Have you wondered what makes a good book review? Have you wondered what you might be missing in writing a book review? You can find out how to write a quality book review in these pages.
I've been writing book reviews for years, but I'm always ready to better myself. I was intrigued to see what I was doing right and what I needed to work on or add entirely!
How to Write a Book Review is well thought out and takes you step by step on how to write a thoughtful review, keeping the reader engaged but also giving your own opinion. If you've never written one before, you definitely could after reading this book. Rebecca talks about the difference of genres (fiction/non-fiction) and how you should differentiate them. If you have written one before, this book will make you better. There are also tips for where you should be posting your reviews for maximum effect for the author and publisher. I found the book to be very helpful and will use it as a reference over and over!
About the Author:
Rebecca Graf was born in Russellville, Kentucky but grew up in Dothan, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with an accounting degree. Given the chance to try her hand at writing, she began writing online articles leading to her first published book, A Gift for a Mouse. From there she ventured into romance, mystery, comedy and drama. The passion of writing was discovered. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband and three children.
You can connect with Rebecca here:
Excerpt:
A book review is a recommendation from you. Your review is telling your readers whether or not you recommend the book or suggest that they run very fast from it. Look at it like this. You are having coffee with a friend. Your conversation steers in a direction similar to this: “Hey, I just a read a book that you have got to read. I couldn’t put it down. Though the language could be a little foul, the plot was outstanding.”
Or the conversation could have gone this route: “I don’t understand the fascination with that book all over the news. I tried reading it and I couldn’t get past the first few chapters. It was horrible. There was no plot and everything was so confusing.” Both conversations are the beginnings of a book review and are a recommendation from you.
Yes, a book review is a critique, but in the end your review has to also give a recommendation regarding the book. You are suggesting your readers read it or not waste their money. If you are one that is honest with your reviews, people will listen. That is why you have to be very careful about what you say in a review. Don’t be personal. Don’t be biased. Let your friends know where you stand with the book, but give them good reasons. That is where the critique comes from. You can say you like the book or don’t like it, but tell your friends why. Your reasons might not be what turn your friends off of the book. I read one book that I just didn’t like. In critiquing it, the book wasn’t that bad. My readers could see that, but when I got to my recommendation I had to say the truth: “I really did not like the book. It was well written. The characters were entertaining, but the plot was not for me. For others, this might be an excellent book. If you like this genre, I highly recommend you give it a try and give your own review. For me, I’ll pass on the next one in the series.”
When you give a review, don’t forget to tell your recommendation to your readers. They want to know. You can critique it, but do you recommend it?
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card
*Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment
The old grey donkey, Eeyore stood by himself in a thistly corner of the Forest, his front feet well apart, his head on one side, and thought about things. Sometimes he thought sadly to himself, "Why?" and sometimes he thought, "Wherefore?" and sometimes he thought, "Inasmuch as which?" and sometimes he didn't quite know what he was thinking about.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to leave a comment. It's appreciated.