Ways To Write More Creative Book Reviews | Jo Linsdell

Ways To Write More Creative Book Reviews

Ways To Write More Creative Book Reviews


Writing Reviews That Stand Out


How do you make sure your book review stands out from the crowd? 

Both readers and authors/publishers appreciate a quality book review. You don't just want to be rehashing the synopsis of the book. You want to put your own twist on it and make your review different from all the other book bloggers out there. 

Ways To Write More Creative Book Reviews


I'm lucky enough to know some truly awesome book bloggers, and they each have their own unique why of reviewing the books they've read. Here's a few examples to give you some ideas of the different types of book reviews you can do:

1. Reactions as you read the book 

Judith from Chain Interaction is an excellent example of this method of reviewing and it makes for entertaining reading. It's a real blow by blow of her thoughts as she progresses through the book. You get a real taste for all the highs and the lows.

2. Video reviews

This is my preferred method of reviewing. I film my reviews for my YouTube channel and then share them here on my blog and on my other social media platforms. 

I want my reviews to be as honest as possible, and I don't want to think too much about what I want to say about the book I've read. I want to share my raw feelings about it. For me, video is a great way to do this. I don't prepare a script before filming. I just jump in front of the camera and press record. 

I also think this method of reviewing allows followers to get to know me better. 

3. Make a list post

Make a review more interesting by turning it into a list post like this one about why you should read Rick Riordan books. Instead of large blocks of text, break it up into a topic related list. 
  • Reasons to read [insert name of book]
  • Favourite characters from [insert name of book] 
  • Favourite quotes from [insert name of book]
  • Places I want to visit now I've read [insert name of book]
You get the idea. Put a new twist on the format of your review. 

4. Share your reading journey

Get personal and share your journey with the book from the moment you picked it out to your feelings once you'd finished reading it. 

Did you pick it up based on a recommendation, or was it solely based on the cover design? Had you heard of it before? or was it an impulse buy?

Did your feelings about the book/characters change of the course of the book? On finishing, was it a book that stayed with you? Was it thought provoking? What impact did it have on you?



Ways To Write More Creative Book Reviews

What review formats have you tired? What types of book reviews do you enjoy reading?

14 comments

  1. Robin Loves Reading5 July 2019 at 12:05

    This is very helpful. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DJ Sakata5 July 2019 at 16:56

    Thank you for this. My reviews would probably be more coherent if I used the list method ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo Linsdell5 July 2019 at 20:56

      I love your reviews! It's fun to mix things up once in a while though. Would love to see the sorts of lists you come up with.

      Delete
  3. A Lady Lawyer5 July 2019 at 17:05

    Great post! While I enjoy writing book reviews, I prefer making videos for movie reviews because it allows me to be more spontaneous.
    Noor Anand Chawla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo Linsdell5 July 2019 at 20:56

      I prefer doing video reviews too for the same reason.

      Delete
  4. Ashleyjayne5 July 2019 at 19:06

    This is very helpful , great post

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ruby Jo @ Bookishly Ruby5 July 2019 at 23:47

    Oooh, great list! I honestly love to see when reviewers get personal in their reviews, which is why I tend to not like the ones that include much talk about the synopsis. Thank you for this post!

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    Replies
    1. Jo Linsdell6 July 2019 at 18:24

      I agree Ruby Jo. I love it when reviewers get personal. It really shows they read the book and are genuine with their comments about it. A review should be more than just repeating the synopsis.

      Delete
  6. Whispering Stories6 July 2019 at 00:13

    Great post Jo. I love your ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Booking it with Sandi2 June 2021 at 22:03

    Great ideas. Thanks, I’ve been struggling a bit for new, fresh ideas of ways to review.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Booking it with Sandi2 June 2021 at 22:05

    Great post! I’ve been struggling for new ideas on writing my reviews. These ideas are really helpful to spice it all up.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete