O = Opinionated

O is for Opinionated, which is a thing that I am. Most of us are opinionated even if you are someone who insists you are not. You have a brain therefore you are. It's the driving reason so many of us have blogs in the first place: Have Opinion, Must Share. Some people share their opinions on crochet, fashion, photography... I share my opinion on books.

I love to read. If you've been following right along you probably have guessed that by my previous posts, but if this is your first visit now you know. My blog was inspired by my need to read, a desire to connect with other readers, and yes, I wanted to share my opinion on what it is I'm reading. I also wanted to put all those literature courses I took in college to use, which is to say, I spent an awful lot of time learning how to analyze books. So now I give my opinion on books I've read.

I try to keep my reviews fair. I try to make sure a book I'm reviewing negatively doesn't come off as bullying. If I get trapped in between stars, I usually round up, but explain why I considered a lower rating or why I gave it a higher one. My rating system is based off of the Amazon and GoodReads 5 star system but more specifically can be interpreted as such:

1. Hated it.
2. Could've Been Worse.
3. Just Okay.
4. Enjoyable.
5. Loved It.

This system is not always accurate to a book's quality, I admit. It's very easy to me to tell you I enjoyed a book, if I did. So when telling you what I liked, I also try to detail what I didn't, that way you can make an opinion based off of my opinion.

But here's the problem with opinions: In today's modern world with increasingly advanced and varied modes of communication, opinions cause conflict. No matter what your opinion is there's always someone who is going to say the opposite. 

Me: I love books, I think they're the greatest invention.

Someone else: Books suck.

And let's not forget the dreaded keyboard warriors.

Me: I love books.

Keyboard warrior: Books suck and so do you.

Ah, the keyboard warrior... What would we do without your opinion being hurled simultaneously with an insult? Keyboard warriors are why so many opinionated people choose to keep their opinions to themselves, which is kind of sad. We can't agree with each other all the time, but if we never communicate with someone different from ourselves, we limit our ability to learn and understand. 

(I've been very fortunate in that I haven't attracted many KWs)

At the end of the day (or in this case, the end of the blog post) I just want to say, it's okay to be opinionated... Just don't poop on people when you are. And don't panic if someone disagrees with you, diversity is a good way to start a conversation.

My opinion is that having one is healthy.

What's your opinion on opinions? Do you like to share them? Do you like to talk to people whose views are different than your own? Why or why not?