Guide: How To Write a Book Review

Lifestyle

10 Mar

Hey and welcome to another post!

This one finds me in real time because I’m in the process of trying to do better in my book reviewing. Writing a book review allows you to engage with literature critically and contribute to broader discussions within the reading community. It is a thoughtful process that involves summarising the content, evaluating the author's arguments or storytelling, and expressing your personal opinions.

I used to try and keep my reviews short and sweet because when I check on reviews myself, I avoid the super lengthy ones and I usually skip the parts where they actually give the summary of the book. Because, well, you can read that in the summary section of the book! So I used to find it pointless. I also know that most people hate spoilers (I’m not one of them!) and I’m never very specific with events and twists unless something is completely out of context or I’m dying to write about it so I mark the paragraph with a ⚠ spoiler alert zone, just to avoid spoiling it to anyone by mistake.

With that being said, I’m usually looking at certain things in the books I’m reading so I guess that I’m commenting on them and I’m worried that my reviews are very similar to each other. For this reason, I found myself in the process of researching a better way to write my reviews. I will definitely implement what I feel resonates with me the most and is not something that I would personally avoid reading, but I figured to share the process with you anyway.

Writing a book review can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to share your thoughts on a piece of literature while helping others decide if it's worth their time. Here are some steps to guide you through writing an effective book review:

Read the Book (obviously):
- Start by reading the book thoroughly and taking notes while you read. (the notes are optional but I usually wish I had taken them!)
- Try to understand the author's main ideas, writing style, and the overall message conveyed.
Introduce the Book:
- Begin your review with some general information about the book, such as the title, author, genre, and any other relevant details.
- You can also mention the book's relevance or any background information that sets the context for your review (if it’s part of a series, etc).
Summarize the Content:
- Provide a brief summary of the book without giving away major spoilers.
- Mention the main characters, setting, and central plot points to give readers an idea of what the book is about.
- Highlight the key points or events that stood out to you.
Evaluate the Book:
- Share your honest thoughts and feelings about the book and explain what did well or fell short and why.
- Assess the author’s writing style, the use of language, tone, the structure of the book, and how effectively the story or arguments are presented.
- Evaluate the plot twists, pacing, complexity, and coherence, the characters' development, realism, and reliability.
- Discuss any other aspects such as the book’s impact on you as a reader.
- Express any criticisms you may have about the book. This could involve discussing weak plot points, pacing issues, or any parts that you felt could have been improved.
- Remember to be constructive and maintain a respectful tone even when expressing criticism and explain why certain parts did not resonate with you.
Support Your Opinions:
- Back up your evaluation with specific examples from the book.
- Quote passages or describe specific scenes that illustrate your points or explain why certain aspects resonated with you.
Recommendation:
- Conclude your review by stating whether you would recommend the book to others and why.
- Consider the target audience and mention if you think it's a must-read or suitable for particular readers or who might enjoy this book and why.
- Mention any similar books that readers may also like if, for example, this book is a part of a series.
Provide a Rating:
- Consider giving the book a rating out of five stars or other types of rating (e.g. spice level 🌶).
- Justify the reason behind your rating based on the strengths and weaknesses you discussed in your review.
Conclude Your Review:
- End your review with a brief recap of your main points or an overall impression and a closing thought. You can also mention if you're interested in reading more from the author in the future.
Edit and Proofread (optional):
- Before publishing your review, make sure to edit it for clarity, coherence, and grammar, and also make sure it provides a balanced perspective.
- Proofread the review to catch any spelling or punctuation errors that may have been overlooked. (thank you, Grammarly!)
Publish and Share (optional):
- Once you are satisfied with your review, consider posting it on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or personal blogs to reach a wider audience.
- Share your review on social media or with book clubs to spark discussions and recommendations.

Remember to be honest and respectful in your review, focusing on providing constructive feedback for both the author and potential readers. Keep in mind that reviews are subjective and it's okay to have differing opinions but avoid overly biased or overly negative reviews, striving for a balanced perspective. A good book review is not just about summarising the book but also about sharing insights and opinions that can help other readers decide whether the book is worth reading.

I hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, consider sharing it with people who might be interested. Also, if you have anything more to add, please write it in the comments section below so everyone can see it. Happy reviewing!

Love,
Christina xx