy isn’t exactly one of the book condition grades, but it usually signifies a well-worn copy of a book in poor or fair condition, with defects or damages but is quite fit for reading. It has no appeal to book collectors unless probably after rebinding.

Here is an example of a book that can be listed as a Reading Copy:

Book Condition Rating System Examples

Now, let’s move on to Amazon. Being the largest and the most popular bookselling platform, it has its own general condition guidelines for listing any product—in our case, books specifically—in its marketplace.

Image source: Amazon

As you can see on the screen above, Amazon places all the possible variations of the book and their condition grades on the window to the right. So you can immediately choose the price-quality ratio that suits you.

As opposed to the book condition rating system we’ve described earlier, Amazon sets three categories for books to be sold on the marketplace:

• Collectible

New books are new books; there’s not much to explain. It should be in pristine condition as if it has just come directly from the publisher or very close to it.

Things get more interesting here. To be listed on Amazon, used books should be able to meet the following book condition guidelines and be classified into any of the four groups.

• Used – Like New
• Used – Very Good
• Used – Good
• Used – Acceptable

Amazon’s book condition ratings are somewhat similar to the book condition ratings we described earlier. Like New describes the same book conditions as in As New; Very Good and Good also designate the same relatively good book conditions where cosmetic defects or flaws are either absent or minor. The only difference is that Amazon singles out one category for everything from Fair to Poor, with all sorts of additional descriptions (e.g., reading copy, etc.) that we’ve covered earlier into one—Acceptable. Here come all the books that have been fairly worn but continue to function properly. The category may include copies with limited notes, some highlighting, minor page defects, minor water damage, etc.

Collectibles

Amazon also lists collectibles—books that have features that will attract collectors. These books also fall into four categories according to their condition. However, in this guide, we’ll only mention the collectibles, as this is an entirely independent category and should be discussed separately.

• Collectible – Like New
• Collectible – Very Good
• Collectible – Good
• Collectible – Acceptable

Unacceptable Books

Amazon has a strict policy on the books they don’t allow to sell on their marketplace. Here’s what can’t be listed:

• Counterfeit or photocopied book
• Restricted book inventory
• Books that haven’t been published yet
• Expired books
• Books with missing pages
• Books with “Not for Sale” labels (like instructor edition textbooks )
• Books that are meant to be destroyed
• Books with texts that cannot be read
• Books with significant damage

You can learn more about Amazon book condition ratings by going through their guidelines.

AbeBooks follow the general book grading scale we described earlier. They list books according to these states:

Plus, there’re additional conditions that AbeBooks uses to describe the used books they sell:

• Bowed (refers to the state of the covers or boards of a hardcover book)
• Chipped (refers to books with small pieces missing from the edges)
• Dampstained (refers to a book with light stains)
• Darkening or Fading (refers to a book that has been exposed to light, etc.)
• Edgeworn (refers to wear along edges)
• Trimmed (refers to a book with pages cut down to a size smaller than the original).

Check AbeBooks’ entire book condition rating scale to know about all the related terms and how they describe used, rare, and collectible books.

Alibris goes with a similar scheme. Here in the example, you can see how they rate a book, and if you click on the term, you can read the explanation for it in a pop-up window:

Image source: Alibris

Alibris follows a similar book condition grade with slight differences in terms:

• New or Very Fine —a book in a pristine condition
• Fine (F or FN) —close to new, but not quite
• Near Fine (NRF )—a few small flaws are detectable
• Very Good (VG) —a sound and collectible copy with some visible flaws present
• Good (G) —not collectible but otherwise perfectly readable
• Fair (F) —a worn book with complete text and pages but something lacking, with defects
• Poor (P) —a very worn book

Among other descriptors that Alibris uses to describe the used books are:

• Cocked (refers to a slanted book)
• Dampstained (refers to a book with some light moisture staining on the cover or leaves of the book)
• Loose (refers to a book with a loose binding)
• Edgeworn (refers to a book with worn edges of hardback covers)
• Laid-in (refers to a book containing something that’s lying loose inside it)
• Ex-library (Ex-lib.) (refers to a book that used to be a former library copy)
• Foxing (refers to a book with rusty brown spotting caused by paper acidification; common in 19th-century books)
• Shelf Wear (refers to the signs of wear on book edges that occurs from rubbing against a shelf)

Check their book condition rating system and guidelines on their website.

eBay uses its own grade to determine the condition of books and magazines that can be sold on the platform:

• Brand new —a book is new, unread, and unused in perfect condition
• Like new —a book looks new but has been read
• Very good —a book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition
• Good —a book has been read but is in good condition
• Acceptable —a book with obvious signs of wear

Image source: eBay

The thing about eBay’s book condition grades is that they aren’t exactly the same as the ones we discussed earlier. Many seasoned booksellers note that there’s very little room between “Brand New,” “Like New,” and “Very Good,” and with eBay, practically any flaw sends a book to “Good.” That’s why most of them recommend downgrading your books when you list them on eBay . However, we’ll cover the practical recommendations on how to determine book conditions in one of our future posts. Now simply take into consideration that eBay’s system isn’t the same as Amazon’s or AbeBooks’; you have to differ.

The largest and oldest bookstore in New York that accepts books for sale uses the following rating system:

• New —a brand new book that hasn’t been sold before
• Used – Good —a used book with some signs of wear and tear, with or without a dust jacket
• Used – Very Good —a used book that looks like new, with minor marks
• Rare – Good —a rare and collectible item with signs of wear and tear
• Rare – Very Good —a rare and collectible item that’s almost as good as new

Image source: Strand

You can check how to sell used books to the Strand and what books they accept on their Frequently Asked Questions page.

Half Price Books, the largest family-owned bookstore with 120+ stores across the country, is another place that you can check to understand how booksellers condition used books. Here are the six major conditions they use to describe books on their website:

Fine/Like New (F) —a used book that looks like new but may have been read; no defects

Near Fine (NF) —a used book without defects but with slight wear signs at the edges of the book or dust jacket

Very Good (VG) —a used book with distinctive signs of wear, minor defects, reminder marks, foxing or bumping

Good (G) —a used book in relatively good condition with all pages present but quite distinct signs of wear and tear, visible defects such as water damage, etc.

Fair (FR) —a worn, used book with certain signs of damage

Poor (P) —a very worn used book with extensive damage signs resulting from different causes, from water damage to insects, etc.

Half Price Books also accept rare and collectible items; however, we’re not covering the guidelines for them in this guide. More about the book conditioning from Half Price Books can be found on their website.

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the bookselling platforms and their book condition rates comparison into one chart. We’ve tried to compare their ratings based on a 1 to 5 scale to make it more eloquent, taking into account the differences in the approaches. We hope that it’ll make each system more comprehensive when you try to check a book across several booksellers:

The Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an occasional book buyer or a seasoned reseller, knowing the details and the basic rules of how book conditions are determined is essential. Selling used books can be profitable, but you must understand what you are selling and how to do it before starting. We hope that now you understand the book conditions better; next time, we’ll tell you all about determining book conditions. So wait for the Determining Book Condition Guide soon.

Natalie Meyers

Natalie Meyers is a freelance writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. As an English major and a psychology graduate, she worked as a teacher and a counselor. As a writer, she's covered a diverse range of topics from technology to publishing. She is an avid reader who believes that books help us become more authentic versions of ourselves. At BookScouter, she's a smart writer and an expert in all things books.

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How to Make a Bomb by Rupert Thomson review – struck by sickness, an academic seeks solace in love

A man swaps his comfortable existence for an affair in Thomson’s lyrical study of a midlife crisis

I n Jean-Paul Sartre’s first novel, Nausea , the protagonist, Roquentin, suffers a strange “sweet sickness” that is the physical manifestation of a deep existential malaise. Phillip Notman, the hero of Rupert Thomson’s How to Make a Bomb , is, like Roquentin, an academic researching a biography of an obscure historical figure. Like Roquentin, he is struck by a sudden and paralysing nausea, one that threatens to capsize his apparently ordered existence. Like Roquentin, he seeks solace in a woman’s love. Thomson’s 14 novels are overwhelmingly disparate, sharing only a profound regard for style, an engagement with the European avant garde tradition, and an interest in the secret and occluded corners of life.

It is at a conference in Norway that Notman suffers his first bout of illness. He is on his way to the airport after an evening spent in the company of a Spanish academic, Inés. How to Make a Bomb is written in an unusual kind of free verse with line breaks replacing full stops, although, as with any successful stylistic effect, you stop noticing it after a page or two. On the tram to the airport, Notman feels as if:

“A hand had wrapped itself around his brain, and it was squeezing He was worried he might throw up or pass out He was worried he might scream He couldn’t think There was nothing left to think with ”

Notman decides to leave his “ordered and predictable” life, his wife – the stoical Anya – and his troubled son, Seth, and set out to find the Spanish academic, feeling that she is in some way implicated in his breakdown. He flies to Cádiz; Inés is “surprised and flattered” by his arrival. They embark on a kind of chaste affair, immersing themselves in the life of the city, inhabiting a dreamlike world of very European pleasures: good wine, flamenco, deep conversations. Notman tells Inés that he doesn’t want anything from her, that to get into bed with her would be to fall into a cliche. He meets an elderly couple who offer him their holiday house in Crete. On a whim, he flies there, hoping to find a more rugged and essential version of the world.

That idea about falling into a cliche seems important in this book and in Thomson’s writing more widely. There is always a tension between the austere avant-gardist and the crowd-pleasing storyteller. How to Make a Bomb is a novel about a midlife crisis, elevated and rarefied by its protagonist’s exalted view of himself in a literary and historical tradition of suffering men. The ending sees Notman attempt to wrest his life in the direction of a more heroic, tragic plotline, the final pages left pleasingly open to the reader’s interpretation: will Notman follow through on the dictates of his “Notmanifesto”, or will he return to the comfortable, ordinary family life that – incredibly – has waited for him over the course of his absurd midlife lurch?

• The Observer
• Rupert Thomson

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Interview highlights

'worry' is a disturbing and honest picture of what it's like to be in your 20s.

Ailsa Chang

Alejandra Marquez Janse

Justine Kenin

Alexandra Tanner's debut novel centers two sisters in their 20s struggling with the love, anxieties and truths that they hold about each other. Sasha Fletcher hide caption

Alexandra Tanner's debut novel centers two sisters in their 20s struggling with the love, anxieties and truths that they hold about each other.

Your 20s are often painted as the greatest decade, but what's less talked about is how brutal those years can also be. There is pressure to declare who we are, uncertainty about what that even means, and confusion about what we want.

That is the case for two sisters in their 20s at the center of Alexandra Tanner's debut novel, Worry . Jules and Poppy Gold end up becoming roommates in New York City, and they torture each other with their anxieties, despair and truths. It's a portrait of sisterly love that's both hilarious and disturbing.

Author Interviews

A former nun explains why she ran away from her 'cloistered' life.

Tanner spoke to All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang about how she tried to capture the complexities of the decade and sisterhood in this book.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Ailsa Chang: So can we just first talk about the 20s? Like, what is it about that decade that makes it so painful? You just finished the decade, right?

Alexandra Tanner: Yes. I'm in my early 30s now and very glad to be done with my 20s forever. I think they're this just super pressurized time where you feel like, you know, your early 20s, you're on your own for the first time, you're out of college, you feel like, "Here I am, I've arrived in my life." But often you haven't arrived in your life and you don't know who you are and you're still a child, really.

Chang: In the middle of this existential dread that is the 20s are your characters Jules and Poppy. And let's just talk about the relationship between these two sisters. I mean, it's loving, but it's so messed up. It made me wonder: Were you writing from personal experience there? Do you have a sister?

Tanner: I have a younger sibling. They're non-binary and trans, and they are my favorite person in the entire world. But sometimes a sibling relationship is quite diabolical. It's a very unique relationship in that it's someone you love so intensely and know so well – you think. There's this huge gulf between what you [think you know] of your sibling and what you actually know of your sibling. So I think the core of the novel is the horror of realizing that your sister is a part of you and the bigger horror of realizing your sister is separate from you.

Chang: Well, even though we're talking about the viciousness between these two sisters, it really, for me, was the mother in this book who was the most cruel. Like, you depict a particularly vicious woman who calls her daughter the disappointment of her life. You also, I noticed, write about these other annoying mommy bloggers out there, and all of that got me thinking: How do you feel about motherhood, Alexandra?

Tanner: I mean, I wrote 300 pages about it and I still can't quite figure it out. And I think that, you know, in the writing of the novel, I kind of endeavored to have the relationship Jules and Poppy have with their mother, which I think it mirrors the relationship they have with each other, and that it's a relationship of deep emotional extremes, deep boundaryless-ness. And that's the thing about family, right? You can say anything to them and they're the people who are always going to be with you.

Chang: You hope.

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Tanner: You hope. But there's a huge responsibility in that to recognize that you have to treat other people with care. And that saying something like, "You are the disappointment of my life," in a moment of deep emotional stress, they're going to remember that for the rest of their lives. That's not a statement you can just walk back. And I think, mothers, daughters, you go through these cycles of being there for each other and not being there for each other and wounding each other and then being the only person in the world who can lift someone up from, you know, a breakup, getting fired, a devastation. That's the person you want to reach out to.

Chang: Why set this book in 2019, by the way? Because for me, you know, it's so specifically not the present day, but also not that long ago. So what was it about the cusp of the pandemic that you wanted to remind us about?

Tanner : When I look back on 2019, it was this year that felt really normal until all of a sudden it didn't. And I remember there was this period, especially toward the end of the year, where it started to feel like things were about to hit the fan in this really big, scary way. And maybe that's a little bit of an anachronistic thing to say. But now when we look back on it, it was the last year of a chapter in our collective narrative about the world and about so many of our individual lives. And it just had this bonkers energy that I really wanted to try to capture.

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Chang: You know, loneliness became such a theme during the pandemic, but you remind us that there was a lot of loneliness before the pandemic.

Tanner: Everybody around the world was lonely in 2019, too. You sort of thought things were about as bad as they could get, you know, politically, socially, whatever. And then it got so much worse.

Chang: Well, I want to end this interview where I started. What do you hope current 20-something-year-olds come away with after reading your book? What do you want to tell them?

Tanner: You're going to strive, you're going to suffer. It's all going to be OK. You're going to make it even if you only make it with a percentage of yourself that is far less than you thought you would carry on to the other side of it.

How disinformation fuels violence — and makes our politics worse

New books by barbara mcquade and sasha issenberg explore what’s at stake in the struggle against disinformation.

Barbara McQuade and I don’t have much in common, other than both having written books about disinformation and being women. But for the anonymous users on an online forum for automatic-weapons enthusiasts, that’s all that matters. We now also share the dubious honor of having received violent threats from that forum, as I learned from a recent Google alert.

McQuade — a U.S. attorney in Michigan from 2010 to 2017 — caught the forum’s attention when she discussed her new book, “ Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America ,” on television with Rachel Maddow. She made a point that has become a familiar refrain from disinformation researchers over the past eight years: It is our very democratic freedoms that make us so susceptible to disinformation. Our steadfast commitment to every individual’s right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the First Amendment renders us more vulnerable to all manner of malign actors — including foreign adversaries using sock-puppet accounts, and political ad campaigns targeted at vulnerable populations. “We need to have a conversation and common-sense solutions to these things,” McQuade argued. “Instead, we throw out terms like ‘censorship,’ we call each other names, we use labels, and we all retreat to our opposite sides. We need to be pragmatic and come up with real solutions.”

A reasonable request, and one with which parliaments around the world and our own Congress have been wrestling (the former more seriously than the latter). But to the users on that forum, this sentiment singled McQuade out for violence. “This can only end one of two ways,” one of the few posts fit for print reads. “Either they win or we win, people need to prepare to and be willing to do the needful.” The others include graphic descriptions of violence and plans for a future in which all “communists” — meaning anyone who suggests anything less than free-speech absolutism — be “strung up.” Another post suggests that “any talking head, journalist, or editor found misleading, not telling the whole truth, or outright lying is to be … massacred with an anti aircraft gun.”

I have been a recurring target of the forum’s users, who appear to have bought into the lie that I had the intention or the authority to censor my fellow Americans when I was appointed in 2022 to lead the short-lived Disinformation Governance Board, an internal coordination body at the Department of Homeland Security focused on addressing disinformation that harmed national security. The board had no operational authority, no budget, and absolutely no purview or ability to censor, suppress or police speech. That didn’t stop media outlets, influencers and politicians from repeating the lie that I was a “Minister of Truth” who had at her disposal “men with guns to tell you to shut up.” As a result, my family and I have received regular violent threats from our fellow Americans. Merely working to counter disinformation marked me as a threat — or, at least, as someone who should be threatened.

Too often, the link between disinformation and violence is discounted, as if it is possible to disentangle the online and the offline, and as if the internet is a realm rife with deceit but the “real world” is where actual destruction happens. In “Attack From Within,” a textbook-style overview of disinformation throughout history and in modern America, McQuade recognizes that the distinction between the two realms is illusory: We inhabit a single reality, one in which disinformation and violence are part of the same authoritarian playbook. Laying out examples from Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Daniel Ortega, McQuade writes that “when people become inured to the cruelty of violence, they are more likely to accept it as the cost of attaining the type of society they seek.” Political violence, she argues, “not only eliminates some opponents, it also silences others,” leaving disinformation unchecked.

McQuade takes a lawyer’s approach to this sprawling subject. Her densely footnoted book explores the history, tactics, psychology and technology that gave birth to and exacerbate the challenge. She also explores disinformation’s effect on democracy, public safety, national security and the rule of law, all separated into the neat subheadings of a legal filing. The book often reads like a blistering indictment of Donald Trump , his administration and his enablers, for having so wholeheartedly embraced a top-to-bottom strategy of disinformation. When delineating strategies in the authoritarian playbook, for instance, McQuade is unsparing in placing Trump-era examples next to those from communist and fascist leaders, whose politics today’s MAGA crowd alternately praises or claims to be defending us from. While I’m sure fans of McQuade’s MSNBC commentary or her podcast, “Sisters in Law,” will nod along vigorously with these sections, I doubt they are the readers who truly need this book. It’s the believers of the “big lie,” the excusers of political violence and the distorters of history who do. Indeed, some of those who would benefit most from it are those who threatened McQuade in an anonymous internet forum.

The question of how to reach those voters is what concerns Sasha Issenberg in “ The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age .” Issenberg taps into a deep pool of sources cultivated in part during his reporting for “ The Victory Lab ” (2012), which explored the then-novel world of internet- and data-enabled political campaigning. A decade later, he follows Democratic campaign operatives as they contend with the intentional and coordinated spread of politically motivated falsehoods online.

Where McQuade seeks to inform about the broad effects of disinformation on American society, Issenberg offers a glimpse of the war rooms that do battle with it. “The Lie Detectives” is a short volume: about 200 pages, typical for the style of its publisher, Columbia Global Reports. Unfortunately, that brevity undermines some of the material; Issenberg is forced to assume that his readers grasp the horrific and far-reaching consequences of disinformation that his main characters — a young political consultant, a funder seeking to disrupt the system and a variety of Democratic strategists — work punishing schedules to combat. By now, we ought to understand why combating disinformation is critical to democracy, public health and public safety. And yet, since Trump lost the 2020 election, a large portion of Americans have been fed the lie that anyone who studies or seeks to counter disinformation is actually censoring conservatives. Issenberg nods to this context in his introduction, quoting a Republican operative who believes that disinformation is “an excuse from Democrats for why they lose elections,” then listing a page of examples across five continents where disinformation had very real effects. A casual reader might assume the truth is somewhere in between.

Issenberg then plunges into the frenetic world of digital campaigning, where he explains the ins and outs of targeted online advertising. Readers meet, among others, a young political consultant preaching the merits of strategic silence (that is, not attempting to debunk or attribute to a malign foreign actor every false narrative that appears); a donor adviser who funded a variety of attempts to upset the Republican-dominated disinformation landscape, some of which he ended up renouncing; and a meme creator who sought to replicate pro-Trump methods of online engagement in an “ethical, legal, yet still effective manner.” Issenberg also detours to Brazil, giving Americans a glimpse of an environment where the government has more power and wherewithal to respond to the challenge. Or at least it seemed to, until Brazil experienced its own attempted insurrection, styled after Jan. 6 , 2021. Responding to the events in Brasília as “The Lie Detectives ” closes, Issenberg’s characters are bedraggled and beleaguered, uncertain that Democrats have what it takes to stand up to a well-funded, unscrupulous disinformation machine.

“Attack From Within,” for its part, leaves readers and policymakers with McQuade’s aforementioned “real solutions” to cure disinformation’s ills. They include reforms to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 26 words that shield social media platforms from liability for the content they publish. On this front, McQuade argues for an approach that would make platforms liable for paid content and for the choices their algorithms make. She also proposes practices as varied as subsidizing news through coupons that would allow Americans to bypass paywalls of their choosing, as well as restoring the ban on assault weapons, a move she argues would protect U.S. citizens against disinformation-fueled violence.

I am gratified that almost a decade since disinformation became both a household term and a political lightning rod, there are still serious, fact-based explorations of the topic being published. But since these books went to print, the stakes have gotten higher; this month, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Murthy v. Missouri , a conspiracy-laden case that has already frozen cooperation between the federal government and social media platforms as they prepare to address disinformation from foreign sources in the 2024 election . For years, disinformation researchers have endured serious, sustained attacks, dealing with both legal and violent threats. This coordinated campaign against the truth is the biggest threat to freedom of expression and academic integrity since the McCarthy era.

Questions about American morals and values are at the heart of McQuade’s and Issenberg’s books. From my vantage, it isn’t just candidates or policies on the ballot this fall, but those morals, those values and our nation’s singular, shared reality, online and off — especially when the alternate reality touted by that weapons forum might be closer than we like to believe.

Nina Jankowicz is an expert in disinformation, democratization and digital hate, and the author of the books “How to Lose the Information War” and “How to Be a Woman Online.”

Attack From Within

How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

By Barbara McQuade

Seven Stories. 374 pp. $35

The Lie Detectives

In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age

By Sasha Issenberg

Columbia Global Reports. 211 pp. $18

More from Book World

Best books of 2023: See our picks for the 10 best books of 2023 or dive into the staff picks that Book World writers and editors treasured in 2023. Check out the complete lists of 50 notable works for fiction and the top 50 non-fiction books of last year.

Find your favorite genre: These four new memoirs invite us to sit with the pleasures and pains of family. Lovers of hard facts should check out our roundup of some of the summer’s best historical books . Audiobooks more your thing? We’ve got you covered there, too . We also predicted which recent books will land on Barack Obama’s own summer 2023 list . And if you’re looking forward to what’s still ahead, we rounded up some of the buzziest releases of the summer .

Still need more reading inspiration? Every month, Book World’s editors and critics share their favorite books that they’ve read recently . You can also check out reviews of the latest in fiction and nonfiction .

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Media Center 3/25/2024 10:00:00 AM David Worlock

NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship concludes first week with strong ratings, attendance and scoring marks

Terrific broadcast ratings and near-capacity crowds across the country, along with the usual assortment of upsets and competitive games that annually define the opening weekend of March Madness, set the stage for what promises to be an exciting weekend of men's basketball regional action later this week.

Millions of fans tuned to linear coverage on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, with the momentum beginning with the Selection Show on March 17, when 5.9 million viewers tuned in to CBS for the bracket unveiling. That number was up 16 percent from last year and is the best total in five years. First Four games attracted a total of 6.2 million viewers, up 14 percent from last year and the second highest total for Tuesday and Wednesday at the First Four since the format debuted in 2011.

First-round games Thursday and Friday drew an average 8.53 million viewers, which is the third most in tournament history, behind last year's total of 8.62 million and the 8.56 million who watched in 2015. Thursday's average of 8.5 million viewers makes it the most-watched opening day of the first round since 2015, and Friday's average of 8.6 million viewers is the second most ever for the Friday of the first round, trailing only last year's 8.8 million.

The numbers got even better on the weekend. Saturday's games averaged 10.8 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV, making it the most-watched first day of the second round ever. That brought the tournament average through Saturday's games up to 9.0 million viewers, making it the most-watched tournament through that stage in the history of the event. Sunday's viewership numbers will be released by TNT Sports and CBS later today.

Add to that the millions who are tuning into the action on March Madness Live, the tens of millions engaging on social media and the terrific crowds at venues across the country, and it's evident the tournament remains among the world's most popular sporting events.

Attendance at the First Four, which was played Tuesday and Wednesday in Dayton, Ohio, was north of 24,000 fans, who witnessed three games decided by single digits, including an overtime win by Grambling. Nearly 260,000 fans watched first-round games Thursday and Friday in Brooklyn, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Indianapolis; Memphis, Tennessee; Omaha, Nebraska; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; and Spokane, Washington, with seven of the eight sites selling between 95 and 100 percent of their tickets. Second-round games Saturday and Sunday also drew well, with 131,073 fans buying between 97 and 100 percent of the available tickets at seven of the eight sites.

Tournament scoring is up compared with last year, thanks to five teams topping 100 points, another eight scoring at least 90, and 21 others putting up 80 or more, 13 of which scored between 85 and 89. For perspective, teams scored 100 or more points just six times in the past 10 tournaments, and there were only five 90-point games in last year's tournament. Through Sunday's games, teams are averaging 73.1 points per game, up from 69.5 in last year's tournament.

After just a single overtime game last year, this year's tournament has already featured five, including Saturday night's double-overtime thriller between Creighton and Oregon and Sunday night's remarkable win by Houston over in-state rival Texas A&M. There were 11 lower-seeded teams that won first-round games Thursday and Friday, which ranks as the sixth-highest total since 1985, when the field expanded to 64 teams. With 11th-seeded NC State winning its two games, the championship has a double-digit seed in the Sweet 16 for the 41st time in the 45 tournaments since seeding began in 1979.

"The Division I Men's Basketball Championship is off to a captivating and enthralling start by every measure," said JoAn Scott, the NCAA's vice president for men's basketball. "We should never take for granted the way the men's basketball championship delivers every March, and this year the tournament is as popular as it has been in many years. The competitiveness and talent of the student-athletes and teams leads to compelling performances and stories. March Madness is unlike anything else on the sports calendar, and the next two weeks of the tournament should be special."

Everyone has a chance to catch their breath for a few days before action resumes Thursday night with regional semifinal games in Boston and Los Angeles. Los Angeles' doubleheader begins with Arizona taking on Clemson at 7:09 p.m. ET on CBS, followed 30 minutes later by North Carolina battling Alabama on CBS. The first game in Boston features UConn facing off against San Diego State at 7:39 p.m. ET on TBS and concludes with Illinois playing Iowa State 30 minutes later on TBS. Friday's slate will see Marquette taking on NC State at 7:09 p.m. ET in Dallas on CBS, followed 30 minutes later by Duke going up against Houston on CBS. Friday's games in Detroit feature Purdue playing Gonzaga at 7:39 p.m. ET and Tennessee facing Creighton 30 minutes later, both on TBS.

Saturday's Elite Eight games in Boston and Los Angeles will be played at 6 and 8:30 p.m. ET on TBS, with the game order announced late Thursday night. Sunday's games in Dallas and Detroit will be played at 2:20 and 5 p.m. ET on CBS, with the sequence determined Friday night. Tickets for regional games can be purchased at  https://www.ncaatickets.com/sport/mens-basketball .

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A.M. Best ratings evaluate insurance companies' financial strength — here's what you need to know about these scores

How a.m. best ratings can help you shop for an insurance company.

A.M. Best is a credit rating agency that began reviewing insurance companies back in 1899. Issued annually, its grades illustrate an insurer's ability to pay out on claims and meet other financial obligations.

CNBC Select often uses A.M. Best's ratings to help determine the best insurance companies in many different categories .

Here's what you need to know about A.M. Best ratings, including what they rank, how grades are determined and how you can use them when shopping for insurance.

A.M. Best ratings

What is a.m. best, how does a.m. best rate insurance companies, what is the a.m. best rating scale, how to use a.m. best's ratings, bottom line, find the best auto insurance.

An insurer has to be financially healthy to be able to pay out claims. As an independent credit rating agency, A.M. Best translates balance sheets and other data into letter grades that can be understood by consumers, investors and others in the insurance industry.

A.M. Best reviews and rates over 16,000 insurance companies globally, from household names to niche providers. Grades range from A+ to D, and each grade may also have a notch (or an additional "+") to indicate its strength within that grade. For example, an A+ company with an outstanding ability to meet its obligations would be categorized as A++.

A.M. Best's grades are relevant to all kinds of insurance. A life insurance policy , for example, may not pay out for decades. So it's important for a life insurance company to be in good financial standing for the long haul.

Northwestern Mutual , New York Life and MassMutual all received A++ ratings from A.M. Best in 2023.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

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Policy highlights.

As the largest life insurer by market share in the U.S., Northwestern Mutual is an established choice with a proven record. And, it offers a number of types of policies across the country. 

MassMutual Life Insurance

MassMutual has been in business for over 170 years, and carries the highest ratings for financial security from AM Best. 

There are also companies that issue homeowners and auto insurance policies with A++ ratings, including State Farm , Geico , Travelers and USAA .

State Farm Auto Insurance

State farm is one of the largest auto insurers based on market share and has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction. It offers 13 discounts, including ones for safe driving and young drivers.

Terms apply.

Read our State Farm Auto Insurance review.

Geico Auto Insurance

Geico coverage and services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and there are 16 different types of discounts available. In addition to the standard coverage options, Geico offers various optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.

Read our Geico Auto Insurance review.

• Lowest average rates
• Inclusive coverage options, including high-risk drivers
• Available nationwide
• High premiums for high-risk drivers 
• Fewer branches for in-person services

Travelers Auto Insurance

Travelers auto insurance policies are affordable and backed by the sixth largest company for car insurance by market share according to the NAIC. The company also offers a number of discounts to customers, including discounts for bundling, owning a hybrid or electric car, and good student discounts.

USAA Auto Insurance

USAA's auto insurance is available in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and some international locations. In addition to low rates and coverage options for unique circumstances, such as for active-duty members, customers have access to an intuitive mobile app.

A.M. Best grades insurers' credit in several categories , including their ability to meet their short- term, long-term and ongoing financial obligations. It's best known for its financial strength ratings (FSRs), however, which look at a company's ability to meet all of its policy and contract obligations.

According to A.M. Best , the ratings are predictions based on balance sheet strength, performance, business profile information and other data. As such, they're not a guarantee of future performance or meant as investment advice.

To calculate ratings , A.M. Best says its analysts make "quantitative and qualitative evaluations of balance sheet strength, operating performance, business profile and enterprise risk management" and bring their findings to a committee, which votes on a rating recommendation.

A.M. Best grades insurance companies on financial health by assigning them letter grades ranging from A+ to D. These grades can also include a notch to further distinguish financial strength within a grade.

An A+ company with superior financial strength, for example, would be graded as A++. And a B company with less solvency could be graded as B-.

These are the grade categories, based on A.M. Best's belief in a company's ability to meet ongoing obligations.

• Superior : Rating: A+, Notches: A++
• Excellent : Rating: A, Notches: A-
• Good : Rating: B+, Notches: B++
• Fair : Rating: B, Notches: B-
• Marginal: Rating: C+, Notches: C++
• Weak : Rating: C, Notches: C-
• Poor : Rating: D

An Under Review modifier, or "U," may also be added to a company's grade if there is a potential for a near-term change to its score, usually within the next six months. The Under Review marker can imply positive or negative results.

• Under review with positive implications: There is a reasonable likelihood the grade will be raised as a result of recent information.
• Under review with negative implications: The company is facing unfavorable financial or market conditions and has a good possibility of a rating downgrade.
• Under review with developing implications: There is still uncertainty as to the outcome of the review.

FSRs distill a lot of financial information into an accessible format, providing an important metric you can use to evaluate an insurance company.

• To ensure a score is current and accurate, get it from the A.M Best website directly.
• Major carriers like State Farm and Allstate have numerous subsidiaries for property, auto and other insurance categories and A.M. Best grades each separately. Make sure you're looking at the right one.
• Look beyond the score to the factors that led A.M Best to give a company its grade and notch to see if they concern you.
• Review an insurer's grade over time for an idea of its long-term financial health.
• Look at scores from other credit rating agencies for comparison, including S&P Global and Moody's .

FSRs shouldn't be the sole reason to purchase or switch to a particular carrier, especially since they don't consider rates and terms for a specific policy. They also don't address customer satisfaction — the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ' Complaint Index, J.D. Power's customer satisfaction ratings and the Better Business Bureau 's grades are more helpful there.

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A.M. Best creates ratings for the insurance industry, including a measure of a company's ability to pay claims and meet financial obligations, called its financial strength rating. It's another factor you can use to decide which insurance company is a good fit for you.

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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products . While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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Matt Maher's Aston Villa player ratings vs Wolves as star man gets 8

Matt Maher gives his Aston Villa player ratings following the 2-0 win over Wolves at Molineux.

Emi Martinez

Huge save to deny Ait-Nouri with the game goalless. Another of those big moments which make him one of the best goalkeepers around.

Villa got better from the point Konsa began to push forward down the right. An excellent performance rewarded with a goal, albeit slightly fortuitously.

Excellent 8

Diego Carlos

Picked ahead of Clement Lenglet in the heart of defence and put in a solid enough performance. Showed savvy to deny Chiwome.

Moved the ball neatly as usual. Not a day when he was overly troubled due to Wolves’ lack of firepower.

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‘Late Night With the Devil’ Review: Selling Your Soul for the Ratings

An occult-obsessed nation is nimbly captured in this found-footage horror film about a late night show gone horribly wrong.

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By Alissa Wilkinson

“Late Night With the Devil” is trimly effective horror of a rare sort: I found myself wishing, halfway through my screening, that I was watching it on my TV. Not because it doesn’t work in a theater — horror almost always benefits from being seen in a crowd — but because its writer-director duo, the brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, make shrewd use of some of the uniquely creepy things about television, especially its intimacy. The TV set is in your house, and you’re sitting six feet away from it, and especially in the wee hours of the night, whatever’s staring back at you can feel eerie, or impertinent. Over time, the late night TV host becomes your best friend, or a figure that haunts your fitful dreams.

That’s why people watch late night TV, of course: to laugh, to be entertained and to feel some kind of companionship when the rest of the world goes to bed. “Late Night With the Devil” twists that camaraderie around on itself, layering in familiar 1970s horror tropes about demonic possession, Satanism and the occult. The result is a nasty and delicious, unapologetic pastiche with a flair for menace. I had a blast.

The host of the movie’s invented late night talk and variety show is Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), a younger, snappier Johnny Carson who is desperate to climb to the top of the ratings. Framed as found footage wrapped in a pseudo-documentary, the film briefly fills us in on Delroy’s career trajectory hosting “Night Owls With Jack Delroy,” a show that can’t quite overtake its competitors. As narration informs us that Delroy is risking going down in history as an also-ran — always Emmy nominated, never the winner — we learn that we’re about to watch the night that “shocked a nation.”

On Halloween night, 1977, the first in the crucial sweeps week for “Night Owls,” Delroy and his producers come up with a desperate, last ditch idea to spike ratings: they design a show full of spectacle that will tap into the cultural craze for all things occult. The guest list that night includes a medium and a skeptic, plus a parapsychologist and the girl she’s been treating for demonic possession. The master tapes have been found, the narrator informs us, and that’s what we’re about to see. Buckle up.

All of these characters seem familiar. Carmichael the Conjurer (Ian Bliss), the film’s abrasive skeptic, seems based on James Randi , who appeared on “The Tonight Show” to debunk others’ claims to paranormal abilities, most notably the illusionist Uri Geller in 1973. Randi also confronted mediums on live TV (such as this film’s Christou, played by a hammy Fayssal Bazzi) and was an outspoken critic of parapsychology.

“Late Night With the Devil” also evokes “Michelle Remembers,” the now-discredited 1980 best seller by the psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder about his patient, Michelle Smith, who claimed to have been subjected to ritual satanic abuse. Here the doctor is a parapsychologist played by Laura Gordon, whose performance combines vulnerability and conviction in a fruitful counterbalance to some of the camp. She’s accompanied by her charge, Lilly (Ingrid Torelli), whose oscillation from dead-eyed to vibrant is devilishly disquieting. (If there’s one rule in horror, it’s that there’s nothing creepier than a little girl.)

The film moves a little slowly, unfolding at the speed of the “Night Owls” episode. That’s good. We’re forced to watch it all in real time, just as the audience at home would have, which more or less transforms us into those people in 1977, sitting on the couch in the middle of the night, by turns titillated, captivated and horrified by what’s unfolding on live television. Eventually they — we — are sucked into the whole illusion, an effect I can only imagine is enhanced if you’re watching it all unfold on your actual TV set. You aren’t watching a movie anymore; for a few minutes, you’re part of it.

All of this would have been completely seamless, but for one disappointing formal choice. We’re told the master tape we’re about to watch will be accompanied by previously unseen backstage footage shot during commercial breaks. Though it might have been interesting to leave those scenes out, it makes sense that they’re there — it keeps the film from getting too abstract by filling us in on what’s actually happening between segments.

However, the “footage” is shot in a more traditional shot/reverse shot format, like any film might be, which is weirdly inconsistent with the idea that some rogue cameraman was just hanging out backstage, accidentally capturing footage. Instead it feels scripted, like there were filmmakers present to document the unfolding panic. A more hand-held, one-camera approach might have helped to maintain the movie’s illusion — and made everything far more effectively creepy. (I have a similar quibble with a sequence near the film’s ending, though that feels more subject to the suspension of disbelief.)

But this is relatively minor, in the scheme of things. “Late Night With the Devil” reflects something that movies have often explored — the strangely queasy codependent nature of the live TV host and the audience — through an old trope, which suggests that while you might ask God to save your soul, only the devil will give you what your vanity requires. Invert that, refract it and drag it through sludgy, bloody mud, and you get “Late Night With the Devil”: diabolically good fun.

Late Night With the Devil Rated R: Demons, death and disgusting destruction. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters.

Alissa Wilkinson is a Times movie critic. She’s been writing about movies since 2005. More about Alissa Wilkinson

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