3 years, 4 months ago
What makes a great book review
Why do you visit Amazon and vote for your favorite reviewer. (Golden Lion)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$1 Answer
My favorite review on Amazon are actually the ones from Library Journal and the Washington Post.
A great book review:
1) Explains why exactly the book speaks (or doesn't speak) to this particualr moment in time.
2) Puts the book in the context of other books on the same topic (better/worse, similar/different), or written in a similar style if fiction.
3) If it's a well-known author, it explains how the book reflects (or fails to reflect) the author's overall path as an artist.
4) Gives you enough information that you get a real sense of what the book is about, but does not give away the best stuff (hinting about it is fine, if it's not too easy to guess).
5) Most important: the review - whether praise of great books or criticism of bad ones -- should come from a love of books, and reflect the reviewer's beliefs about WHY we love books.
A great book review:
1) Explains why exactly the book speaks (or doesn't speak) to this particualr moment in time.
2) Puts the book in the context of other books on the same topic (better/worse, similar/different), or written in a similar style if fiction.
3) If it's a well-known author, it explains how the book reflects (or fails to reflect) the author's overall path as an artist.
4) Gives you enough information that you get a real sense of what the book is about, but does not give away the best stuff (hinting about it is fine, if it's not too easy to guess).
5) Most important: the review - whether praise of great books or criticism of bad ones -- should come from a love of books, and reflect the reviewer's beliefs about WHY we love books.
source(s):
I pick my books by reading reviews and asking friends.
I pick my books by reading reviews and asking friends.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I'd also like to add: A review shouldn't spoil the ending (or the beginning, or the middle for that matter) of the book.