How do you write a book review?

1. 87

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   How do you write a book review?
   
   What are the key elements to include in the content of a book review? How long should it be? Should an outline of the book be included, or not?

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2. 0

   alloporusposted 12 years ago

   1. Outline without giving the punchline away.
   2. Comment on the good, bad (and if there is any) ugly aspects of the book.
   3. Your own thoughts... about the book (too often these days reviewers are more concerned about themselves than providing the potential reader with an appraisal of the book)
   4. The review should be shorter than the book (I jest not)

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   1. 90

      Millionaire Tipsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's also possible that many of these reviewers don't take the time to read the book so they can only relay what the publisher or author told them.

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   2. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      These are excellent tips--thanks!

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3. 80

   lex123posted 12 years ago

   The reviewer should comment on -
   
   1) The cover of the book (did it attract you etc)
   2) the title, whether it is quite suitable for the story
   3) the presentation of the story
   4) the style, whether it is a unique style, or any resemblance
   5) About the main characters
   6) Grammatical errors.
   7) Is it worth the money
   8) would you recommend it to a friend
   9) Never give away the essence of the book. (The reader should be curious to read the book)
   
   The whole review presented in 500-700 words.

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   1. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your list is a very helpful guide. Thanks!

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      teaches12345posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is a great list.  I had forgotton some of this and the refresher is helpful.

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4. 89

   BizGenGirlposted 12 years ago

   Truthfully, I prefer to read a book cover to cover, then go back and re-read the book again and take note of any points I found extremely interesting and/or highly educational depending on what type of book it was. That way you can report both your... read more

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   1. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for a whole hub in response to this! Will go check it out.

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5. 90

   Millionaire Tipsposted 12 years ago

   Mostly, I make sure I have a photo of the book to make it easy to recognize, and a link to Amazon so it is convenient for them to buy it if they want.  I include a synopsis of the book, and my opinion.  I won't necessarily comment on each detail - the cover, title,  grammar, style, etc., unless it strikes me as being outstanding (either good of bad.)
   
   In addition, I am trying to add extra information that people who have the book do not have, so that even if they have read the book will benefit from the review.  Something like an author's profile, other books written by the author, other books on the topic.
   
   Also, I am trying to add a more thorough discussion of the topic.   In this way, I can make the hub a little bit more evergreen than a simple book review.
   
   I have written a hub about this topic.

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   1. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'd searched for "How do you write a book review?" and could not find much if anything good in HubPages. However, since you mention you have a hub on this, I searched instead for "How to write a book review" and see now there are LOTS of hubs on it.

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   2. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Now that I try a search for "How to write a book review", instead of "How do you write a book review?", I see LOTS of hubs on this. I guess a more exact search was needed. I cannot find yours, though, even by including your hubber name in the search.

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6. 0

   Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

   My first suggestion would be to read the book. I have read reviews of books I have read and it appears the reviewer only skimmed the book and did not read it. There are lots of books I have skimmed and therefore would never try to review. Others that I have read, I feel I could review.But, I have not written a book review in years, so I guess I am out of the game.

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   1. 87

      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      However, your point is VERY important 'in my book' .

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