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How to Write a Book Review

May 15, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner 13 Comments

How to Write a Book Review

Since I’m always preaching on the importance of book reviews, I thought I should put my blog where my mouth is and write a post about it. How to Write a Book Review plus my random thoughts on a topic near and dear to me.

Reviews are important, y’all, for reasons I never understood until I wrote a book. It’s about visibility. Most authors (including me) have no publicist or agent, no real budget for advertising. We do our own marketing and typically feel invisible in a sea of books being released daily.

Most readers search Amazon for book recommendations. Amazon doesn’t promote books that only have a handful of reviews.

It makes complete sense.

I was a reader long before I became a writer. And on those days when my writing confidence drags in the dirt, reading keeps me sane, inspires me, makes me want to write again. I’m always looking for books to read. I find them based on reviews and word of mouth recommendation. Don’t you?

How to Write a Book Review on Amazon:

One thing I’ve learned as an author—many people have never written a review simply because they didn’t know they could. They thought reviews were written by professional “reviewers” not regular readers like us. If you’ve never written a review, please know this: it’s easy. It doesn’t have to be wordy or complicated. It only takes a few seconds to make an author’s day.

All you have to do is…

  • go to www.amazon.com
  • search for the book you want to review
  • select the book
  • scroll down until you see a small gray box that says “write a customer review” and click on it
  • highlight stars (5 is the best) and add comments.

How to Write an Amazon Review

Note: You can do Amazon book reviews even if you didn’t buy the book via Amazon. The trick is you must have purchased something (anything) from Amazon at some point. In other words, you must have an Amazon account. If you did purchase the book from Amazon, your review will show up as a verified review.

That’s all there is to it!

Regarding Amazon Ratings:

Amazon defines its stars as…
⭐ = I hate it
⭐⭐ = I don’t like it
⭐⭐⭐ = It’s okay
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = I like it
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = I love it

Hate is such a strong word. Typically, if I don’t like a book, I don’t finish it. If I don’t finish it, I don’t rate it. That’s just me.

The system is far from perfect. You as the reader must decide how to consistently assign ratings.

I know someone who compares everything to Shakespeare. In his mind, if the book isn’t a classic literary masterpiece, he doesn’t feel it is deserving of five stars. That’s his method and that’s fine. Other folks compare everything to Jodi Picoult or John Green or fill-in-the-blank. Different strokes, you know. Not everyone will love the same books.

The important thing is to be uniform and honest.

We bring ourselves to the stories we read. When a book affects me, makes me think, keeps me thinking—that book is a five-star book in my world no matter what the critics think, no matter if I’m the first person to read it, no matter if it will never be an award winner. Of course, it needs to be well-written and well-edited, too.

Other Thoughts on Reviews:

~ Someone spent a lot of time writing the book. If you insist on giving it a negative rating (less than three stars), provide constructive criticism to help the author understand why you didn’t like it. One word reviews like “Boring” or “Stupid” are petty and possibly viewed as spam by Amazon. Instead, explain that you didn’t follow the plot line, you didn’t relate to the characters, the editing was lacking, etc.

~ Your review should include something about the storyline specific to the book. Generic comments that might apply to the last ten books you read won’t help readers find their next great read.

~ If you are going to include spoilers, please, for the love of storytelling, make that known at the beginning of the review. No one wants to have a story ruined before they’ve read it.

~ Don’t review books you haven’t read. This should go without saying, but I often see the most bizarre reviews about the book packaging or mail service. “Arrived later than expected.” Or, “This used book was in average condition.” Or, “This electronic book wouldn’t download!” If you have a problem with your order, take it up with Amazon Help but don’t leave a negative review for the author. Bottom-line, your review should be about the story and nothing else.

~ If you worry that you can’t spell or you’ll sound silly, put those thoughts out of your mind. Every positive review is a treasure to an author. An author’s favorite review is the most recent one she received.

~ Again, be honest and fair with the ratings you assign. If you give all five-star ratings to your writer friends, there’s not much point to the system.

~ Review the book soon after finishing it. Otherwise, you may forget.

~ Consider sharing your review on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Library Thing, and/or Facebook.

~ Review other products, not just books. Small business owners need product reviews in the same way authors do.

***

I’m sure I left out something. If you have questions about how to write a book review, let me know in the comments.


What was the last book you read? Why not write a short review for that book today? Even if it’s a book with 3,000 reviews.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]How to Write a Book Review + other random thoughts on the topic @myFAPA #Amazon #MustRead[/tweetthis]

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Filed Under: Reading & Books Tagged With: Amazon, Author life, Book Reviews, Goodreads

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Comments

  1. Colene says

    May 15, 2018 at 8:35 am

    I really should write more reviews and I know you are absolutely right. I will try to do better. Great tips! I’m currently reading a series written by an Iowa author. He is a 26 year veteran sheriff’s deputy who writes murder fiction inspired by actual cases he worked. Donald Harstad wrote six in the series during the 90’s and early 2000’s. I’m on #5 and I give him 4 & 5 stars. Happy reading and writing.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 15, 2018 at 8:45 am

      Thanks for the recommendation! Yes, even if you don’t write a review “with words” give him the stars on Amazon!

      Reply
  2. Shari E says

    May 15, 2018 at 11:34 am

    This is good advice. I will make an effort to leave more book reviews, especially when I really enjoy the book.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 15, 2018 at 12:48 pm

      Great Shari! You will make some authors very happy.

      Reply
  3. Dorothy Johnson says

    May 15, 2018 at 1:11 pm

    Good post that should be shared for all the reasons you covered. Writing is a lonely, challenging process. Authors at every level of success and experience need the encouragement and support. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 16, 2018 at 8:20 am

      Thanks Dorothy! I appreciate you!

      Reply
  4. Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden) says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    I will give a book stars on Goodreads (not on Amazon). If I don’t finish, I don’t post anything. If it isn’t four or five stars, I don’t post anything. If a book is four or five stars, I get totally mind-tied in trying to write a review. In other words, I am absolutely intimidated. I thought that “that was one awesome book – I lived in its world for weeks after I finished it” just wouldn’t cut it. (I tend towards SF and dystopian fiction, two genres that depend greatly on excellent world building.) Will I try to write a review? Maybe. No promises, but I will say you have given me a great road map to follow.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 16, 2018 at 8:22 am

      I’m so glad! I think lots of folks are intimidated at the thought of writing a review. Personally, I think the reviews on Goodreads are the most authentic.

      Reply
  5. Valeria Gibertoni says

    May 15, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    Great advises. Sometime we put stars without thinking about the impact that a star can generate. I have never had written a book review before but I am planning to try. As we review hotels and restaurants we should do books. I am always intimidated by the language barrier but I am willing to bypass this obstacle and try soon. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 16, 2018 at 8:23 am

      Yay, thanks Valeria! There’s nothing wrong with writing your review in Italian either!

      Reply
  6. Batb says

    May 22, 2018 at 9:50 am

    I’m never certain what to say that will give a potential reader a sense of what the book is like without revealing the story. Any words of ‘review language ‘ that are helpful?

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      May 23, 2018 at 9:14 am

      I think it gets easier the more you write. Just think about how the book made you feel, the plot and themes, what you loved about it.

      Reply
  7. Shira Winget says

    February 5, 2020 at 5:01 am

    I just read one article realted to this topic. I think it will be helpful to all.
    Here is the article link: bookriot(dot)com/2019/02/14/how-to-write-a-book-review
    Remove (dot) and put .

    Thanks

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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