Writing Book Reviews.
HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REVIEW: Online Book Reviews Increase Visitors, Views & Sales — by Brian Alan Burhoe
“Really nice Review, Brian. Thank you. And you even tracked down that I was born in Alaska. :)” – Alan Paul, Author of BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the 70’s.
I love writing book reviews. According to my Jetpack Stats, they’re among my top hits for Visitors, Views and Click-throughs via External Links.
For me, it’s Personal.
Some of my Reviews are of Advance Review Copies, or ARCs. Mostly from GoodReads.
But most are labours of love. Since I first learned to read, I’ve wandered the Wilderness. Wilderness writers like Charles G D Roberts, Ernest Thompson Seton, Grey Owl, Jack London and Edgar Rice Burroughs took me on adventures to the Wild Country.
After these many years I still write of the books, pay tribute to the writers who wrote in the Three Wilderness Genres:
- Animal Stories
- Westerns
- Northwesterns – and the sub-genre Mountie Fiction.
I want readers to discover these old books. Meet often-forgotten writers. Travel the old trails and waterways.
My most popular review is “The GREATEST AUTHORS OF NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE FICTION.” An exploration of an entire Genre! It was a long time in the making.
If you want to write this type of Personal Book Review, go for it. It’s all about celebrating the writers who inspired you.
But maybe you want to dive deeper. Maybe you want create Book Reviews of new works. Place them & sell them! Here’s How…
There are two ways.
First, writing for professional book reviews. These include Kirkus Reviews, Los Angeles Times Book Reviews and NY Times Book Review.
Second, submitting reviews to established online Book Review websites. Or building your own literary blog or website. This second involves not only an understanding of properly crafting a great Review. But a knowledge of SEO to reach your readers.[1]
As our guest blogger once put it: “When you are writing for the Web, you must nourish the Spider to engage the Human.”
“Revealing the Secrets of Writing Book Reviews” A Guest Article by Linda Kate Correli
In this article, we’ll explore the three elements of a good Book Review:
- The nuances of book review writing
- Distinguishing it from book reports
- Offering a structured approach to help you deliver a thoughtful critique.
1. The Nuances of Good Book Reviews
Writing a compelling book review involves more than just summarizing the plot. It requires a deep dive into the text’s themes, strengths, and weaknesses. A well-executed review is a blend of factual information and critical analysis. It provides readers with an insightful perspective on the book’s value and significance.
2. Understanding the Distinction: Book Review vs. Book Report
The terms “book review” and “book report” are often used interchangeably. But they serve different purposes.
A Book Report is primarily a summary. It focusus on the book’s content and narrative structure, without delving into interpretation or critique. It’s a straightforward description meant to inform rather than persuade. And is typically devoid of personal opinion or analysis.
On the other hand, a Book Review is a critical assessment that offers an in-depth exploration of the book’s themes, ideas and overall merit. It’s akin to a reaction paper, where the reviewer supports their viewpoints with evidence from the text. As well as evaluating the book against historical and literary standards. Book Reviews are inherently subjective, reflecting the reviewer’s personal impressions and responses to the literary work.
3. Crafting the Structure of a Book Review
A book review shares similarities with other academic writings. Usually consisting of an introduction with a thesis statement, supporting body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Reviews are generally concise, often not exceeding 1,000 words, and contain both descriptive and evaluative elements.
The descriptive part provides essential information about the book, such as the title, author, genre, and key themes. The evaluative section presents the reviewer’s judgment. It discusses the book’s ideas, style, and significance. And often quotes passages to illustrate points.
Starting with an Engaging Introduction
The introduction of your book review should present the author’s name, relevant biographical details, the book’s title, and the central theme. It should also include the book’s thesis. Which can be challenging to identify as it’s not always explicitly stated. Your introduction should not only be informative but also engaging. It should capture the reader’s attention, setting the tone for the rest of the review.
Summarizing with a Purpose
Provide a succinct summary of the book. Outline the author’s objectives, the main ideas, and the dynamics between characters. Your goal is to immerse readers in the book’s atmosphere. And pique their interest in its themes. Share your interpretation of its underlying messages. Support your analysis with textual evidence. Discuss the book’s impact on you. And its contribution to your understanding of the subject matter. Organize your evaluation into coherent paragraphs, focusing on different aspects of your critique.
Drawing a Logical Conclusion
Conclude your review by summarizing your thesis. Or offering a final verdict on the book. Avoid introducing new ideas. Instead, reinforce the arguments made throughout your review, extending the logic of your thesis statement.
By mastering these strategies, your book review can become an insightful and engaging piece of writing. One that offers readers a valuable perspective on the literary work in question.
Book Reviews: Interesting Stats and Data
While the art of book review writing is well-discussed, some intriguing statistics about the impact of reviews on readership and sales are less commonly known.
For instance, a study by the marketing firm Invesp found that products with reviews are 270% more likely to be purchased than products without. Although this data primarily pertains to consumer goods, the influence of reviews on book sales is similarly significant. According to a survey by the Codex Group, nearly 70% of readers say online book reviews influence their purchasing decisions.
Furthermore, the rise of social media has amplified the reach of book reviews.
A report by Nielsen Book found that 80% of book recommendations on social media platforms lead to purchase. This certainly highlights the power of reviews in the digital age.
By understanding these trends, reviewers can appreciate the broader impact of their work on the literary market and reader communities.
Well-crafted Book Reviews can get you discovered. Sent the latest new ARC written by your favorite top author. By revealing the hottest new books, you can become a trusted and authoritative voice in the industry. You can boost your own writing career. You will get noticed by Agents, Publishers and other publishing Influencers.
– Linda Kate Correli
You Have Gotta See…
==>> “My most popular Review. An exploration of an entire Genre! It was a long time in the making.”
YOU’VE GOT TO SEE “THE WRITERS OF THE NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE” — MY MOST POPULAR LITERARY HISTORY POST:
“Thanks for a wonderful in-depth article on Mountie fiction. I’m a big fan of the Mounties and I really enjoyed the amount of details you provided and found many, many more books to put on my wish list.” Jack Wagner
“I just discovered your blog recently and need to dig deeper into it. That post on Mountie fiction is great!” Western writer James Reasoner
An extensive look at the writers who created the magnificent Mythology of our North-West Mounted Police. My Top 10 Mountie Fiction Writers in some detail — and a look at many other authors. Amply illustrated with marvelous magazine and book covers. FREE TO READ ==> The GREATEST AUTHORS OF NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE FICTION
==>> To See My Review of Alan Paul’s Book, BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Allman Brothers Band and the Inside Story of the Album that Defined the 70’s, CLICK HERE!
==>> And See MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WRITERS – Brian Alan Burhoe.
Footnote:
[1] I use WordPress for Civilized Bears. The best platform for blogging and writing. CyberChimps provides the best SEO. I Write — They do the Rest!
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About Linda Kate Correli
Linda Kate Correli’s articles have appeared on ESL Teachers Board – “Writing For The Web: Nourish The Spider, Engage The Human.” And ArticlesFactory – “Unlocking the Secrets to Improved Creative Writing Skills.” Source: Free Guest Posting Articles from ArticlesFactory.com.
