Writing Book Reviews

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Read and Then Write...

I love to read and I'm a writer. It stands to reason that I should be able to write a good book review. At least that's what I assumed when I sat down to write my first one. It was harder than I thought it would be. Telling your audience how much you enjoyed/hated the book is not enough. There are guidelines and in all fairness to the author, they should be adhered to.

What is a Book Review? 

A Book Review is not a retelling or synopsis of the story. The author has already told the story. He does not want or need a reviewer to do it again. The book review should include what type of book it is, a brief description of the story, its purpose, and an analysis. It is a reaction paper. What was the author's goal and how well did he succeed?

On Writing 

On Writing

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Amazon Price: $9.89 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Questions to address 

When I sit down to write a book review, there are several questions I keep in mind. I rarely answer all of them in a single book review but they give me a framework to build upon.

What type of book it is? Mystery? Suspense? Si-fi?

Who was the main character?

What was the story about?

Were the characters believable? Did they have depth or were they one dimensional?

Did you like the book? Did it fulfill your expectations?

Would you recommend the book?

Who would you not recommend the book to?

An Author's Viewpoint 

On Writing

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 11/25/2009)Buy Now

Writing is an art. Reading what famous authors have to say on the subject will help you get some perspective.

Things to Keep in Mind 

While you need to tell the readers what the book was about, a book review does not retell the story. Nothing is more frustrating than to read a review that gives away the ending or for that matter, tells the whole story.

Stick to genres that you normally read. If you normally read romance or suspense and look at fantasy with suspicion, don't pick up a fantasy to review. Its not fair to the author or the readers of fantasy fiction.

Evaluate the book, not the author. If you are reviewing the latest book released by your favorite author and the book is not up to par with past books, be honest. You're not doing the author any favors by gushing over a mediocre book. When led to believe the book is phenomenal and its not, the disappointment is keen. Some readers will hesitate before picking up another book written by that author.

Where to Publish your Review 

Many local newspapers publish reviews in the Sunday addition of the paper. Magazines post reviews related to their topic, and there are a multitude of websites that publish reviews.

Most newspapers will give you the book to review, but rarely pay for the review. It's a foot in the door and a way to get your hands on books not yet released. Many book reviewers got their start that way. Magazines are harder. Without a track record, getting that first break is nearly impossible. Your best bet is a magazine that's just starting up.

There are a countless number of websites that publish reviews. It's a great way to start and to get exposure. I started out by writing reviews for the local paper and have published countless reviews on Amazon.com and Writing.com.

I have recently started posting reviews on Associated Content. I like Associated Content even though it pays little. I can post the reviews I want and leave them on there as long as I want. I like writing reviews and I want them read. Between Associated Content and The Weekend Reader, I think I suceed.

Popular Book Review Websites 

Check out the sites listed below. They will give you an idea of what is needed and how to publish your reviews.

Best Book Reviewed
Celebrate Authors
Romance Review
Writing.com
Amazon

Book Reviews By LizzyJean 

The Weekend Reader 

When I first built my home page, I started posting reviews on it instead of writing reviews for the local paper. Today I have The Weekend Reader just devoted to reviews. There are advantages to that. I only have so much time to read. Instead of reading a book an editor told me to read, I can read what I want. As a consequence, most of my book reviews are positive. If the book doesn't catch my interest in the first chapter, I quit reading it. I can't write a review on a book I haven't read.

My favorite books get a lens of their own. The SquidLit template is specifically designed for book reviews and is easy to use. Next time you write a book review, consider building a SquidLit page. You'll be glad you did.

Books Worth Reading 

Whisper to the Blood: A Kate Shugak Novel (Kate Shugak Novels)

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Faefever (Fever, Book 3)

Amazon Price: $15.64 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Dark Slayer

Amazon Price: $12.97 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Black Hills

Amazon Price: $15.75 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

South of Broad

Amazon Price: $16.97 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Get Started 

There is a need for well written book reviews. If Writing Book Reviews interests you, start by talking to your local newspaper. If they don't have a book review section, they may be willing to start one. Post reviews on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Writing.com. Many magazines accept book reviews from independent writers. If you have a favorite type of book, become an expert in that genre. If you love to read and want to write book reviews, don't let anyone stop you. There's a market out there ... cultivate it.

Join Squidoo and post your own reviews!

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  • Reply
    lostinfiction lostinfiction Aug 14, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
    just wanted to add to that book reviewers can use infloox.com to quickly find out who the author's favourite books/writers are, or what inspired them when they wrote that book. for me, it's a neat way to find lesser-known connections and such.
  • Reply
    Ramkitten Ramkitten Jul 21, 2009 @ 12:25 am
    You're so right; it's much harder to write a book review than I'd first thought. I read a book, fall in love with it or hate it (although I rarely finish a book I don't like) and think I'll have all kinds of things to say, and then I sit there with my fingers on the keyboard and can't seem to come up with a thing for a very long time. For me, it's definitely much more difficult to be creative when writing a book review than it is when writing a book!
  • Reply
    AndyPo AndyPo Jul 2, 2009 @ 8:18 am
    Excellent lens. I have written many reviews, but rarely book reviews, despite being an avid reader.
  • Reply
    jimmy-foo jimmy-foo Jun 21, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
    I am just starting out in Squidoo and you are right! Writing a review is harder than it seems at first. Thanks for the great article. I look forward to using some of your tips in the future.
  • Reply
    marsha32 marsha32 Apr 5, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
    Still putting in book reviews and hope that as I do more I am getting better at writing them.
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About the Author 

Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 3,949 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 197 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "The Mallard Duck". See all my lenses

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by ElizabethJeanAllen

I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
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