What do you Include in Your Reviews?

[Penelope Lolohea]

I'm trying to revamp my review posts, and see how I can make them better. One thing I am focusing on is the content I provide other than the review itself. I currently list the publisher's name, genre, publication date, and a synopsis. I also include a picture of the cover, and a content warning if there is any swearing, drinking, or sex in the book.

 

I am considering adding things like links to buy the book and a link the the author's website. Are there any other things I should consider? What do you feel is important to include, besides the review itself? Why?

[Michelle Hodge]

I do pretty much the same thing. I wrote mine down on an index card so I don't forget & am consistent in the format.

 

Picture of cover

Title/Author

Author's website

Date Published

Pages

Ages (for Children's books) or Genre (for adult books)

ISBN (in case someone wants to search online for different prices or formats)

B&N link (usually just to the print copy, sometimes I'll do a Nook link too)

Amazon link (usually just the print copy, sometimes the Kindle link)

Where we got the book (ex. library, author, publisher, bought it)

 

Then, I do a synopsis - either one of my own or copy it from Goodreads or elsewhere (in which case I say where it's from)

Then I just give my thoughts. I usually try not to give the book away, but this is where I'll say what I really feel. If it's a Children's book, then we also write what our daughters think about the book underneath my thoughts. 

 

If you want to take a look at my blog, it's Bookworm Family. We just started it a few weeks ago, so I wasn't sure what to do at first either. I just decided to on an order & how I want to do it & this is what's working for me so far. It may change in the future, but I'm hoping to keep the same format. 

[ManOfLaBook.com]

My

format is as follows:
About: - short description of 1-2 sentences, page number, publisher, ISBN

Cover picture

Rating - 1 line
Links to the book on Amazon & book depository

Thoughts: what I thought about the book

Synopsis

Links to the book on Amazon & book depository

[Miss GOP]

I like the idea of including info about where to buy the book. Readers will appreciate it. I recently wrote a post about this very subject: 10 Tips for Writing a Book Review. (I'm a writing teacher with a lot of opinions on what makes a quality review or evaluation of a product). It sounds like you are already on the right track, but maybe this will help, too.

 

Thanks and best of luck!

 

-Miss GOP

www.thewritingapprentice.com

 

[Stephanie Fish]

I loved your blog post, so I added it to my blog~ I think it ties in very well. If you ever want to cross promote each others blog, please let me know.

http://buckeyeva.com/blog/elements-of-a-good-book-review-blog-website

 

Have a great weekend!

Stephanie

[Stephen Lawrence Brayton]

Thanks GOP, I read your blog. It's right along the lines of what I was thinking when I started my review blog. As I wrote in the comments, I need to add in stuff from tip 9

[Penelope Lolohea]

Great ideas! I really like the idea of including the ISBN; I hadn't thought of it, but I can see how it would be helpful. I'll also be including links to places to buy the books, but I need to decide on two or three places (don't want to overwhelm anyone with so many options). I'm thinking My local bookstore, B&N, & Amazon. 

 

@MisGOP Thanks for that link! I'm on my way to check it out. :)

 

Thanks for helping!

[Asche Bartley]

I always include:

Cover

Title

Author

Pages

Publisher

Summary with link to amazon

 

www.kawaiidelights.com

[Amie Gaudioso]

I was just thinking of how to revamp my reviews as well. I want to give everyone as much information as possible, yet not be too overwhelming. There are some great ideas listed here!  Thanks for the link Miss GOP, I am bookmarking it to keep handy!

 

Amie

http://momreadsmybooks.blogspot.com

[Peggy @ Pawing Through Books]

I just started my blog, but as of right now this is what I was going to include.

• Cover art
• Author & Publisher
• Publication date
• Number of pages
• Genre
• Format of book (audio, paper, ebook)
• Summary
• I will try to include links to any additional items I find (author site, trailers, etc) 
• A rating out of 5 
• What I thought about the book
• Where to purchase book (Amazon, B&N, etc)

Pawing Through Books

[Jinny Chang]

I include:

TItle/Author

Publisher

First Published Date

Pages 

Format I read it in (hardcover, paperback, eBook, etc)

 

And a picture. I people are less inclined to read reviews where the blogger doesn't post a picture of the cover of the book.

 

As for the actual content, besides my thoughts about why or why not I thought a book was good, I also try to include how I discovered the book (from a friend, a website, Goodreads, etc).

 

I don't do this myself personally, but I know a blogger (acquaintance) who includes links to other reviews of the same book, so if the reader wants to check out other reviews, they can. She provides a little snippet and a link. I really like this idea of her's but I don't think I have the patience to do it myself, haha.

[Emily]

I include the following in my reviews:

 

Title

Author

Page Count (or file size if it's a digital book and that's the only information available)

Publisher

Genre

FTC Declaration (I say Copy for review provided by _____ in anticipation of an honest review)

 

I include details that would make it easier for folks to find the book if they want to buy it, put it on hold at the library, etc.  I also am an Amazon Associate so the image of the book cover goes to the Amazon page if possible.

 

Then I do a 50 word summary of the book in my own words.  I'm using canned synopses right now as a part of the huge giveaway carnival I'm doing all through July to save time, but I plan on going back to 50 words or less come August.

 

Historically, I've also assigned a letter grade to each book.  I'm not sure if I'll keep doing this or not once the carnival is over in August- I think it's helpful to have a quick way for readers to see if the review is positive or negative but a more visual way might work better.  I still have to think about this one.

[Meredith Allard]

Hi Penelope.

 

Here's the format we use on the Copperfield Review:

1. Title

2. Author

3. Page count--it it's a paperback

4. Publisher

5. # of quills awarded out of 5

 

Our reviewers write their own synopsis based on their reading of the book--usually about a paragraph--and then they write another paragraph or two with their thoughts about the book. I think the most important thing you can include is your honest opinion. Some reviewers include links to book trailers. 

 

You're welcome to take a look at the reviews page of The Copperfield Review at www.copperfieldreview.com. Mainly, you should have fun doing it. That's the most important thing.