Review those books!

Make other readers happy. Post reviews of the books you read.

How did we ever select a good read before book review sites blossomed across the Internet? I, for one, would pull books from store shelves until I found one with a cool cover and an enticing title. But, that’s no way to select a book. Every once in a while, I’d return home to find the writing subpar and the storyline dull. The saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” is true. Money wasted.

Now, I primarily read on my iPad and download books from the library and online vendors, such as Kindle and Barnes & Noble. No longer do I scrutinize the covers and titles. Before I download a book, I check out the average number of stars readers assigned it and surf through the reviews.

I won’t download a book that features fewer than four stars. Who has time to read average books? Also, if I see review after review of less-than-flattering comments, I’ll back out of that page and click on another potential read.

So, how do you write a book review? First, know that it doesn’t need to be epic. Readers look for a simple taste of your reading experience. I recommend you select one item you liked best about the story and focus on that. For instance, did you identify with the main character? Were you blown away by the surprise ending? Did you discover unnecessary violence and foul words littering the page? Did the plot tank halfway? A paragraph is sufficient—three to four sentences, max. I add a headline after I’ve written the paragraph to ensure it sums up my review.

Second, proof your review. I discount those with spelling and grammar errors. If the reviewer can’t write, we probably won’t like the same books. Take heart if you find a spelling error after your review has been posted. Most sites will offer you an opportunity to edit the review.

And third, remember your review is two-fold. You also need to click the number of stars you believe the book deserves. If you wish the site allowed you a rating like 3.5, round up to four. You’ll make the author happy.

What was the last five-star book you read lately and why?