How to Write a Book Review with Examples and Tips

My name is Emily Foster. I’m a college writing tutor and former high school English teacher with over ten years of experience helping students learn how to write book reviews. I started writing book reviews when I was in college. At first, I struggled. I thought writing a review meant just retelling the story. But one day, after turning in a four-page summary of To Kill a Mockingbird, my professor gave it back with just one comment: “This is not a book review. Try again.” I felt embarrassed, but it taught me something important. I didn’t need to rewrite the book. I needed to talk about it.

That was the first time I understood that a book review is about your thoughts, not just the plot. Since then, I’ve written over 300 book reviews for academic classes, book blogs, and even publishing websites. I’ve worked with students who didn’t like to read, international students learning English, and even young writers just starting out. Each person had a different reason for writing a review, but all of them asked the same question: How do I start?

In this guide, I’ll answer that question in a simple and clear way. I’ll show you how to write a book review step by step. I’ll share tips that helped me when I was just starting and stories from real students I’ve helped. Whether you’re writing a book review for school, for your blog, or just for fun, this guide will help you find your voice, understand what matters in a review, and avoid the mistakes I once made.

Writing a book review doesn’t have to be hard. You just need someone to show you how. I hope my experience can do that for you.

What Is a Book Review?

A book review is a short piece of writing where you share your thoughts about a book you have read. It is more than just telling what happens in the story. A book review helps other people understand what the book is about, what is good or bad about it, and if they should read it.

In a book review, you do three main things:

You give a short summary of the book
You share your opinion about the book
You explain why you feel that way

Book reviews can be short or long. They can be written for school, for a blog, or even for a newspaper. Some people write reviews for fun. Others do it as part of their job, like teachers, book critics, or authors.

Book Review vs. Book Report

A book review is different from a book report. A book report usually tells what happens in the story from beginning to end. It includes facts like the names of the characters, the setting, and the ending.

A book review, on the other hand, focuses on your opinion. It talks about what you liked, what you did not like, and how the book made you feel. It also looks at things like the writing style, the message of the book, and the way the author tells the story.

Different Types of Book Reviews

Not all book reviews are the same. Here are a few types:

Academic reviews are written for school. They follow a certain format and often use formal language.
Blog reviews are written for websites. They are more casual and may include personal stories or humor.
Professional reviews are found in newspapers or magazines. These are written by experts and often look deeply at the book’s meaning and style.

Knowing which kind of review you need to write will help you decide how to write it. In the next section, we will look at who writes book reviews and why.

What You Should Know	Details
How long a college-level book review usually is	Between 800 and 1,500 words
How long students usually spend writing a full review	One full day of focused work
Subjects where book reviews are most common	Literature, history, philosophy, education, and social sciences
Are book reviews still used in college and journals?	Yes. They are still widely assigned, even if published reviews are shared less often than before
Do students gain real skills from writing reviews?	Yes. In one study, 57 students said it helped them understand how to write for a real audience

Who Needs to Write a Book Review?

Many different people write book reviews, and each person has a different reason. Let’s look at the most common groups and why writing a book review matters to them.

Students

Students often write book reviews as part of their schoolwork. Teachers want students to think about what they read and explain their thoughts clearly. Writing a book review helps students:

Understand the book better
Practice writing and thinking skills
Learn how to share opinions in a respectful way

For example, in my class, one student read a book he did not like. At first, he said just “It was boring.” But after talking about it, he learned how to explain why. He wrote about the slow plot, the lack of action, and the characters who felt too simple. That review showed real thinking.

Book Bloggers

Many people write reviews for their personal blogs or social media. These reviews are more casual. Bloggers often include:

A short summary
What they liked or did not like
A rating (for example, 4 out of 5 stars)

Some bloggers get free books from publishers in exchange for honest reviews. So writing good reviews can open doors to more reading and writing opportunities.

Literary Reviewers

Some reviews are written for newspapers, magazines, or journals. These are called professional or literary reviews. The writers:

Look at the book’s deeper meaning
Talk about themes, symbols, and writing style
Compare the book to others by the same author or in the same genre

These reviews are usually longer and use more formal language. They are written by experts who want to help serious readers or researchers.

Why This Matters

No matter who you are, writing a book review teaches important skills. You learn how to express yourself, support your ideas, and help others decide if they want to read the book. In the next part, we will look at what to do before you start writing your review.

Best Book Review Writing Services in 2025

Over the past ten years, I have helped many college students write book reviews. I have also worked with students who struggled to keep up and needed outside help. Some were non-native English speakers, some had part-time jobs, and others just found writing reviews confusing. I always try to guide them, but sometimes they need extra support. That is when I recommend using a trusted writing service. But I never suggest one unless I have tested it myself.

I have personally used and reviewed several writing platforms, both as a client and as an academic reviewer. Below, I share the three services I found to be the most helpful in 2025. These are not just random choices. I picked them based on how clear, reliable, and respectful they are to students, especially those who are still learning English or new to academic writing.

Service	What I Experienced	Why I Recommend It
MyPaperWriter.com MyPaperWriter	One of my international students used this service when writing a review on Frankenstein. The result was clean, easy to understand, and followed academic rules. I later tested it myself for a mock assignment. I liked how the writer added quotes and kept the structure I teach in class.	Great for students who want a well-structured book review with clear grammar. They also reply quickly and offer free edits.
WriteMyEssay.Today WriteMyEssayToday	I used this site to test how they handle urgent orders. I asked for a 1000-word review of To Kill a Mockingbird with a 6-hour deadline. The result surprised me. The writing had a personal touch and included a clear opinion with reasons. It was easy to read and didn’t feel rushed.	A smart choice for students with tight deadlines. They focus on opinion-based writing, which is key in reviews.
Assignmentgeek.com AssignmentGeek	A few of my senior students have used this service for final-year projects. One of them had to write a review on a complex political book. I checked the paper, and it had strong analysis and proper formatting. The student told me the writer answered her messages and even explained parts she did not understand.	Best for students who need more support and want to talk to their writer. It is good for deeper or more serious book reviews.

Each of these services helped students I know personally. I have read their reviews, checked their quality, and tested their support. My advice is simple: if you are stuck, it is okay to ask for help. But always choose a service that respects your voice, follows your instructions, and helps you learn from the process. These three do just that.

Before You Start Writing

Before you write your book review, it is important to prepare. Good preparation will make your review easier to write and more interesting to read. Here are a few things you can do before you begin.

1. Read the Book Carefully

This may seem obvious, but some people try to write a review without reading the whole book. If you want to write a good review, you need to read the book from start to finish. Pay attention to the main characters, the plot, and how the story develops.

Try to notice things like:

What is the book about?
Who are the most important characters?
What is the main problem or theme?
How does the book make you feel?

2. Take Notes While Reading

It helps to write down your thoughts as you read. You do not need to write full sentences. Just a few short notes can help you remember the important parts later.

You can make notes about:

Quotes or lines you like
Characters you find interesting
Parts you did not understand
Your feelings during different parts of the book

For example, when I read The Giver by Lois Lowry, I wrote down how the story made me feel curious and uncomfortable at the same time. That helped me later when I wrote about the book’s mood.

3. Think About Your Opinion

After you finish reading, take a few minutes to think about the book as a whole. Ask yourself questions like:

Did I enjoy reading this book? Why or why not?
What did I learn from it?
Would I recommend it to someone else?

You do not need to have a strong opinion. It is okay to feel in the middle. What matters is that you can explain your thoughts clearly.

4. Know Who You Are Writing For

Think about your reader. Are you writing this review for your teacher? For your blog? For other students? Knowing your audience will help you choose the right words and style.

Now that you are ready, we can move on to how to organize your book review. The next section will show you a simple structure that works for most types of reviews.

Structure of a Good Book Review

Every good book review has a clear structure. This makes your review easy to follow and helps your reader understand your opinion. Most book reviews include four main parts:

Introduction: Start by giving the book title, author, and genre. You can also include the year it was published. Write one or two sentences about what the book is about and how you feel about it.
Summary: Write a short summary of the story. Do not tell the whole plot or give away the ending. Just explain the main idea, setting, and important characters.
Analysis and Opinion: This is the most important part. Share what you liked or did not like about the book. Give reasons for your opinion. Talk about the characters, writing style, message, or anything that stood out to you.
Conclusion: End your review by sharing your final thoughts. Say if you would recommend the book and who might enjoy reading it.

Using this structure will help you stay focused and write a complete review. Many students I work with find it helpful to write down each part as a heading before they start. That way, they know what to write in each section.

Simple Outline You Can Use

Here is a basic outline you can follow for any book review:

Title: Write the book title and author
Genre: What type of book is it? (example: mystery, science fiction, biography)
Summary: Write 3 to 4 sentences about the main story
Likes: What did you enjoy and why?
Dislikes: What did not work for you and why?
Conclusion: Would you recommend it? Who should read it?

This structure works well for school assignments, blog posts, or even just sharing your thoughts with friends. In the next section, we will go step by step through each part of the review so you can see how to write it clearly and easily.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Book Review

Now that you know the structure, let’s go through each part of the book review one step at a time. Follow these steps and your review will be clear and well-organized.

Write a Strong Introduction

Start your review by sharing basic information about the book. This helps the reader know what you are talking about. Include the following:

The book title and the author’s name
The genre of the book (for example, mystery, romance, or history)
A short sentence about what the book is about
Your first opinion of the book (did you like it or not?)

Example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a science fiction novel about a young girl who fights to survive in a deadly game. I enjoyed the book because it was exciting and full of action.

Summarize the Book

Next, write a short summary of the book. Keep it simple. Do not retell the whole story. Just explain the main idea, the setting, and the main characters. Do not include the ending or big spoilers.

Tips:

Write in your own words
Keep the summary short, about 3 to 5 sentences
Focus on the big picture, not small details

Share Your Opinion and Analysis

This is the most important part of your review. Here, you explain what you liked or did not like about the book and why. Be honest but polite. Give clear reasons for your opinion.

You can talk about:

The plot – Was it interesting? Boring? Easy to follow?
The characters – Were they realistic? Did they grow or change?
The writing style – Was it easy to read? Was the language beautiful or simple?
The theme – What message or lesson did the book try to share?

Example: I liked the main character, Katniss, because she was strong and brave. I also thought the story showed how unfair some parts of society can be.

End with a Conclusion

Finish your review with a few final thoughts. Say if you would recommend the book and who you think should read it. You can also give a rating, such as 4 out of 5 stars.

Example: I would recommend this book to teenagers who like adventure stories. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Now you know the steps to write a clear and strong book review. In the next section, we will look at different examples of book reviews for school, blogs, and more.

Book Review Examples for Different Needs

Book reviews can look different depending on where and why you are writing them. Below are three short examples to help you understand how to write a review for school, a blog, or a professional setting.

Academic Book Review Sample

Book: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Review: This novel tells the story of two friends, George and Lennie, who travel together during the Great Depression. The story takes place in California and shows how hard life was at that time. I liked how the author used simple language to show deep emotions. The ending was sad but powerful. I recommend this book to students who want to understand more about American history and friendship.

Blog Style Book Review Sample

Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Review: This book made me laugh and cry. It tells the story of Hazel and Gus, two teenagers who meet in a support group for cancer patients. I really liked how honest and funny the characters were. The story felt real and emotional. I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys romance mixed with serious topics. I gave it 5 out of 5 stars on my blog.

Critical Book Review Sample

Book: 1984 by George Orwell

Review: Orwell’s novel is a deep and thoughtful look at a world where the government controls everything. The themes of control, freedom, and truth are still important today. The writing is powerful and the main character, Winston, shows what it means to fight for your mind. This book is best for readers who enjoy books with strong messages and political meaning.

As you can see, each review uses a different tone and focus. You can choose the style that matches your goal and audience. In the next part, we will look at common mistakes to avoid when writing your own book review.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many people make the same mistakes when writing book reviews. These mistakes can make the review hard to read or less helpful. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them.

1. Telling the Whole Story

Some reviews sound like a full summary of the book. This is not helpful to readers. You only need to share the main idea and a few details. Do not give away the ending or important surprises.

2. Being Too General

Try not to say things like “The book was good” or “I did not like it” without giving reasons. A good review explains why you feel that way. Use examples from the book to support your opinion.

3. Forgetting the Review Structure

If your review does not have a clear beginning, middle, and end, it can be confusing. Use the simple structure we shared earlier: introduction, summary, opinion, and conclusion.

4. Being Too Negative or Too Positive

It is okay to say you did not like a book, but be respectful. Do not insult the author. If you loved the book, still try to think of one thing that could be better. Balanced reviews are more helpful.

5. Using Difficult Words or Long Sentences

Try to write in a way that is easy to read. Use short sentences and simple words. This makes your review clear and friendly for all readers, including those learning English.

By avoiding these mistakes, your book review will be easier to understand and more enjoyable to read. In the next section, we will look at helpful tips that can make your reviews even better.

Helpful Tips for Better Book Reviews

Writing a good book review takes practice. The more you read and write, the better you will get. Here are some tips that can help you improve your book reviews.

1. Read Other Book Reviews

Before you start writing, read a few reviews written by others. Look at how they talk about the book and what kind of details they include. This can give you ideas for your own review.

2. Use Clear and Simple Language

Keep your sentences short and easy to understand. Avoid using big or difficult words. A review is not a school essay. It is your opinion written in a friendly way.

3. Stay Focused

Do not try to write about every single thing in the book. Choose the points that are most important to you. Stay on topic so your review does not become too long or confusing.

4. Be Honest but Respectful

It is okay to say that you did not enjoy a book, but do it kindly. Say why it did not work for you without being rude. Everyone has different tastes, and that is fine.

5. Ask Yourself Helpful Questions

If you are not sure what to say, ask yourself:

What did I enjoy the most about this book?
Was there anything I did not like?
Did I learn something new?
Would I tell a friend to read it?

These questions will help you think clearly and write with more confidence. In the next section, we will share a simple book review template that you can use to get started.

Free Book Review Template to Use

If you are not sure how to start writing your review, this simple template can help. You can use it for school, blogs, or personal writing. Just fill in each part with your own words and ideas.

Book Review Template

Book Title: Write the name of the book
Author: Who wrote the book?
Genre: What type of book is it? (for example, fiction, fantasy, nonfiction)
Summary: Write 3 to 5 sentences about the main story or topic
What I Liked: Write about the parts you enjoyed and why
What I Did Not Like: Write about anything you did not enjoy and explain why
Final Thoughts: Share your overall opinion
Recommendation: Say who you think should read this book
Rating: Give a score out of 5 stars (optional)

You can copy this format into your notebook or computer and use it every time you write a review. It helps you stay organized and makes sure you do not forget anything important.

In the next section, we will answer some common questions students often ask about writing book reviews.

FAQs About Writing Book Reviews

Here are answers to some common questions that students and new writers often ask about book reviews.

1. How long should a book review be?

It depends on who you are writing for. A short review can be 150 to 300 words. A longer review, like one for school or a blog, can be 500 to 1,000 words. Just make sure you cover all the important parts: summary, opinion, and conclusion.

2. Can I include spoilers in my review?

It is best to avoid spoilers, especially the ending or big surprises. If you need to include a spoiler, write a warning first so readers can skip that part if they want to.

3. What if I did not like the book?

That is okay. Be honest, but also be polite. Explain why you did not like it. Other readers will find your review helpful if you give clear reasons for your opinion.

4. Do I have to follow a format like MLA?

If you are writing for school, your teacher may ask you to use MLA or APA format. This means you include the book title, author, and date in a special way. If you are writing for a blog or personal use, you do not need to follow a formal format.

5. Can I write a review if I am not a good writer?

Yes. Book reviews are about your opinion. You do not need to use fancy words or perfect grammar. Just write clearly and from the heart. The more you practice, the better your writing will get.

You Can Do It

Writing a book review is a skill you can learn with practice. You do not need to be a perfect writer. What matters most is that you read the book carefully, think about your opinion, and share it in a clear way.

When I wrote my first book review in college, I was nervous. I thought I had to sound very smart or use big words. But later I learned that a good review is about being honest, thoughtful, and helpful to other readers. That lesson helped me grow as a reader and a writer.

If you follow the steps in this guide, your reviews will become better and easier to write. Use the simple structure, think about your reader, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. Every review you write helps you improve.

Remember, your opinion matters. Whether you are a student, a blogger, or just someone who loves books, your review can help others decide what to read next.

Keep reading. Keep writing. And enjoy the process of sharing your thoughts with the world.