How One Reluctant Reviewer Gets the Job Done
It shouldn’t be harder to review a book than it is to write one. As an author, editor—avid reader—and recovering perfectionist, I’m a little embarrassed to admit: I dread writing book reviews.
Reviews are important to me. When purchasing books for my own TBR stack (To Be Read), I browse other people’s reviews before I ‘add to cart’. As an author, I study reviews of my own published book for encouragement and useful feedback. As an editor, I love to see what readers say about the authors I work with. But when I’m asked to review books, my brain freezes. Seriously, I dole out my opinions as an editor all day long, but ask me to write a book review, and I get cold sweats. I guess I’ve never been confident about what goes into a compelling one. Rather, my reviews pour out like a flat Coke. They’re sweet, but rarely generate the fizz and pop of a truly satisfying read. that ends here. Today, I’m going to shake things up.
My online research produced boat loads of articles on what to include in a stellar review, but it’s entirely too much information to wade through for someone who just wants to write a short, engaging Amazon review. Show me simple. Give me formulas. Offer me instructions. If you feel like I do, then this brief article I’ve pulled together with tips, templates, and a nudge in the right direction is probably all you need to finally write that review.
I am most likely to write, and certainly most apt to read, short, engaging, informative reviews. I’ve boiled my research down to the most succinct advice to help me string a few impactful sentences together to convey my experience with any book. For the occasions that call for a little extra, I’m also including a couple of links that demonstrate how to pack more punch. But first, let’s establish the framework for a simple book review, which is really all most of us ever need.
Framework of a Basic Book Review
Here are 3-4 general points you should hit when writing a simple book review.
Title of Your Review (required by Amazon and can easily be lifted from your content)
Summary of the Book
Praise and/or Critique
Emotional Response/Conclusion
Check out this basic 3-step formula from Reedsy.com.
Hammer and Nails
Here are optional details to insert that add volume and depth to your review and support the structure above, if you’re so inclined.
Compare similar works.
Cite quotes.
Delve into the theme.
Tell about the author.
Highlight the writing style.
Deconstruct the plot.
Consider character development.
Recommend an ideal audience.
A fill-in-the-blank template from Sarah McCubbin of Ten Minute Momentum makes this easy-peasy.
Curb Appeal
Lastly, there are more bells and whistles if you really want to stop traffic and draw people in to see what you have to say about the book you just read. You can always add:
Photos
Book trailers
Links
Pinterest templates and other online sources offer fun ways to share your review with visually appealing graphics and layouts. These are great for book clubs and the like.
The Fine Print
I think this goes without saying, and yet here we are:
Actually read the book.
Ensure that the title, author, and genre are clear.
Be honest.
Avoid spoilers.
What do you think? Does this help encapsulate three to four essentials for a solid book review? I’m leaning into the momentum this minute. As soon as I press ‘Publish’ on this post, I’m off to write a handful of book reviews I’ve been putting off.
Like any task I first deem unpleasant, once I educate myself and just start, it’s rarely as dreadful as I built it up to be. I hope this gives you a few tools and a spark of inspiration to do the same. Read and review, my friends. Five minutes of your time to knock out a book review benefits the author tremendously—to gain visibility, convert sales, and hone their craft. And it helps readers like you and me select the next adventure we want to pour ourselves into.
Happy reviewing!
Free Publishing Guide from Andria Flores
If we haven’t met yet, I am Andria Flores: author, editor, and recovering perfectionist. For more articles like this one, connection with a supportive author network, and trusted publishing resources, subscribe to my newsletter today. When you do, I’ll send you my free Publishing Guide as a gift, and I won’t blow up your inbox every week. My 40+ page eBook is a step-by-step guide through the publishing process, including tips, tricks, and links that you can use along the way. Get yours here!
Let’s connect! Message me here.
