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shandra's review
5.0
All Reviews Are Good Reviews!
Writing a review on a book about how to write reviews sounds like the start of a bad joke, but Allyson R. Abbott brought to light so many aspects of the book industry I had never considered I can't imagine having read "How to Write a Simple Book Review" without leaving a word of thanks to the author. As a reader, I do wonder if authors care what I think about their work or whether I leave a "Good job!" on one of their pieces I particularly enjoyed yet don't have a whole lot of "intelligent commentary" to leave in exchange for my enjoyment. The fact sites such as Amazon actually make an author's work more or less visible based on the sheer number of reviews -negative or positive- is surprising to me.
I want more writing from authors I enjoy so if they get more visibility which leads to more profit which leads to more return on their writing investment? That should lead to me getting more of their writing! I can't see that as anything other than a win-win situation.
Writing a review as a form of closure to having finished the book is also a new concept to me. I often have the "book hangover" effect where I have to sit and digest the last read I finished before I can even contemplate starting another book -even one by the same author- so I liked Abbott pointed out reviewing can give me the opportunity to put my thoughts into words to shorten the period of time I spend dwelling on my last read. I like the idea my personal views could be meaningful to another reader too. I'll admit I've bought a book based on a particularly good review. I found Abbott's suggestions about leaving a "gut reaction review" very helpful since that's what I really look for in a review on a book I am considering spending money on.
Overall, I'd give 5 stars to How to Write a Simple Book Review for making reviewing easy to understand in terms of importance to authors as well as readers, accessible to everyone, and fun as a process to enhance the experience of reading.
Writing a review on a book about how to write reviews sounds like the start of a bad joke, but Allyson R. Abbott brought to light so many aspects of the book industry I had never considered I can't imagine having read "How to Write a Simple Book Review" without leaving a word of thanks to the author. As a reader, I do wonder if authors care what I think about their work or whether I leave a "Good job!" on one of their pieces I particularly enjoyed yet don't have a whole lot of "intelligent commentary" to leave in exchange for my enjoyment. The fact sites such as Amazon actually make an author's work more or less visible based on the sheer number of reviews -negative or positive- is surprising to me.
I want more writing from authors I enjoy so if they get more visibility which leads to more profit which leads to more return on their writing investment? That should lead to me getting more of their writing! I can't see that as anything other than a win-win situation.
Writing a review as a form of closure to having finished the book is also a new concept to me. I often have the "book hangover" effect where I have to sit and digest the last read I finished before I can even contemplate starting another book -even one by the same author- so I liked Abbott pointed out reviewing can give me the opportunity to put my thoughts into words to shorten the period of time I spend dwelling on my last read. I like the idea my personal views could be meaningful to another reader too. I'll admit I've bought a book based on a particularly good review. I found Abbott's suggestions about leaving a "gut reaction review" very helpful since that's what I really look for in a review on a book I am considering spending money on.
Overall, I'd give 5 stars to How to Write a Simple Book Review for making reviewing easy to understand in terms of importance to authors as well as readers, accessible to everyone, and fun as a process to enhance the experience of reading.
deethereader's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC
This book was short and informative. It gives some simple ideas on how to review and rate a book which is what I was looking for. Thanks to the author for making me feel better for what I have previously written in my reviews that I had thought were too short to be of any use.
This book was short and informative. It gives some simple ideas on how to review and rate a book which is what I was looking for. Thanks to the author for making me feel better for what I have previously written in my reviews that I had thought were too short to be of any use.
kim3100's review
4.0
I received this book in exchange for an hones review. As a bookblogger I read and review a lot of books. In this book we learn what the importance may be of these reviews and how to create a review that is a bit lengthier that only two words. It was very interesting to learn her view. Handy book and some things hit home :)
mad_about_books's review
5.0
I decided to read this book for vindication… to see if I'm doing it right. Rarely have I found a book that so clearly expresses my own thoughts on a subject.
I started writing reviews on Amazon and Goodreads several years ago. I review everything that I read, and I read quite a bit. Because it is possible to get so many Kindle books at no cost, I have had the distinct pleasure of discovering some truly fine Indie authors. I still have my favorite big name authors - Stephen King, Clive Barker, Charlaine Harris, and the like - but without Kindle I would never have read some truly great books just because they weren't written by a name.
To be fair, before eBooks (and arthritis in my hands), I used to walk up and down the aisles of any bookstore just waiting for a cover to scream "check me out!" I discovered some of my favorite authors that very way.
Allyson points out the interesting fact of Indie publishing forcing writers to wear many hats, not the least of which is publicist. Some do it very well, putting heart and soul into both writing and marketing their book. She also points out that a writer can't get anywhere, no matter how hard they work at it, without readers. Yes, readers! That means you and me.
My favorite sentiment from the book is that writing a review - good, bad, or somewhere in between - is saying thank you to the author. You hated the book? Write a one star review that says why you hated it. Was it the bad spelling and punctuation? Was it terrible formatting and presentation? How is a writer to know why you gave it one star if you don't tell them. If you had that kind of problem, see if there is contact information somewhere in the book and let the author know your concerns. Be polite! Read your email six times and then read it again before you send it. Be positive! There must have been some redeeming quality that made you start, if not finish, the book.
Allyson also makes it very clear that even a one or two word review is the same as the one that is longer. It is the thank you the author needs to continue writing, the nod of appreciation for what you did or did not get from a book.
I tend to write several paragraphs when I review, but I never do spoilers, and I never give away the ending. This applies mostly to writing reviews of fiction, but in some ways will apply to non-fiction as well. My motto is tantalize but never tell.
I started writing reviews on Amazon and Goodreads several years ago. I review everything that I read, and I read quite a bit. Because it is possible to get so many Kindle books at no cost, I have had the distinct pleasure of discovering some truly fine Indie authors. I still have my favorite big name authors - Stephen King, Clive Barker, Charlaine Harris, and the like - but without Kindle I would never have read some truly great books just because they weren't written by a name.
To be fair, before eBooks (and arthritis in my hands), I used to walk up and down the aisles of any bookstore just waiting for a cover to scream "check me out!" I discovered some of my favorite authors that very way.
Allyson points out the interesting fact of Indie publishing forcing writers to wear many hats, not the least of which is publicist. Some do it very well, putting heart and soul into both writing and marketing their book. She also points out that a writer can't get anywhere, no matter how hard they work at it, without readers. Yes, readers! That means you and me.
My favorite sentiment from the book is that writing a review - good, bad, or somewhere in between - is saying thank you to the author. You hated the book? Write a one star review that says why you hated it. Was it the bad spelling and punctuation? Was it terrible formatting and presentation? How is a writer to know why you gave it one star if you don't tell them. If you had that kind of problem, see if there is contact information somewhere in the book and let the author know your concerns. Be polite! Read your email six times and then read it again before you send it. Be positive! There must have been some redeeming quality that made you start, if not finish, the book.
Allyson also makes it very clear that even a one or two word review is the same as the one that is longer. It is the thank you the author needs to continue writing, the nod of appreciation for what you did or did not get from a book.
I tend to write several paragraphs when I review, but I never do spoilers, and I never give away the ending. This applies mostly to writing reviews of fiction, but in some ways will apply to non-fiction as well. My motto is tantalize but never tell.
myindieauthorbookreviews's review
4.0
Book Review Guide
Very nice book about the basics of book reviews. I think the most important part was about the types of reviews. A basic honest review can be as valuable as a long winded one. I recommend it for anyone p!naming to leave reviews.
Very nice book about the basics of book reviews. I think the most important part was about the types of reviews. A basic honest review can be as valuable as a long winded one. I recommend it for anyone p!naming to leave reviews.
bookingbonkers's review
5.0
I enjoyed reading this book and found it very interesting. It was enlightening to learn a bit more about how authors get published both with a publisher and independently and how important a review can be to them. It was good to learn what elements of a review are important to an author and be reminded that a review can provide the author with some critical help and suggestions as well as help a potential buyer to find out if it is the correct purchase for them.
For an educational book, I found it to be a light and easy read but still learnt a good amount from it. The author has made this book a very easy learning experience and brought to light a lot I did not know or understand before I began it.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interesting in writing reviews or the process of promoting books and the growth of ebooks. It is a very interesting read that I think I will use again as reference and retraining manual.
For an educational book, I found it to be a light and easy read but still learnt a good amount from it. The author has made this book a very easy learning experience and brought to light a lot I did not know or understand before I began it.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interesting in writing reviews or the process of promoting books and the growth of ebooks. It is a very interesting read that I think I will use again as reference and retraining manual.
katsmiao's review
5.0
Let me start off by saying that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My review got longer than I expected, so to save you from having to read the whole thing, here’s the nutshell: read this book. It will make you a better person. And give you really practical information on how to become a better reviewer.
To be quite honest, this book is one that is worth buying. I learned some new things, and overall got a better understanding of the meaning and value of reviews. I’ve been reviewing for several years, and have always been thrilled to get free books. What is better than free books? And all I need to do to keep my kindle stocked is to give my opinion? Well....even better, I love giving my opinion, but honestly wasn’t sure anyone wanted to hear it. So I have always felt honoured to be asked to review a book. I feel like I’m the big winner here, because I’m getting free books, which to me has massive value. I didn’t think much about the value of my opinion or review. After reading this book I understand the value Of reviews Much better for both reviewer and for author. It has really opened my eyes to the impact my words can have. I always write honest reviews; fair and constructive, providing reasons why I did or didn’t like a book. But knowing how much my opinion can help an author, I am going to try to step up my efforts a bit, and put as much value into my review as I can. I’m getting free books, and at the same time I get to be a decent human being by being kind and helping other people, for no reason other than that I can. I have something that is easy for me to give (my review), which has huge value for someone else (the author). I’m making the world a better place one review at a time. I feel like getting some mercy made up with the slogan “be kind; write a review”, or how about “make reviews, not war”? Ok, ok, I’m getting a little goofy here. Buy this book. Read this book. And make someone’s day better by writing a constructive and honest review. It’s easy.
Wow. This wasn’t even a self help book, and yet I’m becoming a better person because of reading this book.
My review got longer than I expected, so to save you from having to read the whole thing, here’s the nutshell: read this book. It will make you a better person. And give you really practical information on how to become a better reviewer.
To be quite honest, this book is one that is worth buying. I learned some new things, and overall got a better understanding of the meaning and value of reviews. I’ve been reviewing for several years, and have always been thrilled to get free books. What is better than free books? And all I need to do to keep my kindle stocked is to give my opinion? Well....even better, I love giving my opinion, but honestly wasn’t sure anyone wanted to hear it. So I have always felt honoured to be asked to review a book. I feel like I’m the big winner here, because I’m getting free books, which to me has massive value. I didn’t think much about the value of my opinion or review. After reading this book I understand the value Of reviews Much better for both reviewer and for author. It has really opened my eyes to the impact my words can have. I always write honest reviews; fair and constructive, providing reasons why I did or didn’t like a book. But knowing how much my opinion can help an author, I am going to try to step up my efforts a bit, and put as much value into my review as I can. I’m getting free books, and at the same time I get to be a decent human being by being kind and helping other people, for no reason other than that I can. I have something that is easy for me to give (my review), which has huge value for someone else (the author). I’m making the world a better place one review at a time. I feel like getting some mercy made up with the slogan “be kind; write a review”, or how about “make reviews, not war”? Ok, ok, I’m getting a little goofy here. Buy this book. Read this book. And make someone’s day better by writing a constructive and honest review. It’s easy.
Wow. This wasn’t even a self help book, and yet I’m becoming a better person because of reading this book.
court28's review
4.0
I think that this book was helpful. However, the wording that the author used a few times throughout the book was confusing.As a result, I needed to read the sentence again the understand what she was trying to say.
dzivesmaceklis's review
3.0
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For a person who has never written a review, this may be a book full of encouragement to try but, unfortunately, that's all it is.
The information given is obvious and logical presented in a simple style using chatty language that at some moments distracts from the message. For a book giving advice, I expect something more substantial and innovative, something that goes deep into the topic. This one lacked in all of those departments. Another issue I have with it is that it lacks flow. The chapters are like isolated blog posts, not a unified book that builds on the ideas previously mentioned, although at the glance on the section titles it seems quite cohesive.
On the positive side, it gives examples and organises core information in a visually pleasing way. The main takeaway may be that you can evolve one sentence into a full review if you just ask the correct questions to yourself.
Maybe the book is intended for someone seeking a light read but not for someone searching to develop their reviewing skills to a new level.
For a person who has never written a review, this may be a book full of encouragement to try but, unfortunately, that's all it is.
The information given is obvious and logical presented in a simple style using chatty language that at some moments distracts from the message. For a book giving advice, I expect something more substantial and innovative, something that goes deep into the topic. This one lacked in all of those departments. Another issue I have with it is that it lacks flow. The chapters are like isolated blog posts, not a unified book that builds on the ideas previously mentioned, although at the glance on the section titles it seems quite cohesive.
On the positive side, it gives examples and organises core information in a visually pleasing way. The main takeaway may be that you can evolve one sentence into a full review if you just ask the correct questions to yourself.
Maybe the book is intended for someone seeking a light read but not for someone searching to develop their reviewing skills to a new level.
shelajo's review
5.0
Very helpful!!
I’ve been wanting to add written reviews to books I’ve been reading instead of just using the star rating. This book was very helpful in where to start and how to do it.
I’ve been wanting to add written reviews to books I’ve been reading instead of just using the star rating. This book was very helpful in where to start and how to do it.