One thing
that surprised me recently while working with readers was the idea that writing
a book review is scary or difficult. Some people take it for granted if they have a
touch of artistic flair, others are happy just to put down their thoughts. For
those of you a bit shy of putting a review together, the important thing to
remember is that authors need your reviews. Even if you don't consider yourself
talented or experienced enough, leaving a review for an author helps show the
reading public that a) this book is selling and b) you were impressed enough by
it to write down your thoughts.
There
is no right or wrong away to state your opinion about a book at today's online
book sites, although there is certain etiquette. Gushing over every novel you
read in an attempt to exude positivity can come off as kissing up to the author
or worse, being insincere. People may suspect you were paid or encouraged to
leave a good review. On the other hand, readers who enjoy leaving controversial
negative reviews that exaggerate their opinion of a book's shortcomings are
nothing but rude, confrontational, or in desperate need of attention.
Book
reviews are not only a great way to support authors and inform other readers,
it can be a great
I
started writing reviews close to 20 years ago. My early work led to an opportunity
to work with Bookideas.com. This experience led to another writing opportunity,
and then another and another. Today, I have both reviewed and edited for some prominent
book sites, as well as gone on to edit fiction, judge contests, blog, freelance,
and write my own books. Writing a good book review can be an act of kindness or
a stepping stone to more writing experiences.
Over
the years I have developed my own guidelines for writing a review. The
following format can help you brainstorm, organize and write up a review readers
will enjoy and appreciate. As for the author, your time and feedback counts no
matter your rating as long as it is sincere.
How to Write a Review
Paragraph One: An average review on a reader
site usually runs between 3 and 4 paragraphs. For
Example
Here
is a first paragraph example from EMP, a book I recently read, loved,
and thus reviewed for author, Wilson Harp.
David Hartsman arrives back
home just in time to visit his parents before an apocalyptic solar flare brings
the world and society to its knees. His only intention was to check on his
mother's Alzheimer's while giving his wife room in their marriage, but now he
is trapped in Kenton and must deal with the staggering reality that a lack of
food and medicine is only the beginning of their troubles. Besides desperate to
know what happened to his wife and child far away, David must deal with
lawlessness and survival even as he watches his parents and hometown fall
apart.
Now
compare this to the Amazon book description I used for inspiration to get
started:
Paragraph Two: You have already laid out the
plot in your opener. In the second paragraph, focus on the characters in the
story. It can be just the main character or both hero and heroine. If you discuss
what you liked or didn't like about more than one character, it's a good idea to
break this section up into more paragraphs. Other appropriate statements can include more details about the plot and how the characters
handled what the author threw at them. Was it believable? Were you riveted?
Example
The following
is an example of a second paragraph from my review of EMP:
EMP is a fresh, original, and
engaging story about one man's conflict within himself and his family's
survival. I did not expect to be as riveted to this book as I was from the
opening page. (Main
Character) David Hartsman's personal
narrative is gripping and heart breaking, making every character as real as our
own next door neighbors. He is a multi-dimensional persona with real
temptations and upholds his honor and humanity in a way that makes the read
satisfying and worth it. This book makes one think, and it is layered with
complex relationship obstacles and resolutions that make it seem like the
author has lived this experience in another life.
Paragraph Three: In the third paragraph, it's time
to move past the story and characters and talk about the author's writing. Did
you feel connected to the storyteller? Did the words flow or were they hard or staccato?
How did the writing style make you feel? Lost? Immersed?
This
section can also include information about the story's point of view. Did it
make sense written in third person? Would an omniscient point of view have been
interesting? A good, description of an author's writing style is gold for an
author. Your heartfelt observations may make it onto some promotional material
in the future.
Example
Here is
the third paragraph used in the review of EMP:
Author Wilson Harp's writing
is tasteful and borders on the uplifting with his avoidance of lewd and
provocative details. It is smart. It is realistic. It is bittersweet and a bit
sour, even as it acknowledges all we love in this world. This book was
completely outside of my normal genres, and I loved it. I have a deep respect
for Harp's talent and voice, and I plan to pick up the rest of his books for
more quality reading that is so hard to find.
Paragraph Four: If you wrap up your review in
the third paragraph with a recommendation to buy the book or state it wasn't
for you, you're done. If you prefer, a brief fourth paragraph can sum up your
feelings about the book, author, and your purchase. Here's a sample of what I
mean:
Example:
Finely
written and well-edited, EMP offers a
new perspective on the internal and external challenges we may face some day in
the event of any disaster. I read it cover to cover in one day only because I
could not put it away.
Ready to give it a shot? Check
out these additional tips that may come in handy.
Tips
*Reviews
read easier with short paragraphs properly spaced. Proper online formatting is
single spacing sentences within a paragraph and double spacing between
paragraphs. Like this article.
*Remember
your audience is other readers like you. Speak to them. Use the same language.
This review is not a letter to the author.
*Never
penalize an author writing for a publishing house for poor in-house editing or
formatting. Contracted authors only have so much control over the finished
product.
*Always
share your review with your friends and on social media, especially if it's
positive. Authors love that.
*The
best type of advertising is word-of-mouth. Write a review and make an author's
day.
Do you think you're
ready to read and review? Then check out some of my reads at Amazon or other
online bookstores and show the reading world you can write a review!
Stay balanced,
~Danielle Thorne
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