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Book reviews are sometimes used on undergraduate courses, and frequently appear in academic journals. This page considers what a book review is , how to structure one , and provides some language for writing a book review .
A book review describes and critically evaluates a (usually recent) book. Like any kind of review, for example a review of a film or television programme, it will offer a description of the main points, consider the strengths and weaknesses, and give an overall evaluation, in order to allow the reader to decide whether or not it will be of interest to them and therefore a good investment of their time and money. Book reviews are sometimes used as assignments on undergraduate courses, and are a common component of academic journals. They are typically short pieces of work, around 500-750 words in length. They may sometimes be shorter or longer, but will rarely exceed 1000 words. A book review should not be confused with a book report, which is a relatively short and purely descriptive assignment, common in high school (rather than university) courses.
A book review will usually begin with bibliographic information . This means details such as the name of the book, the name(s) of the author(s), and the publisher. Other details may be helpful, for example date and place of publication, format, edition, number of pages, price and ISBN.
The text of the review should begin with an introduction . As the review will be fairly brief, it is common to begin with an anecdote or quotation which captures the main idea of the book. The introduction will identify the author and title, specify the type of book, and state the book's subject matter. Further background detail to place the book in context may be given, for example previous work by the author in the same field, prior work by other writers in the same field, or information about the book series (if the book is part of a series). The thesis of the book, i.e. its specific contribution, may also be given, along with your own thesis, i.e. your initial appraisal of the work and key observations.
The main body of the review will provide description and critical evaluation of the text. These may be dealt with separately, with description first and evaluation next, or in combination. Although the evaluation is the more important part, the description may still take up half or two thirds of the content of the main body, in order to lay the foundation for the evaluation.
The description of the text will summarise the book. Evidence from the book, such as quotations, may be used to support the points. This part might give information on the following areas, which can later be used as criteria for evaluating the book:
The critical evaluation will present your reaction to the book. You might compare it to other (similar) books in the field, and consider its relative strengths and weaknesses. In this part you may respond to the areas above by considering key questions, as follows, to further highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the book.
Finally, there should be a conclusion to the book review. This will sum up your thoughts on the book. This means summarising the book's strengths and weaknesses, indicating whether this is a useful book, whether it will make a lasting contribution to its field, whether you recommend it, and who will benefit from reading it.
Note that the above is the structure for a book review for a non-fiction work, which is the most common kind of review for university study. For a work of fiction, a similar approach can be used, though in place of the points for argument and sources, you would consider setting, plot, characters, use of language and voice when describing the book, and consider how effective each of these elements are when evaluating it.
It is important is to make sure that your views are distinct from the author's. This can be done by using the author's name, or referring to 'The author' or 'The book'.
The following phrases might be useful for summarising the contents of the book.
The following phrases can be used to highlight weaknesses.
The following phrases can be used to indicate a suitable audience for the book.
The following adjectives can be used to give a positive review (negatives of these can be used for a negative review).
An example book review, as well as exercises for book reviews, can be found in the book Academic Writing Genres: Essays, Reports & Other Genres , part of the EAP Foundation series of books. You can use the form below to download a sample of the book .
Like the website? Try the books. Enter your email to receive a free sample from Academic Writing Genres .
Below is a checklist for book reviews. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
Essential details are given, e.g. name of book, author, publisher, date/place of publication, format, edition, number of pages, price, ISBN. | |||
There is an interesting beginning (e.g. anecdote or quotation). | |||
The introduction identifies the author, title, and type of book. | |||
The introduction states what the book is about. | |||
Background is given, e.g. previous work by the author or others in the same field, information about the book series (if part of a series). | |||
The thesis of the book is given, i.e. its specific contribution. | |||
Your thesis is given, i.e. your initial appraisal of the work and key observations. | |||
There is a description of key areas, e.g. summary of content, author's purpose, intended audience, arguments, sources, organisation and layout. | |||
Quotations are used as evidence. | |||
There is critical evaluation of key areas, e.g. content (is everything included?), purpose (is it achieved?), audience (is it suitable?), arguments (are they valid?), evidence (is it strong?), organisation and layout (it is logical and clear?). | |||
Strengths and weaknesses are given. | |||
There is a summary of the book's strengths and weaknesses. | |||
There is an indication of whether the book is useful or makes a lasting contribution. | |||
The conclusion states whether you recommend the book, and what audience it suits. |
Find out more about research proposals in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about literature reviews .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 27 December 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
A book review is a thorough description, critical analysis, and/or evaluation of the quality, meaning, and significance of a book, often written in relation to prior research on the topic. Reviews generally range from 500-2000 words, but may be longer or shorter depends on several factors: the length and complexity of the book being reviewed, the overall purpose of the review, and whether the review examines two or more books that focus on the same topic. Professors assign book reviews as practice in carefully analyzing complex scholarly texts and to assess your ability to effectively synthesize research so that you reach an informed perspective about the topic being covered.
There are two general approaches to reviewing a book:
Book Reviews. Writing Center. University of New Hampshire; Book Reviews: How to Write a Book Review. Writing and Style Guides. Libraries. Dalhousie University; Kindle, Peter A. "Teaching Students to Write Book Reviews." Contemporary Rural Social Work 7 (2015): 135-141; Erwin, R. W. “Reviewing Books for Scholarly Journals.” In Writing and Publishing for Academic Authors . Joseph M. Moxley and Todd Taylor. 2 nd edition. (Lanham, MD: Rowan and Littlefield, 1997), pp. 83-90.
NOTE: Since most course assignments require that you write a critical rather than descriptive book review, the following information about preparing to write and developing the structure and style of reviews focuses on this approach.
I. Common Features
While book reviews vary in tone, subject, and style, they share some common features. These include:
To maintain your focus, always keep in mind that most assignments ask you to discuss a book's treatment of its topic, not the topic itself . Your key sentences should say, "This book shows...,” "The study demonstrates...," or “The author argues...," rather than "This happened...” or “This is the case....”
II. Developing a Critical Assessment Strategy
There is no definitive methodological approach to writing a book review in the social sciences, although it is necessary that you think critically about the research problem under investigation before you begin to write. Therefore, writing a book review is a three-step process: 1) carefully taking notes as you read the text; 2) developing an argument about the value of the work under consideration; and, 3) clearly articulating that argument as you write an organized and well-supported assessment of the work.
A useful strategy in preparing to write a review is to list a set of questions that should be answered as you read the book [remember to note the page numbers so you can refer back to the text!]. The specific questions to ask yourself will depend upon the type of book you are reviewing. For example, a book that is presenting original research about a topic may require a different set of questions to ask yourself than a work where the author is offering a personal critique of an existing policy or issue.
Here are some sample questions that can help you think critically about the book:
Beyond the content of the book, you may also consider some information about the author and the general presentation of information. Question to ask may include:
NOTE: Most critical book reviews examine a topic in relation to prior research. A good strategy for identifying this prior research is to examine sources the author(s) cited in the chapters introducing the research problem and, of course, any review of the literature. However, you should not assume that the author's references to prior research is authoritative or complete. If any works related to the topic have been excluded, your assessment of the book should note this . Be sure to consult with a librarian to ensure that any additional studies are located beyond what has been cited by the author(s).
Book Reviews. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Book Reviews. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Hartley, James. "Reading and Writing Book Reviews Across the Disciplines." Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 57 (July 2006): 1194–1207; Motta-Roth, D. “Discourse Analysis and Academic Book Reviews: A Study of Text and Disciplinary Cultures.” In Genre Studies in English for Academic Purposes . Fortanet Gómez, Inmaculada et al., editors. (Castellò de la Plana: Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I, 1998), pp. 29-45. Writing a Book Review. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing Book Reviews. Writing Tutorial Services, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Indiana University; Suárez, Lorena and Ana I. Moreno. “The Rhetorical Structure of Academic Journal Book Reviews: A Cross-linguistic and Cross-disciplinary Approach .” In Asociación Europea de Lenguas para Fines Específicos, María del Carmen Pérez Llantada Auría, Ramón Plo Alastrué, and Claus Peter Neumann. Actas del V Congreso Internacional AELFE/Proceedings of the 5th International AELFE Conference . Zaragoza: Universidad de Zaragoza, 2006.
I. Bibliographic Information
Bibliographic information refers to the essential elements of a work if you were to cite it in a paper [i.e., author, title, date of publication, etc.]. Provide the essential information about the book using the writing style [e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago] preferred by your professor or used by the discipline of your major . Depending on how your professor wants you to organize your review, the bibliographic information represents the heading of your review. In general, it would look like this:
[Complete title of book. Author or authors. Place of publication. Publisher. Date of publication. Number of pages before first chapter, often in Roman numerals. Total number of pages]. The Whites of Their Eyes: The Tea Party's Revolution and the Battle over American History . By Jill Lepore. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2010. xii, 207 pp.)
Reviewed by [your full name].
II. Scope/Purpose/Content
Begin your review by telling the reader not only the overarching concern of the book in its entirety [the subject area] but also what the author's particular point of view is on that subject [the thesis statement]. If you cannot find an adequate statement in the author's own words or if you find that the thesis statement is not well-developed, then you will have to compose your own introductory thesis statement that does cover all the material. This statement should be no more than one paragraph and must be succinctly stated, accurate, and unbiased.
If you find it difficult to discern the overall aims and objectives of the book [and, be sure to point this out in your review if you determine that this is a deficiency], you may arrive at an understanding of the book's overall purpose by assessing the following:
III. Note the Method
Support your remarks with specific references to text and quotations that help to illustrate the literary method used to state the research problem, describe the research design, and analyze the findings. In general, authors tend to use the following literary methods, exclusively or in combination.
IV. Critically Evaluate the Contents
Critical comments should form the bulk of your book review . State whether or not you feel the author's treatment of the subject matter is appropriate for the intended audience. Ask yourself:
Support your evaluation with evidence from the text and, when possible, state the book's quality in relation to other scholarly sources. If relevant, note of the book's format, such as, layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there tables, charts, maps, illustrations, text boxes, photographs, or other non-textual elements? Do they aid in understanding the text? Describing this is particularly important in books that contain a lot of non-textual elements.
NOTE: It is important to carefully distinguish your views from those of the author so as not to confuse your reader. Be clear when you are describing an author's point of view versus expressing your own.
V. Examine the Front Matter and Back Matter
Front matter refers to any content before the first chapter of the book. Back matter refers to any information included after the final chapter of the book . Front matter is most often numbered separately from the rest of the text in lower case Roman numerals [i.e. i - xi ]. Critical commentary about front or back matter is generally only necessary if you believe there is something that diminishes the overall quality of the work [e.g., the indexing is poor] or there is something that is particularly helpful in understanding the book's contents [e.g., foreword places the book in an important context].
Front matter that may be considered for evaluation when reviewing its overall quality:
Back matter that may be considered for evaluation when reviewing its overall quality:
VI. Summarize and Comment
State your general conclusions briefly and succinctly. Pay particular attention to the author's concluding chapter and/or afterword. Is the summary convincing? List the principal topics, and briefly summarize the author’s ideas about these topics, main points, and conclusions. If appropriate and to help clarify your overall evaluation, use specific references to text and quotations to support your statements. If your thesis has been well argued, the conclusion should follow naturally. It can include a final assessment or simply restate your thesis. Do not introduce new information in the conclusion. If you've compared the book to any other works or used other sources in writing the review, be sure to cite them at the end of your book review in the same writing style as your bibliographic heading of the book.
Book Reviews. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Book Reviews. The Writing Center. University of North Carolina; Gastel, Barbara. "Special Books Section: A Strategy for Reviewing Books for Journals." BioScience 41 (October 1991): 635-637; Hartley, James. "Reading and Writing Book Reviews Across the Disciplines." Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 57 (July 2006): 1194–1207; Lee, Alexander D., Bart N. Green, Claire D. Johnson, and Julie Nyquist. "How to Write a Scholarly Book Review for Publication in a Peer-reviewed Journal: A Review of the Literature." Journal of Chiropractic Education 24 (2010): 57-69; Nicolaisen, Jeppe. "The Scholarliness of Published Peer Reviews: A Bibliometric Study of Book Reviews in Selected Social Science Fields." Research Evaluation 11 (2002): 129-140;.Procter, Margaret. The Book Review or Article Critique. The Lab Report. University College Writing Centre. University of Toronto; Reading a Book to Review It. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Scarnecchia, David L. "Writing Book Reviews for the Journal Of Range Management and Rangelands." Rangeland Ecology and Management 57 (2004): 418-421; Simon, Linda. "The Pleasures of Book Reviewing." Journal of Scholarly Publishing 27 (1996): 240-241; Writing a Book Review. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Writing Book Reviews. Writing Tutorial Services, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. Indiana University.
Always Read the Foreword and/or the Preface
If they are included in the front matter, a good place for understanding a book's overall purpose, organization, contributions to further understanding of the research problem, and relationship to other studies is to read the preface and the foreword. The foreword may be written by someone other than the author or editor and can be a person who is famous or who has name recognition within the discipline. A foreword is often included to add credibility to the work.
The preface is usually an introductory essay written by the author or editor. It is intended to describe the book's overall purpose, arrangement, scope, and overall contributions to the literature. When reviewing the book, it can be useful to critically evaluate whether the goals set forth in the foreword and/or preface were actually achieved. At the very least, they can establish a foundation for understanding a study's scope and purpose as well as its significance in contributing new knowledge.
Distinguishing between a Foreword, a Preface, and an Introduction . Book Creation Learning Center. Greenleaf Book Group, 2019.
There are several databases the USC Libraries subscribes to that include the full-text or citations to book reviews. Short, descriptive reviews can also be found at book-related online sites such as Amazon , although it's not always obvious who has written them and may actually be created by the publisher. The following databases provide comprehensive access to scholarly, full-text book reviews:
It can be challenging to find the proper vocabulary from which to discuss and evaluate a book. Here is a list of some active verbs for referring to texts and ideas that you might find useful:
Examples of usage
Paquot, Magali. Academic Keyword List. Centre for English Corpus Linguistics. Université Catholique de Louvain.
Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots 🤓
The only book review templates you'll ever need.
Whether you’re trying to become a book reviewer , writing a book report for school, or analyzing a book, it’s nice to follow a book review template to make sure that your thoughts are clearly presented.
A quality template provides guidance to keep your mind sharp and your thoughts organized so that you can write the best book review possible. On Reedsy Discovery , we read and share a lot of book reviews, which helps us develop quite a clear idea what makes up a good one. With that in mind, we’ve put together some trustworthy book review templates that you can download, along with a quick run-through of all the parts that make up an outstanding review — all in this post!
Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:
Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!
With the rapid growth of the book community on Instagram, Youtube, and even TikTok, the world of book commentary has evolved far beyond your classic review. There are now many ways you can structure a book review. Some popular formats include:
But while the text in all these review styles can be organized in different ways, there are certain boxes that all good book reviews tick. So, instead of giving you various templates to use for different occasions, we’ve condensed it down to just two book review templates (one for fiction and one for nonfiction) that can guide your thoughts and help you nail just about any review.
⭐ Download our free fiction book review template
⭐ Download our free nonfiction book review template
All you need to do is answer the questions in the template regarding the book you’re reading and you’ve got the content of your review covered. Once that’s done, you can easily put this content into its appropriate format.
Now, if you’re curious about what constitutes a good book review template, we’ll explain it in the following section!
Say you want to build your own book review template, or you want to customize our templates — here are the elements you’ll want to consider.
We’ve divided our breakdown of the elements into two categories: the essentials and the fun additions that’ll add some color to your book reviews.
We covered this in detail (with the help of some stellar examples) in our post on how to write a book review , but basically, these are the three crucial elements you should know:
The summary covers the premise of the book and its main theme, so readers are able to understand what you’re referring to in the rest of your review. This means that, if a person hasn’t read the book, they can go through the summary to get a quick idea of what it’s about. (As such, there should be no spoilers!)
The analysis is where, if it’s a fiction book, you talk more about the book, its plot, theme, and characters. If it’s nonfiction, you have to consider whether the book effectively achieves what it set out to do.
The recommendation is where your personal opinion comes in the strongest, and you give a verdict as to who you think might enjoy this book.
You can choose to be brief or detailed, depending on the kind of review you’re writing, but you should always aim to cover these three points. If you’re needing some inspiration, check out these 17 book review examples as seen in magazines, blogs, and review communities like Reedsy Discovery for a little variation.
Find out which review community is best for your style. Takes 30 seconds!
Once you’ve nailed down the basics, you can jazz things up a little and add some personal flavor to your book review by considering some of these elements:
This is where you can really be creative and tailor your review to suit your purpose and audience. A formal review written for a magazine, for instance, will likely benefit from contextual information about the author and the book, along with some comment on how that might have affected the reading (or even writing) process.
Meanwhile, if you’re reviewing a book on social media, you might find bullet points more effective at capturing the fleeting attention of Internet users. You can also make videos, take creative pictures, or even add your own illustrations for more personal touches. The floor is yours at this point, so go ahead and take the spotlight!
That said, we hope that our templates can provide you with a strong foundation for even your most adventurous reviews. And if you’re interested in writing editorial reviews for up-and-coming indie titles, register as a reviewer on Reedsy Discovery !
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Danika spends most of her time talking about queer women books at the Lesbrary. Blog: The Lesbrary Twitter: @DanikaEllis
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When I was a kid I loved reading, but I hated book reports. It felt impossible to boil a book down to a few lines or even a page of writing. Besides, by the time I had to write the report, I had already forgotten a lot. It never ceases to be painful to try to pull my thoughts and opinions out of my head and put them on the page, especially in a coherent way.
As an adult, I continue to usually find writing book reviews painful . And yet, I maintain a book blog with reviews of all the (bi and lesbian) books I read. Why? For one thing, I want to raise the visibility of these books — or, in the case of a book I loathed, warn other readers of what to expect. It helps me to build community with other book lovers. It’s also a great way to force myself pay attention to how I’m feeling while I’m reading a book and what my thoughts are afterwards. I have learned to take notes as I go, so I have something to refer to by the time I write a review, and it has me notice what a book is doing well (and what it isn’t). The review at the end helps me to organize my thoughts. I also find that I remember more once I’ve written a review.
Once you’ve decided it’s worthwhile to write a review, though, how do you get started? It can be a daunting task. The good news is, book reviews can adapt to whatever you want them to be. A book review can be a tweet with a thumbs up or thumbs down emoji, maybe with a sentence or two of your thoughts; it can also be an in-depth essay on the themes of the book and its influence on literature. Most are going to fall somewhere between those two! Let go of the idea of trying to create the One True Book Review. Everyone is looking for something different, and there is space for GIF-filled squee fests about a book and thoughtful, meditative explorations of a work.
This post offers a variety of book reviews elements that you can mix and match to create a book review template that works for you. Before you get started, though, there are some questions worth addressing.
Where will you be posting your book reviews.
An Instagram book review will likely look different from a blog book review. Consider which platform you will be using for your book review. You can adapt it for different platforms, or link to your original review, but it’s a good starting point. Instagram reviews tend to be a lot shorter than blog reviews, for instance.
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Some book reviewers have a go-to book review template. Others have a different one for each genre, while another group doesn’t use a template at all and just reacts to whatever each book brings up.
When choosing which book review elements to mix and match, you can also decide whether to include a header for each section (like Plot, Characterization, Writing, etc). Headers make reviews easier to browse, but they may not have the professional, essay-style look that you’re going for.
When selecting which elements to include in your review, consider what the purpose is. Do you want to better remember the plot by writing about it? You probably want to include a plot summary, then. Do you want to help readers decide whether they should read this book? A pros and cons list might be helpful. Are you trying to track something about your reading, like an attempt to read more books in translation or more books by authors of color? Are you trying to buy fewer books and read off your TBR shelf instead? These are all things you can note in a review, usually in a point-form basic information block at the beginning.
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Essay-style.
This is a multi-paragraph review, usually with no headers. It’s the same format most newspapers and academics use for book reviews. Many essay-style reviews use informal categories in their writing, often discussing setting, writing, characters, and plot in their own paragraphs. They usually also discuss the big themes/messages of a story. Here are some questions to consider when writing an essay-style review:
What is the author trying to do? Don’t evaluate a romance novel based on a mystery novel’s criteria. First try to think about what the book was attempting to do, then try to evaluate if they achieved it. You can still note if you didn’t like it, but it’s good to know what it was aiming for first.
What are some of the themes of the story? What big message should the reader take away? Did you agree with what the book seemed to be saying? Why or why not?
How is this story relevant to the world? What is it saying about the time it was written in? About human nature? About society or current issues? Depending on the book, there may be more or less to dig into here.
What did this book make you think about? It may be that the themes in the book were just a launching off point. How did they inspire your own thinking? How did this book change you?
This is probably the most common kind of book review template. It uses a few criteria, usually including Setting, Writing, Characters, and Plot (for a novel). The review then goes into some detail about each element, describing what the book did well, and where it fell short.
The advantage of this format is that it’s very straightforward and applies to almost any fiction read. It can also be adapted–you will likely have more to say about the plot in a mystery/thriller than a character study of a novel. A drawback, though, is that it can feel limiting. You might have thoughts that don’t neatly fit into these categories, or you could feel like you don’t have enough to say about some of the categories.
A common format for a Goodreads review is some variation of pros and cons. This might be “What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like” or “Reasons to Bump This Up Your TBR/Reasons to Bump This Down On Your TBR.” This is a very flexible system that can accommodate anything from a few bullet points each to paragraphs each. It gives a good at-a-glance impression of your thoughts (more cons than pros is a pretty good indication you didn’t like it). It also is broad enough that almost all your thoughts can likely be organized into those headings.
This is also a format that is easily mix and matched with the elements listed below. A brief review might give the title, author, genre, some brief selling points of the novel, and then a pros and cons list. Some reviews also include a “verdict” at the end. An example of this format:
🌟 Fantasy All-Ages Comic 💫 Adorable pet dragons ✨ A diverse cast
Pros: This book has beautiful artwork. It is a soothing read, and all the character are supportive of each other. This is a story about friendship and kindness.
Cons: Don’t expect a fast-moving plot or a lot of conflict. This is a very gentle read.
Another approach to the review is not, strictly speaking, a book review template at all. Instead, it’s something like “5 Reasons to Read TITLE by Author” or “The # Most Shocking Plot Twists in X Series.” An advantage of this format is that it can be very to-the-point: if you want to convince people to read a book, it makes sense to just write a list of reasons they should read the book. It may also be more likely to get clicked on–traditional book reviews often get less views than more general posts.
On the other hand, listicles can come off as gimmicky or click-bait. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the book matches this format, and whether you are writing this out of genuine enthusiasm or are just trying to bend a review to be more clickable.
Lots of reviewers decide to make their own review format based on what matters to them. This is often accompanied by a ratings system. For instance, the BookTube channel Book Roast uses the CAWPILE system:
CAWPILE is an acronym for the criteria she rates: Characters, Atmosphere, Writing, Plot, Intrigue, Logic, Enjoyment. Each of those are rated 1–10, and the average given is the overall rating. By making your own ratings/review system, you can prioritize what matters to you.
My favorite rating system is Njeri’s from Onyx Pages , because it shows exactly what she’s looking for from books, and it helps her to think about and speak about the things she values:
Another format possibility is live tweeting (or updating as you go on Goodreads, or whatever your platform of choice is). This has you document your initial thoughts as you read, and it’s usually informal and often silly. You can add what you’re loving, what you’re hating, and what questions you have as you go.
This is a fun format for when you’re reading a popular book for the first time. That way, other people can cackle at how unprepared you are as you read it. This requires you to remember to always have your phone on you as you read, to get your authentic thoughts as they happen, but it saves on having to write a more in-depth review. Alternately, some people include both a “first impressions” section and a more in-depth analysis section in their final review.
There are plenty of book review templates to choose from and elements to mix-and-match, but you can also respond in a completely original way. You could create a work of art in response to the book! Here are some options:
Most book reviews are made up of a few different parts, which can be combined in lots of different ways. Here is a selection to choose from! These might also give you ideas for your own elements. Don’t take on too much, though! It can easily become an overwhelming amount of information for readers.
Usually a book review starts with some basic information about the book. What you consider basic information, though, is up for interpretation! Consider what you and your audience will think is important. Here are some ideas:
Once you’ve established your basic information, you’re into the review itself! Some of these are small additions to a review, while others are a little more time-intensive.
Bullet point elements:
Visual elements:
Elements to incorporate into a review:
This is not a complete list! There are so many ways to write a book review, and it should reflect your own relationship with books, as well as your audience. If you’re looking for more ways to keep track of your reading, you’ll also like 50+ Beautiful Bujo Spread Ideas to Track Your Reading .
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If you’ve been reading a book and it’s stirred an emotional response in you, finding the right word to capture that feeling can be tricky. To help, you can find a list of the best words to describe a book on this page.
You can find positive words to describe a good book, negative words to describe a bad book, and some more descriptive words to help you capture the appearance of the tome.
You can also find some useful adjectives to describe certain genres of books, like fantasy , mystery and thrillers.
Books, both fiction and non-fiction, have the power to change our lives and alter our understanding of the world.
When a book has moved us in such a way, we always owe it to the book and to the author to describe it to others in a way that does it justice.
But sometimes we lack the vocabulary and knowledge of adjectives to nail that description. To help, here are some of the best words to describe a book:
When a good or great book has left an impression on us, we may be moved to leave a review of the book online (which is very helpful to authors so I encourage it!). However, we may not know the best words to describe what it was about, the characters , the plot and maybe the theme .
Here’s a list of 40 positive adjectives to describe a good book, along with their short definitions:
If you’ve read a bad book that’s offended you or perhaps bored you to death , then you may want to leave a review to warn other potential readers. To help you describe that book, here is a list of some negative words:
Some physical books are almost like works of art with their illustrations and moving covers. If you’re looking for some powerful descriptive words and adjectives to help you capture the appearance of a book, this list will help:
Mystery books are some of the most popular. This genre is associated with many themes and tropes so finding adjectives to describe these books can be more straightforward. Here’s a list of words to describe a mystery book:
If a thriller has left you with white knuckles from holding onto the book too hard, then it deserves a descriptive and compelling review. To help you, here is a list of words to describe a thriller book:
I hope this list of words to describe a book has proved useful! If you’re looking for more adjectives, why not check out my guide on the best words to describe teachers here, or head here for words to describe the moon . I also have a good on the best words beginning with E to describe people . And you can also head here to find lots of adjectives that start with F or this list of adjectives that start with A . I also have lots of list of adjectives that start with R .
For more writing tips , head here. Thanks for reading!
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Writing an online review is a powerful way to share your experiences and help others make informed decisions.
This guide will help you understand how to write clear and effective reviews that offer valuable insights and help potential customers make decisions.
What are you trying to achieve.
Before you start writing, think about what you want to achieve with your review. Are you trying to share a positive or negative experience? Do you want to provide valuable insights to help others? Do you just want to express your feelings?
Your review can influence a business’s online reputation and guide other customers, so be clear about your goal to make sure your review is helpful and effective.
Formatting your review properly is important to make sure it’s clear and easy to read. Start with a brief introduction that summarises your experience. Then, provide specific details about what you liked or didn’t like.
Use paragraphs to separate different points and make sure to proofread your review for any spelling or grammar mistakes. A well-formatted review shows your attention to detail and makes a stronger impact.
Think about who will be reading your review. Are you addressing the company to provide feedback, or are you writing for other customers to help them make informed decisions?
Shape your language and specific details to suit your audience. For example, if you’re writing a review for other customers to read, focus on how the product or service met your needs and why you would highly recommend it (or not).
If you’re addressing the company, be sure to provide constructive feedback that could lead to improvements.
How to write a book review.
When writing a book review, include specific details about the plot, characters, and writing style. Mention what you liked or disliked and why. Your insights can have a significant impact on other readers.
A good movie review should talk about the story, acting, and direction. Share your positive or negative thoughts and provide details. This helps others decide if they want to watch the movie.
In a product review, describe how the product or service worked for you. Mention any customer service experiences. Be honest and include both pros and cons to give a balanced view. Good reviews are clear and helpful.
For a restaurant review, talk about the food, service, and atmosphere. Would you highly recommend the food? How was the customer service from the wait staff? Your review can help guide others looking for a great dining experience.
When writing a travel review, include specific details about the location, accommodation, and activities. Mention what you enjoyed and what could be improved. This helps others plan their trips better.
A customer service review should focus on the quality of service you received. Did the staff respond to your needs? Were they helpful? Customer reviews that highlight good or bad service can influence a company’s online reputation.
Now that you’ve learned some top tips on how to write a review, it’s time to practice your skills! Leave a comment below and tell us what you thought of this article.
If you enjoyed these tips and want to improve your English even more, explore our English Online courses – they come highly recommended, as you can see in the review below!
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If you’re wondering how to describe a book but can’t find the right words, you’ve come to the right place.
Doing it well is an art and can lead to more sales.
So today, we’re breaking down adjectives to describe books to make them as appealing as possible.
We’ve broken it down by genre, but don’t be afraid to play with words.
The more compelling the adjectives, the more likely people will pick up the title.
Let’s get to it.
Book adjectives for action and adventure, book adjectives for classics, book adjectives for comic book / graphic novel, book adjectives for detective and mystery, book adjectives for fantasy, book adjectives for historical fiction, book adjectives for horror, book adjectives for literary fiction, book adjectives for romance, book adjectives for science fiction, book adjectives for suspense and thrillers, book adjectives for women’s fiction, book adjectives for biography / autobiography / memoir.
Authors love words and love writing. But not all authors are great copywriters. Copywriting is a unique skill set and requires choosing and combining words in a pithy, descriptive, and enticing way.
Even if you are a great copywriter, having a list of book-focused adjectives at your fingertips is always handy. Remember…
Keep this list in a place you can easily access, and allow the words to spark your imagination and creativity. One relevant word can lead you to a flood of ideas to describe your book or another author’s.
We’ve taken the legwork out of word research and curated a list of adjectives describing books in various genres. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in this list – well, look again!
The words you’re searching for are here, waiting for you to claim them.
Good action and adventure books keep you on the edge of your seat. In most cases, the protagonist must vanquish a dangerous foe and overcome considerable obstacles thrown in their way.
Sometimes it’s to save the world; other times, the goal is to save themselves.
They’ve been around for decades, yet they’re still “required reading.” Why? Because they’re timeless, had a huge impact on society, or pushed literary limits.
As their names suggest, comic books and graphic novels use illustrations and typography to tell stories. Dialogue is usually presented in “word bubbles.”
Detective and mystery novels revolve around crimes and inexplicable events. Memorable and beloved ones usually incorporate elements of humor, wit, and problem-solving.
Fantasy books are about the unknown, the mythical, and the supernatural. Some take place in wholly made-up worlds. Others are set in our world with added mystical elements.
Do you love period dramas and history? Then you’re the perfect candidate for historical fiction. Combining historical events with imagined dialogue, historical fiction is an engaging way to interact with the past.
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Horror books are meant to scare and terrify! If you enjoy jump scares, surprises, and a tinge of discomfort, horror is the genre for you.
Today’s literary fiction novels are tomorrow’s classics. They’re well-written, lyrical stories with evocative themes that usually include social and cultural commentary.
Romance novels are all about love and happy endings. Book snobs often turn their noses up at romance titles, but they’re the most-read books on today’s novel market.
Science fiction books challenge us to imagine the world in a new light. While they’re similar to fantasy titles, most sci-fi works incorporate technology and futuristic themes.
If you like a mental puzzle, then thrillers and suspense books are for you. Cliffhangers and emotional manipulation are the mainstays of the genre.
Women’s fiction focuses on female issues. Some people mistake it for romance. And while there are romantic elements in some women’s fiction novels, issues related to confidence, sexism, health — both physical and mental — and friendship are also common themes.
Biographies and autobiographies tell the stories of individual lives. The former is when someone else writes the book; autobiographies are written by the subject.
Memoirs are always written by the subject, are more personal, and don’t necessarily chronicle every moment. Instead, they focus on significant moments and convey messages and ideas the writer wants to convey.
Writing book descriptions is an essential part of book marketing. Using the right adjectives has the power to boost sales. So take your time and choose your words wisely!
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Book Review Writing
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Book Review Examples to Help You Get Started
A Complete Book Review Format Guide For Students
Ever stare at a blank page, wondering how to spill your thoughts about a book onto it? You're not alone!
Crafting a compelling book review can be as daunting as facing a dragon in a fantasy novel. The struggle is real. How do you structure your thoughts? And most importantly, how do you make it enjoyable, both for you and your readers?
Fear not, because we've got you covered.
In this guide, we'll take you step by step through the process. We'll share some useful tips and show you real examples. From organizing your review to nailing the writing part, we've got everything covered.
So let's dive in!
A book review is a critical evaluation of a literary work that provides a reader's perspective on its strengths and weaknesses. It goes beyond summarizing the plot, diving into aspects like character development, writing style, and thematic elements.
Through insightful analysis, a book review offers potential readers a nuanced understanding, guiding them in making informed choices. It serves as a valuable tool for both readers and authors, offering constructive feedback for continuous improvement.
Let's break down the steps of writing a book review:
Read the book attentively, taking note of major plot points, character developments, and any recurring themes. Ensure a clear understanding of the author's narrative choices.
Example:
If you are reading by Harper Lee attentively, immerse yourself in the world of Maycomb. Take note of pivotal moments, such as Scout's encounters with Boo Radley and the trial of Tom Robinson. Absorb the nuances of character relationships and the racial tension embedded in the narrative. |
Research the author's background, previous works, and writing style. Consider the book's genre and its place in the author's overall body of work to understand their intent.
If you are researching Harper Lee's background and body of work, explore her motivations for writing Investigate her upbringing in the American South and how it influenced the themes she addresses, particularly racial injustice and moral growth. |
Determine the ideal reader for the book. Assess how well the author caters to this audience and whether the content is appropriate for the intended readership.
If you are researching Harper Lee's background and body of work, explore her motivations for writing Investigate her upbringing in the American South and how it influenced the themes she addresses, particularly racial injustice and moral growth. |
Start with a captivating hook, such as an interesting fact or a thought-provoking question. Provide essential information about the book, including the title, author, and genre.
If you are introducing start with a hook like, "Embark on a journey through the racially charged streets of Maycomb." Provide essential details, such as the author, the Southern Gothic genre, and the promise of a profound exploration of justice. |
Provide a brief overview of the plot without revealing spoilers. Focus on the key events that drive the narrative forward.
If you are summarizing briefly outline the trial of Tom Robinson, the experiences of Scout and Jem, and the exploration of racial prejudice. Highlight key events that shape the narrative. |
Discuss the characters' depth and growth throughout the story. Analyze their relevance to the overall plot and note any notable character traits.
If you are evaluating the character development in discuss Scout's maturation and understanding of morality. Analyze how characters like Atticus Finch and Boo Radley contribute to the overall themes of the novel. |
Evaluate the author's writing style and language choices. Comment on how these elements contribute to or hinder the overall reading experience.
If you are assessing the writing style in examine Harper Lee's use of Southern dialect and the child's perspective. Discuss how these elements contribute to the authenticity of the narrative. |
Identify central themes and discuss their significance in the book. Look for symbolism or motifs that enhance the overall meaning of the narrative.
If you are exploring themes in identify the central theme of racial injustice. Discuss symbols like the mockingbird and the significance they hold in conveying the novel's messages. |
Evaluate how well the conclusion wraps up the story. Discuss whether it is satisfying or if it leaves room for interpretation. Avoid giving away crucial plot details.
If you are critiquing the ending of evaluate how the trial's outcome and Boo Radley's role contribute to the novel's conclusion. Discuss whether it aligns with the overall themes. |
Express your personal reactions and emotions toward the book. Support your opinions with specific examples or passages from the text that resonated with you.
If you are sharing personal insights into express how the characters' struggles resonated with your understanding of morality. Support your opinions with specific scenes that left a lasting impact. |
Balance criticism with praise. Provide constructive feedback without solely focusing on negative aspects. Base your arguments on evidence from the book.
If you are maintaining objectivity in your review of balance criticisms of societal prejudices with praise for the novel's exploration of morality. Provide evidence from the text to support your viewpoints. |
Reflect on the lasting impression the book leaves. Discuss its significance in a broader literary context and consider its potential influence on readers.
If you are considering the impact of reflect on its lasting relevance in addressing social issues. Discuss its impact on readers and its significance in the broader context of American literature. |
Summarize the key points discussed in your review. Provide a final assessment of the book and recommend it to specific audiences based on its strengths.
If you are crafting a conclusion for your review of summarize key points regarding the exploration of racial injustice and moral growth. Provide a final assessment and recommend the book as a timeless classic. |
Polish your review for clarity and coherence. Check for grammatical errors, and typos, and ensure a professional presentation. Consider seeking feedback from others for additional perspectives.
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In this section, we'll explore how to write a book review format, particularly focusing on the formatting guidelines. Let's explore the essential guidelines that make up a compelling book review:
Title Page:
Page Formatting:
Text Formatting:
Line Spacing:
If you want to learn the details of structuring and formatting a book review check out our “ book review format ” blog!
Let’s take a look at a sample book review writing template:
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Note: The template provided is a general guide, and the structure can vary based on personal preferences or specific requirements.
Examples are a great source to learn something new. That’s why below we have provided some book review examples that you can read to understand what it takes to write a great book review.
Here is how to write a book review for a fiction book:
Morgenstern's narrative is a dance of spellbinding wonders. The Night Circus, a traveling spectacle that appears at night, becomes the stage for a competition between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco. However, what starts as a contest soon evolves into a love story intricately woven with enchanting spells and breathtaking illusions. The circus itself is a character, a living entity with its own secrets and mysteries, adding layers to the already rich tapestry of the plot. The characters are masterfully crafted, each possessing a depth that draws readers into their world. Celia and Marco's love story is both tender and haunting, and Morgenstern's writing style is a poetic symphony that complements the ethereal atmosphere of the circus. Themes of love, destiny, and the boundless possibilities of magic are seamlessly blended, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's imagination. (Evaluation) "The Night Circus" transcends mere storytelling; it's an experience. I found myself entranced by the vivid imagery and spellbound by the intricacies of the magical feats. Morgenstern's narrative style invites readers to not only witness the magic but to feel it pulsating through every page. In the realm of fiction, "The Night Circus" is a masterpiece that transcends genre boundaries. Morgenstern's ability to blend enchantment with the human experience creates a narrative that resonates long after the final curtain falls. For those seeking a mesmerizing escape into a world of wonder, "The Night Circus" is an enchanting ticket to an extraordinary journey. |
Here is how to write a book review sample for a non-fictional book:
In "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind," Yuval Noah Harari takes readers on an intellectually stimulating journey through the evolution of Homo sapiens. From the dawn of our species to the present, Harari crafts a narrative that not only informs but challenges our understanding of human history. Harari navigates the complex landscape of human development, examining the cognitive, agricultural, and industrial revolutions. He delves into how shared myths, from religions to economic systems, have shaped societies. The book spans epochs, unveiling the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate events, and offering readers a panoramic view of our collective past. Harari's scholarship is profound yet accessible. His ability to distill complex concepts into digestible insights is commendable. "Sapiens" not only informs but prompts readers to question established norms and contemplate the trajectory of our species. The author's interdisciplinary approach, combining history, anthropology, and biology, creates a holistic and compelling narrative. As a reader, "Sapiens" sparked intellectual curiosity and fostered a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of human history. Harari's skillful storytelling and thought-provoking analysis left me contemplating the impact of our shared history on contemporary society. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" is a tour de force that transcends the boundaries of traditional historical narratives. Harari invites readers to reevaluate the threads of our shared story, challenging assumptions and encouraging a nuanced understanding of the forces that have shaped our world. For anyone seeking an illuminating exploration of human history, "Sapiens" is an indispensable guide. |
We have collected a bunch of samples for your how to write a book review example queries. Check out and download to enhance your learning:
Short Book Review For Students
How To Write A Book Review For School
How To Write A Book Review For College
How To Write A Book Review University
Need more examples for better understanding? Check out our book review examples blog for a range of sample book reviews.
If you are looking for more book reviews, we have compiled some potential book review topics often designated for student assignments:
Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!
Here are some essential tips for writing a top-notch book review:
Wrapping it Up!
This step-by-step guide has equipped you with the tools to craft a compelling book review. From understanding the book's essence to expressing your personal reactions, we've covered it all. Remember, a well-crafted review is an art that combines analysis and emotion.
If you find yourself struggling with your book review assignment or seeking professional guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. Our expert writers at MyPerfectWords.com are here to provide the best writing service.
Your academic success is our priority. Reach out to us today, and let us help you with your ' do my essay for me ' request!
What are the 4 stages of a book review.
The 4 stages of reviewing a book are:
The main parts of a book review are as following:
The purpose of the book review is to convey information about a particular book in an understandable way. It can be used as a tool by other people who want to know what your review about the book is or how it compares to their own expectations.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking. Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry's Freefall, a crime novel: In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it's a more subtle process, and that's OK too.
07 Pulsating. This is a word that you can use for a wide audience. It works in the same way as the words "thrilling" or "nail-biter" and suggests a fast-paced book. The word "pulsating" could refer to a book with unique story twists and multiple events. E.g. Forget about the last thriller you read.
4 tips for writing a book review. 1. Avoid repetition. A book review is its own piece of writing. By that, we mean your book review shouldn't just repeat the book's plot. It should add a new perspective about the book. 2. Be concise. Don't ramble in your book review.
Step 1: Planning Your Book Review - The Art of Getting Started. You've decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let's take a step back and plan your approach.
Book reviews in newspapers, magazines, and journals can range from 500-2000 words. In contrast, book reviews by readers on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, or Google can range from 50-500 words. Also read: How to Write a Book Description (Examples + Free Template)
A review is a critical evaluation of a text, event, object, or phenomenon. Reviews can consider books, articles, entire genres or fields of literature, architecture, art, fashion, restaurants, policies, exhibitions, performances, and many other forms. This handout will focus on book reviews.
The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to: Engage critically with a text. Critically evaluate a text. Respond personally to a range of different writing genres.
As you write the review, keep it vague. For example, explain that there is a major plot twist but don't go into the specifics. 7. Be transparent. Always share if you received an incentive to review the book, got an advance copy, or have any connection to the author. Your readers will appreciate your honesty.
Generally, book reviews are around 500 words. However, professional and academic book reviews can be thousands of words in length. If you're interested in writing a professional book review, check out example book reviews on The Guardian online to get an idea of length. Ultimately, the more words you use, the more thorough your analysis can be.
Include a star rating if you wish. 6. Create Your Own Book Review Template. If you plan on becoming a regular book reviewer, it's a good idea to create your own unique template that you can use for every book you review, whether you're posting on a blog, website, or social media account.
1. Start with a couple of sentences describing what the book is about. But without giving any spoilers or revealing plot twists! As a general rule, try to avoid writing in detail about anything that happens from about the middle of the book onwards. If the book is part of a series, it can be useful to mention this, and whether you think you'd ...
Learn how to write a book review in six simple steps. Find out how a book review is different from a book report and get tips to make your review a success.
The review should tell a reader what the book seeks to do and offer an appraisal of how well the author (s) accomplished this goal. That is why this is a "critical" book review. You are analyzing the book, not simply describing it. A review assumes that the readers know the vocabulary of the discipline. For example, a reviewer of a book on the ...
Be sure to mention the authors of the title and what experience or expertise they bring to the title. Check Stefan Kløvning's review of Creativity Cycling for an example of a summary that establishes the framework of the book within the context of its field. Step 2. Present your evaluation.
5 essential steps to writing a great book review. To make the most out of your book review, follow these 5 simple steps. 1. Share the most important details. Set the stage for the rest of your review by starting with the most important details of the book. Make sure to include:
Book reviews are sometimes used as assignments on undergraduate courses, and are a common component of academic journals. They are typically short pieces of work, around 500-750 words in length. They may sometimes be shorter or longer, but will rarely exceed 1000 words. A book review should not be confused with a book report, which is a ...
A book review is a thorough description, critical analysis, and/or evaluation of the quality, meaning, and significance of a book, often written in relation to prior research on the topic. Reviews generally range from 500-2000 words, but may be longer or shorter depends on several factors: the length and complexity of the book being reviewed ...
Blog - Posted on Thursday, Nov 11 The Only Book Review Templates You'll Ever Need Whether you're trying to become a book reviewer, writing a book report for school, or analyzing a book, it's nice to follow a book review template to make sure that your thoughts are clearly presented.. A quality template provides guidance to keep your mind sharp and your thoughts organized so that you can ...
Design your own book cover. Make fan art. Elements to incorporate into a review: Quick/initial thoughts (often while reading or immediately after reading), then a more in-depth review (common on Goodreads) A list of facts about the book or a character from the book. Book club questions about the book.
To help, here are some of the best words to describe a book: Captivating - Holding interest or attention. Compelling - Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerful way. Engrossing - Absorbing all one's attention or interest. Thought-provoking - Stimulating careful consideration or thought. Intriguing - Arousing one's ...
See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. A book review provides critique and analysis of a book for potential readers. Learn how to write a book review, so you can effectively share your opinion about a text.
How to write a book review. When writing a book review, include specific details about the plot, characters, and writing style. Mention what you liked or disliked and why. Your insights can have a significant impact on other readers. Book review example sentences: "The author's descriptive writing made the scenes come alive."
Good action and adventure books keep you on the edge of your seat. In most cases, the protagonist must vanquish a dangerous foe and overcome considerable obstacles thrown in their way. Sometimes it's to save the world; other times, the goal is to save themselves. Adventurous. Awesome.
Here are some essential tips for writing a top-notch book review: Capture Emotions: Express how the book made you feel. Readers connect with genuine emotional responses. Highlight Unique Aspects: Bring attention to distinctive elements—be it writing style, character depth, or unusual plot twists.