how to round up a book review

How to Write a Book Review in 10 Easy Steps.

• By Moushumi Ghosh
• June 5, 2020

It doesn’t matter who you are—a blogger, a student or a corporate employee—having the skills to review a book is a valuable one. If you read books, learning how to write a review is essential. Today, with the mushrooming of book websites, anyone can write a book review and post it. But not many people know how to write a book review.

Let’s begin at the beginning. You already know what a book review is. Just to recap, book reviews are articles or write-ups that give a brief overview of a book along with the book reviewer’s impressions of the same. Sometimes they are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars where 1 is the lowest and 5 the highest.

They appear on newspapers, magazines, blogs and book reading websites. Usually the book under review is a new one that has hit the market. But there are also book reviews of classics and other older books. The book review could be a few lines to a few thousand words long. It depends on the space available in the newspaper, website, blog and book reading websites.

You might as well ask—who reviews books? Well, since the internet exploded, almost anyone can review a book. Before that and even now, there are paid book reviewers who write for one or many publications. Some book reviewers have become so famous that their word can make or break the sales of a book.

Michiko Kakutani, former chief book critic for the New York Times is one of them. Not all of us can aim that high as a book reviewer. However, you can certainly learn to write a decent book review. And perhaps even earn some money on the way. Let’s find out how to do that.

The Importance of Book Reviews

Book reviews are the best way to promote the book for both publishers and authors. They spread the word about the book. Book reviewers are also readers in a sense so book reviews let other readers know about a book. Many people don’t buy books unless they have read a few honest book reviews .

If you are a writer or have a profession that has something to do with books, you will already know why book reviews are important. If you are a reader, you know that by reading book reviews, you decide if the book under review is a book you’d like to invest your time and money in.

Book reviews are so important that there is an underground practice of paid reviews on a leading e-commerce website. This is certainly extremely unfair and should not be tolerated.

So now that you know a bit about what book reviews are, let’s dive into how to write them.

1. Choose a Book

Unless you have been commissioned to write a book review, you will have to find a book first to review. Usually book reviewers either love a book or hate a book so much that they are moved to review it. If you want to choose a book solely for the purpose of reviewing, then any book will do. You can write a book review of a book on any subject under the sun.

If you have been commissioned to write a book review, you’d still need to know which genre it fits in. A nodding acquaintance with genres will help you at this point. This is because in order to review a book, you’ll need to know which genre it belongs to. The book cover also gives you a clue about the genre. Sometimes, publishers mention the genre near the barcode of the book on the back cover. Look closely for it.

Broadly there are two types of books— fiction and non-fiction . There are several genres in each types.

The following genres come under fiction.

• Action and adventure
• Comic and graphic novel
• Crime and detective
• Fan-fiction
• Historical fiction
• Magical Realism
• Realistic fiction
• Science fiction (Sci-fi)
• Short story
• Suspense/thriller

The following genres come under non-fiction:

• Biography/autobiography
• Creative nonfiction
• Narrative nonfiction
• Periodicals

Note : poetry can come under fiction and non-fiction as well.

2. Read the Book

This might seem like an obvious next step but you’d be surprised to know how many people falter here. Having an opinion is easy: everyone seems to have one. But reading a book whether you like it or not till the end without skipping any pages, isn’t. After you have chosen a book or have been given one as a commission, you need to read it thoroughly. There will be bits that will not be your liking (take note of this) or some that are outright boring (make note again) as well as bits that you will love (make note of this too), but it has to be read completely. That is the commitment that you as a book reviewer makes when you pick up a book to review. To be an honest book reviewer, you need to read the whole book.

Remember that someone somewhere will read your book review and will buy the book and perhaps that might change that reader’s life.

3. Make Notes

While you are reading the book, you’ll need to make notes. These notes will help you when you start writing the book review.

You have several ways to do that. You could keep a notebook alongside and note down the page number, its corresponding lines (if any) and your comment about the same. Some people write on the margins of the books as well. If the book is not your own copy, you should avoid writing on it. Besides, how much can be fit into the margins anyway? Some others use post-it notes. Some even use online notetaking apps. As you begin to review books regularly, you will discover your favourite method of notetaking and will stick to it.

Now, you might ask—what should go into the notes? Lines that resonate with you, any quotations that appeal universally and ideas that you think stand out. In addition, if you have any particular theories in your head, you can note them down for the book review later.

4. Follow the Format

A complete book review does the following:

• Lists the strengths and weaknesses of the book.
• Observes what the author intended to do and if he/she was able to do it.
• Fits into 50 to 1500 words.

After you have finished reading the book and collected all your notes, now you can start writing the book review. Do keep in mind the format of a book review.

• Book details
• Your analysis/opinion
• Your recommendation

These sections don’t have to fall into neat paragraphs. You can take as many paragraphs as you want per point.

Before you start writing, you need to make notes of the book details: title, author, place, publisher, publication date, edition, pages and price.

5. Start with a Brief Summary

You are on your way to writing your book review now. Start with a brief summary. No matter the genre try not to give out too many details. Your review should make people want to read the book not come away with feeling that they don’t need to read it! So try not to give out any plot spoilers. This is especially true for fiction genres. If however you cannot help it, add a ‘Spoiler Alert’ note to the book review.

6. Frame Your Opinion

Now you are more than halfway into writing the book review. If you are sure you won’t be influenced by other reviewers, you can go ahead and read some other reviews of the book that you are reviewing. But if you think that will influence you, please avoid them.

If you are reviewing a book in a fictional genre, you’ll need to comment on the title, story, plot, character, action, tone, pace and genre. Some books break the rules of genre so be alert to that as well. This could be an interesting facet to talk about in the review. For example, Junot Diaz’s short story collection Drown relies on his own life heavily making it almost a semi-autographical collection of short stories where the narrator Yunior is the author’s fictional alter-ego.

If you are reviewing a book from a non-fiction genre, you’ll need to comment on the title, subject, the author’s qualification to tackle that subject, how well the author covers the subject, the tone, the pace and any omissions.

Certainly this is the time to add all those notes that you have meticulously made. Round up the review by mentioning the parts of the book that worked for you. Any criticisms of the book can be pointed out too as diplomatically as possible.

A few points to keep in mind:

• Avoid being intimidated by famous authors or their earlier works.
• Try not to review books of people you love or hate.
• Find a genre you love and become an expert in it.

7. Include Quotes

Do include quotes because they are illustrations of all the points that are you are making. For example, you might say that the book showed a character as being quick-witted. Then if you can add a quote from the book that illustrates this, it makes your review stronger.

Avoid adding chunks of text as an example since they can slow the pace of the review and might overwhelm the reader. KISS—keeping it short and simple—always works!

8. Refer to Other Books

To add weight to your review, you can refer to other books either in the same genre, connected to the same subject, or written by the same author in the body of your book review. There many ways of making connections. So feel free to link ideas across diverse books. This will show that you are knowledgeable and well read.

It’s better to refer to books that fall within your reading orbit rather than reading up summaries on the internet and making superficial connections based on them. Once the review is in print or posted online, you don’t want to be called out for it.

If you are writing your first book review, don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere. You can always build up a repertoire of read books as you go along. The more authentic you are, the better your book review will be.

As you come to the end of your book review, you’d want to recommend to the reader if the book is worth their time. This recommendation works very well when you connect it to similar books. You might have come across lines like ‘If you liked The Game of Thrones books, you will like this book as well.’ which are nothing but a recommendation connected to a similar book.

9. Rate the Book

Now that you have almost come to the end of the book review, you might have to decide on a rating for the book. This is not a compulsory feature but a nice-to-have one.

If there is a rating system already in place, go ahead and follow it. Usually all established newspapers and websites have a system in place.

If however are blogging or have the freedom to make your own rating system, feel free inject a bit of humour. It gives the reader something to smile about as he/she reads your book review. You might even become something of a trendsetter as a result. Here’s an example:

* * * * * Outstanding

* * * *    Standing

* * *      Leaning

* *         Falling

*            Sleeping  

While rating the book, think of the book’s merits and drawbacks. Do not let personal feelings for the author or the publisher colour your opinion. Even though the book review is a subject piece of writing, try to be as objective as you can. Your reputation as book review will be enhanced by it.

10. Write a Conclusion

Give yourself a pat on the back if you have come to this part of the book review. Your hard work is soon going to pay off.

Summarise all the points you have covered in the conclusion and rephrase them in a short and sweet manner. Restate your overall opinion once before wrapping up the review.

So now you have learnt how to write a book review. All you need to do is find that book and start reading. Good luck and happy reviewing!

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How to Write a Book Review: The Complete Guide

by Sue Weems | 23 comments

If you've ever loved (or hated) a book, you may have been tempted to review it. Here's a complete guide to how to write a book review, so you can share your literary adventures with other readers more often! 

You finally reach the last page of a book that kept you up all night and close it with the afterglow of satisfaction and a tinge of regret that it’s over. If you enjoyed the book enough to stay up reading it way past your bedtime, consider writing a review. It is one of the best gifts you can give an author.

Regardless of how much you know about how to write a book review, the author will appreciate hearing how their words touched you.

But as you face the five shaded stars and empty box, a blank mind strikes. What do I say? I mean, is this a book really deserving of five stars? How did it compare to Dostoevsky or Angelou or Dickens?

Maybe there’s an easier way to write a book review.

Want to learn how to write a book from start to finish? Check out How to Write a Book: The Complete Guide .

The Fallacy of Book Reviews

Once you’ve decided to give a review, you are faced with the task of deciding how many stars to give a book.

When I first started writing book reviews, I made the mistake of trying to compare a book to ALL BOOKS OF ALL TIME. (Sorry for the all caps, but that’s how it felt, like a James Earl Jones voice was asking me where to put this book in the queue of all books.)

Other readers find themselves comparing new titles to their favorite books. It's a natural comparison. But is it fair?

This is honestly why I didn’t give reviews of books for a long time. How can I compare a modern romance or historical fiction war novel with Dostoevsky? I can’t, and I shouldn’t.

I realized my mistake one day as I was watching (of all things) a dog show. In the final round, they trotted out dogs of all shapes, colors, and sizes. I thought, “How can a Yorkshire Terrier compete with a Basset Hound?” As if he'd read my mind, the announcer explained that each is judged by the standards for its breed.

This was my “Aha!” moment. I have to take a book on its own terms. The question is not, “How does this book compare to all books I’ve read?” but “How well did this book deliver what it promised for the intended audience?”

A review is going to reflect my personal experience with the book, but I can help potential readers by taking a minute to consider what the author intended. Let me explain what I mean. 

How to Write a Book Review: Consider a Book’s Promise

A book makes a promise with its cover, blurb, and first pages. It begins to set expectations the minute a reader views the thumbnail or cover. Those things indicate the genre, tone, and likely the major themes.

If a book cover includes a lip-locked couple in flowing linen on a beach, and I open to the first page to read about a pimpled vampire in a trench coat speaking like Mr. Knightly about his plan for revenge on the entire human race, there’s been a breach of contract before I even get to page two. These are the books we put down immediately (unless a mixed-message beachy cover combined with an Austen vampire story is your thing).

But what if the cover, blurb, and first pages are cohesive and perk our interest enough to keep reading? Then we have to think about what the book has promised us, which revolves around one key idea: What is the core story question and how well is it resolved?

Sometimes genre expectations help us answer this question: a romance will end with a couple who finds their way, a murder mystery ends with a solved case, a thriller’s protagonist beats the clock and saves the country or planet.

The stories we love most do those expected things in a fresh or surprising way with characters we root for from the first page. Even (and especially!) when a book doesn’t fit neatly in a genre category, we need to consider what the book promises on those first pages and decide how well it succeeds on the terms it sets for itself.

When I Don’t Know What to Write

About a month ago, I realized I was overthinking how to write a book review. Here at the Write Practice we have a longstanding tradition of giving critiques using the Oreo method : point out something that was a strength, then something we wondered about or that confused us, followed by another positive.

We can use this same structure to write a simple review when we finish books. Consider this book review format: 

[Book Title] by [book author] is about ___[plot summary in a sentence—no spoilers!]___. I chose this book based on ________. I really enjoyed ________. I wondered how ___________. Anyone who likes ____ will love this book.

Following this basic template can help you write an honest review about most any book, and it will give the author or publisher good information about what worked (and possibly what didn’t). You might write about the characters, the conflict, the setting, or anything else that captured you and kept you reading.

As an added bonus, you will be a stronger reader when you are able to express why you enjoyed parts of a book (just like when you critique!). After you complete a few, you’ll find it gets easier, and you won’t need the template anymore.

What if I Didn’t Like It?

Like professional book reviewers, you will have to make the call about when to leave a negative review. If I can’t give a book at least three stars, I usually don’t review it. Why? If I don’t like a book after a couple chapters, I put it down. I don’t review anything that I haven’t read the entire book.

Also, it may be that I’m not the target audience. The book might be well-written and well-reviewed with a great cover, and it just doesn’t capture me. Or maybe it's a book that just isn't hitting me right now for reasons that have nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my own reading life and needs. Every book is not meant for every reader.

If a book kept me reading all the way to the end and I didn’t like the ending? I would probably still review it, since there had to be enough good things going on to keep me reading to the end. I might mention in my review that the ending was less satisfying than I hoped, but I would still end with a positive.

How to Write a Book Review: Your Turn

As writers, we know how difficult it is to put down the words day after day. We are typically voracious readers. Let’s send some love back out to our fellow writers this week and review the most recent title we enjoyed.

What was the last book you read or reviewed? Do you ever find it hard to review a book? Share in the comments .

Now it's your turn. Think of the last book you read. Then, take fifteen minutes to write a review of it based on the template above. When you're done, share your review in the Pro Practice Workshop . For bonus points, post it on the book's page on Amazon and Goodreads, too!

Don't forget to leave feedback for your fellow writers! What new reads will you discover in the comments?

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

23 Comments

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin is about a girl that shows no emotion befriending a ice dragon.

I chose this book based on the cover that had a little girl riding a ice dragon, and wondered what is about.

I really enjoyed the interaction the little girl had with the dragon.

I wondered how how the girl’s bond with the dragon.

Anyone who likes a coming of age story set in a fantasy will love this book.

Thanks for sharing your practice, Azure!

You’re welcome.

A interesting, at times perplexing, subject! And one on my mind lately,as I’ve agreed to do a few. I do enjoy giving reviews and am delighted when I can say, “This was a great book!” Or even, “I enjoyed this book.” It gets perplexing when I agree to review a book — and simply don’t like it. Then what to say? I hate to disappoint the writer but I’ve promised to give my honest opinion.

I’ve found some books mediocre and yet I see a dozen other reviewers saying “A great story!” Tastes do vary. But when there are obvious flaws I tend to skip all the best-friend-and-cousin reviewers and find the first person who says, “This writer has a problem with…” Usually there’ll be a number of reviewers who spot the same problems I do.

I like upbeat main characters, but not aggressive, belligerent, and/or self-centered ones. I like to meet in a story the kind of people I’d like to meet in real life— not people I’d avoid if possible. I recently read a book where the main character came across as insipid and the story only mildly interesting. Other reviewers said it was great and I know for this specific audience — readers who want a certain slant to a story — it was quite suitable. So I tried to cut the book some slack. Everyone has their limit as to how much blood and gore, smooching and snuggling, they are willing to read about.

Once I agreed to review a book and would have tossed it after the first chapter — for several reasons. A lot of “writer inserting facts for reader’s benefit”; teach/preach paragraphs; excess of description; attitudes of MCs. Once it’s live on seller’s sites like Amazon, what can you say? The one thing good it had going for it was the story line or theme. With a pro editor’s help it could have been a great story.

As for a review, one book I read lately was “A Clue for the Puzzle Lady” by Parnell Hall. It’s one of those “Stayed up half the night to finish it” books; I think anyone who likes a compelling cozy mystery would probably like it. Downside: I didn’t care for the “Puzzle Lady.” She’s a lush, hangs out at the bar getting sloshed. The upside: her sensible niece has a starring role —trying to keep her aunt on the straight-and-narrow and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end.

Christine, Thanks for sharing your insight! It sounds like you are approached often to review new books. It does make it tricky if it’s a request, especially outside your own preferences. Thanks for chiming in about your process, as I’m sure others will appreciate the perspective too. I’ll have to take a look at the Puzzle Lady– I do enjoy cozy mysteries. Sue

Here’s another cozy mystery book review in case you’re interested. I’m not approached by writers that often, but there are the Story Cartel, Book Bub and Goodreads, all sites where authors ask for review volunteers.

Reel Estate Ripoff by Renee Pawlish

The detective Reed Ferguson is a fan of Humphry Bogart, movie memorabilia of that era, and fancies himself a bit of a Sam Slade. Though not your super-sleuth, rather inept at times, he’s a likeable character. Told in first person, the story has a Philip Marlowe tone to it, but much tamer. Dialogue and story line are well done, the story well plotted and believable. I’d gladly read more stories about this particular gumshoe.

If you like cozy mystery books, I’ll send you a list later, Sue. Love them too and I’ve met many authors who write in this genre. Back on topic– you inspire me again to add some reviews to my Blog. I have been reading and writing many middle grade mysteries for a project! My latest favorite: “The World’s Greatest Detective” by Caroline Carson (who I hope to meet tomorrow in Arlington, VA!) My 12 year old grandson borrowed it and finished it before I could. “It’s the best mystery I ever read, Grandma! You’ ll never guess the ending with unpredictable twists!” What better review could we read. The target audience and I both highly recommend this 2017 mystery.

Adding it to my stack, Beth. Thanks!

Not wanting to sound life an idiot, but willing to risk it here among friends: What exactly is a cozy mystery?

Glad you asked! It’s a subgenre of mystery. The best examples of cozy mysteries are those by Agatha Christie. They usually avoid profanity, excessive gore/ violence, and sex. They focus more on the puzzle, sleuth, and their smaller world. Hope that helps!

Thanks, Sue.

Wonderful article. The first I have read by you. It especially gets those of us who don’t feel we have the formula down for review writing to be introduced to a form we can build upon with experience. You’ve kept it simple but you have given us the main ingredients needed for a good review. I printed this one off to look at the next few times I write reviews. Thank you.

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for reading and commenting!

I haven’t gone into all this. It’s a matter of time, Joe. I gad about all over the place, not knowing where I am or where I’m going. Within weeks, I’ll be 87. I’ve books of my own that I’d like to see reviewed. Even sorting them out, however, even finding where any of them are, would be a time burden. You see the fix?

Hi Dave, You aren’t alone in feeling the press of time for getting your stories out into the world. May I gently offer this: start with finding and sorting one. If you can’t find it, write it anew. You’ve probably grown in time and perspective since you wrote the first draft, which will make for a stronger story. Good luck. I’m cheering you on!

This is an article for me, because I am happy to receive a rating. I haven’t sold many books. But, at least some thinks that it was worth the time to read. That was refreshing. And, I think I wrote two reviews, so far. It was on Amazon.com. Thank you.

You’re welcome!

Hi, Sue. Thanks for the helpful advice. I did a review on Amazon for the first of a 7-part thriller titled ‘Mosh Pit (The Rose Garden Incident)’ by Michael Hiebert. [Here it is.]

“5.0 out of 5 stars Advance copy review. By A fellow author on September 18, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition I Recommend This Book Strongly

I enjoyed reading this first part of the thriller. The author’s opening chapter/prologue was fast paced, and set me in the middle of the inciting incident along with two of the main characters. After that thrilling opening, I felt the ensuing chapters moved at a more leisurely pace, and was about to grade them as less praiseworthy when I watched a lecture by Brandon Sanderson on YouTube about building three dimensional characters and realised Michael Hiebert had done exactly that by introducing the reader to the minutiae of other characters who had parts to play in the development of the story. So, instead of cardboard cutouts of bland stock characters, the author shows us real people with real concerns that the reader can relate to.and actually care about. I look forward to reading the rest of this intriguing thriller, and highly recommend it to all lovers of well-written, and well-crafted thrillers.”

I also reviewed Part 2 of the series, but that review is too long to post here.

Footnote: The author, Michael Hiebert, was so pleased with my reviews, he recently asked me to beta-read a short story collection he plans to publish in November.

Great review, John! I like how you shared a bit of your process as a reader too, in recognizing what the writer was doing with their characterization. Thanks!

Thank you, Sue.

Five out of five stars When I picked up a copy of “The Girl with All the Gifts,” by M R Carey, at the used book store, I somehow had it in my head that it was a YA dystopian novel along the lines of “Divergent” or “The Hunger Games.” While I would definitely say that I was not right about that, I wouldn’t say that I was completely wrong. I was, however, completely unprepared for a zombie novel–which is a good thing, cause I wouldn’t have read it, and I’m glad I did. Think “The Walking Dead” meets (why do I want to say ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night”?) “Peter Pan.” I really enjoyed seeing things from, the main character, Melanie’s point of view. Her limited knowledge of her own situation was intriguing, to say the least (and probably why I thought of “The Curious Incident”). I was a bit disappointed when the POV changed to another character’s, but, as the novel progressed, I found myself sympathizing with nearly all the characters–with one exception, and I’ll leave that for you to ponder when you read it. I wondered how much of the science was real, but not enough for me to research it myself. Although, based on other reviews, I guess most of the science about the fungus is real. I also wondered about the fate of the remaining ‘lost boys’ of the cities. If you liked…. well, I don’t know. I’m not typically a fan of things zombie, so I don’t have a comparison, but the book was somewhat similar to “Divergent” and “The Hunger Games” in that the main character goes through a hellluva time and comes out the other side with a plan for her future.

“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom is a true story about how one man found meaning in life when his doctors gave him a death sentence. Morrie was a college professor who passed on his new found wisdom in the last year of his life to a favorite student, the author, who chronicled his professor’s perspectives on death and dying.

I chose this book because of its philosophical topic, and because it is so well written that the words just jump off the page.

Knowing we are all mortal beings, I especially liked the insights, the tidbits of wisdom imparted by the dying man. Death is a subject that few, if any of us, ever talk about seriously with friends and family. The subject of death is verboten. We deny its existence. And, if we are religious, we pretend we will not really die, but we deceive ourselves and think we will live on in some afterlife existence for all eternity. But the professor, Morrie, learns some valuable life lessons from his impending death, and Mitch Albom was gracious enough to capture them in this short but eminently readable book.

I really liked the book because it is timeless. This true story will impart serious life lessons for all future generations, and will help us gain perspectives on our lives and the relationships with those we love the most.

R. Allan Worrell

Sue, I’ve been meaning to come back since this was first posted to tell you thanks for a great article. I seldom review books for alllllll the reasons you listed. This is a perfect tool and I’ll surely use it. Cathy

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How to Write a Book Review: A Comprehensive Tutorial With Examples

You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can guide fellow bibliophiles toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will not only help you excel at your assigned tasks, but you’ll also contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community and turn your passion into a professional pursuit.

In this comprehensive guide,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

What is a Book Review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book.

Writing a book review as an assignment benefits students in multiple ways. Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes, and writing style .

Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.

Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review, so let’s look at the book review template first.

Table of Contents

Book Review Template

How to write a book review- a step by step guide.

Check out these 5 straightforward steps for composing the best book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let’s take a step back and plan your approach. Since knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

First things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or simply intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss.

The Key Questions to Ponder

When planning your book review, consider the following questions:

• What’s the plot (if any)? Understanding the driving force behind the book will help you craft a more effective review.
• Is the plot interesting? Did the book hold your attention and keep you turning the pages?
• Are the writing techniques effective? Does the author’s style captivate you, making you want to read (or reread) the text?
• Are the characters or the information believable? Do the characters/plot/information feel real, and can you relate to them?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? Consider if the book is worthy of being recommended, whether to impress someone or to support a point in a literature class.
• What could improve? Always keep an eye out for areas that could be improved. Providing constructive criticism can enhance the quality of literature.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “how to write a book review,” we’re focusing on the art of creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its  title  and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

Now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review.

Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review. Your readers will be eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights on the book, setting the stage for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

How to Write a Book Review: Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a specific section of the book, not revealing any major plot twists or spoilers. Your goal is to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Normal People , Sally Rooney explores the complexities of love and friendship when she writes, “It was culture as class performance, literature fetishized for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys.” This quote reveals the author’s astute observations on the role of culture and class in shaping personal relationships.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create body paragraphs that are both captivating and insightful, enhancing your book review and providing your readers with a deeper understanding of the literary work. 

How to Write a Book Review: Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through planning, introductions, and body paragraphs with finesse. Now it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example:  The Alchemist is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

How to Write a Book Review: Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve masterfully crafted your book review, from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of assigning a rating to the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate the Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair:Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with an additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review: A Guide

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook ’em with an Intriguing Introduction

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you navigate the world of book reviews with ease. 

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book at hand, and let it shine in its own light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance of your review. 

In this section of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake: Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example: “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid: Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake: Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example: “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid: Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake: Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example: “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid: While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake: Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example: “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake: Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example: “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid: Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake: Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example: “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid: Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake: Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it, leading to confusion for potential readers.

Example: “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices.

These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

Many students requested us to cover how to write a book review. This thorough guide is sure to help you. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

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Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Apr 03

How to write a book review in 3 steps.

If the idea of reading for free — or even getting paid to read — sounds like a dream come true, remember that it isn’t a pipe dream. There are many places aspiring book reviewers can read books for free, such as Reedsy Discovery — a new platform for reviewing indie books. Of course, if you’re giving serious thought to becoming a book reviewer, your first step should be learning how to write a book review. To that end, this post covers all the basics of literary criticism. Let’s get started!

The three main steps of writing a book review are simple:

• Provide a summary: What is story about? Who are the main characters and what is the main conflict? 
• Present your evaluation: What did you think of the book? What elements worked well, and which ones didn’t? 
• Give your recommendation: Would you recommend this book to others? If so, what kinds of readers will enjoy it?

You can also download our free book review templates and use it as a guide! Otherwise, let’s take a closer look at each element.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

How to write a review of a book

Step 1. provide a summary.

Have you ever watched a movie only to realize that all the good bits were already in the trailer? Well, you don’t want the review to do that. What you do want the summary to do is reveal the genre, theme, main conflict, and main characters in the story — without giving away spoilers or revealing how the story ends.

A good rule of thumb is not to mention anything that happens beyond the midpoint. Set the stage and give readers a sense of the book without explaining how the central issue is resolved.

Emily W. Thompson's review of The Crossing :

In [Michael] Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl. Read more...

Here are a few more reviews with well-written summaries for you to check out. The summary tend to be the longest part of the book review, so we won’t turn this post into a novel itself by pasting them all here: Le Cirque Navire reviewed by Anna Brill, The Heart of Stone reviewed by Kevin R. Dickinson, Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment reviewed by Lianna Albrizio.

Non-fiction summary tip: The primary goal of a non-fiction summary is to provide context: what problems or issues has the book spotted, and how does it go about addressing them? Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning’s review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field.

Step 2. Present your evaluation

While you should absolutely weave your own personal take of a book into the review, your evaluation shouldn’t only be based on your subjective opinion. Along with presenting how you reacted to the story and how it affected you, you should also try to objectively critique the stronger and weaker elements of the story, and provide examples from the text to back up your points.

To help you write your evaluation, you should record your reactions and thoughts as you work your way through a novel you’re planning on reviewing. Here are some aspects of the book to keep in mind as you do.

Your evaluation might focus heartily on the book’s prose:

Donald Barker's review of Mercenary : 

Such are the bones of the story. But, of course, it is the manner in which Mr Gaughran puts the bones back together and fills them with life that makes “Mercenary” such a great read. The author’s style seems plain; it seems straightforward and even simple. But an attempt at imitation or emulation quickly proves that simple it is not. He employs short, punchy sentences that generate excellent dialogue dripping with irony, deadpan humour and wit. This, mixed with good descriptive prose, draws the characters – and what characters they are – along with the tumultuous events in which they participated amidst the stinking, steaming heat of the South American jungle, out from the past to the present; alive, scheming, drinking, womanising and fighting, onto the written page.

You can give readers a sense of the book by drawing comparisons to other well-known titles or authors:

Laura Hartman's review of The Mystery of Ruby's Mistletoe :

Reading Ms. Donovan’s book is reminiscent to one of my favorite authors, Dame Agatha Christie. Setting up the suspects in a snowbound house, asking them to meet in the drawing room and the cleverly satisfying conclusion was extremely gratifying. I can picture Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot nodding at Ms. Donovan saying “Well done!”

Not everyone’s tastes are the same, and you can always acknowledge this by calling out specific story elements in your evaluation: 

Kevin R. Dickinson's review of The Heart of Stone :

Whether you enjoy Galley’s worldbuilding will depend heavily on preference. Galley delivers information piecemeal, letting the characters, not the author, navigate the reader through Hartlund. A notable example is the magic system, an enigmatic force that lacks the ridge structures of, say, a Brandon Sanderson novel. While the world’s magical workings are explained, you only learn what the characters know and many mysteries remain by the end. Similar choices throughout make the world feel expansive and authentic.

Non-fiction evaluation tip: A book’s topic is only as compelling as its supporting arguments. Your evaluation of a nonfiction book should address that: how clearly and effectively are the points communicated? Turn back to Stefan’s critique for an example of a non-fiction critique that covers key takeaways and readability, without giving away any “big reveals.”

Step 3. Give your recommendation 

At the end of the day, your critique needs to answer this question: is this a book you would (or wouldn’t) recommend to other readers? You might wrap up by comparing it to other books in the same genre, or authors with similar styles, such as: “Fans of so-and-so will enjoy this book.” 

Let’s take a look at a few more tips:

You don’t need to write, “I recommend this book” — you can make it clear by highlighting your favorable opinion:

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

Add more punch to your rating by mentioning what kind of audience will or won’t enjoy the book:

Charleigh Aleyna Reid's review of The King of FU :

I would recommend this book to anyone who grew up in the 90’s and would like to reminisce about the time, someone who is interested to see what it was like to be a 90’s kid, or perhaps anyone who is looking for a unique, funny story about someone’s life.

Unless you found the title absolutely abhorrent, a good way to balance out a less favorable book review it to share what you did like about the book — before ultimately stating why you wouldn’t recommend the novel:

Nicola O's review of Secrets of the Sea Lord :

Overall, there are plenty of enjoyable elements in this story and fans of Atlantis and mer mythology should give it a try. Despite this, it does not rise above a three-star rating, and while I had some difficulty pinning down why this is, I concluded that it comes from a surprisingly unsophisticated vocabulary. There are a couple of graphic sex scenes, which is absolutely fine in a paranormal romance, but if they were removed, I could easily imagine this as an appealing story for middle-schoolers.

Non-fiction recommendation tip: As with fiction book reviews, share why you did or didn’t enjoy the title. However, in one of the starkest divergences from fiction book reviews it’s more important than ever that you mention your expectations coming into the non-fiction book. For instance, if you’re a cow farmer who’s reading a book on the benefits of becoming a vegetarian, you’re coming in with a large and inherent bias that the book will struggle to alter. So your recommendation should cover your thoughts about the book, while clearly taking account your perspective before you started reading. Let’s look once more at Stefan’s review for an example of a rating that includes an explanation of the reviewer’s own bias.

Bonus tips for writing a book review

Let’s wrap up with a few final tips for writing a compelling review.

• Remember, this isn’t a book report. If someone wants the summary of a book, they can read the synopsis. People turn to book reviews for a fellow reader’s take on the book. And for that reason...
• Have an opinion. Even if your opinion is totally middle-of-the-line — you didn’t hate the book but you didn’t love it either — state that clearly, and explain why.
• Make your stance clear from the outset. Don’t save your opinion just for the evaluation/recommendation. Weave your thoughts about the book into your summary as well, so that readers have an idea of your opinion from the outset.
• Back up your points. Instead of just saying, “the prose was evocative” — show readers by providing an actual passage that displays this. Same goes for negative points — don’t simply tell readers you found a character unbelievable, reference a certain (non-spoiler) scene that backs this up.
• Provide the details. Don’t forget to weave the book’s information into the review: is this a debut author? Is this one installment of a series? What types of books has the author written before? What is their background? How many pages does the book have? Who published the book? What is the book’s price?
• Follow guidelines. Is the review you’re writing for Goodreads? For The New York Times ? The content and tone of your review will vary a good deal from publication to publication.
• Learn from others. One of the best ways to learn how to write a great review is to read other reviews! To help you out with that, we’ve published a post all about book review examples .

Writing book reviews can be a rewarding experience! As a book-lover yourself, it’s a great opportunity to help guide readers to their next favorite title. If you’re just getting started as a reviewer and could use a couple more tips and nudges in the right direction, check out our comprehensive blog post on how to become a book reviewer . And if you want to find out which review community is the right fit for you, we recommend taking this quick quiz:

Which review community should you join?

Find out which review community is best for your style. Takes 30 seconds!

Finally, if you feel you've nailed the basics of how to write a book review, we recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can review books for free and are guaranteed people will read them. To register as a book reviewer, simply go here !

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7 Tips on How to Write a Book Review

April 7, 2022 by Tahlia Newland Leave a Comment

Are you unsure of how to write a book review? Honestly, any kind of constructive review is helpful, even if it’s only a couple of sentences, but it makes it easier to know how to start and what to write about if you have a simple structure to follow.

A simple book review structure

1. start with a couple of sentences describing what the book is about.

But without giving any spoilers or revealing plot twists! As a general rule, try to avoid writing in detail about anything that happens from about the middle of the book onwards. If the book is part of a series, it can be useful to mention this, and whether you think you’d need to have read other books in the series to enjoy this one.

2. Discuss what you particularly liked about the book

Focus on your thoughts and feelings about the story and the way it was told. You could try answering a couple of the following questions:

• Who was your favourite character, and why?
• Did the characters feel real to you?
• Did the story keep you guessing?
• What was your favourite part of the book, and why?
• Were certain types of scene written particularly well – for example sad scenes, tense scenes, mysterious ones…?
• Did the book make you laugh or cry?
• Did the story grip you and keep you turning the pages?

3. Mention anything you disliked about the book

Talk about why you think it didn’t work for you. For example:

• Did you wish the ending hadn’t been a cliffhanger because you found it frustrating?
• Did you find it difficult to care about a main character, and could you work out why?
• Was the story too scary for your liking, or did it focus on a theme you didn’t find interesting?

4. Round up your review

Summarise some of your thoughts on the book by suggesting the type of reader you’d recommend the book to. For example: younger readers, older readers, fans of relationship drama/mystery stories/comedy. Are there any books or series you would compare it to?

5. Give the book a rating out of five.

Going deeper: 7 tips on writing book reviews.

Whether you’re a reader wanting to leave a brief review for an author who moved (or infuriated) you, or a book blogger wanting to write something deeper, the video below will give you some ideas for how to approach writing a book review. Authors will also find this a useful for evaluating their own work.

Here’s the topics I cover in the video. Click the links for a detailed examination of the points.

• There are two kinds of reviews. Personal opinion reviews and reviews of writing craftsmanship. The following points for writing reviews on the crafting of a book are covered in the video.
• Point of view . (5:29)
• Plot. (6:44)
• Pacing . (8:18)
• Characterisation . (9:50)
• Worldbuilding . (10:33)
• Prose . (12:33)

Reviewing AIA Publishing’s books

Sign up for the AIA Publishing Book Review Team and get a free Book Reviewer’s Checklist to help you with your book evaluation. If you review for us, you get to read our book for free in return for your review. We’re looking for team members who have an active Amazon account so they can leave a review on Amazon and/or have an active and engaged following on social media. We want people who will talk about our books with their friends. Click here to see what’s involved with being one of our reviewers.

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How To Write A Book Review: 6 Steps To Take

Adiba Jaigirdar

Adiba Jaigirdar is an Irish-Bangladeshi writer, poet, and teacher. She resides in Dublin, Ireland and has an MA in postcolonial studies. She is currently working on her own postcolonial novel and hopes that someday it will see the light of day outside of her computer screen. Twitter:  @adiba_j

View All posts by Adiba Jaigirdar

Whether you’re a student, a novice blogger, or just someone looking to become a more active user of Goodreads, writing a book review is an important skill to have! Here are six steps for how to write a book review for school and beyond. 

1. Begin with a brief summary of the book

This is probably the best way to introduce any review because it gives context. But make sure to not go into too much detail. Keep it short and sweet since an official summary can be found through a quick google search!

2. Pick out the most important aspects of the book

I usually break this down with character, world-building, themes, and plot. But this might vary between books, genres, and your tastes!

Dedicate a paragraph to each of these important aspects, discussing how well the author dealt with it, along with what you enjoyed and what you didn’t enjoy.

3. Include brief quotes as examples

Including quotes is always a great idea, because it gives examples for everything that you’re saying! If your review talks about a character being particularly witty, a witty line from the character lets your readers see exactly what kind of witty character you’re dealing with here.

But be careful: lengthy quotes can take up big chunks of space and overpower your review. Short quotes will usually get your points across while letting your work shine through.

4. Write a conclusion that summarises everything

Like your introduction, keep your conclusion short and sweet! It should bring up the main points of your review, along with your overall opinion of the book.

5. Find similar books

A great way to wrap up a review is to find similar books to the one you’re reviewing. So you can say, “if you were a fan of X book, I think you’ll definitely like this one!”

You can also be more specific, looking at the exact things that might make two books similar. So you can suggest something like…“if you liked that the main character in X book was a kick-ass superhero, then you’ll love the main character of this book!”

6. Give it a star rating

A star rating is obviously encouraged in a lot of review sites, but they’re not necessary! If you do want to give a star rating, you can go the conventional “out of five/ten” route. You could also try something slightly less conventional, and break down your star-rating into different categories for character/plot/world-building, etc.

Now go forth and review! And share any tips you have for how to write a book review in the comments.

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• Writing & Editing

How to Write a Book Review (The Definitive Guide)

You should know how to write a book review, whether you want to help a writer friend with his or her book sales or just want to provide your two cents on a specific book.

A book review is a subtle yet effective way to show your reaction to a book, and it holds a great deal of weight with readers.

Let’s delve into book reviews and how to write them properly.

What is a book review?

A book review is a written assessment of a specific book. The book review is often well-regarded by book aficionados because they look for affirmation from a well-known source.

As a rule, if you are going to write a book review, you should make sure that you write the book review as effectively as possible.

Here is a step-by-step guide to on how to write a book review:

1. Read the book thoroughly

When you receive a copy of the book, the first thing you should do is read it thoroughly. Don't rush into writing a book review. You must be as thorough as possible and be familiar with the most subtle aspects of the book.

Keep in mind that the author is counting on you to write an objective and well-written review of his or her book. If you rush through the book review, you will be doing the author a grave injustice.

2. Choose a rating system

You should make sure to set up a rating system for your book review. By having a rating system, you will be able to convey whether a book is worth reading or not.

The rating system could be practically anything. It could be a five-star system, or any other rating system. What’s important is that your rating system is easy to understand.

3. Know what to include in your book review

While you are reading the book, you should already have a format for your book review. The review should have a set blueprint. As you write the book review, you should include an introduction, thesis, body, and conclusion.

Here is a short description of the book review parts:

Introduction

The introduction should describe the book's title and cover. It should also take note of any subtitles and the name of the author.

This part of the book review should have a quick description of the book’s contents and show the key points of the book. It is best to avoid making any opinions during this part.

Quote at least three parts from the book, and give your own take on them. You should make sure to separate each opinion into a specific paragraph.

The conclusion should include a summary of all the key points from the main body. This should also contain your rating and an overall opinion of the book. You should also explain why you have this specific opinion about the book.

4. Fairness is key

Once you finish reading the book and have written down all the key concepts in it, it is now time to write the book review. As you write your book review, it is important that you have one thing in mind. Fairness is of the utmost importance. Whether you like or don’t like the author, it is very important that you have an unbiased approach to reviewing their book.

5. Take your time with writing the book review

As you are writing the book review, you may be tempted to just write a generic review. What’s so important about honesty or detail, right? This is a very bad way of looking at book reviews.

Remember that readers will use your book review to gauge whether to buy the book. If your book review is half-hearted or rushed, they will not really heed your critique.

If you want readers to follow your book recommendation, you should write a well-written book review. Take the time to double check every aspect of the book review.

Make sure that your grammar, spelling, and word usage are all on point. Remember that readers will base their decision to buy a book on your expertise and experience as a writer.

However, if the book review itself does not make sense or has a lot of spelling and grammatical errors, then the readers may think twice about heeding your recommendations. If you don’t want to get embarrassed, you should make sure to double check every aspect of your book review.

Book reviews are a big part of the book publishing industry. A majority of book lovers often use book reviews to gauge whether they should read a specific book or not. 

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How to Write a Great Product Roundup Article in 5 Steps

Product roundups, also known as "best product reviews", are one of the most popular types of content for affiliate marketing .

With a little optimization, these articles convert like crazy. Each article can earn you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month, with a little bit of effort.

Even better, a good product roundup template can be reused across articles. This makes them easier to create, replicate, and optimize. You can test changes in one post, which can be rolled out to others after you see positive results.

Plus, they convert better and are almost always more profitable than even the most optimized product review template .

Want to learn how to create a high-converting product roundup article that attracts quality clicks and drives affiliate conversions all year long? Read on to learn:

What is a product roundup?

• 3 reasons to write product roundups (instead of individual reviews)
• How to write a product roundup review article

How to optimize an existing product roundup for conversion

A product round up is an article on your blog, a social media post, or an email that features several products in the same category or according to a theme. As the reviewer, it's your job to evaluate each product and help your readers make an informed buying decision.

Done right, product roundups not only drive excellent affiliate commissions, but are genuinely useful to your audience.

Here's an example of a product roundup post:

In this product roundup article by Outdoor Gear Labs, the authors are evaluating 9 different messenger bags, selecting the overall best product, and share the metrics they used to make the decision.

Here are a few more real-world examples to make it concrete:

• Best Website Builder 2021: I've Reviewed the 16 Best (& Worst)
• Top 16 Best Hiking Backpacks in 2021   [Tested & Reviewed]
• The Best Coffee Grinders for Brewing Everything ...

You get the gist. Most roundups include the word "best" or "top" in the title, and promise the reader they'll be presented with only products of the highest quality.

TYPES OF PRODUCT ROUNDUPS

There are many types of product roundups besides "best product reviews". Curated lists, seasonal or holiday guides, gift guides, lists of brands or experiences, even a collection of discounts and time-sensitive deals can be seen as product roundup examples.

"Best product" keywords can get competitive. Don't forget to think about different angles with the same buyer intent when doing your affiliate keyword research.

Now for a question: why should you create product roundups, instead of just reviewing individual products? Aren't readers of reviewers even more primed to buy than those reading product roundup lists?

Turns out, product roundups will almost always help you make more money as an affiliate publisher. Here are three reasons why.

3 reasons you should write product roundups (instead of individual reviews)

It might seem logical that someone closer to conversion has already read product roundups, and has moved on to individual reviews. So investing in reviews means you're more likely to earn the click that results in a sale. Especially in an affiliate program with a last-click attribution model.

But the opposite is true: Product roundups are simply more profitable than individual reviews. Especially when you consider that they take roughly equal effort to create.

Here are three key reasons:

1. Higher search volume

Most of the time, the search volume for "best [product category]" will be higher than that of any individual products on the list. But this isn't so surprising when you think about the buyer's journey:

There are simply more people in the Awareness phase, who looking to purchase a type of product, than people who have already narrowed their search down to a specific product by a specific brand.

Here are some examples with global search volumes pulled from Keywords Everywhere to give you an idea of how dramatic the difference can be:

• "Ninja Air Fryer Max XL" (40,500 per month) vs.
• "Ninja Air Fryer review" (2,400 per month)
• "Baratza Sette 270Wi" (6,600 per month) vs.
• "Baratza Sette 270Wi review" (210 per month)
• "Patagonia Black Hole" (6,100 per month) vs.
• "Patagonia Black Hole review" (140 per month)

There are counterexamples, but by and large, you can get much more traffic to your affiliate content by writing product roundups instead of standalone reviews.

Apart from the higher search volume, product roundups are great for targeting longtail roundup keywords without writing an entire article about it. Here's an example for the keyword "best hiking backpacks":

In this case, the top article by CleverHiker ranks for over additional 2,300 keywords. With a single article, they're grabbing Position 1 for great terms like "ultralight backpack", "lightweight backpack", and "best backpacking backpacks."

Product roundups aren't just efficient from an affiliate revenue standpoint. If you monetize your site with ads, they'll boost that revenue by attracting extra traffic as well.

2. Easier to keep up-to-date

Keeping content somewhat fresh is usually an important factor for product roundups. New products and models are regularly released, and readers want to make sure they're not getting an outdated version.

But what happens when the version of the product you've reviewed is superseded by a new one? With a dedicated product review, you have to update the entire article. Especially if the changes are significant. Producing new photos and copy can be expensive and time-consuming.

With a roundup, you only need to update the relevant section. At worst, you can remove the product from the list and replace it with something else.

3. Product roundups just convert better

Finally, and most importantly, product roundups convert better and result in more revenue — even adjusted for traffic differences. Here's a look at how RPM (revenue per 1,000 visitors, based on affiliate sales) varies between product review content vs product roundup content.

Check out these two screenshots from a site using Affilimate :

Product review content has consistently lower click-through rate (CTR), lower RPM, and result in lower revenue. But compare that with product roundups — it's like night and day:

Better CTR, better RPM, more traffic, and more earnings. All in the same product category!

Why is that? Here's my theory:

Product review readers are already too informed to click your affiliate links.

They might already have Amazon or another retailer's website open in the other tab. They're just doing a little due diligence before buying — without interacting with your content.

That's why the click-through rate is so low.

While they might be closer to the buying decision, getting a review-reader to click your links — and therefore place an affiliate cookie — is much harder.

On average, earning a click from a product review is 2-3x harder than from a product roundup.

Convinced that your time is better spent on product roundups?

Here are the 5 things every product roundup should have to maximize conversions.

How to Write a Product Roundup Review Article

Once you get the hang of it, writing product roundup articles is pretty easy. You don't need a lot of special tools or plugins to create them. But you do need some conversion copywriting skills, and to empathize with your reader.

Here are the 5 steps to creating a good product roundup post:

• A click-worthy title
• A concise, authoritative intro
• Product comparison table
• Individual product reviews
• Buyer's guide

1. Choose a click-worthy title

Whether you're ranking content organically, running ads, or even sending an email to your list, the best product roundup is pointless unless you do one thing first.

And that is get your prospective reader to click a link to read your post.

There's an adage in copywriting that you should spend 50% of your time on the content, and the other 50% on a headline . It sounds like a lot, until you remember that despite what Google says, click-through rate is probably a ranking factor .

This is why it's so important to have a great title for your product roundup. Here's an example of what I mean.

Here are a few more title formulas you can use for product roundup posts:

• Example: 8 Best Android Tablets for College Students
• Example: 10 Best Dutch Ovens for Even Cooking
• Example: 7 Best Digital Cameras in 2021

While these formulas are helpful, getting creative (like the example above from Website Tool Tester) will help you stand out in the SERPs and spark interest in your assessment.

To be fair, there are lots of counterexamples to this point. Take for example, the very utilitarian headlines from Outdoor Gear Lab:

For these "Me too"-style SERPs, where everyone is essentially using the same title, you may need to stand out in other ways. Above, you'll see product review structured data being used for the first product in the list (hence the highly visible star-rating).

Now that you've earned the click, it's time to explain: why listen to you?

2. Create a concise, authoritative intro

Here's the thing: most people who land on your product roundup post have probably never heard of you before. So why should they take your advice?

Your intro paragraph's main job is to establish that you're an expert on the topic or product category.

This is in line with the guidelines from Google's Product Review update , released in April 2021:

The overall focus is on providing users with content that provides insightful analysis and original research, and is written by experts or enthusiasts who know the topic well.

So, how can you demonstrate to both visitors and Google that you're an expert or enthusiast? Here are a few ways to build a good rapport with your reader:

• Identify yourself as the author early in the piece
• Use a picture of yourself , especially with or using the product (or screenshots)
• Make jokes , be self-deprecating, get readers to like you!
• Explain why you're an expert on the topic and qualified to make the review
• Empathize with the pain points readers are probably coming to you with
• Address those concerns directly , without being overly positive or salsey
• Have a clean website design and basic, memorable branding

3. Product Comparison Table

Product comparison tables are super important. They help readers orient themselves early-on in your article to the choices you'll be presenting. It also lets them choose their most important criteria — for instance size, weight, battery life, etc. — and make a preliminary judgement on which product in your roundup is best for them.

And there's no better place to learn what belongs in a product comparison table (or a sales page, for that matter), than the King of Ecommerce: Amazon.

Here's a look at their comparison table for Kindle e-readers:

Amazon has figured out which criteria people care about most when buying an e-reader: ratings and reviews of other customers, screen size, storage, weight, and so forth.

Even for criteria where each model is the same (such as the "glare-free" screen), they include this to make it clear that this key pain point will by solved by any of their products.

So how do you decide what to include in your product comparison table? Here are a few techniques.

How to decide what goes in a product comparison table

The easiest way — apart from using your own intuition and experience – is to simply look at the advertiser's website.

So for example, if you're writing an article about the "best backpacking tents", head over to REI.com and find out what kinds of search filters they offer in this category:

Instantly we discover the most important criteria for buyers: sleeping capacity, brand, seasons, weight, features, use-case, design-type, number of doors, and obviously price.

From there, we want to address concerns people typically have. In the case of tents: Is it going to collapse on me in the middle of the night? Does it ventilate well? Will I be able to stand up inside?

Here's what that looks like in an article by Popular Mechanics:

You don't need a giant matrix to guide readers to the perfect product in your roundup. Figure out the top pain points (in this case, size, budget, and weight) and make it clear which are the top performers according to those metrics.

Here are some more things every product comparison table should have:

• Name of the product
• Clickable images for each product
• Clear designation of your top pick
• Alternatives, with hints towards who they're "best for" (e.g. "best for budget")
• Bold call-to-action button, which ideally contrasts with the rest of your site

That last point is 100% the most important one, because there is a high chance these will be the most-clicked elements on your entire page.

Common and effective affiliate CTAs include "Check price", "Read reviews", "See more photos", "Check availability", "Check current price", and so forth. Short, concise CTAs that promise tantalizing new information just beyond the click.

ALTERNATIVES TO A COMPARISON TABLE

By the way, you don't need a comparison table if it doesn't quite make sense for the products you're reviewing. In many cases, a simple bullet point list will also work.

Just don't make the mistake of simply listing products. Include an anecdote or other helpful buying criteria to entice readers to click. Here's a solid example:

This list is easy to skim, and includes plenty of use cases. The clear contrast of the link text is also effective. In some cases, bullet lists can be handy for SEO and picking up longtail keywords.

4. Individual Product Reviews

I've already written a detailed product review template , which explains in detail which elements you need to help readers make a buying decision right on your website. So, head over there for a comprehensive overview.

If you're wondering what exactly you should write about, here's my grab bag of ideas for what to include in a product review:

What to include in a product review

• Key specs and product description. You've got to cover the basics. What is the product, how does it work, what are the main specs that distinguish it from alternatives.
• Describe your personal experience with the product. Whenever possible, speak in the first person. Don't distance yourself from the product using passive voice.
• If you recommend the product, make it obvious. Phrases like "highly recommend", "favorite", "personal recommendation" near a link improve click-through rate and ultimately conversion.
• Persona of the ideal customer. What kind of person is this product best for? Simplify the specs into key personas, that make it easy for people to read and say, "That's me."
• Results the product helped you to achieve. Including screenshots and unique photos is extremely effective. Before and after shots also work great.
• Social proof from others. Reviews or testimonials you found online can work well for this. For example, ratings from TrustPilot or Capterra, or Amazon for consumer products. You can even link to "Reviews" as a way to earn your click if the reviews are on the advertiser's website.
• Pros and cons. Be honest about the product's shortcomings. Failure to do so results in returns, lost commissions, and savvy customers will see through it.
• Address common objections. Break down objections someone might have before they get a chance to ask. Checking questions on Amazon or in forums like Reddit are great places to get an idea of the types of questions to answer.
• Alternatives for different budgets or requirements. Include links to similar products but for slightly different needs, for example budget-conscious consumers.
• A link to a detailed, individual review. If you've written a detailed review on the specific product, you can link that at the end after you've provided a number of direct links to the product itself.
• Plenty of text links. Don't just link the product name. And don't just link once. Give the reader multiple opportunities to click without overwhelming them.

Each individual product review doesn't need to be super long. You don't want people to get tired of reading if the first product isn't a fit for them.

Vary the presentation with copy, images, and call-out sections that are visually distinct. The article should be well-structured so people can scan through and find what they're looking for, even in a 2,000-4,000 word article.

TIPS FOR GREAT AFFILIATE LINK ANCHOR TEXT

Text links can convert incredibly well, and will most likely lead to the lion's share of your affiliate commissions. Even if they may sometimes attract fewer clicks than a big, bold button.

That's because the surrounding copy compels the reader to click-through and primes them even better for conversion.

Here are a few effective ways to promote affiliate links in your post with text links, besides simply using the product name:

• ...can also recommend this particular [product category] — By not naming the product you're linking to, readers need to click through to see the recommendation.
• ...with over 1,000 glowing reviews on [advertiser site] — If the reader hasn't checked out reviews on the advertiser site yet, this is a convenient click for them.
• ...find more pictures on [advertiser site] — Depending on the product, images can be extremely important. Promising more photos behind the link can compel people to click.

5. Buyer's guide

Finally, you can wrap up with a buyer's guide. This doesn't necessarily need to long, though it can be depending on the keywords you are competing for.

A buyer's guide could include:

• Key considerations when purchasing a product in this category
• If you tested the product, what you looked for in tests and your methodology
• How to use the product for beginners
• Price range for products in this category
• Most popular brands, makes, or models
• Key terminology needed to understand product models

All the while, you can continue dropping links to your most highly recommended products according to each of the metrics you considered on the path to your top choice.

If your buyer's guide is on the shorter side and just a few paragraphs, you can also place this after your comparison table and before your individual reviews.

This can work well if there are just a few key terms or bits of information someone will need before feeling confident enough to click-through — instead of opening another tab to google some terminology you didn't explain.

Here's how that looks when Food and Wine reviews coffee grinders:

To make an informed decision, readers need to understand the difference between blade and burr coffee grinders. This helps explain price differences readers will encounter as they click-through the recommendations in the list.

After you've put your product roundup live — and it starts to rank or you send it to your email list — you'll probably start to see some clicks and sales.

But your job isn't over yet.

Often, small tweaks can take an article from a handful of sales to driving significant revenue. But you need to be able to attribute your conversions back to which links, buttons, and images are actually responsible for them.

One way to do that is to use simple, click-based tracking with tools like Hotjar. The main problem is, clicks and conversions aren't the same thing on most affiliate websites . Different links lead to different products, and different commissions.

That's where Affilimate's Conversion Heatmaps come in. You can use them to figure out which affiliate marketing strategies in your content are leading to actual revenue.

Then, once you make a change to your page, Affilimate will start tracking new clicks and sales to a separate version. So you can find out whether your optimizations actually made a difference — not just in terms of clicks but money in the bank.

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Product roundup posts are awesome. They can be an excellent resource for your readers, and lead to significant revenue for your affiliate business.

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Til the next one! And in the meantime, happy tracking.

Monica Lent

Monica is the co-founder of Affilimate. Here to share data-driven tips and strategies for earning more from your website as a content publisher.

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Expert Round-Up: How do you use review copies of your book for marketing purposes?

Posted by Guest Post | Jun 7, 2022 | Blog , Nonfiction Book Marketing | 0

ELLIOTT KATZ

A book lets people really know you when seeking you as a speaker or coach. Giving out review copies of your book lets people know what you can speak about at speaking engagements. It also lets people who may seek your coaching see what your approach is in dealing with their concerns. I tell people seeking my advice to first read my books so we can then build on what the books say and we don’t use our time just telling them what they learn by reading the book. 

http://www.elliottkatz.com/

MELANIE HERSCHORN

I am a book marketing strategist for nonfiction authors and I think review copies of a book are terrific for marketing. First off, you can gather amazing testimonials to use on your author website, your author page on Amazon, as well as across your social media when you send the book to people for reviews. You can also do social media and email giveaways to grow your following with the book as the prize. Another way to utilize review copies is to send them to influencers to create content that they and you can share.

https://vipdigitalcontent.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-herschorn/ https://www.instagram.com/vipdigitalcontent/

BRUCE MILLER

We created and published over 40 books over the past several years. We also created and administer our Facebook Group, Golf Jokes and Stories, which has 240,000 + members with 200,000 active monthly.

We offer a free book (it’s free on Amazon, Kobo, and Smashwords) to every new member who joins our Facebook group Golf Jokes and Stories: https://www.facebook.com/groups/golfjokesandstories

We know our members love golf jokes and golf stories and it leads them to familiarity with our other books that are featured in the FB group that are about golf and other subjects. The book is funny and sometimes a good laugh makes a person relax and more receptive to new information.

We welcome all new members as follows:

*“Golf is more about the people you play with than the score you shoot.”* *Welcome and thank you very much for your interest in our group with these amazing, imaginative, creative, and very funny members!* *We would like you to have a FREE digital copy of “Golf Jokes and Stories” and you can download it FREE here > * * https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1077186 *We hope you enjoy these amazing people!* *Invite all your golf buddies or other friends who love jokes and funny stories too!* *Thanks again for joining!*

This leads to downloads, reviews, and purchases of our other books.

We also promote our books through discounts. For example, we promote books as a gift of laughter for dad or granddad and we put it on sale until Father’s Day. These two paperback books regularly sell for $11.95 each (reduced to $6.95 for Father’s Day). and are featured in our FB group.

https://www.amazon.com/Team-Golfwell/e/B01CFW4EQG https://www.teamgolfwell.com/free-book-reviews.html https://www.facebook.com/groups/349778855478186/

DEAN KAPLAN

Reach out to bloggers in your niche. Send your review copies to bloggers who specialize in the topic of your book and are willing to review it. For example, if you write a book about finance, start by researching prominent finance bloggers.

Browse each blogger’s website to check that they accept books for review. Also, check their review criteria. Some bloggers will review independent authors, but others will not. When you have found a blogger that might be a good fit, send them a personalized email telling them what you like about their blog and ask them if they would be interested in receiving a copy of your book for review.

https://www.kaplancollectionagency.com / https://www.linkedin.com/in/deankaplan/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095LNV56/

Send review copies to influencers. Even if your book has yet to be published, you can still get a head start on all things marketing. One of my favorite ways to get ahead is by distributing review copies to online influencers. Book review content creators on YouTube are known to seek out these affiliate partnerships in exchange for a small commission.

The influencer will read your book, showcase it to their audience, and leave a review. Many BookTube influencers have a devoted audience of more than a million avid readers, so this method is the best way to put your book in front of those who are most likely to purchase it.

The influencer can create new content, their audience gets new reading material, and you turn an even greater profit. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

https://nobsmarketplace.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aarongray0001/

VINCE BURRUANO

It is essential to develop a marketing plan to help promote your new book. A great method is to ask for reviews that you can use on the book’s cover as well as inside. Testimonials from other authors and well-known industry professionals will add credibility to your offering. It will also provide you great comments to use in promoting your book before and after it is released. Remember, you want to start promoting your book in advance of it being available for sale to begin to generate interest and support. You can use the quotes from the testimonials to assist with this process. Remember, it is much more impactful when someone else is singing your praises.

You can repackage those same quotes once the book is released by simply updating the announcement from Coming Soon to Available Now. This is a great way to maximize the time and effort required to create content. Further, it will give you the opportunity to put these testimonials in front of your target audience multiple times. Let’s remember, not everything is immediately noticeable. It often takes a few time to catch someone’s attention.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-burruano/

If you like this blog post, you’ll love our Author Toolkit for book marketing . It includes checklists, templates, worksheets and more. Check it out!

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How to Review a Book

Reading is fine, reviewing is better..

Posted February 18, 2016

The only thing worse than a bad review from the Ayatollah Khomeini would be a good review from the Ayatollah Khomeini. ~ Salman Rushdie

(Much as I admire Mr. Rushdie, I was hoping to find an apter quote, but all the other entries on brainyquote.com were from Jenna Fischer, Val Kilmer, or other people I should have never heard of.)

How to review a book? Perhaps we should first ask why to review a book? Book reviews are derivative, parasitic even, and few people read them. Yet, in theory, book reviews provide an important feedback mechanism that helps determine the impact a book has had. Sales are an interesting, though flawed index, mainly of interest to the authors and their agents. Reviews, not sales, tell us something about the work’s ‘critical reception.’ Reviewers get few rewards. They are the derivators and parasites. A critic, at worst, is someone incapable of original work. He (she) has to make a living feeding on the corpses of great (or not so great) writing.

I have written and published about 30 book reviews and a few film reviews as well. I rationalize my existence as a derivator and parasite with the thought that I have also published some original work, some of which has been reviewed by others, and the thought that I don’t care how many people read my reviews (which is a lie I tell myself). Preparing a review is my way of forcing myself to read a book thoughtfully. Knowing that I will articulate my summary, criticism, and response in writing gets me to reflect on the work and to find my reaction to it. It does not allow me to sit and consume. I therefore review only books that I care about and whose message I want to remember, as well as what I wrote about it. The reviews are a personal archive that I can consult when trying to reconstruct my own thinking.

My strategy is simple. I read the book (I stick to old-fashioned paper copies), underline what I consider important and write notes in the margins. On the second round, I focus on the underlined parts and the margin notes and transcribe them into a text file. As I do this, additional thoughts, comments, and reflections tend to well up, which I also jot down. During this second round, I ask for each chapter what the author wants to accomplish and whether the goal was reached. On the third round, I ask if the book, across chapters, follows an overall arc. If I can discern one, I try to capture it in my own words; if I can’t, I tend to make a critical note of that. I think the decisive element of a good book review is that it manages to bring out a comparison between the book as it is and the ideal that it could be. Making this comparison need not be a negativistic enterprise, but it puts the book as it is into perspective. I do not wish to create the impression that I, as the critic, know so much better than the author what the book should be. Instead, as the critic I am a dwarf standing on the shoulders of the author, the giant. Only through reading and thinking about the book am I able to imagine possibilities beyond the text at hand. If I consider a book complete garbage, I will not review it. Truth be told, though, there are a couple of book reviews that I wrote from a perspective of hostility. I questioned the authors’ motives and felt an obligation to make my reaction known.

The hardest part of writing a book review is to give it its own flavor and coherence. A good review is never a mere list of summary statements and critical points. The review must have its own Gestalt . How does one make that happen? As noted above, being able to articulate the ideal version to the real book is one step in that direction, but it is still derivative. It is not original. So what then? There is no single recipe, but there are a few heuristics that I have found useful. [1] Try to tell a story. Find a plot around which the elements of review and criticism can be woven. [2] Import a format one would think is alien to book reviews and adapt it. For example, I wrote one review as a dialogue constructed from quotes from the text and questions I inserted (all this with full disclosure about how it was done). [3] Cast the review of the book within a context of other books. Tell the reader what is distinctive about this piece. [4] Pick a particular - and unusual - lens for the review and stick with it (e.g., review a technical book from a poet’s point of view or vice versa ). [5] Don't shy away from expressing your feelings. If you tried to create the impression that you are reviewing a book on behalf of an entire scholarly community, well, who are you kidding? [6] Write two reviews: one positive and one negative. This works well if you can also provide a story that justifies why you had to do this. [7] (I haven’t tried this yet, but I am looking forward to doing it) Write a negative (in the photographic sense) Review by discussing everything the book could have said but did not. The reader (if you have any) will catch on and infer what you are thinking about the contents of the book from what you are saying about the omitted/absent material. [8] Remember that book reviewing is an opportunity to engage in creative writing. Stay away from lifeless phrases (“This book is a welcome addition to blahblahblah”).

To teach his own

Having reflected on the psychology and the craft of writing a book review, the obvious question (to me) is whether and how the review approach to reading and learning can be leveraged (not a fan of this word) for teaching. Nothing teaches as well as an experiment. So I will try. In a blocked seminar, which I will teach in a remote corner of a certain Alpine republic, students will meet for 4 full days. Fired by mélange and an irrepressible urge to know, they will read Gerg Gigerenzer's (2008) Rationality for mortals , a collection of publications that introduces us mortals to the approach Gerd has taken to the study of judgment and decision-making . I will ask the students to read and work through the chapters in small groups, take individual and group notes, present the group's view (including minority reports) to the plenum and then prepare a collectively authored review. My job will not be to lecture, but to facilitate, which sounds easier, but is in fact more nerve-wracking because of the need to accept uncertainty and tolerate ambiguity. But then again, this is what Gerd's work is about. I will sit down and pack up a toolbox of heuristics that will get me through the day(s). A steady supply of mélange is sure going to be among them.

Gigerenzer, G. (2008). Rationality for mortals: How people cope with uncertainty . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

PS: Jewish humor

Long ago, Israeli satirist Ephraim Kishon wrote an essay on how he reviewed a book (perhaps it was a movie) without having read (seen) it. The outcome was hilarious. On a more serious note, it strikes me that writing a review out of nothing ought to be attempted from time to time to give us (the reviewer) a baseline from zero-acquaintance as it were. Is this madness? Not really. Suppose, for the sake of argument, I am quite familiar with Gerd's work and so I might be able to fool the novice reader (again, only for the sake of argument). More recently (post Kishon), Jerry Seinfeld in his eponymous show had his sidekick George (the shlemiehl and shlimazal) attempt to produce a book review out of nothing for a book club discussion. Predictably, it did not go well, but it was hilarious.

A provost of our university once urged faculty to become more entrepreneurial . The man was trained at the University of Chicago after all. My reaction was: if I wanted to be an entrepreneur, I would not have gone into academia. Now, hardened by age, I am ready to comply. I will sell groupons for participation in the course. Buy one, get another one half off.

Joachim I. Krueger, Ph.D. , is a social psychologist at Brown University who believes that rational thinking and socially responsible behavior are attainable goals.

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Book Review Round-Up (#34)

Well, hello my friends! From my own couch, at home, in Seattle. 💕 This Book Review Round-Up (#34) has more suspense murder thriller books than any other book review round up thus far. I wasn’t kidding when I said I needed a break from romance. Well, at least from the over “20-year-olds falling in love in a week”. 🙄

I’ve done some research though and I think I’ve got a new strategy for how I’m going to pick my books next year. Spoiler – I will not be listening to anyone on TikTok.

Disclaimer :  The following post has Bookshop & Amazon affiliate links. If clicked and purchased, a small percentage will go toward On the Trip Side . Thank you for your continual support!

Table of Contents

Per usual… the goals!

• I listened to 6 again!
• Cowboy romance (she’s older!)
• Hockey Ballerina romance (best friends to lovers)
• Creepy Thriller
• Agatha Christie remake (x2!)
• 2 Cozy Mysteries
• 1 out of 8 books .
• Aka 12.5% of books … Epic fail. Sigh.

The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani

Format: Audiobook | Goodreads Review | Amazon | Bookshop.org

Not my favorite murder mystery thriller because there were so many characters, I couldn’t keep up and/or tell them apart. I don’t think that’s because I listened to the audiobook but it very well could have been.

This book was a play on Agatha Christie’s “Then There Were None”, which is officially on my TBR. The second to last book was also a play on the same book! I think it was done better.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Okay – I think Alice Feeney might be a new favorite author for me. This is the second of her books that I’ve read. I was so entranced by the characters and her story.

By the end, she totally caught me at the plot twist. I love it when an author can get me. This gave me cozy, but creepy, cabin vibes.

The Other Family by Wendy Corsi Staub

Listen, I don’t like talking smack about books. An author wrote an entire novel. It’s their baby, their masterpiece, if you will.

This book ended with next to nothing answered and I’m still upset about it. It was great until the 70% mark and then it was going in circles and abruptly ended.

Powerless (Chestnut Springs #3) by Elsie Silver

Format: eBook | Goodreads Review | Amazon | Bookshop.org

EEEEEK! Okay, this seriessss. This is a best friends-to-lover trope and was a lot more of a wild ride than I expected. It starts at Sloane’s wedding. 👀

Guys, please read this series!! On that note, I will admit, I think this might be the smuttiest one. 🤭

Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day

I didn’t love this one. It’s not something I can put my finger on. I liked that the main character operated a wine bar.

An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly

What a surprise and delight this little cozy romance mystery was! I loved the characters and Dr Em was so relatable. I like that the constable is a Laird. I’ll definitely pick up the next in the series.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

This book was so good that I listened to it in a day. Either that or I am so impatient, and stressed, that I could not handle not knowing “whodunit”. I don’t know which.

I guessed the killer at 40% but the plot twist… ooph. I’m shocked I didn’t see it coming. I verbally gasped. Pick this up if you’re looking for a murderous family thriller.

Reckless (Chestnut Springs #4) by Elise Silver

OH MY GOSH – I loved this book. I genuinely thought it would be my least favorite of the series and it was a tie between this one and the first. Be prepared for Theo to be your book boyfriend.

I cannot recommend this series enough, especially if you want to try out a cowboy romance. Elsie Silver’s writing is so easy to get sucked into. It’s fun, witty, and clever.

I’m at 83 books this year! I may be finishing one up tomorrow.

Once again, asking for any amazing 35+ main character book recs. I would LOVE any you can give me.

Other posts you might enjoy:

• How My One Year Book Buying Ban Went
• Books & Bookish Things List
• Book Review Round-Up (#33)

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Books & Bottles Series (#19)

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I love both of those Alice Feeney books too. I think I liked 12 Murders of Christmas better than you did, but I also had difficulty keeping the characters straight (and I listened to the audio too).

Oh my gosh! Her books are SO good, Stacy! I also just finished “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie, which 12 Murders of Christmas was based on. I think I have a new respect for the book and I’m also realized that I was super sick while I was listening to the audio book and I wonder if thats why pockets of the book are missing for me. 😅 I have another Lucy Foley book on my list this month that I’m excited about too. Here and Alice Feeney are *chef kiss* on favorite thriller book right now. Haha!

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Here's how to set your reading goals and read more books in 2024

Mansee Khurana

Even if you're someone who reads regularly, it can be hard to keep up your reading goals. Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Even if you're someone who reads regularly, it can be hard to keep up your reading goals.

Trying to read more can be a hard habit to stick to – even if you're someone who regularly reads a lot.

Just ask Nadia Odunayo, the founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, a book recommendation website with over a million users. Odunayo said that when she started The Storygraph in 2019, reading more felt like an essential goal.

"It felt like it very much became part of my identity as a reader, " Odunayo told Morning Edition . "Like, I run a books company, I need to make sure I'm reading."

In a few years, Odunayo went from reading 13 books a year to well over 70.

While she feels like that's a realistic goal for her, it's not an achievable goal for everybody.

Odunayo says setting realistic expectations about how many books you want to read can be the key to success. But making sure you pick the right a mount of books to read in a year can be tricky.

"It was a combination of making the time, but also being excited about a lot more books, " Odunayo said.

Why it's OK to judge a book by its cover (and more tips on how to find a great read)

A Economist/YouGov poll found that 46% of Americans finished zero books last year and 5% read just one last year. Out of the 1,500 American's surveyed in the poll, only 21% read more than ten books.

With March being National Reading Month – it is a good time to think about revisit your reading goals from the beginning of the year. Whether you've just gotten into reading, or you're churning through multiple books a week, here's some tips to keep in mind as you're setting your reading goals.

Expand your reading horizons by thinking about what types of books you're reading. Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Expand your reading horizons by thinking about what types of books you're reading.

Think genres, not numbers

Reading goals don't always have to be numerical. Goals such as wanting to read books from more diverse authors or reading more of a specific genre can be better than just focusing on a number. Brea Grant, one of the hosts of the podcast Reading Glasses , says she realized she didn't want to set a number goal when she found herself reading books she didn't like, or finishing books just for the sake of hitting a number.

"That's not fun because that's going to eventually turn you off from reading," Grant said.

Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2023 reads recommended by NPR

Sites like The StoryGraph features reading challenges that users can participate in to expand their reading habits. One challenge recommends books from 10 different countries for users who want to read from more diverse authors.

You can also create your own goals. If you're an avid fantasy romance reader, for example, you may want to see how many science fiction books you can incorporate into your reading habit.

Sometimes, it can be as simple as reading books on a topic you're interested in. Grant, a filmmaker, decided that this year that she wanted to read more books about filmmaking.

"I didn't go to film school, and I realized that I haven't even read that many books about filmmaking, even though I've been a filmmaker for so many years," Grant said. "So I think that focusing on reading more books about my craft is a better goal than a specific number of books."

Reading might seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be! Jackie Lay /NPR hide caption

Reading might seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be!

Find more ways to make reading a community affair

Reading can often seem like a solitary hobby, but it doesn't have to be.

Check your local area for book clubs and reading-related events. Or find someone to talk to about books – and you don't even have to ask about what they are currently reading. You can ask them about their favorite book, or the book that impacted their life the most.

"That's another way that people can show that they're bookish without necessarily being like 'I read 400 books this year'," Mallory O' Meara, who hosts the Reading Glasses podcast with Grant, said.

If you'd rather get lost in a book alone, O'Meara says you might enjoy finding new spots to read in your city. It might feel intimidating going into a coffee shop or bar alone, but it can be a fun way to explore your neighborhood while doing something you love.

How to start a book club: Tips and reading suggestions

"We really encourage people to make it an activity," Grant said. "Get a cozy blanket, get a cup of tea, something that you look forward to at the end of the day."

Whatever you prefer, Grant says it's always important to remember why you want to read more, and not get too caught up in feeling like you have to read a certain number of books.

"Reading is a hobby, and you want to get the maximum enjoyment out of it," Grant said.

Don't be afraid to adjust your goal

At the beginning of the year, it's easy to set high expectations of yourselves. You think you can workout everyday, or read a book every week. But as the year goes on, you might want to adjust that number to a goal you know you can reach.

"There's a lot of things we won't achieve in life," Grant said. "Make reading something you know you can get done."

Finding that perfect number can be hard.You want something that challenges you, but doesn't feel unrealistic. Additionally, life can get in the way. These challenges could include large work projects or family obligations that you didn't anticipate at the beginning of the year.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

How to get the most out of your library.

Suzanne Skyvara, who leads marketing at Goodreads, a book recommendation site where over six million users participate in its annual reading challenge, recommends adjusting your number later in the year if you need, and encourages not to think of changing your goal as "failing."

"If you're finding that you've set the goal too high in the middle of the year and it's becoming demotivating you can bring it down, which re-energizes me and gets me back on track," Skyvara said.

After all, reading should be a hobby, not homework.

"The goal should always be to enjoy your reading life more," O' Meara said. "To read more books that you either love or teach you something or you connect with in some way."

Correction March 28, 2024

This article was updated to fix the amount of Goodreads users particpating in the the site's annual reading challenge.

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Want to finish more books? Super readers share their tips.

Spring is here, the birds are singing and we’ve got ever more daylight to read by — so it’s the ideal time to check in on our bookish resolutions . Good news: If you finished even one book in 2023, you’re already in the 46th percentile of American readers, as The Washington Post’s Andrew Van Dam reported earlier this year .

What about the people at the other end — way at the other end — of the scale?

We talked to a few super-readers, who routinely finish hundreds of books a year, about their habits and goals — and asked them about what tips they have for the rest of us. (These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.)

Olivia Ambrogio, science communications trainer in Silver Spring, Md.

Reads about 200 books a year.

How she does it: I do a mixture of paper and e-reader. I don’t really do audiobooks because I get very impatient with them. I just think the whole time, “I could be reading this faster.” I will say that tracking books has made me a little less willing to give up on a book . The worst is when it’s on an e-reader and you say, “I’m at 42 percent! I can get through the rest of it.”

Pro tip: Take advantage of wait time, no matter how small. I’ll read whenever I have time and whenever I’m not around others — so in the morning, when I’m eating breakfast. I mostly telework these days, but if I’m commuting on the Metro, I’ll read then. Maybe I’m the one cooking dinner and I’m waiting for something to boil; if it’s my night to sit with my daughter, and she’s falling asleep, I’ll read. Little intervals of time.

Goal for 2024: 203 books. It’s more or less what I would read in a year. If I were to do 250 to 300, it would probably be a real challenge that I would have to strategize for.

Paul Scott, retired in Los Altos, Calif.

Goal for 2024: 400 books. Last year I did 388. The year before I did 350. So I’ll just see if it’s possible to do 400. I think I’ll make it.

I say, half joking, that it makes up for a bad public school education. I will go down a rabbit hole on an issue that I “learned about.” It was partly the texts we were using — when I read about the Dust Bowl in school, it was like one paragraph. So I started with a fictional book, Kristin Hannah’s book , then I read Timothy Egan’s nonfiction book . That led me to read about soil conservation, and that led me to read about prairies.

How he does it: When I was working, I probably read 100 books a year because I traveled quite a bit, probably 250 days out of the year. This was before we were all plugged in and before you could really do any work on an airplane.

People say to me, “Are you playing a lot more golf since you retired?” But now that I can golf every day, what I’d rather do is read. The pandemic crystallized how I wanted to spend my spare time. There was nothing on TV. All of a sudden I had this time from 4:30 to 8:30 in the morning, and I thought, “Gosh, I should really spend more time reading.”

I’d say about 350 to 400 pages a day is what I can do. Yesterday I read a book that was about 600 pages, partially because I wanted to finish it. I didn’t want to waste any more time with it. I usually get three to four good hours in the morning, and then I get a couple of hours in the afternoon or early evening.

You have to say to yourself, “This time of the day is sacrosanct.” When I was coaching salespeople, one of the things that people never liked to do was cold call. I told them, “If you want to get good at it, you’ve got to put it on your calendar and make sure you follow the calendar.” So I apply that to reading.

Pro tip: Invest time on the front end to gain momentum. If you really want to read a book, you’ve got to get into the first hundred pages, 200 pages. If you can’t, you’ll find reading is really hard. In the old days, I can’t tell you how many books I’d start and read 15 pages one day, and the next day I’d read the same 15 pages, just trying to get into it. If I can get a big chunk of a book started, it’s much easier for me to finish it quickly.

Allison Wack, veterinarian in Frederick, Md.

Reads about 300 books a year.

How she does it: I mostly read audiobooks. I’ll sneak in a paper book once in a while, but I just don’t sit very much — I’m always running around, especially with two young kids; I also do a lot of volunteering for the Girl Scouts. I pretty much have my headset on all the time when I am around my house, doing chores or making dinner. In an hour, I can get through 3 hours of a book (I listen to everything on 3x. Don’t be intimidated by going fast! You can get there.)

Pro-tip: See if your library has agreements with others in your region, allowing you to borrow from their collections, too. For some of the libraries, you have to go in person to get the card. I have a book club, and we did this really fun crawl where we all went together to all the libraries, to get cards. I think I have eight?

Goal for 2024: At least 300 books.

Vivian Taylor, book blogger in Charleston, W.Va.

Reads 365 books a year. I’m in awe of people who have full-time jobs, who have children, or they’re married or in a serious relationship and they’ve got all of the responsibilities related to that. And they find time to read! Those people, to me, are more astonishing.

How she does it: I moved back to West Virginia to take care of my aging parents in 2008. Initially, my annual goal was 200 or 250. It wasn’t really massive numbers, simply because I was so heavily involved in taking my father to medical appointments. I was getting up usually around 6 in the morning, then I’d read for about an hour before getting my dad out of bed. After I dropped him off at dialysis, I had two, three hours when I could read before picking him up and taking him back to my parents’ house and getting him comfortable for the remainder of the day. Once I left, I had the rest of the day that I could devote to reading. I read from 6 to about 11 or 12 o’clock at night.

For me, it’s not only a great escape, it’s my self-care. I don’t go out and get manicures and pedicures and massages or anything like that. My self-care is expanding my home library and reading books.

I have found that e-books work best for me. I deal with chronic migraines, so I do have days when I can’t read. But reading digitally means that I can change the color of the background, I can make the font larger, and as I’m aging that is a big plus. I do collect physical books. There are some books where I have the paperback, the hardcover copy, the e-book copy and an audiobook. Casey Cep’s “ Furious Hours ” is one.

Goal for 2024: 365 books. Every year the only resolution I make is, “This is going to be the year where I don’t reread a lot of favorite books.” And I never make it past the second week of January! I read the entire “In Death” series by J.D. Robb every other year. Although I’m very familiar with the series and the characters and the action and everything, picking up those books is like meeting old friends all over again.

Rachel Dawson, social media manager in Richmond

Reads between 150 and 200 books a year. After college, it took me some time to find my way back to reading for fun. In 2015, I set my first goal, which was to read 50 books. I surpassed that — I read 80 books or so — and every year, I’ve increased my goals. It helps me to have a number to strive for.

How she does it: I track my reading in a couple of different apps, and I do a lot of book bullet journaling. I have a spreadsheet that I put all my numbers in, and it tracks the percentage I am toward my goal. It also changes colors based on how far behind or ahead I am. Every month as I read, I stack up my books; that visual cue is motivating to me, too.

Creating content about books is a hobby that became a revenue stream on the side. I make revenue from brand partnerships, a book club and a Substack. It’s money that I throw toward savings or my credit card. In the circles I run in online, there’s a lot of comparison, and you get caught up in that and feel like you need to keep up or read every popular book as soon as it comes out, or read several hundred books to be impressive.

Goal for 2024: 12 books. I was finding myself reaching for really short books, really light and fluffy books, just to try to finish something quickly, to add another book to that stack. I revisited the American Girl books from my childhood, which are so tiny.

This year feels exciting because I’ve already hit my reading goal. I can let that go. I really want to prioritize books that matter, books that are quality and books by authors of color. I always had time — but I just didn’t feel like I did.

Pro tip: Get a reading app. If I put the app in the same folder on my phone where Instagram is, it’s a helpful trigger: What if I read for a couple of minutes instead of scrolling?

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‘How to Draw a Novel’ Review: The Shape of a Good Story

O ne of the most moving scenes in any novel of war occurs on the first page of Nadeem Aslam’s “The Wasted Vigil” (2008), set in post-9/11 Afghanistan. Toward dawn, in a cavernous old house, a woman places a large mirror on the floor in order to examine the objects above her. “On the wide ceiling,” she sees, “are hundreds of books, each held in place by an iron nail hammered through it. A spike driven through the pages of history, a spike through the pages of love, a spike through the sacred.”

These impaled works are no flight of fancy but rather evidence of a reign of terror. “Original thought was heresy to the Taliban and they would have burned the books,” we later learn. In desperation, therefore, the now deceased owner had attempted to suspend the books out of reach throughout the house. But soon the rumble of American B-52s carrying out constant bombing raids shakes many volumes loose. Crashing to the floor, they become mute casualties of war.

Whether treasured or reviled, books have never been mere objects. Indeed, as Martín Solares declares in his provocative new essay collection, “How to Draw a Novel,” literary creations are nothing less than “strange beings that live among us.” Novels in particular, he claims, “even seem to think.” Exactly how they think, and achieve motion, is the puzzle that Mr. Solares attempts to solve—at times whimsically—in a book that is itself an impish little creature. Under headings such as “The Novel as Automobile,” this examination of literary craft flits about from “Moby-Dick” to “The Maltese Falcon,” alights on a wide variety of works, and interrupts its own narrative with playful diagrams of the creations under scrutiny.

A feature stitched throughout the book is “A Timeline of the Novel, 8th Century BCE to Now,” which offers the author’s schematic representations of works beginning with the “Iliad.” Joyce’s “Ulysses” is depicted as a large loop containing smaller loops with the word “yes” at its tail. “The Great Gatsby” is a squiggle like the silhouette of a mountain that ascends to a heart-shaped knot at its peak, before descending again. This is all good fun, but there is insightful literary analysis underlying Mr. Solares’s playful designs. “The short story is vertical prose that tends to round itself out,” he asserts at the outset; “the novel is horizontal prose that crests each time we ask what will happen next.”

As a seasoned editor and the author of acclaimed crime thrillers such as “Don’t Send Flowers” and “The Black Minutes,” Mr. Solares writes from experience. And his aim here, though lighthearted in tone, is a serious one. For in attempting “to represent the form of a novel . . . with just a few movements of the pen,” he is, in a sense, decoding each particular work, and he encourages readers and writers alike to apply his method to any given narrative. One could begin, he suggests, by charting “the appearances and disappearances of [a] principal narrator, the alternation between different points of view.” Later, in an essay titled “The Character Tree,” comes the advice to write out the names of individual characters. “Above them, like leaves, write their favorite words. . . . Above the leaves, as if they were stars, scatter two or three words that shape their destiny.”

The apparent guilelessness of such passages and the whimsical zeal that permeates “How to Draw a Novel” are disarming. It is the author’s understanding of the art of fiction, however, that anchors this buoyant collection. Henry James, the author of “The Art of Fiction,” is quoted at length by Mr. Solares, whose vision extends from the literature of ancient Greece to that of present-day Mexico; from Stendhal and Tolstoy to Roberto Bolaño and lesser-known masters such as Juan Rulfo. Crime novelists get their due: Mr. Solares is particularly ardent and acute when considering the works of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, quoting six perfect Chandler endings, any one of which would make you want to “start the whole book over again to get a better look at the hammer that drives these nails so well.”

Mr. Solares’s aim is also, for the most part, true. His analysis of Herman Melville’s digressions in “Moby-Dick,” for example, and his appreciation of Patricia Highsmith’s dark brilliance in “Strangers on a Train” are so astute that we forgive him the three-page list of book titles that he later presses upon us. This eager writer simply gets carried away at times, and that too is part of his charm.

Like the best tour guide, he is besotted with the treasures he presents. But Mr. Solares also knows that he must keep his readers moving through the centuries of literature he sets out to cover. Thankfully, the variety of this collection and the brevity of each of the 20 essays ensure that momentum. And most of the stops along the way, however fleeting, provide illumination that justifies their inclusion on the journey. Though even Mr. Solares would doubtless admit that analysis, even one this amusingly illustrated, goes only so far. V.S. Naipaul may have put it best in his 1987 essay “On Being a Writer,” in which he observed that the mystery of this particular act of creation is “that out of artifice one should touch and stir up what is deepest in one’s soul, one’s heart, one’s memory.” That is something no doodle can capture.

Ms. Mundow is a writer in Massachusetts.

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Children’s Books

In These Books, the Parents Are the Problem

The children in three illustrated satirical tales are up against something far more complex than ogres, witches and big bad wolves.

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By Jon Agee

Jon Agee is the author, most recently, of the picture book “My Dad Is a Tree.”

Children’s books have long featured pint-size heroes overcoming fierce antagonists: ogres, witches and big bad wolves. So it comes as no surprise that a similar drama occurs in these three stories. Only here, children are up against something far more complex: their parents.

These moms and pops — by turns cruel, overprotective, distracted or obtuse — are less than ideal role models. But children (we expect) will prevail. And parents (we hope) will grow up.

In the opening scene of the cartoonist Gary Clement’s K IS IN TROUBLE (Little, Brown Ink, 224 pp., $13.99, ages 8 to 12) , young K, feeling “particularly unwell,” asks his mother if he might stay home from school. Her response — a full-frame, all-caps “NO” — is a blunt foreshadowing of events. Nothing in these pages will come easily for poor K.

After a grim breakfast, K is out the door, walking through a wintry turn-of-the-century city filled with unsmiling grown-ups.

Finally, we see K’s school: a castle-like structure atop a mountain. Since K is late, he is sent to a vast, windowless room, where he awaits some imminent judgment. Much time passes. K even forgets why he’s there. One thing, though, is clear: He’s at the center of a lively graphic novel, inspired by Franz Kafka.

K’s troubles unfold in five chapters. In one, he is harassed by a flock of crows. In another, he is tormented by pompous bureaucrats. And in an especially thrilling scene, he is chased through the streets of the city by an angry mob. You can’t help pulling for K, even if his misfortune is hugely entertaining.

Clement’s artwork — pen and ink, with gouache — treats this nightmarish tale with lightness and wit. In one frame, K is seen as a tiny figure in the center of a vortex of pen lines. In others, he’s the target of pointing fingers or dwarfed by enormous file cabinets.

There is much to admire, from the restrained, sneaky-funny prose, to the shifts between narration and dialogue, to the playful use of lettering in the talk balloons. The result is visual storytelling at the highest level.

There is satire here, and in one section — when K befriends a talking beetle — there are moments of tenderness. Which is why, in the wake of K’s final appeal to his coldhearted father, I half-expected there would be a sign of hope. There wasn’t. After all, that would hardly be Kafkaesque!

For a story that features parents who genuinely care, there is Ziggy Hanaor’s THE EGG INCIDENT (Cicada, 72 pp., $19.99, ages 8 to 12) . The fact is, this mom-and-pop duo cares too much. But then, you would too if your child were a large, fragile egg, about to step out for his first solo stroll in the busy city. Much caution is advised. Most important, Humphrey is forbidden from sitting on walls. There was, after all, the infamous incident with his uncle, Humpty.

So, dutiful son heeds risk-averse parents. He makes his way, baby step by baby step, across a busy intersection, into an idyllic park. Here he meets a spunky young princess, PJ, who tries, and fails, to get him to loosen up.

When the park closes, however, and the front gate is locked, the only way out is — uh-huh! — over a tall brick wall. Humphrey has no choice, and with a boost from PJ he reaches the summit.

Of course, what goes up must come plummeting down.

Don’t fret! No eggs are broken in this book. In fact, Humphrey’s near-splat experience fills him with such zest that even his shellshocked parents can’t resist joining in the fun.

This short graphic novel is a fast-paced read, thanks in large part to Daisy Wynter’s dynamic illustrations. Motion lines, hand-lettered sounds and dramatic page turns are used to great effect. And kids will get a kick out of Humphrey’s expressive reaction shots.

The story comes with a surprising epilogue. If you’ve ever wondered what really happened to Humpty, well, it’ll crack you up.

When children act out, parents have the unenviable task of setting them straight. What parent hasn’t told a fidgety child to “stop squirming!”? Or a howling child to “keep your voice down!”? But what if the squirmer is a worm, and the howler is a wolf?

In YOU BROKE IT! (Rise x Penguin Workshop, 48 pp., $18.99, ages 3 to 5) , Liana Finck takes a slew of familiar parent–child encounters and cleverly places them in a new context.

When a pig berates its muddy piglet for getting dirty, and a tornado scolds its raging progeny for “making a mess,” the joke is squarely on mom and dad.

Finck’s pen-and-ink drawings, like her deftly minimalist New Yorker cartoons, extract unexpected humor from just the right number of lines.

The litany of parental exclamations comes to a sudden end when a defiant young octopus explains to its parent exactly why it can't keep its hands — or, tentacles — to itself.

This serves as the book’s punchline, one that human children will understand all too well.

What follows is a warm 16-tentacled embrace, which gives this high-concept spoof a heart.

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