Book drunk. It’s a thing. But like alcoholic drunkenness (or so I’ve observed), not all book hangovers are the same. Both fine quality alcohol and “gut rot” will produce that stupor (and its miserable after-effects) that follows a drinking binge. I see this weekly during the bar rush at Denny’s. Eyes glazed over, confusion at the massive amount of text on a pictoral menu—you’d think Angela the wonder server offered them War and Peace and told them to pick from whatever food was offered in there!
But it happens after reading both good books and bad. There you are, desperately trying to write a coherent sentence about your thoughts, and your brain screams, “Overload. Overload. I cannot compute!”
At times like that, I tend to resort to my “Quick and Dirty Guide to Easy Book Reviews.” It works for most things quite well for me. But sometimes you don’t “love” much in a book. You just like it a lot. And you don’t hate much in it… it’s just a bit annoying. And maybe you never laughed or cried—even at the ridiculousness of the writing or that it was over (or still on chapter three and you were done). Then what?
I decided that it might be fun to come up with a ten sentence review by weaving together ten questions you can ask yourself. The answers follow one another until bam. You have a thoughtful review in little time spent.
Note: links in this post are likely affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you!
How to write a helpful book review in 10 easy steps.
I’m going to use Anne of Green Gables and show a positive and negative review.
1. How did you feel about the setting?
(Positive) Set on the beautiful shores of Prince Edward Island, the author treats us to inland views of farmland and small town life in the fictional town of Avonlea. (I think I’d say the same for a positive or negative review.)
2. What do potential readers need to know most about the main character?
(Positive) Our heroine, Anne (spelled with an e, don’t you know), is a delightfully realistic character with virtues, flaws, and personal quirks that keep her from being just like every other girl in youth fiction.
(Negative) Early introductions to Anne’s character shows someone I wouldn’t want my children to emulate—stereotypical bursts of temper, a propensity to exaggeration that crosses into lying, and displays of irreverence toward the Lord just to name a few.
3. Which supporting character caught your interest the most?
(Positive) Two characters stand out as Anne’s primary influences and support—Gilbert Blythe and Matthew Cuthbert, because both spur her to do her best in different ways, although for much the same reason.
(Negative) The one redeeming character in this book is Rachel Lynde, an older woman with the knowledge of how to rear children that supersedes Marilla Cuthbert’s fumbling attempts to teach Anne proper Christian behavior.
4. What journey do(es) the main character(s) take?
(Positive) In this heartwarming story of a young girl’s journey from awkward tween to beloved “daughter” and friend, Anne learns lessons in self-control, forgiveness, and being yourself in a world that tries to mold you into copies of a perfected ideal—not unlike what you find today in Hollywood.
(Negative) Unfortunately, this story is more about embracing our faults (using pride to try to outdo others), playing the victim/martyr (when she carelessly served wine and set her friend drunk), and manipulating those who love her into breaking “rules” set by other authorities in her life (Matthew is truly putty in her hands).
5. How is the writing style or quality of the writing?
(Positive) Written with an eye to detail that is not burdensome, Anne of Green Gables will keep your interest with its rich use of language and carefully crafted sentences.
(Negative) I am sorry to say, however, that as well-written as the book is, it doesn’t begin cover the many flaws I found in the story line.
6. Is there humor in the book?
(Positive) One of this book’s greatest qualities is in showing the humorous sides of Anne’s life, even when she may not see them herself.
(Negative) Although many of the events in the book are intended to be humorous, I found them “laughing at naughtiness,” as Laura Ingalls might have put it.
7. (for Christian fiction) Are there spiritual truths to be gleaned from the story?
(Positive) One of the most important spiritual lessons in this book is that God truly does set the lonely in families, and Anne’s story is a wonderful picture of how the Lord adopts us as His children even with all of our faults and imperfections, and then, with His blood covering us, He begins to unkink those perfections one by one.
(Negative) When one considers all of the trauma and turmoil Anne caused the young people of Avonlea, one can’t help but think of the Lord’s warning that “bad company corrupts good morals.”
8. For whom would you recommend this book?
(Positive) Anyone who enjoys wholesome stories that do not devolve into moralistic sermons will find Anne of Green Gables a delightful and refreshing tale.
(Negative) If you enjoy seeing sin winked at and more fiction showing the superiority of childish minds to their older, wiser adults, I suppose this might be the book for you, but I do urge you to repent and seek the LORD’s wisdom on the subject.
9. Who will not like this book?
(Positive) However, if you’re looking for Elsie Dinsmore’s self-righteous cousin who moved to Canada, I’d suggest you look elsewhere because this book is full of realistic people who make mistakes and learn from them.
(Negative) Anyone who has a heart sensitive to how easily exposure to the slightest sin will poison one’s soul will probably find “A Godly Girl in New Brunswick” a better option—her chapter-long prayers are so inspiring!
10. Why did you give it the star rating you did?
(Positive) Five stars all the way—read it today and I promise you won’t be sorry!
(Negative) Two stars are the best I can offer this book because while it was well-written, the story line only served to mock those who choose true godliness over self-expression.
There you have it!
One rather easy review just answering questions that help other readers decide if the book is something they’d enjoy. Note that I didn’t give a rehash of the synopsis and I was careful not to give plot arc spoilers. I mentioned things that happened, but didn’t tell details that would ruin the reading experience. Rather, I gave such minimal information that it might actually make someone even more curious to read it.
Here are the completed reviews side by side:
Real Positive Review:
Set on the beautiful shores of Prince Edward Island, the author treats us to inland views of farmland and small town life in the fictional town of Avonlea.
Our heroine, Anne (spelled with an e, don’t you know), is a delightfully realistic character with virtues, flaws, and personal quirks that keep her from being just like every other girl in youth fiction.
Two characters stand out as Anne’s primary influences and support—Gilbert Blythe and Matthew Cuthbert, because both spur her to do her best in different ways, although for much the same reason.
In this heartwarming story of a young girl’s journey from awkward tween to beloved “daughter” and friend, Anne learns lessons in self-control, forgiveness, and being yourself in a world that tries to mold you into copies of a perfected ideal—not unlike what you find today in Hollywood
Written with an eye to detail that is not burdensome, Anne of Green Gables will keep your interest with its rich use of language and carefully crafted sentences.
One of this book’s greatest qualities is in showing the humorous sides of Anne’s life, even when she may not see them herself.
One of the most important spiritual lessons in this book is that God truly does set the lonely in families, and Anne’s story is a wonderful picture of how the Lord adopts us as His children even with all of our faults and imperfections, and then, with His blood covering us, He begins to unkink those perfections one by one.
Anyone who enjoys wholesome stories that do not devolve into moralistic sermons will find Anne of Green Gables a delightful and refreshing tale.
However, if you’re looking for Elsie Dinsmore’s self-righteous cousin who moved to Canada, I’d suggest you look elsewhere because this book is full of realistic people who make mistakes and learn from them.
Five stars all the way—read it today and I promise you won’t be sorry!
Fake Negative: Review
Set on the beautiful shores of Prince Edward Island, the author treats us to inland views of farmland and small town life in the fictional town of Avonlea.Early introductions to Anne’s character shows someone I wouldn’t want my children to emulate—stereotypical bursts of temper, a propensity to exaggeration that crosses into lying, and displays of irreverence toward the Lord just to name a few.
The one redeeming character in this book is Rachel Lynde, an older woman with the knowledge of how to rear children that supersedes Marilla Cuthbert’s fumbling attempts to teach Anne proper Christian behavior.
Unfortunately, this story is more about embracing our faults (using pride to try to outdo others), playing the victim/martyr (when she carelessly served wine and set her friend drunk), and manipulating those who love her into breaking “rules” set by other authorities in her life (Matthew is truly putty in her hands).
I am sorry to say, however, that as well-written as the book is, it doesn’t begin to cover the many flaws I found in the story line.
Although many of the events in the book are intended to be humorous, I found them “laughing at naughtiness,” as Laura Ingalls might have put it.
When one considers all of the trauma and turmoil Anne caused the young people of Avonlea, one can’t help but think of the Lord’s warning that “bad company corrupts good morals.”If you enjoy seeing sin winked at and more fiction showing the superiority of childish minds to their older, wiser adults, I suppose this might be the book for you, but I do urge you to repent and seek the LORD’s wisdom on the subject.Anyone who has a heart sensitive to how easily exposure to the slightest sin will poison one’s soul will probably find “A Godly Girl in New Brunswick” a better option—her chapter-long prayers are so inspiring!
Two stars are the best I can offer this book because while it was well-written, the story line only served to mock those who choose true godliness over self-expression.
Here are the questions without my comments for easy copy/paste into your review document.
1. How did you feel about the setting?
2. What do potential readers need to know most about the main character?
3. Which supporting character caught your interest the most?
4. What journey do(es) the main character(s) take?
5. How is the writing style or quality of the writing?
6. Is there humor in the book?
7. (for Christian fiction) Are there spiritual truths to be gleaned from the story?
8. For whom would you recommend this book?
9. Who will not like this book?
10. Why did you give it the star rating you did?
Note:
You don’t have to answer them all! I’d be sure to answer the recommended portion, of course, and enough of the others so that the recommended (pro or con) makes sense, but things like setting and humor aren’t necessary and spiritual content (as I showed) can be reflected on even in books that aren’t intended as Christian fiction.
And remember:
I’ve read so many blog posts on how to write a good book review and this was by far the best! Thank you.
This is really helpful. First of all, I adore Anne. I still can’t get over the highly imaginative soul I have ever seen. I named my blog your bosom friend by getting inspiration from the book. I am so glad you took this book as an example.
I recently started by blog. I write about books along with a bunch of other stuff.
These 10 questions are easier to plan my thoughts about the book. I often wondered where to start. Thanks a lot for the helpful post!
So glad to help!
I thank You for the above! I don’t always read reviews myself until after I’m finished with the book. Just like it to be a surprise all the way through.
exactly why I think it’s a shame when people do a synopsis or write the review like it was a book report. Ruins it for everyone.
This is very helpful! I try to write reviews for every book, but sometimes I just don’t know what to say without being rude or gushy! 🙂 I copied these questions into my review document I have on my desktop. These are great for fiction!! But non-fiction is a little different. Could you maybe do one of these for non-fiction? 😉
ABSOLUTELY! That is a fabulous idea! It’s going in my line up right now! Thanks for the idea!
This was so helpful… Loved this post.
YAY! Thanks! That was the hope!
Thanks for the short but thorough tutorial on how to review books. I’m happy to see that I’m doing some things right in my written reviews, but I’ve also learned through this post how to make them better. Onward and forward to reading and reviewing!
Aw, thanks. I don’t think there’s a “right” way to do it… as much as there are a couple of wrong ways.
This is definitely a helpful tool! Thanks for sharing!
( And I giggled a bit at your negative review of AoGG, so thank you for that also!)
I had so much fun writing that!!!
This is great. I do write reviews but it helps a lot to have some guidelines. I really appreciate this post.
YAY! Glad it helped.