You read a book that evokes a strong emotion – of love, belonging, immense dislike- in you. You want to write a book review but don’t know where to start and how to write. You’re not alone. For so many of us readers, we often struggle with writing a book review of all the books we read, like and dislike. I’ll tell you this: been there, done that. But, as someone who’s now on the other end of things, I want to share what I’ve learnt over the years with my reading and writing community 🙂
Are you an aspiring content writer? This post is just for beginners like you! From fiction and non-fiction books to poetry, you can write a review in English for all sorts of books.
In this article, I’ll discuss the 9 most important things to remember while writing a book review in English. I’ll also share examples of how to write a book review by a lot of YKA writers.
- A powerful introduction that evokes thought
- Plot background and summary
- What you liked and didn’t
- Relevance of the book
- How it made you feel
- Your rating of the book
- Similar recommendations
- Examples of book reviews
- A pro tip from YKA
Let’s jump right into it!
1. A Powerful Introduction That Evokes Thought
Begin with a question or a thought that occupied your mind throughout the entire book? Use that as a key to grab your readers attention. The opening line or two should be provocative for the reader, compels them to move forward with your review, even if it is not a genre of interest.
2. Plot Background And Summary
Begin with outrightly mentioning the genre of the book. The title of the book and the author of the book are a must. Suppose it’s a socially or politically relevant book or even delves into these themes sufficiently. In that case, it’s a good idea to mention the year of the book – it will give your reader a perspective on what they should keep in mind while reading the book. In simple words, and using active voice, write the summary and backdrop of the book. It’s a good practice to leave out the book’s climax and any potential spoilers, so you don’t ruin the story for your reader.
3. What You Liked And Didn’t: Socially, Politically, Personally
Start with briefly mentioning what stood out for you while reading the book. Try to answer the following questions:
- Was it the writing style and accessibility of the book?
- What is your unique take on this book? How is it different from other books that talk about similar themes?
- Which were your favourite characters and who didn’t you like one bit? Why?
- Is there anything the book could have done better?
4. Relevance Of The Book
Through this section, you are speaking to the reader directly on why you think the book is credible and holds importance or does not. If it’s a book that touches on some aspects of feminism, for instance, how does it help onset social conversations of that time? What makes this one different from the others if it’s just a good old crime thriller?
What new did you learn from the book that’s always an important one. It helps establish that X factor and tells the reader if the book is for them or not.
Think if the author’s life is relevant to this review. It’s always a good idea to provide some context about the author’s life to improve the reader’s understanding of your review. This is particularly true if you’re writing a review of a book that classifies as nonfiction. If it’s a nonfiction book, think if you can tie it up to a real-world thing that people can immediately relate with? It will help the readers gain insight into the importance and context of the book even futher.
5. What Did The Book Make ‘You’ Feel?
This section is all about you. Want to write a book review that really stands out from other reviews and is unique? Make it personal. Book reviews are not supposed to be generic and templatised descriptions of the good and the bad of the book. They’re supposed to be about you – the reader, and now, the writer.
What were the details of your reading experience? Was it complicated, funny, or made you cry? Were there bits in the book that overwhelmed you and will stay with you for a long time? Were that some quotes from the book that stood out for you? Did the book, or any part of it, resonate with you on a personal level? Is there a story related to those parts that you’re comfortable sharing? If you answer these questions through your book review, the review will provide your reader a mirror to yourself.
Putting the you factor in anything you write is always encouraged for it helps make your writing piece relatable and resonate with a lot more readers.
6. Your Rating Of The Book
Rate the book basis your reading experience. Mention the scale you’re using. For example, 5/10 or 3/5. It’s a good idea to also mention the parameters you used to rate the book. It provides more clarity to your reader and removes any thoughts and themes that might get lost in translation.
Along with the rating, you can also add a one-line summation of what makes the book a must-read or why you’d not recommend it.
7. Similar recommendations
Are there any other books on similar themes and genres that you’d recommend to your reader? Write them down in your book review. It makes you book review wholesome, establishes your credibility a bit more, and gives a further reading list to readers who might be interested in that particular theme. As an advantage, it also helps you start building a community of readers.
8. Examples Of Book Reviews
These are some book reviews on YKA that were appreciated by readers a lot.
Sorabh Pant’s New Book Is As Political As It Is Funny
Book Review: Song Seekers Makes Us Reflect On Stories With Caste And Patriarchy
‘Quarterlife’: A Gripping And Daring Exploration Of India’s Political Landscape
‘Fire On The Ganges’ Depicts Caste-ridden Grief, Strife & Hope At Banaras’s Ghats
9. A Pro Tip From YKA
If you follow these 7 tips, you’ll nail your book review. But it’s also important to package and title your book review in a manner that makes your readers click. We’ve compiled this little guide for you. Do check it out 🙂