Book ReviewingMay 28 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I been asked numerous times on how to do a book review. How much do I add? Do I give away the plot? The ending? So after pondering through this, I decided maybe the best thing to do was make a simple review about how to write a book review and make it easier on myself and others. This isn't written in concrete, or "you have to do it this way". It is a simple guide that if you wish, you can follow...or not. The beginning of the review I like two things at the very beginning of a book review. The name of the author and the price of the book. So many books have the same titles. I have looked for books with a title, and haven't known the authors name, so I am never sure if I am getting the correct book until I actually start to read it. I also like the idea of knowing the price of the book. Is it 4.00 or is it 25.00. Not everyone can purchase a 20+ book, and it is nice to know before the search begins. The First Paragraph For myself personally, I like to see if the person enjoys the book right away, or gives an explanation of why they purchased the book. It doesn't have to be boldly state, I like this book. It can be stated in a round-about way...This author always comes up with the strangest ideas for characters and when I found out he just finished such and such book, I had to run out and purchase it right away, and boy, was I glad. Bring me in...show me that you are interested in why you read this book and why I should continue reading your review. The Second Paragraph Explain something about the book and why you like or disliked it. One way I found fun is to add something about a scene or a character and twist it into your words. When the clown, Mary Go Lucky, pulled the rabbit out of his pants, I just knew that this book was going to be full of laughter and chuckles. With that silly sentence, I just gave you a small scene, a character and how it made me feel. The Third Paragraph and Fourth Paragraphs Write a small spoiler about the book in short and quick details. Explain a bit about the books setting, a couple of the characters, conflicts involved with the characters. If it is a romance, show me a bit about the romance involved. If it horror, give me shivers and the anticipation of wanting more. This is the part most people complain they have problems with. People are worried about telling too much. You can't tell too much if you concentrate on the theme/plot of the story, or that character that made the book moving (or not moving) for you. You can also drift this down to a bit of an analyze. If the book is historical, I love to know a bit about your ideas that came from this book; do you believe they hit the right tone? Or is it full of hogwash? Worried about spilling the beans about the ending? Don't worry...try this: What Jo Jo the Muse did next well completely surprise and shock you. I wasn't ready for what he did next. To find out, you just have to read the book, you won't be disappointed. Give a hint of mystery to the reader. It will bring them in, want to know about what happened next. Last couple of Paragraphs Again, give yourself here. Add about the POV (point of view), other books that the author has written or if it is a series, let others know. Add your own personal touches to the last sequence of your review. Don't be afraid of writing too much, be worried about not adding enough. Don't tell me about the book, Show me about the book! That is my biggest line I use... Use those descriptive words, chilly atmosphere, soft melody of romance in the air when I read the passage ________, filled me with giggles, eerie, frightful, horrid, smell of fresh flowers surrounded me. Be creative with your review, challenge the reader to purchase the book, put yourself in the readers mind and see if you would go out and get this book by what you just read. Don't just tell about the book, describe you as the book. So there, that is it...my simple guide to having fun writing book reviews. See you in the book review section soon!!  |
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