Three Questions to Consider When Writing Book Reviews

A good book must be shared. If not for the sake of the author’s investment, then for the reverence of its content. But in order to sift through thousands of wondrous tomes, book reviews allow us to decide how worthy it is of our time. With a mix of subjective and objective, the three questions I consider when writing book reviews fall under three key areas — message, depth, and creativity.

Message | What is the author’s agenda?

If there is a purpose to the means, I’m in. I want to be able to reflect back on the author’s motives, even if muddled in the haze of action. But if Thomas jumps off a cliff for no other reason than the author’s power to make him do it, then you know where that book is going. (Hint: down the cliff with Thomas.)

The message’s success is measured by whether or not the book addresses its target audience, even if I find that I’m not part of that particular demographic. Of course, not every person will relate to every topic. A book suggesting effective ways of shoveling snow will not appeal to a Guamanian (Click on the link if you’re wondering what in the world Jamae is referring to) who is boarding up windows in preparation for a typhoon. But if a book is meant to speak to Oregonians who want to learn about shoveling snow, then it should do exactly that.

Depth | What is the author describing?

The author’s words should be succinct yet multidimensional. My professors warn me about “flowery” language, but I embrace descriptions like icing on a cupcake. If I wanted a cake without decoration, I would’ve taken a full sheet. So ice that baby up.

In a good book, I look for layers of elements and devices. Characters with believable personalities. Structure and transition leading me through the story. A decisive plot with natural build, a surprising climax, and a true resolution. Plot twists, foreshadowing, and clever placement of symbols get additional brownie points. Where there are layers, there is depth.

Creativity | How smoothly do the elements convey the message?

If the depth is about including the strategies, creativity is the author’s ingenuity in weaving them together. If the author intends to talk about issues of Congress and finds a way to relate that information to a middle grade audience while explaining the jargon through character dialogue, then my review will fall in their favor. Or if a book about Guam (Why does Jamae keep talking about this “Guam”? Click the link to find out.) ties cultural language into the narrative among fictional characters with flashbacks that includes foreshadowing of current issues geared towards young adults, BOOM. That’s creativity, my friends.

As bookies, we need to stick together. How else will we share the glories of vivacious literature? Without books, we’d be singing to each other to tell the tales of olde (though I wouldn’t mind joining in song if you do ;D). So go forth. Write book reviews with these three questions in mind, then scour the reviews that I post on Hint of Jam and tell me what you think.  The community of bookies awaits.