Book marketing – 3 Tips for an online review

Book marketing uses tours live book to demand where authors visited bookstores all over the country, talk and read from their books. These tours were augmented by book reviews in newspapers and magazines. Free review would copies, often Web station to receive form as advance reading copies (ARCs) reviews in the print media.

Today less live book publishers are willing to pay for tours and only a few authors enjoy the anger of the 21st century air travel followed by impersonal hotel rooms. These days always more authors and publishers turn online reviews are published primarily reviews in the Amazon-online community.

Amazon become that publishers now ordinary people to send to arches, are so important for the sale of books the most productive and effective online ratings,. Authors of have a strong part of their publication budget always online book reviews.

Still, many authors consider incorrect beliefs about what they need to make an online book review. The steps are really quite simple and easy to follow.

On the one hand, there is no need to write someone to pay a review for your book. Are you wasting money and probably get no quality check.

A better idea: Use your book review budget to buy additional review copies and send you them to the inspectors who seem best suited, to review books in your area. If your book is a how-to manual for training an adopted dog, look for reviews seem like books about dogs. Some will mention even the breed of their dog in their reviews and/or online BIOS.

Secondly, they provide a complete hard copy of your book reviews. A hard copy means no book hard back; most evaluations works with paperbacks. However reviews often resist read online PDF copies and they are likely to resist the idea of printing their own copy of a 250-page book at their own expense.

With the increasing popularity of the reader, you can change these settings. More questions before you send a PDF file, and ready to offer his, a print copy.

Thirdly, after someone commits itself, to read your book, simply send the book. You must not send advertising material. Publisher of the printed book read sections and Manager of bookstores are plans with the book advertising. Most online reviews are normal people, who want only a good book.

Writing not to your reviewers ask, "Where's my review?" Reviews tend to have stacks of books on their coffee tables, all awaiting review. You can read a book, if they that she would write a negative review notice, above all, or by a very small press when the self-published book is displayed.

While it is nice, a thank you receive after a review, this step is not necessary at all. Even more importantly, complaining not about your evaluation. A few negative or neutral ratings can really help your book. Readers realize that not all your friends to write puff pieces.

Some authors write their own books reviews actually, to respond to criticisms. Write comments on reviews, to defend. These efforts backfire almost always. If the reviewer was wrong, others will in jump to make corrections. As an author you wouldn't no good impression have, by attacking the reviewer (although it is tempting to do so can be).

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Pitching bloggers for a book review - best practices

While some of the reasoning behind this is understandable, I find it frustrating. Clearly, without any "gatekeeper," to examine the quality of the writing, it is obliged write pile of utter crap in the wide range of independently published. This is to be expected. But... I hope no one is shocked by this little secret: there are bunch of utter crap in the same size area traditionally published works which no less stinks.

I'm afraid that apart from blatant illiteracy and nonsense writing quality today is so subjective than ever. The massive success of many new writers have self-published their rejected books has proved that, quite honestly, that the gates keep of gatekeepers for nobody at all. Now are there current data show that these books were rejected by large publishers have in fact a readership that is very much alive.

However, they underestimate the value of book bloggers. You can have overlooked this source of book reviews in the search sites to more established and formal review. There are tons of bloggers who only read books, of which many have a long blog site with a loyal and broad audience. Reputable book bloggers have to offer tons of value the self-published author, and as far as self-published titles for consideration to accept, you tend to better chances of pitching have a blogger than you do to find a review site.

How to set on a book blogger

Visit her blog and read a few of their reviews to familiar with her writing style and the type of books that they check. Are they checked a lot of paranormal fiction? If this is your genre, this is a good choice may be. Take a few to know, the blogger through their writing, to find out whether it makes sense to approach them with your pitch.
You read their review, because this will determine if you a chance or not. Pitch your book, not always a blogger without their review policy completely to read, to ensure that they accept books in your genre and to avoid wasting your time and their by sending an inappropriate pitch.
Keep your e-Mail pitch, short, on point, and polite. This gives you the best chance of a response that all three of those things is always, if it your book review or accept. Let is not overly promotional, were not intrusive and keep your book summary, short and concise. We recommend you leave excerpts from other reviews in your pitch. If you want a link to a page on your Web site, contains current press or media attention, which has received your book, is included in order. However, concentrated more on their imagine and gives a snapshot of what your book on.
Not provide no incentive for a review, otherwise as a free copy of the book. It is not true and believe, offer incentives for a review, the honesty and integrity of a review that will receive your book as this may jeopardise. Bloggers are not likely to take such offers friendly to everyone. The only thing you should offer them definitely is a free review copy of the book, whether in print or eBook form. Both of you have available those who prefer they make. But sure to accept eBooks you have only eBook copies of that review should be found in their policies.
If you get a "Yes" answer, you start not mail or bugging them if your contribution will be finished. As you can imagine, these bloggers get dozens of pitches every day, and you will come before the list of the other, that they have agreed to review. It is important to be patient and grateful if they show interest in the review of your book. They are busy people with life, and read books for free on their own free time, simply because they enjoy reading and their thoughts. If you specify a time frame for the review and the time came and passed, it is acceptable to send a polite request simply questions what they think your book so far whether they have a chance to begin to read it. Another acceptable form of contact can comment to other recent review that they on her blog posted, and to mention, as you look forward to hear your thoughts on your own book in the near future be. But otherwise not contact them again. Not all bloggers will end your book or want to verify it, once she have read something from him. , When it still communicates not for some time with you, and no review posted, they decided only figure likely your tracks pass. Take it personally, many bloggers like to have a policy not something to say at all there would be absolutely nothing, what they about a book. So in some cases no evaluation is better as a terribly!

Most of this stuff is pretty common sense for most people. Only use normal email etiquette and write a strong slope. Since the publication of my essay, I have my pitch to several bloggers in November 2010. I have managed it, catch up with blogs like LLBookReview, literary R & R and a few other opinions. Good luck!

Ashly Lorenzana is a freelance writer, Web content and press release writing specialized for small to medium-sized companies. She has worked with a long list of customers online, as well as several well-known Internet marketing companies. She has extensive experience with the editing, correction, text, article writing, and for online brand campaigns gaining "Call to action". Their website article marketplace offers their services to bargain prices for professionals on a budget! Visit the site now and get your first article or write for free (up to 500 words)!

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10 Tips to Writing a Book Review

Writing a book review sounds like a relatively easy task. Surely all you need to do is read the book in question, and then write a paragraph or two on what the book was about and whether or not you thought the book was any good. Humm, if only life were that simply! In reality it is really quite difficult to write a successful book review. Yes of course you can simply précis the book and add a final comment about whether you found it to be an enjoyable read or not, but this is unlikely to leave you with a book review that readers are keen to read... and so in turn unfortunately the book you are reviewing is unlikely to gain all that much interest off of the back of your review either. No, if you want to write a successful book review then you need to keep a few top tips in mind at all times.

1. Choose the book you are going to review carefully. For a book review to appeal, the book that you are reviewing needs to lend itself to the creation of a book review that is informative, entertaining and readable. The book itself also needs to appeal to a wide audience.

2. Ensure that you have read one or two books or pieces of writing by the author of the book that you have chosen to review. You need to understand where the author has come from, a little of their writing history, before you can comment on a new release.

3. Comparison is important in book reviews. Read other, similar books by contemporaries so that you can offer some form of comparison in your own analysis of the book's worth in today's literary field.

4. Consider how far the author has succeeded in avoiding the pitfalls of the genre that they have written in. Are there clichés? Have they introduced a new form of language or use of language when dealing with a specific genre? Is the plot line all too obvious?

5. Look at the recognised successes of the author in light of this particular book that you are reviewing. Has the author won any awards? Have they been nominated for any? Have they received published praise anywhere?

6. If you are reviewing a non-fiction book, be sure to check that any facts or figures quoted within the book are accurate. Whilst an author's reputation will be damaged by the inclusion of inaccurate information, so too with the reputation of a reviewer who fails to spot these mistakes.

7. Be sure to cover the main elements of the plot line in your review of fictional pieces, but don't give away the ending - the reader of your review needs a reason to go on and read the book after all!

8. Find a way to extract the theme or message from the storyline, and inform your readers of this theme. It is important that reviewers look at both the obvious story and the underlying message when reviewing fictional works.

9. Think about the style of the book - is there anything unusual or revolutionary about the way the book has been written? If so, this needs to be highlighted in your review.

10. Finally, as with all types of writing, don't forget how important it is to check through your book review. Ensure that it flows well, that it is logical, clear and concise in message, and that it is squeaky clean in terms of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

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The marketing of your business a book review

What the purpose of writing a book review to differently as a favor just for Lulu do for your friend, self-published? Don't get me wrong; the author will know to appreciate the effort. However all benefits are secondary, you with the author result. You, that I think to say to you that book reviews make you content purposes search engine optimization... looking right. You do. But that's not the primary advantage that which I speak either. Writing I, which suggest that all is even a book review, a great practice to improve your skills as a writer? Well, actually, Yes! But that's to the point, I wrote this article.

Here what is I am drive bin. If you read a book about the marketing of your business, a book review will help you to market your business. To read a book about the Organization of your home? Write a review and watch the stack of the mess start to shrink to. Ask not, to prove it. If you do evidence, you want it to and see what happens.

For years I have read books and thought to himself, great ideas, only the books on the shelf put back without. I know that I am not the only one. I have no complete solution to this problem, but I have a tool, that can inch forward, offer a single step: the book review. Have you ever read a positive attitude or self-help book, for example, and are obliged to adopt habits that they prescribed? A novel, whose Protagonist inspired the great American novel writing, ever read? If you are like most readers, last not the drive probably more than one TV spot.

Let's face it: the human nature is not likely to change any time soon. The average human attention span still with a growing menu of glossy objects, distract us and a 24-hour day that stubbornly refuses, no longer grow, wane in the microsecond scale. Is it a wonder that literary inspiration has a short shelf life? To change a book review is not natural, but the process to create your experience through a review will refresh your memory of the book, and a window into the world, who created the book author, there are others. You can only be inspired to read the book to someone that otherwise would have not read it.

Basic steps:

Before the start of the book review, think of the audience. Are readers likely to find your review? This depends on the location where you choose to it to post. What suppose that is important, this audience? (I recommend to do something of any kind before writing.) Write about your own experience of the book. What changes in your thinking? What inspired you? Include not only the book; personalize. Describe your experience with sensual words. For example, she could talk, as you read the book while they were sitting outside in the autumn and smelled the burning leaves. Sensuous experiences are the most memorable. Tell readers why she should read the book. How her life will change, read? What has really raise the book for you?

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Kids' Book Reviews By Kids: How to Write a Children's Book Review You Think Other Kids Will Like

You probably have to write book reviews in school. When I was a kid, I used to hate to write them. But now I use book reviews that other people have written all the time. They help me to decide which books I want to read next. So if you're a kid and you have to write a book review, here is how to write one about a book you think other kids will like.

Actually, it doesn't have to be about a book you really like. Negative reviews are helpful too. Sometimes a book you don't like is still a great book, just not for you. Another kid with other interests might find that book perfect for them. So write your book review anyway.

Here are some things you must include in your book review:

Title

Be sure to get the correct and complete title for the book you are reviewing. Sometimes series of books have parts of the titles that are the same, and parts that are different. If you don't include the whole title, another kid might read your review and get the wrong book to read.

For example, you probably know about Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney. But if you are reviewing one of the later books in the series, you must be sure to include the whole title, like this: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (Book 5.)

Author

You probably hate it when people say or spell your name wrong. I bet the authors of the books you are reading feel exactly the same way!

Be sure to spell the author's name correctly. Check and double check it in your report.

Recommended ages or grades

You might read a funny book but know it is too hard for your younger sister to read. So include the ages you think would be able to enjoy the book.

You can say something like, "Recommended for 4th and 5th graders." Or something like, "I'm 10, but I usually read books that are much harder than what we are supposed to be reading in school. So I think this would be better for sixth or seventh graders."

Summary of the story

Give a brief description of the main things that happen in the beginning of the story, or the beginning and middle. But be sure not to give away the ending, especially if there is something really surprising that happens.

Here are other things you might want to include in your book review:

Something you really enjoyed

If you thought the book was funny, say so. If you thought it was exciting or scary, and you love adventure, mention that.

Something you didn't like about the book

Maybe the beginning is really good, but the ending is boring. Perhaps the book seemed too scary for kids, or it gave you nightmares. You can warn others about that.

Other similar books

Compare the book you are reviewing to other similar books. That way, kids can get a better idea if it might be something they would like to read.

Others who might enjoy the book

Say what kind of kids you think might like the book. For example, "If you love to read books about spies or adventure, you will enjoy the Alex Rider book series." Or, "If you like books about witches that are not too scary, you might enjoy "Which Witch?" by Eva Ibbotson.

Recommend other books or authors

It's a lot of fun to find a whole bunch of books by another author that you didn't even know about. So you can mention other authors with books like the one you are reviewing. Or you can suggest other books that are similar to this one, that other kids might also enjoy reading.

Think about the kids who will be reading your book review. Use some of these tips I've given you when you write. If you do, you will be able to write kids' book reviews and help other children by sharing your love of reading and great books.

I want kids' book reviews by kids!
If you want to write a review about great books for kids, I will put it on my site at http://greatbooksforkids.info. You can also read about other books I think you might enjoy.

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How to write online book review

One of my favorite hobbies is read. I literally books devour up to 6 per month. As I read, I often realize that what the author shares a deep truth is realized and implemented by more people in our world must be.

I have enough friends read (to the book tell), feel satisfied that I mean role is to spread this truth. The solution? I write online reviews.

If you write online book review, you are the news about them spread. They are raising awareness and promoting the book. How people see and read your review, they are probably tempted to read the book (if it is a good review) and spreading the message of the book is further and wider.

The only question that remains is "How to write a successful, high-quality book review?" I hope that answer in the rest of this article.

Firstly, a set recipe to create a book review is not necessarily a good idea. Bio is the new way. Read people like something from the heart, something natural and authentic. Something organic. Therefore, let your feelings and your heart, your guide.

Write about books that you passionate about feel (why in the world do create a buzz about something don't like?), but write the report in a way that communicates your strongest emotions on the topic.

Secondly, use short, crisp sentences and paragraphs of four or fewer sentences. This is something that you should enjoy to read an online review. Imagination, hard-to-understand words, sentences or paragraphs that look like pages little to something online to read my joy.

I prefer much white space, and write that quickly communicates.

A third point I will examine, by a section like the book read. You will agree with me that reading some books more easily than others. Is this book long? Did you need to bring to the dictionary once or twice? How long are the pages? What is the size of the font used?

How many footnotes were used? Distracting you? All these factors are to the reading experience. And where could be a reading experience as in a book review talking better?

Fourth, I would make to share the main objective of my review, the main message of the book. What sold a book, is your message, or topic. Share with you readers what your opinion is and share with them why you're excited about this news.

I prefer never to write about books, that I'm not excited, or I would like to criticize. I am not a Criticizer... I would like only to promote the quality, useful books. Books that will make a difference in the lives of others.

Finally, add some structure to your review. Parts you your most important thoughts in the first paragraphs, at the same time but for sure that you the book thoroughly to introduce. At the end of the review with a degree, perhaps after the readers to say which meant the book to you personally.

What better proof is the fact that life change as the statement of someone who read a book? Go on, share your story. You tell those readers how and why this book made a positive impact on your life.

Good reviews correspond to certain length accepted guidelines. I call a short 300 word review, a 800-word review solid and evaluate 1,300 word long.

So, there you have it. My advice for an online review to write. What do you do when you have filled it out? Good question. You can do it on your own blog or website.

If you publish posts on your own website or blog, consider the review of reviews. Five stars for a good overview and four star a fair assessment. If I write a book less stars as earned, will not.

You can also reviews on the Amazon website.

Or you can it at one of the numerous free article directories. Here, you are sure the word out, as your review pick webmasters and newsletter writers publish.

Have fun reading! And then the next time you real life changing discover one of those books why not take a little time to do a review about it? It may be only a blessing for someone who really needs it.

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What is a book review service?

A book review service will help you get the word out about your book and hopefully make others want to read it if you look at top novels, you will notice that there are usually quotes from reviews from publications from the New York Times or other papers. This often happens with noted authors that have books published in large publishing houses. But how does the new author who has perhaps self published or is published with a very small publishing house get noticed? Very often, they use a book review service.

As you know, on increasing number of books are now sold online. As well this goes for movies and music. And most offer books online websites that so encourage book reviews. There are several places online where you can review books.

A book review service will read the book and then honest give to review of the book in various places online. These will be posted and may help you promote your book. While it is a nice idea to rely on those who read the book to actually post a review, people do not always do this. As a matter of fact, it is rare for the average person, even when prompted, to write a book review. Most of the book reviews that you see online are the result of a book review service.

A book review service will not just say that the book is good, but why. This is done in a way without giving away the Kiba of the book. The purpose of the book review service is to get others to want to buy the book. If you are trying to promote a book using the internet, the use of a book review service really makes sense. It may end up costing you a to promote your book in this manner few dollars, but it will work out for you in the end. A book review service is one of the best routes you can take if you are a new author trying to get others to read your book.

Using a book review service is similar to any other type of marketing. The marketing technique of the bandwagon effect is in force when it comes to book reviews. This is the concept that others will want something if they know that other people like it it is a very old and very effective form of marketing and is used in all forms of advertising. Using a book review service is a way that you can market your book to the general public without it seeming like an ad.

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10 Tips for writing a book review

When writing a book review, you are evaluating the text. You are making a judgment about it. Here are 10 tips for writing an effective and compelling book review.

1. Don't be afraid to give your opinion.

Reviewing a book requires you to make a value judgment. Is this book good, bad, or somewhere in between? Think about why a person would want to read a book review. They want to know if it is worth their time and money.

This doesn't mean your review should be as simple as giving it thumbs up or thumbs down. As described in How to Write Anything, "Even movie critics...don't offer those verdicts until after they first talk about their subjects in detail."

It is also important to note that even a positive review can acknowledge weaknesses and still be positive. The reader will likely find it helpful if you point out any weaknesses in the book you're reviewing. Try to sandwich these weaknesses in between praise so that you don't begin or end on a bad note.

2. Develop criteria for judgment

Criteria means the rules or standards by which you judge that object. A good pizza, for example, might be measured by how greasy it is, the kind of toppings it has, the quality of the crust, etc. That's your criteria.

If you were reviewing a restaurant, your standards to judge that restaurant would likely include the service, taste of the food, and the atmosphere. If you were reviewing a movie, you might look at the costumes, the acting, the special effects, and so on.

It all depends on what is important to you as a reviewer.

As you read books, think about what makes a book stand out for you. Do you like books with action packed plot lines? Or maybe the writer's use of language is important to you. Whatever it is, decide on your criteria to help develop your review. It will give you specific points to make within the body of the review.
And it will help readers understand why you rated the book as "good" or "bad."

3. Back up your opinion

Having an opinion is great. Having an opinion with nothing to back it up, however, is not very convincing. Readers want evidence and reasons for why you are evaluating a certain book as "fabulous" or "boring." Even if readers don't realize they want this, support for your ideas certainly couldn't hurt.

For example, if you decide to review a Dr. Seuss book and you say it is an amazing book for children (opinion) because of his expert use of language and rhyme (criteria), you'd want to point out a particular example as support for that opinion. Let's see that rhyme in action.

Quote the book directly. Refer to specific chapters or sections. Supporting your ideas will ultimately help to convince your reader.

4. Consider your audience

Who are you writing for? What do they already know about the subject matter? What do they need to know? How you write depends so much on who you are writing for. You speak differently to children than you speak to adults. You interact with your boss in a different way than you interact with your best friend from childhood who knew you when you had braces and bangs.

Your choice of language changes depending on who you are speaking to or writing for. Your tone of voice changes, too.

As you write your book review, consider what your audience wants to know and what will interest them. Choose words that they familiar with rather than jargon that requires a glossary.

This is really a case of thinking about how you want to deliver your message so that the audience can appreciate it. It takes work, but it can pay off in major ways once you've mastered it.

5. Write with authority

Whenever possible, avoid the following words: probably and maybe. Avoid the following phrases: It seems, I think, In my opinion.

These words and phrases make your review sound less authoritative and less confident than you're aiming for. Even if you aren't feeling confident, fake it.

Look at the following example:

In my opinion, Dr. Seuss is probably one of the most interesting writers out there, though, maybe others might not agree.

Instead, say this:

Dr. Seuss is one of the most interesting writers out there.

We know it is your opinion; that is implied. No need to qualify your opinions with words like probably. Do not be afraid that others might disagree or get offended by your opinion on a book. Disagreement actually creates some of the most interesting discussion.

6. Avoid writing too much summary

A little bit of summary in a book review is helpful. The reader had not already read the book (most likely) and since you are trying to consider your audience, you want to make them feel like they understand the rest of your review. Summary is a great place to start by making your reader feel at home.

Too much summary, however, is not what the reader needs.

Here's what you need to know about writing summary:

· When summarizing a book, stick to just the main points. Answer the question: What is this book about?
· Try it limit your summary to no more than one paragraph or two unless it is essential or required to include more.
· Avoid writing about every single thing that happens in the book (And then this happened, and then..., and then...).
· Use summary early in your review to get the reader acquainted. It wouldn't make sense to suddenly give a summary at the end, after you've made your point.
· Use your own words. If the reader wanted to know what the publisher has to say, they'll visit the publisher's website or read the back of the book. Give us your unique interpretation.

7. Compare and contrast

Another way to help back up your ideas, as stated above, is to use a very familiar tool: compare and contrast. It may have been a while since you were in school, but you know how to do this. You do this every day.

For example, you compare your hamburger to every other hamburger you've ever had (even if only in your head, even if it happens so fast you barely register it). When someone asks you how Robert Downey Jr. preformed in Due Date, you might compare his acting to other films like Iron Man.

Comparing and contrasting helps the reader to understand. It gives you and the reader a common ground. Look at the book you are currently reviewing. Can you compare it to other books by that author? Or maybe you could compare it other books in that genre.

Or maybe this new book is incomparable. That would be worth telling your readers, too.

8. Organize your review

Organizing your review in even the slightest way can help your reader make sense of your ideas by giving them a structure. Even the best written story will be less remarkable if the chapters are out of order.
The basics of organization include a beginning, middle, and end. It's that simple.

Start with an intro that gets the reader warmed up and maybe even summarizes the book. Then, use the middle of your review to give your opinion and support it with quotes and examples. Use this chance to elaborate on your ideas. Then, wrap up your review with a brief conclusion rather than ending abruptly in the middle of your ideas.

It might not come naturally to you, but that is what revision is for. As you revise, consider moving information around and making it sound as effective and clear as possible.

9. Provide helpful information

This one doesn't apply to everyone, but is worth mentioning. If I read a book review, I want to know where I can buy the book. Where can I find it? Who is the publisher?

A link could be even more helpful. In fact, Amazon can work as an affiliate program for many blogs by linking directly to the texts you mention so that the reader can buy them. And you get a commission. Learn more about making money with Amazon here.

And this should go without saying, but don't forget to mention the author and title early in your review. Never give the reader a chance to feel confused about what you are talking about. The title of your review isn't enough. Mention the title and author in the review, as well.

10. Set yourself apart

Depending on the amount of freedom you are allowed in writing your review, consider trying something new to set yourself apart from others.

So many book reviews follow a similar format, which seems to work well, but why not try a different approach? To inspire you, here are a few ideas for reviews:

· The Top 10 Reasons You Must Read __________
· 5 Ways ______ Will Blow Your Mind (In a Good Way)
· The Similarities Between ______ and Harry Potter (or some other well-known piece of literature)
· Why ______(author) is the Next Stephen King (or another famous author)

In all of these examples, it is the title that is attention grabbing. Also, the title implies a certain organization (such as a top ten list). Mostly, though, the above examples don't look exactly like every other book review.

If you can find a new angle, explore it and see how it works.

Overall, writing a book review doesn't have to be complicated. And it can be fun! If you are willing to put in the time to make it compelling and convincing and helpful to your readers, the results could be worth it.

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How to write an effective book review that helps, readers decide whether they want to read a book

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people who review books for publication in magazines and newspapers, many more who review books on the Web. If you add in those who review magazines, newspapers, movies, theater, blogs, websites, Facebook styles, Twitter tweets, what have you, it may reach into the millions (well, that's an overstatement but you get my point).

Some reviewers are well good enough at reviewing that they are paid and paid for their thoughts on what they've read. Some do what I might characterize as a journeyman's job, competent but not inspired, while others are absolutely, abysmally awful, and shouldn't be allowed near a pen, pencil or computer when they're in a reviewing mode.

Reviewers-whether their interest is fiction or non-fiction, pop music or classical, television shows, movies, magazines, blogs or what-have-you-all have their own reviewing styles. I've been writing for pay for fun, and for many years. And I've been reading. I've read hundreds of thousands of words in print and on the Internet, and have developed strong opinions not only on what makes good writing, but what makes a good review of writing.

What follows is an overview of my reviewing style staff, "reviewing style" meaning how I prepare to write a review, not the actual words I use. But make no mistake, the actual words come from the preparation.

Because I specialize in book reviewing, primarily mysteries and mainstream, with only a smattering about blogs and similar activities, and have never reviewed music or a movie except among friends - I'm going to limit myself in this post to my thoughts on reviewing books. Another note for complete disclosure: I am the not talking about reviewing textbooks, or technical or scholarly tomes that are written for a specific and equally technical or scholarly audience. I am talking about novels, anthologies of short stories, the kinds of things we read mostly for pleasure. So here is my answer to my own question. What makes a good review?

The first thing I do when I review a book is: I READ THE BOOK! Don't laugh. To write a review by snitching from other reviews or copying what booksellers advertise about it is not at all funny. It is not only unfunny, it's unfair to the writer, and it's dishonest. Happen it shouldn't.

Yet I've read more than one book review that wasn't of much different from a CliffsNotes. In such cases, it's easy to see that the reviewer had not actually spent time with the book, except possibly the jacket blurb. In recent days, I've read reviews of the same used identical language with no credit to a book in different publications that reviewer, so I couldn't tell if they were written by the same person or if others were "borrowing." Sometimes, reviewers apparently skimmed through the book, began to write too soon and so missed critical points in doing.

Note, however, that I do read ABOUT a book before I settle in to read it for my review. I look at the publishers blurbs, knowing of course their biases. I read the jacket start the actual reading notes, and I always read the foreword and the afterword before I. In books that are heavily footnoted - such as the Teddy Roosevelt trilogy I'm reading now I look at those back-of-the-book pages so, before I begin reading. I suspect that some writers would prefer that readers not read their afterword until Aftertouch reward sorry, couldn't resist after they have finished the book, but I find what that it makes the story more pleasurable to read, and that's, to me, this kind of reading is about.

As I read a book for review, I note chapters and pages to read a second time. I don't make extensive notes because that interferes with reading; from the earliest pages I want to get a feel for the flow of the story, so I make more mental notes than physical ones. The times when I let my intent to publish a review of the book interfere with reading is when I find a sentence or paragraph that I may want to quote, or if there is a significant philosophical or cultural point being made that I do not want to loose.

Among style the mental notes I make are my reaction to the writer's, effectiveness in pulling me in, making me part of the tale being told. I look for idiosyncrasies in people and places that take them out of the ordinary. I note particular turns of phrase or uses of words or descriptions that charm me-or scare me sufficiently to include in the review. And I look for personal characteristics, about the tale being told or the writer, that I can describe that insight will give the reader additional.

My goals in writing a review are two-fold. First, I want to speak to the reader as if we were sitting at my kitchen table sharing thoughts about what we've been reading. I do not pontificate or lecture as if I possess some kind of arcane knowledge about what the writer what thinking. I use first person quite a lot-"I thought..." I liked... "I hope the reader... my reaction...." and so on. To sum all that up, I want some of me, some of my personal reaction to the book, to come through clearly.

Then, I want to capture the overall feel of the book, share a hint of what I learned about the actors in the story, and the settings in which the author put them without giving anything away that shouldn't be. Books, I believe, have their own unique personalities beyond their plots, even though they are paper and print or words on a screen, and I want the reader to sense that personality. That's what makes people want to read something.

If I really don't like a book at all, I won't write a review. I am a reviewer, not a literary critic. That's my own choice. I find want to always treat a book's author with respect, and can usually a delicate way to put a light critical touch in a review, if necessary. The writer has put time and effort into the work, I respect that, and my not liking it doesn't mean others won't.

But I will never resort to sarcasm or nastiness as some reviewers do I recently-on this blog wrote a diatribe about a major flaw in a book I had just read. It wasn't a review, it what just plain old-fashioned blow-off-steam criticism, and I did not use the writer's name or put any identifying material in it and I will continue to read that writer's output.

I've had years of experience of having my own writing reviewed and reviewing that of others, accepting and giving criticism, and I've learned the importance of saying what I think, but saying it kindly. So that's how I look at my challenges as a reviewer of some wonderful books, some ordinary books, and some that are, well-unreviewable.

About Marcia Applegate

Retired communications consultant with major firms, writer, columnist, blogger, living in Asheville n.c., moved here from Chicago, love Asheville mountain scenery and people, still Chicago miss, though. Children, grandchildren, greatgrands scattered across the country. Love reading, of course, love reviewing what I read, and have lots and lots of opinions on this and that.

Go to http://mkamysterylady.com for this and other opinion articles and book reviews, mostly about mystery, but other kinds of reading as well. While you're there, look around, then leave me a comment telling me what you think.

I'd love to hear from you.

Mystery Lady tweets as meladolce.

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The Best Books To Take Travelling With You

By Noal Bram

A collection of great Canadian authors and books to take with you on your trip across Canada.
Canadian Content
1. National Dream and Last Spike by Pierre Berton. Non-fiction by one of Canada's most prolific writers. The National Dream is about the planning and the commencement of the Canadian Pacific railway from 1871 to 1881. The Last Spike describes the construction phase between 1881 and 1885.
2. Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen. This is the second novel by Leonard Cohen after The Favourite Game and is one of the first post modern Canadian novels. This book centers around a love triangle and deals with self-abandonment. Definitely not a beach read but a true Canadian classic.
3. The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro. A collection of short stories by one of Canada's most beautiful writers. Some of the themes she touches on are secrets, love, ordinary lives and betrayal. Her novel was awarded the Giller Prize in 1998.
4. As For Me and My House by Sinclair Ross. Set during the Great Depression in the fictional mid-western town of Horizon, presumably in Saskatchewan, it deals with the struggles and hardships of a minister's wife and her husband. Originally released in 1941, it sold poorly until it's re-release in 1957.
5. The Studhorse Man by Robert Kroetsch. The book details the fantastical adventures of Hazard LePage as he roams through barns, beer-halls and bathtubs. The Studhorse Man won the Governor General's literary award in 1969. Robert Kroetsch was born and lived in Alberta his whole life and his novels center around Prairie life.
6. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. One of the most famous Canadian authors and novels, this takes place in the near future and has won the Governor General's award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award as well as being adapted for the cinema, opera, radio and stage.
7. Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat. It is a first person narrative of Mowat's research into the nature of the Arctic Wolf. He was sent to investigate the declining caribou populations and whether the wolves were responsible. Wolves were perceived to be savage killers before this novel was released but Mowat helped to change this perception.
8. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. This novel actually takes place in India but is written by a Canadian author. It is a huge, heart-felt novel that deals with the caste system, political issues, and independence in India. This book won the Giller Prize and was short-listed for the Booker Prize. This book was also a favourite of Oprah's and one of the few Canadian books that have been selected into Oprah's book club.
9. Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findley. It is a magic realist retelling of Noah's Ark. Some of the themes the book deals with are abuse of power, loss of innocence, patriarchy, and feminism. The characters come to life in this amazing novel that was selected for inclusion in the 2008 edition of Canada Reads.
10. Men for the Mountains by Sid Marty. Sid Marty was a park warden (ranger) from 1966-1978 in Yoho, Jasper, Prince Albert, and Banff National Parks. Part of his career was spent patrolling the backcountry with saddle and pack horses and this provides the backdrop for this non-fiction novel which was twice cited by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association as one of the 50 most influential books in the Canadian conservation movement.