Ardent readers will usually be interested in what other readers opine about books they may have read. Such readers would love to read book reviews that would provide a fair sense of what the book is all about. This article will show you how to write a book review.
1. Write a few sentences about the book
The number one rule is never giving away the story of the book. Leave something to the readers’ imagination. It is good to avoid a detailed description about the incidents that occur in a book. If the book is part of a trilogy or series, then you can mention this and if you think it is necessary to read other books in the series to enjoy this one.
2. Discuss what particularly appealed to you in the book
Ask yourself what appealed to you in the book. What appealed to you may be the characters, the plot, the theme, or something else. Focus your attention on your feelings or thoughts about the story and the way it was narrated. You could ask yourself the following questions and accordingly write a review based on your answers:
- Who was your favorite character and why?
- Did the characters seem real to you?
- Was there suspense/romance or anything that appealed to you in the plot?
- Did the book make you cry or laugh?
- How were the scenes written? What type of scenes were they? For instance, happy scenes, romantic scenes, mysterious scenes, etc.
- How did the plot shape? Did the plot keep you engrossed?
- Did you like the dialogues? Were there any dialogues that inspired you?
- How was the setting in the book? Was it an exotic location for a steamy romance or a crazy adventure? For instance, a mountainous terrain can suggest impending danger. The mention of fragrance of roses lingering in the air can suggest romance. A hospital waiting room signifies distress.
- What type of vocabulary was used? For instance, the language used by the rural people of Uttar Pradesh will sound different from the urban people living in the state.
3. Mention something that you disliked about the book
While you may have liked the most part of the book, there may be something that you disliked. It could be the ending of the story, the way the characters were treated, the theme, the dialogues or the setting. Describe it.
4. Conclude your book review
Summarize your review by mentioning to what kind of readers the book appeals to. It could be younger readers, adult readers, or for diehard fans of drama, romance, suspense, mystery or any other genre. Include a comparison if you can compare the book to some other book you may have read.
5. Rate the book
Provide a rating for the book, for example a score out of five or ten. This will give readers a fair idea on whether to read the book or not.
Here is the outline of a book review. You can customize it according to your thoughts.
1. Prepare an outline
Go through your notes and collate them to write about the purpose of your review.
2. Write the draft
Skim your notes and include an introduction, middle and a conclusion.
3. Amend the draft
Re-read what you have written and allow some time to lapse. Then go back to your review and check for clarity, coherence, grammar, etc.
Image credit: kate hiscock on flickr and reproduced under Creative Commons 2.0