How to Review a Book: Tips for Readers and Author Collaborators

It’s no secret that book reviews drive book sales. The most famous and established authors in every genre have countless reviews, and each piece of online feedback helps readers decide whether to buy a title. As one of those readers, or as an author who collaborated on a publication, knowing how to review a book is a crucial skill, and there are some best practices to keep in mind when you craft your critique.

Best practices for impactful book reviews

Although it might seem simple to sit down at your computer and clack out a few sentences of feedback on a title you recently read, there’s more to writing a book review than you may think. After you’ve read the book and jotted down some notes about it, you can craft an insightful review that helps other readers find the publication.

Write an authentic review in your own voice

The first rule in learning how to review a book is understanding the value of your voice and your feedback. Readers want reviews from other human readers—they’re not looking for bot-generated critiques. Although AI is helpful for some things, you should write your book reviews on your own.

It’s also important to be genuine. Write in your own style and tone so people who are considering buying the book will see that you’re passionate about reading and about the publication you’re reviewing. The more authentic your review, the more credible and helpful it’ll be.

Create specific and constructive feedback

Instead of just clicking the star rating or typing “I liked the book” into the review platform, be specific and constructive. Remember: You’re helping build the author’s readership, and you’re guiding consumers to their decision on whether to make a purchase. There are a few ways you can achieve these goals in your review, such as:

• Provide a very brief book summary. As readers get more serious about buying the book, they can read the back cover text with a compelling description—but your review can set the stage with a two- or three-sentence synopsis.
• Explain what you liked and how the book made you feel. Did the book evoke an emotional reaction from you? Did you deeply identify with one of the characters? Has the book’s message led you to rethink your point of view? Talk about how the book affected you and why you liked it.
• Discuss who will love the book as much as you did. Conclude your review by helping readers determine whether they’ll like the book. For example, statements like “If you’re looking for a coming-of-age novel, treat yourself to a copy” or “Young professionals who want to advance their careers will benefit from this read” can turn potential buyers into eager readers.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to add some constructive criticism if it’s applicable. It’s nearly impossible for any book to not have some sort of flaw. Although it’s not always necessary to mention a negative, sometimes touching on an area of improvement can enhance your review’s credibility.

Don’t forget to edit and proofread

Writing a book review is just like writing any other type of content: After you’ve drafted it, it’ll need careful and precise editing. Pare down the character count and use power words so your review is concise and impactful. Then be sure to carefully proofread so your feedback is free of any mistakes or typos.

Error-riddled book reviews won’t be considered credible, so spend a few extra moments editing and proofreading before you publish, regardless of whether you’re reviewing the book as a reader or as an author collaborator.

How to review a book as a reader

As a reader, knowing how to write a great book review is a powerful tool. Your online critique could be the difference between someone buying a book or passing it up for their next read, so as you write your review, keep in mind that you might influence other readers’ decisions.

If you’re a genre aficionado, feel free to compare it to other authors or titles that you also liked. This can help other readers get a sense of whether they’ll enjoy the read. And if the author provided valuable insights, include that in your review too! Let people know why they should buy the book, and always be honest and genuine.

Tips for reviewing a book as an author collaborator

Exploring how to review a book as an author collaborator is a bit different than reviewing a book as a reader. Since you helped get the book through the publishing process, you’re a stakeholder and you want your review to reflect that. Fortunately, book reviews improve search engine optimization (SEO) rankings, so your review will help lift the title you collaborated on in search rankings.

You should be very proud of having collaborated on a published book, but it’s important that you don’t promote yourself too much. Focus on the book’s content, and tout your collaborator more than yourself. By putting your colleague and the publication ahead of your own accolades, you’ll earn credibility, trust, and book sales.

Get genuine feedback from readers who know how to review a book

Authentic reviews from real readers can do wonders for your book’s success—and our book reviews service can help.

If you’re looking to boost your book’s visibility and your credibility as an author, we’ll help you identify your next move. One of our team members will send you a quick message to learn about your goals and to see what strategy could work best.