How to Write a Book Review

Summary

In this video, Shaylyn from Reedzy discusses how to write a book review, offering valuable tips for both beginners and experienced reviewers. She emphasizes the importance of starting with a brief summary, evaluating the book’s characters, plot, and writing style, and concluding with a clear recommendation. The video also highlights the need for respectful and evidence-backed opinions, as well as tailoring the review to the platform where it will be posted. Whether reviewing for a blog or an online store, this guide will help you craft a thoughtful, impactful review that’s both honest and constructive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start your book review with a brief summary, including the genre, main conflict, and characters, without spoiling key details.
• 😀 Evaluate the book by discussing what worked and what didn’t, focusing on character development, pacing, writing style, and plot.
• 😀 Support your opinions with evidence from the book, such as examples or quotes, to make your points credible.
• 😀 Respect the author, even if you didn’t like the book, and avoid making assumptions about their writing process.
• 😀 End your review with a recommendation, including who the book might appeal to and a star rating.
• 😀 Your book review should briefly summarize the book, evaluate its content, and conclude with a recommendation and rating.
• 😀 Remember that readers come to your review to decide whether or not to read the book, so be informative yet concise.
• 😀 Be honest in your evaluation, but always aim to be respectful of the author's effort and time spent writing the book.
• 😀 Avoid focusing too heavily on the summary; instead, emphasize the evaluation of the book’s elements and why they worked or didn’t.
• 😀 Tailor the tone of your review based on where it will be published, with more formal language for professional outlets and casual for personal platforms like blogs or Goodreads.
• 😀 It’s okay to have a strong opinion in your review, but ensure that you back up your thoughts with examples or reasons for clarity.

Q & A

Why is writing book reviews a useful tool for writers?

Writing book reviews helps writers become more perceptive readers, which in turn improves their writing. It allows them to analyze what works and what doesn't in a book, refining their own craft.

What should the summary of a book review include?

The summary should briefly introduce the book's premise, main conflict, and key characters without giving away any spoilers. It should be concise and clear, offering just enough information to set the stage for the evaluation.

How should a book reviewer handle spoilers in a review?

If a reviewer needs to include spoilers, they should either avoid them entirely or place them under a 'spoilers' section to ensure readers can choose whether to view them.

What are some key aspects to evaluate in a book review?

When evaluating a book, a reviewer should focus on the development of characters, the pacing and predictability of the plot, the author’s writing style, and the effectiveness of the world-building and themes.

What does it mean to write an 'objective' evaluation of a book?

An objective evaluation involves assessing the book based on its merits, such as character development, plot structure, and writing style, rather than simply personal preferences. A reviewer should try to remain fair even if the book did not meet their tastes.

How can a book reviewer show respect for the author in their review?

Even if the reviewer didn’t enjoy the book, they should avoid making assumptions about the author's intentions or creative process. The review should be constructive, focusing on the content rather than the author as a person.

How important is it to include evidence in a book review?

It is crucial to support claims with specific examples from the book. Whether it’s a point about the writing style, plot holes, or character development, evidence helps readers understand why the reviewer holds a particular opinion.

What tone should a book review take depending on its platform?

The tone of the review should vary based on where it will be posted. For more formal platforms like professional outlets, a reviewer should maintain a professional tone, while reviews for personal blogs or platforms like Goodreads can be more informal and conversational.

How can a reviewer provide a balanced recommendation at the end of their review?

A balanced recommendation should summarize the reviewer's opinion, offer a star rating, and specify the type of readers who might enjoy the book, even if the reviewer didn’t personally love it.

What are some final tips for writing a good book review?

A reviewer should avoid overly focusing on the summary, support opinions with evidence, and express their opinions clearly. They should also adjust their tone based on where the review will be published and remember to respect the author's work.