O.P.T.C.S. RANKING SYSTEM

One ranking system that has been sometimes used among the group, OK just by me (DDE), is the O.P.T.C.S. system. Beautiful Fiction is in the Mind’s Eye of the Beholder.

O – Overall rating (1 to 10)
P – Plot
T - Thought Provoking
C – Characterization
S - Style

A good rating in one category can elevate the overall score. The numbering system is heavily weighted at the top end to try to distinguish between the good and the great. The books at the bottom aren’t worth the effort to evaluate too carefully.

Number values, (With DDE's musical / culinary / cliché / sports equivalents)

10 - Unsurpassed (Mozart / Fillet Mignon / It just doesn’t get any better than this / Tiger slam)
9 - Masterful (David Sanborn / Home-made Lasagna / Indistinguishable from magic / Triple Crown)
8 - Captivating (Judas Priest / Edelweiss’ Hungarian Goulash / Couldn’t wait for the next bit / Jordan’s Three-peat)
7 - Recommended (Glenn Miller / Billy’s Pizza / Try it, you’ll like it / Hat trick)
6 - Unforgettable (Franz Von Suppe’ / Breyer’s Rocky Road / Remember the part… / MVP)
5 - Really Good (Junior Brown / Subway’s BMT Sandwich / Kept me going / Home Run)
4 - Worthwhile (John Phillips Sousa / Pretzels / No regrets / Touchdown)
3 - Some good things (Christina Aguilara / Whopper / Some say the glass is half full / Extra point)
2 - Waste of my time (Yanni / Ritz crackers / Like carrying coals to Newcastle / Icing)
1 - Unreadable (Snoop Dog / Ludafisk / Don’t go there / Bench warmer)