Perhaps we’ve convinced you it’s time to try your hand at writing book reviews. Maybe you don’t know where to start. or, maybe you’ve been writing book reviews already and would like some instruction to consider. The following is a mash-up of advice given to us from the people that taught us to write book reviews, as well as advice we’ve discovered through experience.
First, and most importantly, book reviewers should assume that their readers is unfamiliar with the book. Reviewers should take it as their job to acquaint readers with the book, its contents and its value, to help them decide whether or not they wish to read it.
Since these reviews are brief (650 words) they cannot comment on everything. Reviews usually contain a mix of summary and evaluation. And if they are to be convincing, they must support their opinion by quotations (at least one), examples, and specific references to the text so that readers may think and feel the way the reviewer thinks and feels.
Book reviews tend to get “stuffy” quickly, so don’t be afraid to insert yourself within the review. The most persuasive reviews are ones that create scenes around them. When the reviewer shows how they’re changed by a book, I’m more persuaded to want to read it (and experience that change for myself).
We’re interested in all kinds of titles, although we gravitate towards books that were published by indie presses or self-published. We’re not interested in publishing negative reviews. If the book is not to your taste, consider instead who the book is for and how it will be experienced by that audience and write the review accordingly. If there’s nothing redeeming in the work, this isn’t the book for us.
Common Book Review Structure:
1. An opening that engages the reader and names the author and the title, gives the reader some idea of the nature and scope of the author’s work, and establishes the tone of the review.
2. A summary of the book (typically no longer than a paragraph).
3. A paragraph or two on the theme, purpose, idea, or vision embodied in the book, perhaps within the context of the current Leaflet’s theme.
4. A concluding paragraph in which the reviewer delivers their final insight and suggestion towards what meaning a reader might find within the book.
