Authentic Book Reviews

At times, I’m hesitant to write a bad review, wondering if my judgment is flawed, especially if it’s not my preferred genre. Surely someone else has a better opinion. But being genuine is better than false praise. As a writer, I’ve learned one of the greatest efforts an author can make is supporting fellow writers. Many ponder why, reasoning they’re competition. It might appear counterintuitive, but valuable members of a writing community show authentic efforts through support. After all, authors lead parallel lives (reader, writer) and are the largest demographic of book readers. Who better to critique your masterpiece, provide a constructive assessment of weaknesses and strengths than writers themselves? Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned author, learning never ends. Graciously accept both good and bad reviews as a gift to improve your writing skills.

A critique should be neither a summary nor offensive attack to deflate an author’s work, but a considerate, personal view of an author’s hard-earned work.

Take notes. Highlight details you love (characters, plot, setting, tone) or didn’t love (this is so easy to do today with digital technology such as kindle.
Understand the genre (fantasy, mystery, thriller, non-fiction). Does it fit the genre specifications, does it suit the intended audience chosen by the author?
Discuss the format of the book. Was the plot laid out well?
Critique fine points with strong personal recommendations.
Describe how the book did or didn’t achieve its goal:
- Did the author achieve the book’s purpose?
- Was the conclusion satisfactory?
- Would you recommend this book to others?

I’m still learning how to become a better reviewer, and with every book review, I’m improving. I’m bent on feeding my thirst for new reads. Over the last year, I’ve driven a hard, passionate mallet of discovery and support for new Indie authors. Below are new, delightful discoveries from prior months.