How do I write a book review?

 

Step One – make notes

The best way to get started is to write some notes–nothing serious, just writing up some thoughts about the book. Often, readers find prompts can be helpful.

Here are some questions to consider. You don’t need to answer them all! Just look through the list for one or two that appeal to you–or focus on a section–and jot down some thoughts. And don’t worry about making it look pretty. These notes are just for you so far.

General Questions

Paranormal Romance:

1. Do you read a lot of paranormal romance novels? Do you read a lot of other kinds of romance or other novels? 

2. What do you like about paranormal romance or romance books in general?

3. Considering your answer in question 2, what romance elements or ideas did you like or enjoy when you read this book? 

Use s 

 Reading Experience:

4. How did you feel reading this?

5. What parts did you like the most and why?

6. Was any part confusing or problematic

7. What are some words or phrases you’d use to describe this book?

Step Two – review your notes

Look through the notes you wrote above.

• Did you miss anything that you’d like to mention? 
• Are there ideas or words that jump out at you or seem important?
• What is your big impression–of the book and of your notes?

 Use highlighters, write some bullet points, or copy and paste the notes you think are key.

 

Step Three – more questions

Think about how you would share your thoughts with someone close to you or someone like yourself. That is what the review process is about: helping other readers know if this book is right for them.

Here are a few prompts:

-If you were to recommend this to a friend, what would you say to them? 

-If you were telling someone like yourself how and why they should read this book, what would you say to them?

-If you were to talk to the author, what would you say is one thing that would make this book even better? 

Step Four – give it shape 

Now you have lots written! How do you put a shape to it? Here is a good blog post that gives a structure: How to Write an ARC Review.  Susan Farris does this on a regular basis, so her reviews are going to be longer and more extensive than those written by a reader. But she has some good ideas: just take what you like and leave the rest.

Most reader reviews are 1-2 paragraphs and choose one to three ideas or focus on:

1. A headline idea – overall impression usually encouraging someone to read the book

2. General sense of the story: a plot summary without giving spoilers and any keywords that will tell readers if this is their kind of book (e.g., enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, surprise baby, RH or kinds of partners, steamy or not, you get the idea)

3. Anything specific that you really liked or thought was important or memorable

4. Other comments or things you think the reader should know.

*Remember, use your own voice and make it authentic to you–not to some weird Internet Version of what you think you should write.

Contact me (authormariebelrose@gmail.com) if you’d like advice or want to run a draft or some ideas by someone! I’d love to help–not to make you say certain things, but to make it say what you want it to say. (I’m a teacher, so this is my approach to my students’ writing as well.)

Step Five – Post and Email

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