way with words book review

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Keep a Close Watch on Your Tongue (and Thumb)

Review: ‘a way with words: using our online conversations for good’ by dan darling, more by jeff robinson.

For those of us who make a living by using words—and that’s pretty much everybody serving in local church and parachurch ministries—Matthew 12:36–37 and James 3:1 have to be among the most frightening passages in all of Scripture:

I [Jesus] tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt. 12:36–37) 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)

A Way with Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good

Dan darling.

Social media was made to bring us together. But few things have driven us further apart. Sadly, many Christians are fueling online incivility. Others, exhausted by perpetual outrage and shame-filled from constant comparison, are leaving social media altogether. So, how should Christians behave in this digital age? Is there a better way?

Daniel Darling believes we need an approach that applies biblical wisdom to our engagement with social media, an approach that neither retreats from modern technology nor ignores the harmful ways in which Christians often engage publicly. In short, he believes that we can and should use our online conversations for good.

These words are especially frightening given the estimate that the average human speaks between 10,000 and 20,000 words per day. It’s not hard to imagine that Christians, particularly those in vocational ministry, might multiply that twice over (or more). And as dangerous as spoken words are, the past decade or so has witnessed an explosion in the popularity of social media. 

Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, there’s more trouble in our words than perhaps at any time in human history. This reality makes the appearance of Dan Darling’s new book, A Way with Words: Using Our Conversations Online for Good (B&H), so welcome as we begin the third decade of the 20th century. There’s trouble in our talk—especially, it seems, when we’re doing it with thumbs on a screen or fingers on a keyboard.

Words Are Weapons

In addition to the above-quoted passages, God inspired dozens of passages warning against the utter danger of sinful words—slanderous words, angry words, cynical words, sarcastic words, lying words, and much more. Consider the relationships fractured, lives ruined, and wars started by by the mere use of words. 

There’s more trouble in our words than perhaps at any time in human history.

Darling—senior vice president of National Religious Broadcasters—opens his work with a discussion of the importance of talk and shows how sin has damaged the way we communicate. He outlines the trappings of living online, such as the addictive nature of social media which takes us away from reading serious books, from reading the Bible, from prayer, and instead instills in us FOMO—fear of missing out. For all its benefits, the internet has given us new ways to sin against one another through communication.

Each chapter examines one aspect of online communication—listening, getting the full picture of a situation before responding, the perils of Christians (especially leaders) seeking to build a platform, sensationalism, making our lives look more “put together” than they really are, avoiding online conflict, and the value of real-life, unmediated relationships. Like any other faithful minister, Darling ends with good news: it’s possible for Christians to redeem online communication.

How do we steward our words and images online? I think we begin with another question: how can I make my corner of the internet a better place? I can’t control the trolls that make sport of attacking public figures. I can’t stop the cycle of shame that greets Twitter every morning with fresh objects of derision. But I can bring joy and humor, courageous truth and gentle grace. 

Lessons Learned

Darling’s book is well-written, humorous at times and, because it’s rooted in Scripture, convicting in a way that’s compelling without being preachy. The book teaches us much about our proclivity toward sinful communication, and it provides wisdom as to how we should treat one another online as followers of Christ. Here are a few key lessons from the book that will help us.

1. Be quick to listen and slow to tweet.

Always take the advice of James and think carefully before you dash off that quick reply or hot take.

2. There’s little discernment in discernment ministries.

Darling graciously exposes what ought to be clear about many of these so-called ministries: they often traffic in sensation and slander, even when telling truth, but they seldom provide godly discernment.

3. Gatekeepers are a good thing.

The greatest strength of independent online writers is also their greatest weakness: freedom. Liberty in reporting and writing is a good thing when truth has been hidden. However, accountability in the form of editors, proofreaders, and fact-checkers gives our writing—whether reporting news or writing opinion (and strong opinion pieces usually include good reporting)—a greater level of credibility. Peer-review is most always beneficial.

4. Tone matters.

Romans 12:18 calls for Christians to live at peace with everyone as far as it possible, and 1 Peter 3:15 commands us to always be ready to proclaim the gospel “with gentleness and respect.” My wife and I serve as editors for one another when we post something serious on social media or send an important text or email to members of our church. “Does this come off as mean-spirited or insensitive?” we’ll often ask. If I’ve learned one lesson in 34 years of journalism, it’s this: even editors need editors. And if editors need editors, how much more do non-editors. One of the strongest chapters in A Way with Words deals in detail with civility in communication. 

5. Don’t write until all the truth is out.

First appearances, in both events and relationships, are often deceiving. Whether we’re offering a prayer request at church, writing our opinion on a controversial issue, or trying to sort through what happened at a tragic event, the hot take is almost never the best take. As Christians, we must avoid violating the ninth commandment by doing our best to get the entire picture. Once we’ve done so, we may decide it’s best not to tweet or weigh in on Facebook. Though this seems to have changed with modern journalism, during my years as a journalist, we almost never went with a story until we were confident we had as full a picture as possible. As Darling points out again and again, online communication desperately needs to be soaked in wisdom.

Talk, Talk, Talk

As we talk and talk and talk—whether with our mouths or our thumbs—we also sin. No doubt this is why God, in his goodness toward us, has spoken so often about our words in his Word.

It’s always a good time for new book on our communications struggles and how Christ empowers us to overcome them.

Jeff Robinson (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is director of news and information at Southern Seminary. He was a senior editor for six years at The Gospel Coalition. A native of Blairsville, Georgia, he pastors Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and serves as adjunct professor of church history at Southern Seminary. Prior to entering ministry, he spent nearly 20 years as a newspaper journalist in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. He is coauthor or coeditor of six books, including Taming the Tongue: How the Gospel Transforms Our Talk (TGC, 2021), To the Ends of the Earth: Calvin’s Mission Vision and Legacy , and 15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me (Crossway, 2018). Jeff and his wife, Lisa, have four children.

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A Way With Words

Books often arrive in topical waves as an event or emphasis within the church or within wider society sparks many writers to address a common concern. This is the case right now with a whole crop of new books that have significant thematic overlap: Scott Saul’s A Gentle Answer: Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in an Age of Us Against Them , Dane Ortlund’s Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers , Gavin Ortlund’s Finding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage and Ben Sasse’s Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How To Heal . New to the field is Daniel Darling’s A Way with Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good . It is a[nother] book that is meant to address the incivility that has become one of the defining attributes of our modern age and, sadly, even the contemporary church. His particular focus is the incivility of our online discourse and his encouragement to use these high-tech tools for good instead of evil, to use them to pursue unity instead of division. It’s a timely and much-needed book.

He begins with a brief examination of the power of words. Made to speak words that are as perfect and undefiled as the God who created humanity and gave us the ability to communicate, our fall into sin twisted our hearts which then twisted our tongues. Both death and life are in the power of the tongue and we often use our words to do great harm. This reality extends a warning to all human beings, but perhaps especially those of us who live in this age of instant access to worldwide communications. “If Solomon saw fit to warn the people of God in the Old Testament of the power of words, and if James saw fit to warn the early church of the power of words, how much more today should God’s people heed what God is speaking to us about how we speak? We live in a world with a vast and seemingly unlimited economy of words. There are more ways to communicate today than at any time in human history.” The particular concern of Darling’s book is not first the technologies that enable such communication, but rather “asking questions about the way we conduct ourselves in this new reality, the way we behave online. The internet is not going away anytime soon. Platforms may change, but the call for Christians to steward their words well is the same as it was in the beginning. May we see a kind of revolution of kindness, so that we may pray with Paul, ‘Let our speech always be gracious’ (Col. 4:6).”

Each of the book’s chapters addresses one of the major challenges of online communications: listening carefully and responding wisely (i.e. slowly); loving what is good and pure rather than what is shocking and scandalous; faithfully stewarding influence; using social media to present an idealized and inauthentic version of ourselves; the urgent need for humility to counter virtue-signaling; resisting conspiracy theories and refusing to spread rumors and lies; living at peace with others; pursuing authentic real-world relationships rather than allowing them to be displaced by online relationships. A final chapter focuses briefly on the innumerable ways the internet can be used for good, if only we will stop using it for evil.

Even this brief overview should be enough to make it clear to all of us that A Way with Words is a much-needed book. It’s no doubt easy enough to think of all the other people who need to read it, but some self-reflection should show that all of us will benefit from considering the ways we speak and, particularly, the ways we communicate online. Certainly none of us have perfectly arrived here. Yet at the same time we can hope that it finds its way into the hands of those who cause such great harm to others through their careless or full-out malicious blogs, tweets, videos, and podcasts.

Among the most intimidating words Jesus ever spoke are these: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak…” Each one of us is responsible for our every word. In an age of ubiquitous and lightning-fast communication, we need to hear and heed this warning like never before, and for that reason, I’m thankful for Daniel Darling’s call for both responsibility and civility in every word we speak—not to mention every word we write, blog, or tweet.

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A Way with Words by Daniel Darling (Brief Book Review)

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I despair about the quality of online conversations among Christians. I’m sure that every tribe has their issues, but we Anglicans can be particularly menacing in Twitter threads and Facebook comments. We’re trying to chart a better, “clarity and charity” path forward here at Anglican Compass, but it’s tough to do! After all, anger is often the path of least resistance, especially online. (And that applies to yours truly as much as anyone.)

This is why I was so excited to read Daniel Darling’s A Way with Words: Using our Online Conversations for Good . Sure, Darling isn’t an Anglican (yet? Haha) and this book is not about Anglicanism, but it resonates quite well with the “clarity and charity” vision of Anglican Compass. I highly recommend it as a challenging and practical guide to how we Christians should better behave ourselves online.

Here’s the table of contents:

• Introduction: A Book about Words
• Ever Learning, Never Arriving
• Slow to Tweet, Quick to Listen, Quick to Get the Whole Story
• Biting and Devouring
• You Shouldn’t Be Teachers
• More Highly Than We Ought
• Act Justly, Love Mercy, Post Humbly
• Whatsoever Is True
• As Much as Possible
• An Analog Church in a Digital Age
• The Internet for Good
• Appendix A: 10 Things the Bible Says about Our Speech
• Appendix B: How to Read the News

As you can tell from the chapter titles, Darling uses some key passages from Scripture (James 1:19; Galatians 5:15; James 3:1; etc.) as jumping-off points for his chapters. As it turns out, the Bible has a LOT to say about our speech and how we treat each other with the words we say! Darling is a trustworthy guide, making sober critiques of both the Right and the Left on the basis of Scripture throughout this book.

I’ll just mention one point that hit me really hard while reading this book. Commenting on 1 Timothy 1:5 (“Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”), Darling writes:

Paul wasn’t just concerned with the content of the teacher practicing discernment but with the character of the discerner. In other words, when we confront false teaching we must do the spiritual work to allow the Spirit of God to move through us so that when we engage these conflicts we do so with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. In other words, discernment is not an opportunity to show off our theological brilliance or to win arguments or to own somebody rhetorically. Discernment is not about proving our rightness or the rightness of our tribe.

Put differently, the ends of biblical discernment do not justify unholy means. We don’t get a pass to be “jerks for Jesus” as long as we remain theologically orthodox! Our character and our conduct matter, especially when it comes to our speech.

This book would pair very nicely with Alan Jacobs’s How to Think: A Survival Guide for a World at Odds . So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of Daniel Darling’s A Way with Words today , and start using your online conversations for good!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Joshua Steele

Josh Steele was the first Managing Editor of Anglican Compass. Learn more about him at joshuapsteele.com.

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A Way With Words Book Review

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A recent Amazon search brought to my attention A Way With Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good by Daniel Darling. The title instantly caught my eye as interactions between Christians on social media, especially this year, have caused many questions to arise in my heart. I enjoy using social media and unlike many, I’m a firm believer that it can be used for redemptive purposes. However, I’ve often felt that I’m in the minority when it comes to the way I think about social media. I’ve wondered why it doesn’t seem that more Christians view it as a means of proclaiming the gospel and a catalyst for loving, what Darling refers to as, our digital neighbors. A Way With Words helped me work through my questions and brought so much clarity to my heart and mind. I couldn’t put it down and it is one of the best books I’ve read this year!

The book begins with Darling addressing the general lack of information discipline among social media users. Regarding this he wrote, “Paul was not against the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. All over his letters, we see him urge people to study and grow and learn. And it is Paul who, nearing his own death, asked for someone to bring his books (2 Tim. 4:13). And yet he understood the difference between idle pursuit of cheap information and a lifelong commitment to wisdom. He committed to this discipline in his own life, telling the church at Corinth that he ‘decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (1 Cor. 2:2).”

Darling urges Christians to use their online conversations to speak of the hope of the gospel and to honor God with how they speak as well as when. On page 39 he wrote, “Being slow to speak seems bizarre in a world that is quick to speak, in a world where we can press ‘send’ and let everyone know our opinions in a matter of minutes. But even though Scripture urges believers to, at times, speak out and to seek justice, it doesn’t ever say that we have to do so immediately. In fact, the Bible seems to counsel the opposite.” Building on this example, Darling explained, “We might think we are doing the right thing by speaking against injustice, but if we do this without having all the facts and spread misinformation, we are sinning. Even if we are doing it in favor of a right cause.” These words were both convicting and compelling and made me firm in my position to seek out the truth at all costs and to value the Truth (John 14:6) above all else.

A few pages later, Darling provided readers with some really helpful questions to consider when approaching online interactions. The questions are: “Am I commenting on this because it makes people with whom I disagree look bad? Would I have the same position if the person in this story were in my own ‘tribe’? Am I willing to comment on news stories that might provoke disagreements with those who are most apt to agree with me? (pg. 42)”.

A Way With Words explores concepts relating to online communication including discernment, media, tribalism, and conspiracy theories. I found the bit on discernment (pg. 56-57) to be particularly refreshing: ” . . . discernment is not an opportunity to show off our theological brilliance or to win arguments or to own somebody rhetorically. Discernment is not about proving our rightness or the rightness of our tribe. Paul tells the young Timothy that before he confronts someone who is in error he must confront his own soul, to ask the Spirit of God to discern his motives. There is a delicious temptation to approach doctrinal disputes, even genuine fights for the faith, with less-than-pure motives. Paul urges some personal diagnostic questions: Do I have a pure heart? Do I have a good conscience? Do I have a sincere faith?”

I’m generally not a fan of discernment blogs as they seem to make for lazy Christians which is why I’m grateful for the gentle reminder on page 59, “I think what separates Biblical discernment from what we often see online is love. Love motivates us to avoid offering critiques flippantly, without getting all the facts and understanding fully the position of the person with whom we disagree.”

The chapter discussing biting and devouring (Galatians 5:15) was peppered with more helpful questions. These include: “Is this conflict a matter of Christian orthodoxy or a matter of foolish controversy? (2 Tim. 2:23; Titus 3:9), Is what I’m about to publicly say, spread, or read actually true? (Phil. 4:8), Am I applying the law of love (1 Cor. 13:7)? What is my heart motive? (1 Tim. 1:5), Am I the person to speak at this moment?, Am I choosing my words carefully? (1 Pet. 3:15-16), Are we known for love for brothers and sisters in the Lord? (John 13:35).”

Perhaps my favorite chapter was Act Justly, Love Mercy, Post Humbly . This chapter addressed the growing trend of digital activism and reading it was equal parts convicting and refreshing. Darling wrote, “Social media often brings out our inner Pharisee. Every day, it seems, we are at our digital temples crying loudly, for everyone to hear, that we are so very unlike those other people. This kind of activism isn’t neighbor love. It’s self-love, a misguided quest for retweets and shares, the pursuit of digital approval. The truth is, we often mistake cathartic social media rants for real work. Christians should be outraged at injustice and use their voices on behalf of the vulnerable, but we don’t have the right to use them as outlets for our outrage and props for our personal identity crafting. This kind of activism is not only not what Jesus intends when he calls us to follow him into the world, it’s also highly ineffective in producing actual change. Do we really care about injustice, or are we only here to cheapen ideological points?”

In addition to providing an excellent and compelling treatise on best practices on social media use for Christians, Darling gives readers hope for their digital interactions by encouraging them to be a part of a local church. He said, “Church life, done right, helps us cultivate community, offline, with real people who are different than us,” (pg. 159).

A Way With Words was a refreshing and especially helpful read and I’m pleased to give it my highest recommendation. If you are a Christian who uses social media, even at the most basic level, I highly encourage you to read this book.

Recommended Resources

Don’t Skim This – Book excerpt featured at Gospel Centered Discipleship

Tim Challies On How Christians Should Engage Online – Podcast interview with Daniel Darling

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Friday 19 August 2022

Review: a way with words.

Title: A Way with Words Author:  Stacy Burch Illustrator:  Lucy McLoughlin Publisher:  Ethicool, $22.00 Publication Date: 14 June 2022 Format: Paperback ISBN:  9780648872375 For ages:   3 - 6 Type: Picture Book

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17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.

Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

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What must a book review contain?

Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)

In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:

• A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. 
• A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. 
• A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. 

If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.

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Book review examples for fiction books

Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .

That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.

Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.

Examples of literary fiction book reviews

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.

His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.

This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.

Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.

I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]

The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :

Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.

The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.

Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]

Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :

In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.

This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.

Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :

I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.

Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim.  To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]

Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews

The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :

♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.

In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.

♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]

The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :

Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.

Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.

“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]

James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!

This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.

The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.

Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :

This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.

Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.

Examples of genre fiction book reviews

Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:

4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.

I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.

The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.

I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.

Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:

“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”

Holy hell, what did I just read??

➽ A fantasy military school

➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history

➽ Shamans and gods

➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters

➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors

That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.

Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).

Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.

Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:

In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?

In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.

Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :

Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.

The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.

Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.

Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.

Book review examples for non-fiction books

Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.

Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!

The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :

The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”

Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.

All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]

Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.

The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.

Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]

Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :

Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.

In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.

To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]

Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :

WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

SUBJECT: 4/5

CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5

RELEVANCE: 3.5/5

ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.

Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]

Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:

Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.

This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.

I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.

And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.

She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.

I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.

Hopefully, this post has given you a better idea of how to write a book review. You might be wondering how to put all of this knowledge into action now! Many book reviewers start out by setting up a book blog. If you don’t have time to research the intricacies of HTML, check out Reedsy Discovery — where you can read indie books for free and review them without going through the hassle of creating a blog. To register as a book reviewer , go here .

And if you’d like to see even more book review examples, simply go to this directory of book review blogs and click on any one of them to see a wealth of good book reviews. Beyond that, it's up to you to pick up a book and pen — and start reviewing!

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Discussion Forums about Books and Reading | Review of A Way With Words - reviewer Bradley Shelvie

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Review of A Way With Words

Post by Bradley Shelvie » 16 Oct 2022, 12:27

Re: Review of A Way With Words

Post by Dayna Frank » 27 Oct 2022, 13:13

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October Book of The Month

The October Book of the Month is The Advent of Time by Indignus Servus .

September Book of The Month

The September Book of the Month is Odyssey of High Hopes by Cyrus A. Ansary .

April Book of the Month

The April Book of the Month is Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole .

August Book of The Month

The August Book of the Month is Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper .

July Book of The Month

The July Book of the Month is Demonslayer by Ian P. Eviston .

Oct 15th Book of the Day Twitter Announcement

Oct 15th Book of the Day Reddit Announcement

Oct 15th OnlinebBookClub.org Book of the Day! from r/OnlineBookClub

February Book of the Month

The February Book of the Month is The Diary Of An Immortal (1945-1959) by David J Castello .

Who has the biggest shelf?

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2016 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2016 Book of the Year is Shot Down by Steve Snyder .

2017 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2017 Book of the Year is The Expansion by Christoph Martin .

2018 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2018 Book of the Year is Immortals' Requiem by Vincent Bobbe .

2019 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2019 Book of the Year is Playing Chess with God by Verne R. Albright .

2020 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2020 Book of the Year is Pearl River Mansion by Richard Schwartz .

2021 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2021 Book of the Year is Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul.

2022 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2022 Book of the Year is A Brighter Tomorrow by Lori Schneider, MD .

2023 Book of the Year

Based on your votes , the 2023 Book of the Year is Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul.

Featured Author Birthdays

October 23rd Hilary L Hunt M.D. author of Wilderness Cry

October 26th Eckhart Aurelius Hughes author of In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

November 19th Charles Townsend author of The Magician's Secret

December 12th Tony Jeton Selimi author of The Unfakeable Code®

Highly Anticipated New Releases

Totem by Charlie Sheldon

Totem is both the February 2022 Book of the Month and the 2021 "Other Fiction" Book of the Year.

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Kid’s Book Review: Away With Words

By Sarah Tyson

About the Book

Away With Words is an uplifting and inspiring story about an eleven-year-old girl called Gala who moves from Spain to Scotland because her dad’s partner lives in Fortrose. Gala starts a new school, lives in a new house and must learn a new and strange language.

At school she befriends Natalie, a girl with selective mutism, and together they start working on poems to send to people who are having a tough time.

But when someone else sends out mean messages in poem form Gala and Natalie are blamed, leaving them with no choice but to figure out who has sent the unkind poems so their names can be cleared!

Please scroll down to find out what 13-year old Kirsten thought of this book which we recommend for readers aged 11-14 years.

Sophie’s Favourite Kids’ & YA books in translation

Away With Words is about an 11-year-old girl, Gala, who moves from Spain to Scotland and initially struggles with learning English. Living in Spain myself, one thing that strikes me whenever I go into bookshops here is how many titles have been translated, particularly from English – Gala would likely have read some stories set in Britain before she moved there, whereas there aren’t so many Spanish novels that are familiar to young UK readers. In 2018, for example, translations made up 21% of books published in Spain. By contrast, they accounted for just 5.63% of fiction published in the UK in the same year.

Fortunately that percentage seems to be increasing, but I’d still love to see more books make it into English from other languages, particularly those by authors outside Europe who are traditionally less represented. Literature can teach us so much about the world, and for children and young people in particular I think the chance to discover stories from other cultures could be really impactful. In the meantime, here are a few of my favourite kids’ and YA book to have been translated into English from other languages which I hope inspires you to try them:

1. Still Stuck by Shinsuke Yoshitaki. A very funny picture book about a little boy who gets his head stuck in his shirt and, when he can’t get it off, wonders if he’ll have to live the rest of his life this way. I’ve scoured the internet trying to find out who English translator is but they don’t seem to be credited anywhere – apologies!

2. Watermelon Madness by Taghreed Najjar, illustrated by Maya Fidawi. A fun and colourful picture book from Palestinian-Jordanian author Taghreed Najjar, about a little girl who loves watermelon and won’t eat anything else. Translated from Arabic by Michelle and Tameem Hartman.

3. The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren. Lindgren’s best creation is of course Pippi Longstocking, but when I was younger my favourite of her books were the Noisy Children series. They follow the adventures of six children who live in three neighbouring houses and their escapades in the Swedish countryside. Translated from Swedish by Susan Beard.

4. Piglettes by Clémentine Beauvais. A brilliant teen novel about three young girls who are voted the ugliest girls in their school in a cruel online poll, and who later become semi-famous when they set off biking across France to gatecrash the garden party at the Élysée Palace. Unusually (and very impressively!), Beauvais translated the novel from French to English herself.

5. Chain Mail by Hiroshi Ishizaki. This Japanese teen novel is inspired by the creepy chain mail emails that used to haunt people’s inboxes in the 90s and early 2000s, telling the story of four Tokyo teenagers who are brought together by strange messages arriving on their phones. Translated from Japanese by Richard Kim.

6. A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos. At atmospheric fantasy novel following Ophelia, a young girl who can read objects’ history by touching them, as she’s forced into an arranged marriage with a member of another powerful family. It’s the first part of a quartet named The Mirror Visitor. Translated from French by Hildegarde Serle.

7. Almond by Won-pyung Sohn. A big hit in Korea, this is about a teenage boy born with a condition called alexithymia, which makes it hard for him to feel certain emotions and struggles to know what he’s “supposed” to feel when an incident upturns his life. Translated from Korean by Sandy Joosun Lee.

8. Just Like Tomorrow by Faïza Guène. This coming-of-age novel tells the story of Doria, a French-Moroccan teenage girl living on the outskirts of Paris – a quick, funny read with a brilliant narrative voice. Translated from French by Sarah Adams.

Sophie Cameron is a YA and MG author from the Scottish Highlands. She studied French and Comparative Literature at the University of Edinburgh and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Writing from Newcastle University. She is the author of a number of books including Our Sister Again , which is also published by Little Tiger Press.

Book Review

I felt as if I would look down at the floor and see a stream of words bunching around my feet

This book is wonderful. I really enjoyed this book because of the author’s rich imagination and her brilliantly descriptive use of language.

In Gala’s world, when someone says something, the physical words fall out of their mouth. People’s words never look the same – different fonts, or colours depending on moods, or sizes. The description of the flow of words was incredible; I felt as if I would look down at the floor and see a stream of words bunching around my feet. It was also strange because the world was so similar to our world, but yet so completely dystopian.

The friendship between some of the characters is beautiful – the way that Natalie and Gala got on without words. Both girls found it tricky to converse with one another, Gala because it was a tricky language and Natalie because it made her feel incredibly anxious, but they managed to communicate through actions and body language and facial expressions. It was both encouraging and amazing. I was also impressed by Gala’s incredible determination to learn a new language so she could communicate with English-speaking people.

One of the things other things I found compelling about the book was getting to know a character with selective mutism. The book has given me a really good insight into the complexities of other peoples’ experiences.

If you would would like to buy a copy of the book we invite you to order it from your local independent book shop.

Or, you can shop on-line and support our kids reviews page b y sourcing your discounted book via this link.

Please Buy Here

Alternatively, we suggest that you visit your local library and request to borrow a copy from a friendly librarian.

Whichever you choose we hope you enjoy being part of your unique reading community – happy reading everyone!

Reviewer Profile

• Name: Kirsten
• Age: 13 years
• Likes: swimming , netball and writing stories
• Dislikes: cream (on its own) and unkindness
• Favourite Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Favourite Song: Underdog by Alicia Keys
• Favourite Film: Hunt for the Wilder People

BUN Kids’ Reviews is a non-profit project committed to promoting reading for pleasure and enabling young readers to discover new books and authors

If you are aged 2-17 years and enjoy reading books or listening to stories why not  apply to join the junior review panel by contacting Books Up North by email or via social media? *You will receive a FREE copy of the book!

If you enjoyed reading Kirsten’s review please share it on social media

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing a Book Review

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Book reviews typically evaluate recently-written works. They offer a brief description of the text’s key points and often provide a short appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

Readers sometimes confuse book reviews with book reports, but the two are not identical. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words. If you are looking to write a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Report.

By contrast, book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. They typically range from 500-750 words, but may be longer or shorter. A book review gives readers a sneak peek at what a book is like, whether or not the reviewer enjoyed it, and details on purchasing the book.

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider the elements you will need to included in your review. The following items may help:

• Author: Who is the author? What else has s/he written? Has this author won any awards? What is the author’s typical style?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, romance, poetry, youth fiction, etc.? Who is the intended audience for this work? What is the purpose of the work?
• Title: Where does the title fit in? How is it applied in the work? Does it adequately encapsulate the message of the text? Is it interesting? Uninteresting?
• Preface/Introduction/Table of Contents: Does the author provide any revealing information about the text in the preface/introduction? Does a “guest author” provide the introduction? What judgments or preconceptions do the author and/or “guest author” provide? How is the book arranged: sections, chapters?
• Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: Book jackets are like mini-reviews. Does the book jacket provide any interesting details or spark your interest in some way? Are there pictures, maps, or graphs? Do the binding, page cut, or typescript contribute or take away from the work?

As You Read

As you read, determine how you will structure the summary portion or background structure of your review. Be ready to take notes on the book’s key points, characters, and/or themes.

• Characters: Are there characters in the work? Who are the principal characters? How do they affect the story? Do you empathize with them?
• Themes/Motifs/Style: What themes or motifs stand out? How do they contribute to the work? Are they effective or not? How would you describe this author’s particular style? Is it accessible to all readers or just some?
• Argument: How is the work’s argument set up? What support does the author give for her/findings? Does the work fulfill its purpose/support its argument?
• Key Ideas: What is the main idea of the work? What makes it good, different, or groundbreaking?
• Quotes: What quotes stand out? How can you demonstrate the author’s talent or the feel of the book through a quote?

When You Are Ready to Write

Begin with a short summary or background of the work, but do not give too much away. Many reviews limit themselves only to the first couple of chapters or lead the reader up to the rising action of the work. Reviewers of nonfiction texts will provide the basic idea of the book’s argument without too much detailed.

The final portion of your review will detail your opinion of the work. When you are ready to begin your review, consider the following:

• Establish a Background, Remember your Audience: Remember that your audience has not read the work; with this in mind, be sure to introduce characters and principles carefully and deliberately. What kind of summary can you provide of the main points or main characters that will help your readers gauge their interest? Does the author’s text adequately reach the intended audience? Will some readers be lost or find the text too easy?
• Minor principles/characters: Deal only with the most pressing issues in the book. You will not be able to cover every character or idea. What principles/characters did you agree or disagree with? What other things might the author have researched or considered?
• Organize: The purpose of the review is to critically evaluate the text, not just inform the readers about it. Leave plenty room for your evaluation by ensuring that your summary is brief. Determine what kind of balance to strike between your summary information and your evaluation. If you are writing your review for a class, ask your instructor. Often the ratio is half and half.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Publisher/Price: Most book reviews include the publisher and price of the book at the end of the article. Some reviews also include the year published and ISBN.

When making the final touches to your review, carefully verify the following:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Try to read from the vantage point of your audience. Is there too much/enough summary? Does your argument about the text make sense?
• Should you include direct quotes from the reading? Do they help support your arguments? Double-check your quotes for accuracy.

• Children's Books
• Growing Up & Facts of Life

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A Way with Words Hardcover – Picture Book, August 30, 2022

• Reading age Baby - 6 years
• Print length 36 pages
• Language English
• Grade level 1 - 2
• Dimensions 8.25 x 0.3 x 11.75 inches
• Publisher Ethicool Books
• Publication date August 30, 2022
• ISBN-10 0648872378
• ISBN-13 978-0648872375
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

"Conceptually, visually, literally ... this book is absolutely brilliant." Ben Loves Books 

"Your kid a quiet achiever? This is the book for them." Michelle's Library

About the Author

Stacy Burch is a children’s author from northwest Pennsylvania, USA where she lives with her husband and three young children. As a writer, mother, and former high school English teacher, she strives to show others the beauty found in differences and the importance of acceptance.

Illustrator, Lucy McLoughlin

Originally haling from Eastern Europe, Lucy now resides in Singapore, and her creativity truly knows no bounds. Best known for her unique and intriguing characters and beautiful use of muted colours, her illustrations are a delight for the senses. 'A Way with Words' is her first children's book.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Sam spoke no words. 

But Sam was always watching. 

Always thinking. 

Always listening. 

At first, Sam stored her words in her lovey - 

snatching her floating thoughts before they popped like bubbles. 

Her parents thought her lovey sweet.

"She'll speak when she's ready," they said with a hug and a kiss.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ethicool Books; 1st edition (August 30, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0648872378
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0648872375
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ Baby - 6 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.3 x 11.75 inches
• #1,270 in Children's Books on Diseases & Physical Illness
• #3,012 in Children's Fiction on Social Situations
• #33,567 in Children's Activity Books (Books)

About the author

Stacy burch.

Stacy Burch is a children's book author in the northeast USA where she resides with her husband and three children. Her debut picture book, A WAY WITH WORDS, is a lyrical, SEL story about nonverbal communication and inclusion. With her BA in English, BS in Secondary Education, and M.Ed. in Curriculum Design & Instruction, Stacy was an English teacher in the USA for 10+ years and an English professor in Brussels, Belgium for 4+ years. In addition to author, Stacy is also a freelance business editor and mindfulness coach for kids! She is available for short or long (full day) presentations, either in-person or virtually, to discuss her stories, the writing process, her path to publication, the various types of communication (including nonverbal), and/or mindfulness/meditation practices. Stacy's second, traditionally published picture book, SEARCHING FOR SLEEP, is set to release with Ethicool Books in October 2022 and is available for pre-order now!

Check out her website for more information! www.stacyburch.com

Follow along for updates on Twitter (@SBurch_Author) and Instagram (@stacyburchauthor)

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 94% 6% 0% 0% 0% 94%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 94% 6% 0% 0% 0% 6%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 94% 6% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 94% 6% 0% 0% 0% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 94% 6% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book adorable with a great message. They also appreciate the stunning pictures, colorful illustrations, and refreshingly unique pacing. Readers describe the story as captivating, delightful, and excellent for teaching children to see and appreciate gifts in others.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the message of the book great. They say it captures all ages, reminds them that communication is much more than just speaking. Readers also appreciate the creative writing and lovely way for kids to learn.

"This book is adorable and has a great message for how communication comes in many forms. Such creative writing and lovely way for kids to learn!" Read more

"...The message of the book is absolutely wonderful and a message that both kids and adults need to hear around embracing eachother's differences and..." Read more

"This book is beautiful written and illustrated! It's message captures all ages , reminding us all that communication is so much more than just the..." Read more

"...It may be classified as children's literature but its message is pertinent for all ages ." Read more

Customers find the pictures stunning, colorful, and interesting. They also say the story is beautiful.

"...She really enjoyed the illustrations (so colorful and interesting)...." Read more

"This book is beautiful written and illustrated !..." Read more

" Stunning pictures and captivating story! My five and eight year old love it...." Read more

Customers find the pacing captivating and refreshingly unique.

"...She really enjoyed the illustrations (so colorful and interesting )...." Read more

"Stunning and captivating !..." Read more

" Refreshingly Unique ..." Read more

Customers find the story captivating, delightful, and beautifully illustrated. They say it's an excellent story to teach children how to see and appreciate gifts in others.

"This book highlights that everyone has a story . When they are ready to share it depends on a variety of factors. We need always to be listening...." Read more

"...My five and eight year old love it. Excellent story to teach children how to see and appreciate the gifts in others...." Read more

"This delightful story is beautifully illustrated . It promotes, in a word, respect. We look forward to reading A Way With Words to our grandchildren." Read more

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How to Write a Book Review: A Comprehensive Tutorial With Examples

You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can guide fellow bibliophiles toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will not only help you excel at your assigned tasks, but you’ll also contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community and turn your passion into a professional pursuit.

In this comprehensive guide,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

What is a Book Review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book.

Writing a book review as an assignment benefits students in multiple ways. Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes, and writing style .

Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.

Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review, so let’s look at the book review template first.

Table of Contents

Book Review Template

How to Write a Book Review- A Step-by-Step Guide

Check out these 5 straightforward steps for composing the best book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let’s take a step back and plan your approach. Knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

First things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or simply intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss.

The Key Questions to Ponder

When planning your book review, consider the following questions:

• What’s the plot (if any)? Understanding the driving force behind the book will help you craft a more effective review.
• Is the plot interesting? Did the book hold your attention and keep you turning the pages?
• Are the writing techniques effective? Does the author’s style captivate you, making you want to read (or reread) the text?
• Are the characters or the information believable? Do the characters/plot/information feel real, and can you relate to them?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? Consider if the book is worthy of being recommended, whether to impress someone or to support a point in a literature class.
• What could be improved? Always keep an eye out for areas that could be improved. Providing constructive criticism can enhance the quality of literature.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “how to write a book review,” we’re focusing on the art of creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its  title  and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

Now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review.

Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review. Your readers will be eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights on the book, setting the stage for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

How to Write a Book Review: Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a specific section of the book, not revealing any major plot twists or spoilers. Your goal is to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Normal People , Sally Rooney explores the complexities of love and friendship when she writes, “It was culture as class performance, literature fetishized for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys.” This quote reveals the author’s astute observations on the role of culture and class in shaping personal relationships.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create body paragraphs that are both captivating and insightful, enhancing your book review and providing your readers with a deeper understanding of the literary work. 

How to Write a Book Review: Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through planning, introductions, and body paragraphs with finesse. Now it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “How to write a Book Review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example:  The Alchemist is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

How to Write a Book Review: Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve masterfully crafted your book review, from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of assigning a rating to the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate the Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair: Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review: A Guide

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook ’em with an Intriguing Introduction

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you navigate the world of book reviews with ease. 

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book at hand, and let it shine in its own light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance of your review. 

In this section of “How to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake: Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example: “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid: Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake: Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example: “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid: Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake: Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example: “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid: While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake: Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example: “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake: Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example: “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid: Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake: Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example: “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid: Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake: Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it, leading to confusion for potential readers.

Example: “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices.

These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

Many students requested us to cover how to write a book review. This thorough guide is sure to help you. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

What is the difference between a book review and a report?

Who is the target audience for book reviews and book reports, how do book reviews and reports differ in length and content, can i write professional book reviews, what are the key aspects of writing professional book reviews, how can i enhance my book-reviewing skills to write professional reviews, what should be included in a good book review, try our free paper writing service, related blogs.

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Ways with Words: Language, Life and Work in Communities and Classrooms by Shirley Brice Heath Review by: Thomas AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

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25 of the Best Words to Describe a Book for Your Book Review

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

Even the best book readers suffer from writer’s block, when finding the words to describe a book you just read can be an uphill task.

A book review needs to express your opinion coherently and authoritatively, and this can only be achieved using the best possible words to describe a book.

We have some examples below for different categories.

Best words to describe a book: a praising review for a book you liked

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Best words to describe a book: an impartial or analytical review of a book

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Best words to describe a book: a review of a book you didn’t like

  Book reviewers need to employ the best words to describe a book. They do this to project authority, but they also do this so that they can drastically improve (or disprove) the book’s reception.   If you have just finished a book and you can’t find the right words for your review, then we hope the classic words to describe a book and associated phrases listed above will help to inspire your next book review .  

The Ultimate List Of Amazing Adjectives To Describe A Book

If you’re wondering how to describe a book but can’t find the right words, you’ve come to the right place.

Doing it well is an art and can lead to more sales.

So today, we’re breaking down adjectives to describe books to make them as appealing as possible.

We’ve broken it down by genre, but don’t be afraid to play with words.

The more compelling the adjectives, the more likely people will pick up the title.

Let’s get to it.

Why You Need This List of Words to Describe Books

Book adjectives for action and adventure, book adjectives for classics, book adjectives for comic book / graphic novel, book adjectives for detective and mystery, book adjectives for fantasy, book adjectives for historical fiction, book adjectives for horror, book adjectives for literary fiction, book adjectives for romance, book adjectives for science fiction, book adjectives for suspense and thrillers, book adjectives for women’s fiction, book adjectives for biography / autobiography / memoir.

Authors love words and love writing. But not all authors are great copywriters. Copywriting is a unique skill set and requires choosing and combining words in a pithy, descriptive, and enticing way.   

Even if you are a great copywriter, having a list of book-focused adjectives at your fingertips is always handy. Remember…

• Vibrant language sells books, no matter the genre.
• When writing back cover descriptions, you need to paint a picture to appeal to potential buyers.
• If you’re self-publishing, you’ll write sales copy for Amazon and other online book retailers.
• If you write about books or review them, you need fresh ideas to make your content stand out.

Keep this list in a place you can easily access, and allow the words to spark your imagination and creativity. One relevant word can lead you to a flood of ideas to describe your book or another author’s.

The Ultimate List Of Adjectives To Describe A Book 

We’ve taken the legwork out of word research and curated a list of adjectives describing books in various genres. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in this list – well, look again!

The words you’re searching for are here, waiting for you to claim them. 

Good action and adventure books keep you on the edge of your seat. In most cases, the protagonist must vanquish a dangerous foe and overcome considerable obstacles thrown in their way.

Sometimes it’s to save the world; other times, the goal is to save themselves.   

• Adventurous
• Awesome 
• Breathtaking
• Exhilarating
• Heart-pounding
• High-stakes
• Nail-biting
• Page-turning

They’ve been around for decades, yet they’re still “required reading.” Why? Because they’re timeless, had a huge impact on society, or pushed literary limits. 

• Descriptive
• Exceptional
• Extraordinary
•  Ponderous
• Sophisticated
• Unprecedented
• Quintessential

As their names suggest, comic books and graphic novels use illustrations and typography to tell stories. Dialogue is usually presented in “word bubbles.”

• Fantastical
• Illustrated
• Imaginative
• Paradoxical
• Spellbinding

Detective and mystery novels revolve around crimes and inexplicable events. Memorable and beloved ones usually incorporate elements of humor, wit, and problem-solving. 

• Captivating
• Inquisitive
• Unpredictable

Fantasy books are about the unknown, the mythical, and the supernatural. Some take place in wholly made-up worlds. Others are set in our world with added mystical elements.

• Allegorical
• Hallucinatory
• Penetrating
• Otherworldly
• Swashbuckling
• Transcendent
• Unconventional

Do you love period dramas and history? Then you’re the perfect candidate for historical fiction. Combining historical events with imagined dialogue, historical fiction is an engaging way to interact with the past. 

• Compassionate (i.e., a compassionate take)
• Entertaining
• Far-Reaching
• Forgiving 

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Horror books are meant to scare and terrify! If you enjoy jump scares, surprises, and a tinge of discomfort, horror is the genre for you.

• Agoraphobic

Today’s literary fiction novels are tomorrow’s classics. They’re well-written, lyrical stories with evocative themes that usually include social and cultural commentary. 

• Coming-of-age
• Conversational
• Spectacular

Romance novels are all about love and happy endings. Book snobs often turn their noses up at romance titles, but they’re the most-read books on today’s novel market.

• Lovey-dovey
• Picturesque
• Starry-eyed
• Traditional

Science fiction books challenge us to imagine the world in a new light. While they’re similar to fantasy titles, most sci-fi works incorporate technology and futuristic themes.

• Accomplished
• Atmospheric
• Electrifying
• Forward-thinking
• Impassioned
• Mesmerizing
• Provocative
• Transfixing
• Ultramodern

If you like a mental puzzle, then thrillers and suspense books are for you. Cliffhangers and emotional manipulation are the mainstays of the genre.

• Complicated
• Enthralling
• Idiosyncratic
• Tantalizing
• Thought-provoking

Women’s fiction focuses on female issues. Some people mistake it for romance. And while there are romantic elements in some women’s fiction novels, issues related to confidence, sexism, health — both physical and mental — and friendship are also common themes.

• Astonishing
• Contemplative
• Cooperative
• Encouraging
• Magnificent

Biographies and autobiographies tell the stories of individual lives. The former is when someone else writes the book; autobiographies are written by the subject.

Memoirs are always written by the subject, are more personal, and don’t necessarily chronicle every moment. Instead, they focus on significant moments and convey messages and ideas the writer wants to convey.

• Autobiographical
• Biographical
• Educational
• Emancipated
• First-person
• Influential
• Introspective
• Resourceful

Writing book descriptions is an essential part of book marketing. Using the right adjectives has the power to boost sales. So take your time and choose your words wisely!

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