Guidelines for writing really helpful book reviews.
Tip #1. No spoilers please.
Tip #2. Despite amazon’s encouragement to do so…don’t write the review immediately upon finishing the book.
Tip #3 Think reader/think writer.
All of the above will become clear as you read on.
When I started a literary group I wanted to outline some suggestions that members could use to get the most from what they each had to say.
Tell us about the book.
- What or who attracted you to the book?
- Is it your usual genre?
- Did the first paragraph/page draw you in?
- What did you experience/learn from it?
- Did you read it quickly/savour it or struggle?
- Tell us a favourite moment in the book (no spoliers, please)
- And your least favourite part?
- How many stars would you give it and why?
- Would you read another book by this author?
- If someone mentioned the title of this book, which three words would come to mind?
So, no spoilers. I guess that is obvious but not to some reviewers on amazon, it seems.
When I suggest not writing the review until some time after you have finished reading, that is a personal choice and is linked to tip #3.
As a writer I am not just interested in people’s (aka reader’s) thoughts I want to know how to improve as a writer.
For me this means that in one week, one month or even one year…what sticks in your mind about any particular book?
Let me give you an example.
I finished reading these books in November. It is now February. Click on the image to enlarge.
Shouldn’t a great book illicit fond memories the moment you glace at the cover?
As a writer that is what I am aiming for.
Was it a gourmet meal or beans on toast?
Many a book I have enjoyed at the time to be almost totally forgotten soon after.
I don’t purport to write great literature (yet) but I do hope my readers can glance at a cover of any of my books and get an internal response and a smile. A smile is always good, even if the story is not amuse-worthy.
Book reviews of my November reads to follow…