How to Write a Book Review : The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Do you love reading books?
Do you want to your felloe book nerds to know how much you loved the last book you read?
Or do you hate the last book you read and want to warn all book readers from falling for its sexy book cover?
Writing a book review online, is just the thing you should be doing.
But how do I do it?
After reading hundreds of books every year since I was 16(I'm 42 now) and having written hundreds of reviews here on my blog, Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley and many other book blog websites(as a guest blogger), I've created this ultimate guide to how to write a book review.
My reviews have been featured on book covers, and I've been a top reviewer for NetGalley and I've worked with publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster UK, Grove Atlantic, Harper Collins and many more.
Over the years I've learnt what works and what attracts readers to you words and opinions. So let me start sharing all those tips with you.
What is a book review? The definition
According to study.com, "A book review is an analysis of a book that includes its subject, strengths, weaknesses, and context.”
As per Wikipedia, A book review is alternately called a book report or book critique too.
Reviews are indexed in a database like the Book Review Index or the Kirkus Reviews.
Writing a book review is summarizing, analyzing, and presenting a critical discussion of the book. Your analysis and opinion need to come out clearly with confidence without letting go of your personal touch and taste.
This is not an opportunity to brag about your intelligence or authority on writing skills.
You have to express your reactions to whether the book achieved what it set out to do. You may agree or disagree with the author, but your discussion needs to be around what was written, not what you wanted to be written by the author.
Book review vs. Book summary
A book summary is the general description of the context of a book.
It gives an overview of the story for the reader of what is expected in the story highlighting only the main points. There are no opinions or "I think" or "I love" here. It is never long.
A book review may consist of a book summary or synopsis and commentary of the book.
It includes the reviewer's opinions analysis and critiques. It is meant to be lengthy, but a review beyond 1000 words is rare.
Why Review Books? Are Reviews Important?
Book reviews give books visibility.
That, in turn, improves its chances of being found by readers. So as a book reviewer you become a guide for readers.
Book critiques are essential to authors, publishers, and readers.
For an author, a book is a business, and they need reviews for their product to establish credibility and popularity. Reviews are so much more important to new authors/self-published authors/independent authors because they're writing is yet unknown. Feedback about their writing is essential to new writers and old.
Maybe I'm exaggerating, but you might be the one to have found the next new J.K.Rowling!
For publishers, book reviews give them easy marketing of the book they think has potential.
Readers having no knowledge of a book or its plot or author select a book based on its reviews. Reviews give the reader the push they need to purchase a book.
Here are some publishing related trends that might give you an idea of the opportunities you have!
So what, you say?
Well, the trends we see today will dictate what jobs succeed tomorrow.
With an increasing number of books, whether self-published or commercially published, whether ebooks or Audio or paperbacks, whether fiction or poetry or non-fiction will need publicity and hence Reviews. That's where book reviewers come in. Got it!
In the US alone 2.3 millions books were published last year. Imagine the choices for you as book reviewers.
Impressed!
If you ask me, I picked up book reviewing because it gives me so many free books to read. Yay!
Convinced? So how do you become a book reviewer?
How to become a book reviewer?
1. First and foremost, read.
Tons and tons of books.
As a reviewer being well-read is your essential qualification.
Also, you might have to work on deadlines. So until you master the art of reading like crazy, read. Your experience as a reader should come through your reviews. Reading many books also has the advantages of making you write better.
You could read bestsellers in your genre first to try and give you an idea as to what a book in your genre can be like.
This may help you while reviewing other books in the same genre.
2. Specialize.
You may sharpen your focus to a particular genre or pick 2/3 to keep it interesting for you.
I love the crime/thriller/mystery genre, the romance genre, and the self-help genre. I usually accept books in these genres alternately so that my reading doesn't get dull by reading three or four self-help books in a row.
3. Start reviewing books for free
Sites like Amazon or Goodreads make it so easy.
Create a login account and review away. ( Amazon I think has a condition where you can write reviews if you've shopped on Amazon for at least $50 ) They are hugely popular among the bookworm community. And the reviews here don't have to be lengthy. Short 5 line reviews are most helpful.
It will also give you good practice to be precise and concise.
Additionally, you could get chatty on Goodreads and join your favorite author's group or a group about your favorite genre. You also have the opportunity to look at other people's reviews and writing.
Did you know lately, social media fans even post book reviews to Instagram and Youtube? You post a picture of the book and the review in the caption area with the hashtag #bookstagram, and you are a bookstagrammer.
Or even more impressive, you record a video as you review your book and show it off and post the video to Youtube and hey, you are a BookTuber!
More on BookTube and Bookstagram coming up later in this article. Keep reading.
4. Next, start looking for paid review opportunities
Kirkus reviews, OnlineBookClub.org, Publisher's weekly are places where you could get a small token for your services rendered along with a free book.
But keep in mind that all of these sites have a guidelines system. Follow the guidelines to a 'T,' and you could see a small but regular income from these sites. I have also listed several websites that offer review opportunities paid and unpaid further in the article.
5. Host all your reviews in one place
Imagine applying for a paid position and telling the employer to go through 5 sites to sample your work.
You don't want that.
Start a book blog. It's easy, and if you join places like WordPress.com or Tumblr, it's free. Share just one link, and your entire portfolio is at one place to see.
6. Prepare a packet of your best work.
If you aim to join the big 5's in publishing as a reviewer, you will have to sample your best work, maybe one in each of your genres, and create a file that represents you to the best of your abilities.
You may even add samples of indie book reviews to convince your employers of your taste for variety. Then you have to pitch into these publishers, and follow-up, politely. They may be getting hundreds of such emails. So be patient and positive.
Once you've landed an excellent opportunity, make sure you sample this new work in your portfolio before pitching into more unique avenues.
7. Keep track of the upcoming
Keep abreast of the latest releases, the upcoming releases, and books that sell like hotcakes locally. Publishers usually have a catalog of their upcoming titles. Subscribe to it.
Did you know there is also a book critics community? National Book Critics Circle honors outstanding writing and encourages reading, criticism, and literature and has been in existence in 1974. The membership is $50 a year. If you can, subscribe to them. It reflects well on your portfolio, not to forget the immense amount of information and contacts you can get through this subscription.
Be persistent.
Keep reading, and keep reviewing.
Keep honing your skills.
Opportunity is bound to knock your door sooner rather than later.
Fine, I convinced you the opportunity does have some merits right? But how do I go about writing the perfect analytical book review?
How to write a compelling book review?
Frankly, no set format needs to be followed.
The writing needs to flow freely and should represent your view of the book. But for those who go by the book, I do share the steps.
The model also ensures I don't miss the must-haves in a review.
Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to write a detailed book review that matters.
1. Select a story book
If it's your first time as a reviewer, I would recommend picking a book from your favorite genre.
This will ensure the reviewing doesn't seem like a task. Your text will be easier to write when it’s fun. Psst… my favorites are in the Romance and Thriller genres. But I do love self-help books too.
Second, try to pick a shorter book.
So you can spend more time working on the review. It's just a suggestion. Some readers would disagree, saying a lengthier book helps me write more about it.
Whatever works for you? So, let's say you've picked that book!
2. Read the entire book
That's a no-brainer.
But honestly, carefully and in full details. Even the part about the author. It may tell you about their background, where they live, what they do, and if it's their first book.
It helps you understand their writing style.
Read the book twice if time permits. Because the second read often exposes us to aspects of the characters or story we missed the first time. Or even any grammar, typos or punctuation we may have missed the first time.
Noting grammar is not necessary.
3. Take notes while reading
Notes help keep track of the characters, highlight essential messages in the story, or maintain the book's chronology.
I even highlight quote-worthy sentences that inspire or motivate me.
Make notes of any grammatical errors you find along the way, typos, punctuation mistakes, or wrongly named characters. If you do find these, try sharing them with the author. He/She would be thankful for your considerable effort.
And just to emphasize once more, absolutely make sure you read the entire book.
It's absolutely unfair and morally wrong if you tell an author you will review their writing and not even manage to read it.
4. Start writing your review
Once you finish reading the book, get to write the review ASAP.
That way, all the aspects of the story are still fresh in your mind. And you are aware of your general reaction after finishing the book. Do you feel happy, sad, calm, motivated, inspired, or just dissatisfied? It's just more comfortable when you still have the book in mind before moving on to other chores you may have.
You may start to write in Microsoft Word/Google Docs.
Prepare a draft using these guidelines. Or the approach I use is to type first all that comes to mind regarding the book. Then on the second read, correct your review based on the format and fill any missing gaps.
To write a review in less than 500 words keep the summary restricted to 150 words.
Enlist your analysis in the next 250 words.
Conclude with a paragraph providing a rating and recommendations in under 150 words.
5. Recheck your draft
After you finish writing a draft, read it, reread it.
Sleep over it and read again to fine-tune your writing.
Correct the grammar, punctuation, or errors, if any.
Your review must be free of any errors. This is vital. You do not want your readers to get lost in typos. Incorrect grammar reflects poorly on your brand. Use Microsoft Words' spellcheck. Or an editor like Grammarly. I use both. Just to be extra sure. Or you could even hire an editor.
Read your review to see if you could phrase specific meanings in new and unique words.6. Publish
Publishers may have specific requirements regarding word count or adding a rating.
Make sure you have taken care of the requirements.
And there, you have a book review ready to publish. Done.
But, how do I make my book review compelling?Now that you understand the fundamentals of writing book reviews, let's explore how modern technology can enhance your review process while maintaining the quality and personal touch of traditional methods.
Technology Integration for Modern Book Reviewers
The digital age has revolutionized how we approach book reviewing, offering tools that can transform your reviewing process from a solitary endeavor into a streamlined, engaging experience. Let me walk you through the exciting possibilities that modern technology brings to the table.
AI Tools for Review Organization
Gone are the days of staring at a blank page, wondering how to start your review. Today's AI tools can serve as your brainstorming partner and editorial assistant. Tools like Claude and ChatGPT can help you explore different angles for your review, while Notion AI can transform your scattered thoughts into well-organized templates. When you're stuck articulating your thoughts, QuillBot and WordTune can suggest fresh ways to express your opinions, ensuring your reviews remain authentic while avoiding repetitive language.
For those who prefer speaking their thoughts, Otter.ai has become a game-changer, converting your spoken observations into written text that you can later refine. Meanwhile, tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid work behind the scenes to polish your writing, ensuring your reviews shine with professional clarity.
Content Organization
- Claude & ChatGPT: Help organize your thoughts, create review outlines, and suggest alternative perspectives
- Notion AI: Create dynamic review templates and organize your reading notes
- Otter.ai: Transcribe your verbal review notes into written text
- Hemingway Editor: Analyze your review's readability and clarity
Review Enhancement
- QuillBot: Rephrase sections of your review for variety
- Grammarly: Check grammar and tone consistency
- WordTune: Suggest alternative ways to express your opinions
- ProWritingAid: Analyze review structure and style
Digital Note-Taking Apps for Reviewers
Whether you're a digital or physical book enthusiast, there's a note-taking solution tailored for you. Kindle readers can leverage the seamless integration of Readwise, which automatically captures and organizes your highlights, making them readily available when you sit down to write your review.
For those who cherish the feel of physical books, apps like Evernote and OneNote have evolved to bridge the gap between handwritten notes and digital organization. Obsidian offers a unique approach by helping you discover connections between different books and themes, adding depth to your reviews through interconnected insights.
For Kindle Readers
- Readwise: Automatically sync and organize your Kindle highlights
- Kindle Notes & Highlights: Access all your annotations in one place
- Notion Kindle Integration: Import highlights directly into your review drafts
For Physical Book Readers
- Evernote: Create structured review templates and scan handwritten notes
- OneNote: Organize notes by book, genre, or publication date
- Obsidian: Create interconnected notes linking different books and themes
- Notion: Build a personal review database with customizable properties
Modern Book Tracking Apps
While Goodreads pioneered social reading tracking, new platforms have emerged to enhance the experience. StoryGraph has won readers' hearts with its nuanced approach to book analytics and recommendations. Apps like Bookly help you understand your reading patterns by tracking your reading speed and habits, while Literal offers a fresh take on social reading with its clean, modern interface.
Dedicated Reading Apps
- StoryGraph: More detailed analytics and personalized recommendations
- Bookly: Track reading time and set reading goals
- Literal: Social reading app with clean interface and export options
- Reading List: Simple, minimalist tracking for Apple users
Personal Library Management
- Libib: Organize physical and digital libraries
- BookBuddy: Scan ISBN codes and track loans
- Library Thing: Connect with other reviewers and track your collection
Review Scheduling and Automation Tools
Staying organized as a reviewer doesn't have to be overwhelming. Project management tools like Asana or Trello can transform your reviewing process into a smooth operation. You can create a custom pipeline that takes you from initial notes to final publication, ensuring no brilliant observation gets lost along the way.
When it comes to sharing your reviews, social media automation tools like Buffer and Hootsuite can help you reach your audience at the right time. For reviewers building a following, email newsletters through platforms like Substack or ConvertKit allow you to cultivate a dedicated readership who eagerly await your latest reviews.
Content Planning
- Asana/Trello: Create review pipelines and track deadlines
- Airtable: Build a custom review management system
- ClickUp: Manage review drafts and publication schedules
Social Media Automation
- Buffer/Hootsuite: Schedule review promotions across platforms
- Canva: Create and schedule review graphics
- Later: Plan Instagram posts for book photography
- Zapier: Automate cross-posting of reviews
Email Marketing
- Substack: Send scheduled review newsletters
- MailerLite: Automate review distribution to subscribers
- ConvertKit: Segment readers by genre preferences
Integration Tips
- Start Small: Begin with one tool from each category
- Create Workflows: Connect tools using automation platforms
- Regular Backup: Keep your review data safe across platforms
- Template Everything: Create reusable templates for efficiency
- Track Analytics: Monitor which tools improve your productivity
Practical Considerations
Remember to start your technology journey gradually – there's no need to adopt every tool at once. Begin with one or two that address your most pressing needs, whether that's note organization or review distribution. As you grow comfortable, you can explore more advanced integrations and automation.
Keep in mind the importance of backing up your work and maintaining privacy across platforms. Many of these tools offer free tiers, perfect for testing what works best for your review style before committing to paid subscriptions.
The key is finding the right balance of tools that enhance rather than complicate your reviewing process. With thoughtful integration of these technologies, you can focus more on what truly matters – sharing your unique insights about the books you read.
Blending Digital and Traditional Review Methods
In our rush to digitize everything, we sometimes forget the simple pleasure of putting pen to paper. But here's the truth: you don't have to choose between being entirely digital or stubbornly analog. Let me show you how combining both approaches can create a reviewing system that's both efficient and deeply personal.
Hybrid Approach Benefits
- Maintain the depth of traditional review methods
- Enhance organization with digital tools
- Create a more flexible workflow
- Preserve personal touch while improving efficiency
Integration Strategies
Physical Books
- Use phone apps to scan physical highlights
- Photograph handwritten notes for digital backup
- Create digital indexes for physical notebooks
- Use voice notes while reading physical books
Note-Taking
- Keep a physical reading journal for initial impressions
- Transfer key insights to digital platforms
- Use physical sticky notes for immediate reactions
- Digitize important quotes and passages
Review Writing
- Start with handwritten outlines
- Draft reviews on paper for a distraction-free environment
- Type final versions with digital enhancements
- Keep physical backup of digital reviews
Staying Organized
The key to a successful hybrid system is thoughtful organization. Consider keeping a physical folder for each book you're currently reviewing, paired with a digital folder containing scanned notes and draft versions. Use a physical calendar for planning your reading schedule, but set digital reminders for deadlines and publishing dates. This redundancy isn't wasteful – it's a safety net that ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
Making It Work: Practical Tips
- Start with what you love: If you enjoy physical books, keep reading them. Just add digital tools to enhance, not replace, that experience.
- Create clear boundaries: Decide which tasks work better on paper (like first drafts) and which are better digital (like final edits).
- Build in redundancy: Having backup methods isn't paranoid – it's professional.
- Regular system check-ins: Take time every few months to evaluate what's working and what isn't.
- Keep it simple: If a tool or process isn't making your life easier, let it go.
Remember, the goal isn't to digitize every aspect of your review process, but to create a workflow that feels natural and enhances your ability to share thoughtful, well-crafted reviews. Let your hybrid system evolve with you, adapting as you discover what works best for your unique reviewing style.
Your review process should feel like a well-choreographed dance between traditional and digital methods, each supporting the other to create something greater than the sum of its parts. The best system is the one that feels effortless and lets you focus on what really matters – sharing your love of books with others.
How not to write a book review
Don't be mean. Or Rude. Or sarcastic. Or snide. The author probably spent years doing their research and then writing the book. Even if you don’t like the book be respectful. Give respect and earn respect.
Don't compare titles with similar plots. It confuses the reader.
Do not plagiarize. Do not just copy paragraphs from the books. It's ok to quote sentences. Do not copy content from other book reviewer's blogs.
Do not give away spoilers.
Don’t be personal. Be considerate to the author.
Don’t forget to edit out the grammar and punctuation. Abuse of the English language is disliked everywhere. Proofread.
How to write a negative book review
First, state something positive you thought about the book, like if you picked it because you liked the cover or for the title or read other good books from this author.
Clearly state the reasons you could not finish the book or were struggling through it. Give examples, justify why you think this book doesn’t deserve your recommendations.
Avoid harsh words – Instead of “I hate the book,” try, “I found myself pushing hard to get through the book. I wasn’t hooked. I wouldn’t recommend this one because…”
Don’t get personal. Your readers want to know if you recommend the book or not. Consider the perspective of the author.
Don’t give away the ending. However bad you think the novel is some of your readers may still want to read it. So don’t say why you didn’t like how the hero was killed.
Share a tip or two for the author that you as a reader think might make the book more interesting. Don’t completely change the plot. Just some tweaks. More engaging dialogues between the characters would’ve enhanced my reading experience.
Consider a different audience for the book. The writing style of the story might better engage young readers than adults.
Remember – be honest. But polite about it. There’s no fear in saying what you think about the book.
Book Reviewing in the Digital Age
Who said book reviews have to be dull prose.
If you have a book blog where you would like to get creative once in a while, you could follow these ideas for book reviews to make them attractive. But remember, doing too much of the different is also not a great idea.
BookTok (#BookTok)
BookTok has become a powerhouse in the book review community, with over 150 billion views of #BookTok content. To succeed on BookTok:
- Create 15-60 second video reviews focusing on emotional reactions
- Use trending sounds and transitions
- Film your genuine reactions while reading
- Showcase "if you liked X, read Y" recommendations
- Share your reading vlogs and book hauls
- Utilize BookTok-specific hashtags beyond just #BookTok
Video-First Reviews
Modern book reviews are increasingly video-based across platforms:
YouTube (BookTube)
- Long-form reviews (10-20 minutes)
- Reading vlogs
- Monthly wrap-ups
- Book hauls and unboxings
- Discussion videos about reading trends
Instagram Reels and Stories
- 30-second quick reviews
- Book aesthetic shots
- Behind-the-scenes of your reading process
- Interactive polls about books
- Reading challenge updates
Newsletter and Subscription Platforms
Building a dedicated audience through:
Substack
- Weekly/monthly curated book recommendations
- Deep-dive book analyses
- Genre-specific review collections
- Behind-the-scenes of your review process
Patreon
- Exclusive early access to reviews
- Extended review content
- Personal book recommendations
- Reading buddy programs
Podcasting
Audio content has become crucial for book reviewers:
- Solo review episodes
- Author interviews
- Genre deep-dives
- Reading experience discussions
- Book club style discussions
Cross-Platform Strategy
Success in 2025 requires a strategic presence across platforms:
- Create core content (detailed review)
- Adapt for each platform:
- TikTok: Emotional hooks and quick takes
- Instagram: Visual aesthetics and quick insights
- YouTube: In-depth analysis
- Newsletter: Curated recommendations
- Podcast: Conversational discussion
Engagement Tools
Modern reviewers use these tools to enhance their content:
- Link-in-bio tools (Linktree, Beacons)
- Content scheduling platforms
- Analytics tracking
- Community management tools
- Multi-platform posting tools
That’s it from me.
Although long, I hope this article has managed to answer all your questions regarding book reviews. In case you have any more questions regarding book reviews, please leave a comment or send me an email detailing your queries. I assure you, if not anything I will at least point you in the right direction.
If I have missed anything, your comments and queries will help me make this article more comprehensive and detailed and truly helpful to others. I will add in information that I think is truly important and reliable with due credits.
Happy reading & Reviewing!
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