Writing Book Reviews
When I began writing book reviews in July this
year, I started off by writing about books that I liked, books that stayed in
my mind long after I had stopped turning its pages. Soon, I started accepting books
for review and then began the process of moving away my comfort zone and
reading books by new authors. Today, I enjoy this tremendously, as it helps me
explore new genres and exposes me to new writing. Reading work by budding
writers gives me an insight into what others are writing about, which further
helps me hone my own skills. Below are the steps I usually follow while writing
book reviews on my blog.
Describe the book briefly -
Write the review without giving too many
details about the book. It is fine to add the blurb or just write a summary in
order to let the readers know what the story is about!
Talk about what you liked/did not like about
the book -
Think about what you have just read and try
and answer a few questions:
· Who your favorite character was and what did
you like about him/her?
· Did the characters seem real to you?
· Was the writer able to use the appropriate
words to express what he/she wanted to?
· Was the story woven in such a way that it held
your attention till the end?
· What did you like most about the book?
If there was something that did not appeal to
you, then you can also mention that in your review. In that case, you might
want to first mention what you liked and then what could have been better! From
experience I have realized that most writers are happy with the feedback as it
helps them improve their writing skills.
Rate the Book -
Personally I do not like to rate books, but I
have realized that most reviewers do! Well! This is a personal choice so go
ahead and rate the book or just concentrate on writing.
Author’s Bio and Important Links -
I
usually include an author’s bio and picture in my reviews in order to give it a
personal feel. A writer feels passionately about his book and I feel that
including the above gives them as well as their work good exposure. Of course,
this too is optional! You can also add a link to the author’s Facebook page or
website where the book can be purchased.
About the Author –
Rachna is an educationist, book reviewer,
blogger, interior designer and author. She loves to spend her time reading,
travelling, listening to music, dancing and writing. Whenever she is alone and
deep in thought, you will find her typing away on her laptop writing about
topics like life, nature and human emotions. You can read more about her and
her work on her website – www.rachnagupta.in
You can also follow her on Twitter -
@GuptaRach
