You just finished reading a non-fiction book.

Hopefully, you learned something new or gained a fresh perspective!

But before you dive into your next read, consider sharing your thoughts with others, or writing down notes to remind yourself what resonated most with you.

Remember, the length of your review doesn't matter. 
What matters is your genuine feedback and enthusiasm for the book. A review can be just one well informed sentence.


The more reviews a book receives, the greater its visibility and the more readers it reaches. So, let's get started!  


Now… 

How to Write a Quick and Easy Book Review

Step 1: Star Rating

Start by assigning the book a star rating. Be honest! Here's a guide:    

⭐️: Not my cup of tea  
⭐️⭐️: It was okay  
⭐️⭐️⭐️: I liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: I enjoyed it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: I loved it!  

**Please do not give a book a one-star review for something that has to do with a mistake the vendor has made in delivering/ returning/ billing for it.  

The author has no control over the book’s distribution, and the one-star review will drag down the average review rating significantly. That hurts the book’s visibility on Amazon for example, which hurts the author through no fault of her/his own.  

Step 2: Hook Sentence/ Review Headline

Grab the reader's attention with a sentence that includes any of the following:  

Book title: "XYZ by ABC"
Author's name: "A captivating read from author ABC..."
Star rating: "I awarded ABC's XYZ a well-deserved 5 stars!"

Step 3: Key Information

Give readers a quick overview of the book to highlight what resonated with you.
Include one or however many you think are useful:

Genre:Is it self-help, history, biography, science, etc.?
Subgenre: Specify if it's a specific subgenre (e.g., personal finance, true crime, etc.)
Series: Mention if it's part of a series and the book's number.
Key Characteristics: Briefly describe the book using 2-3 words (e.g., insightful, informative, thought-provoking).
Appeal: What piqued your interest? Was it the author's style, the engaging topic, or the insightful information?
Specific Examples:Briefly mention a specific point or anecdote that resonated with you.
Writing Style: Share your thoughts on the author's writing style. Was it clear, engaging, or humorous?
Narrators of audiobooks: Share your thoughts on the narrator's performance. Would you listen to more audiobooks by this narrator?
Trigger Warning: Briefly mention any sensitive topics covered in the book.


Step 4: Wrap Up  

Conclude your review by stating any of the following:

Recommendation: Would you recommend the book?
Future Reads: Will you read more books by this author or series?


Remember:  

No spoilers!
Be honest and genuine.
Add your own voice and personality.
Keep it concise and easy to read.

If you didn’t like a book, explain why.
Some may not like a book because the writing style was overly technical, or the concepts were too complex.  Others may be okay with that, and even be encouraged to read the book!


By following these simple steps, you can craft a quick and helpful review that will help others decide whether to pick up the book. It also reminds you what you really thought of the book because as time passes, you may forget.

Remember, your feedback can make a difference in someone's reading journey!

See? QUICK and EASY!  

Review Examples

Here are some fictional examples with extra writing prompts…

1. Book Review with Hook Sentence and Key Information:
 
"Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown is a powerful book that encourages us to embrace vulnerability and wholehearted living. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  

This self-help book explores the concepts of vulnerability, shame, and courage. Brown's writing is honest, relatable, and research-based.
She provides practical tools and exercises to help readers overcome their fears and live a more authentic life.  

2. Review with Specific Examples:  

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear is a practical guide to building positive habits and breaking negative ones. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  

Clear breaks down the science behind habit formation and provides actionable steps for lasting change. He uses real-life examples and relatable stories to illustrate his points. I found the "Four Laws of Behavior Change" particularly helpful in understanding how to form new habits and stick to them.  

3. Review with Personal Appeal:  

"The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin is a delightful read that follows Rubin's year-long experiment to increase her happiness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 
This book is part memoir, part self-help guide. Rubin's writing is witty and engaging, and she shares her personal insights and struggles with humor and honesty. I found her "Happiness Project" framework to be a valuable tool for reflecting on my own life and identifying areas for improvement.  

4. Review with Writing Style:  

"Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain is a thought-provoking book that challenges the extrovert ideal and celebrates the strengths of introverts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  

Cain's writing is insightful and eloquent. She draws on research, personal anecdotes, and historical examples to support her arguments. This book helped me understand myself better as an introvert and gave me valuable insights into how to thrive in a world that often favors extroverts.  

5. Review with Recommendation: 

"Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck is a must-read for anyone looking to achieve their goals. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  

Dweck explores the concept of mindset and how our beliefs about ourselves can shape our success. She introduces the concept of fixed and growth mindsets and provides strategies for developing a growth mindset that allows us to learn from challenges and persevere in the face of setbacks.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their performance and achieve their full potential.