10 ways to write a perfect and compelling book review

A reviewer’s most important task is to help you see a book clearly and, especially, to show its uniqueness. A question I ask every day is: How can I show how this book differs from all others?

Here are 10 tips that might help you out!

1. Read the book

That’s the entire book – not just part of it. This may sound obvious, but you can’t write a balanced review unless you’ve been able to appreciate the book in its entirety.

2. Make a rough draft

Write a rough outline of the plot, the flaws or anything that you find worthy of wiring. Only then, should you get to editing it and adding the additional information.

3. Start with a couple of sentences describing what the book is about

But without giving any spoilers or revealing plot twists. As a general rule, try to avoid writing in detail about anything that happens from about the middle of the book onwards. If the book is part of a series, it can be useful to mention this, and whether you think you'd need to have read other books in the series to enjoy this one.

4. Be unique

While writing a book review, it is important that the reader is not reading a review of someone else. Often, reviewers tend to find the easiest way out by just copying down the book information/review at the back cover and camouflaging it ingeniously as their own!

5. Answer these questions in every review

What makes this book different from all others? And why should anyone care?

Focus on your thoughts and feelings about the story and the way it was told. You could try answering a couple of the following questions:

6. Mention anything you disliked about the book

7. Criticize the book, not the author, if you don’t like what you’ve read

Focus on what’s on the page, not a writer’s character defects.

8. Be constructive and creative

Wheelwright says that the best book reviews are those that are measured and constructive in their criticism. Try to balance your review by looking at both the pros and the cons, even if you feel there is more of one than the other. Also, a book review is a personal piece, and is the perfect opportunity to show off your flair, wit and sense of humour in your writing.

Alexandra Heminsley, a journalist and Elle’s book editor, notes that, in addition to constructive criticism, book reviews should always be entertaining and make you feel as though you’re discussing the book with your favourite, smartest friend.

9. Your Judgement

A final verdict on whether you think the reader should spend money on the book is necessary. If you do not think so, please write that aptly in your post. Summarise some of your thoughts on the book by suggesting the type of reader you'd recommend the book to. For example: younger readers, older readers, fans of relationship drama/mystery stories/comedy. Are there any books or series you would compare it to?

10. Rate the Book

I do not do this in my posts but now I too have decided to include that. If you are keen on writing reviews, a wonderful idea is the rate the book on a scale of 5 or 10. The audience might get a better idea!