book review name

540 Book Blog Name Ideas for Every Avid Reader

Choosing the right name for your book blog can make it stand out and attract readers. A great name should reflect your blog’s personality, be memorable, and give a hint about your content.

Here are 540 book blog name ideas to inspire you.

Creative Book Blog Name Ideas

Choosing a creative name for your book blog can set the tone for your entire website. Here are 30 inventive suggestions to inspire you:

• Page Turners Unite
• Whimsical Reads
• Boundless Books
• The Reading Rainbow
• Literary Escapes
• The Bookish Haven
• Pondering Pages
• Chapters & Choices
• Booked for Life
• Ink and Imagination
• Bookshelf Adventures
• Book Wanderlust
• Tales and Tea
• The Storyteller’s Nook
• Literary Discoveries
• Dreamy Reads
• The Written Word
• Chronicles of Reading
• Epic Book Journeys
• The Book Nook
• Words on the Wind
• Enchanted Page
• Bookish Beauties
• Reading Revelations
• The Literary Odyssey
• Epic Tales and Trails
• Book Bound Dreams
• Imaginary Adventures
• Literature Laboratory
• The Prose Portal
• Bookish Banter

Cool Book Blog Names

A cool name can give your book blog an edge and attract more readers. Here are 30 cool name ideas to consider:

• Fiction Frenzy
• The Reading Rebels
• Quirky Quills
• Lit Lovers Lounge
• The Novel Nest
• Story Seekers
• Pages of Possibility
• Boldly Bound
• Epic Reads Hub
• The Bookish Bazaar
• Word Warriors
• Textual Treasures
• Chapters of Cool
• Bookish Universe
• Verse Voyage
• Story Surfing
• Penned Passion
• Readers’ Realm
• Fiction Faction
• Literary Thrills
• The Written Escape
• Bookish Explorations
• Plot Twists and Turns
• Epic Chapter Adventures
• The Reading Squad
• Word Wanderers

Funny Book Blog Name Ideas

A humorous name can make your book blog memorable and bring a smile to your readers. Here are 30 funny name ideas to consider:

• Books on the Loose
• Reading Between the Wines
• The Bookish Comedian
• By The Book, Sort Of
• The Plot Thickens
• BookMarks & Shenanigans
• Spines and Giggles
• Book Bloopers
• Too Many Books, Too Little Time
• Read It and Weep
• My Book Addiction
• Fiction and Funnies
• Helloooo Book Lovers
• The Bookish Smirk
• Punny Pages
• Critiques and Giggles
• Bookworm Banter
• Read or Be Read
• Quips and Quests
• Narratives and Nonsense
• Hilarious Reads
• Bookish Shenanigans
• Lit Happens
• Witty Book Worm
• The LOL Library
• Reading is Funny Business
• Books & Belly Laughs
• Daily Dose of Humor
• Nerdy Giggles
• Bookish Chuckles

Unique Book Blog Names

A unique name can help your book blog stand out in a crowded space. Here are 30 distinctive name ideas to spark your creativity:

• The Literary Alchemist
• Pens and Petals
• The Book Enclave
• Pages of Curiosity
• Beyond Bound Pages
• Whispered Stories
• Tales from the Attic
• Unfolding Narratives
• The Uncharted Chapter
• Bookish Footprints
• Fables in the Fog
• The Secret Library
• Literary Whimsy
• Epic Bookish Journeys
• Chronicles of the Unusual
• Pages Untold
• The Book Archipelago
• Prose in Motion
• Literature’s Labyrinth
• Beyond the Covers
• Mystical Reads
• Textual Explorations
• Stories in the Shadows
• The Hidden Shelf
• Curated Chapters
• Literate Landscapes
• Quests for the Written Word
• Echoes of Ink
• Enigmatic Editions
• Pioneering Prose
• Literary Mosaic

Cute Book Blog Name Ideas

A cute name can convey warmth and friendliness, making your book blog inviting for readers. Here are 30 adorable name ideas to consider:

• Book Buddies
• The Cozy Corner
• Sweet Reads
• Bookish Blessings
• Little Book Nook
• Doodles and Books
• Pixie Pages
• Whimsical Words
• Bookish Cuddles
• Dreamy Bookshop
• Snuggle Up with a Book
• Pages and Pigtails
• Charming Chapters
• Cuddle Up and Read
• Lovely Library
• Bunny Bookshelf
• Giggles and Pages
• Heartfelt Reads
• Fuzzy Fiction
• Butterfly Books
• Pearls of Prose
• Sunny Side Reads
• Kittens and Novels
• Bubbling Bookworks
• Pillow Fort Pages
• Snuggly Stories
• Whiskers and Words
• Rainbow Reads
• Hugs and Books
• Precious Page Turners

Clever Book Blog Names

A clever name can encapsulate your blog’s personality while appealing to book lovers. Here are 30 witty name ideas to inspire you:

• Booked for Good
• Literary Lattes
• Once Upon a Time-Out
• The Write Stuff
• Booked Solid
• Plotting My Reads
• Word Play Wonders
• Bookmarked for Life
• Read It Yourself
• Read It, Rate It, Repeat It
• Puns & Prose
• Fiction Addiction
• Bookish Epiphanies
• Cover to Cover
• Read and Roam
• Shelf Indulgence
• Turn the Page
• The Book Report
• The Last Chapter
• Bibliophile Banter
• Chapter and Verse
• Mind the Book
• Prose Before Bros
• Worlds Within Pages
• The Plot Thickener
• Wordsmith Wonderland
• Read Between the Lines
• Verse Versus
• Literary Loophole
• Between the Covers
• The Bookish Brain

Short Book Blog Name Ideas

A short name can be catchy and easy to remember, making it perfect for a book blog. Here are 30 concise name ideas to consider:

• Words Matter
• Fiction Fix

Catchy Book Blog Names

A catchy name can grab attention and draw readers to your book blog. Here are 30 catchy name ideas that can make your blog pop:

• Booked and Busy
• Curious Pages
• Reading Rhapsody
• The Book Beat
• Pencil & Prose
• Read & Roar
• Pages of Adventure
• Bound to Read
• Fiction Fling
• Words Unleashed
• Story Spark
• Book Voyage
• Cover Craze
• Plot Playground
• Chapters Charmed
• Read Renaissance
• Prose Pursuit
• Ink and Ideas
• Page Pursuers
• The Book Bounce
• Story Streak
• Literary Launchpad
• Story Stellar

Fiction Book Blog Name Ideas

Finding a name that emphasizes fiction can attract readers who love storytelling. Here are 30 name ideas focused on fiction:

• Imaginary Realms
• Fiction Junction
• Storybook Sanctuary
• The Fiction Files
• Novel Narratives
• Chaptered Dreams
• Epic Fictional Journeys
• Words of Wonder
• Fictional Footprints
• Once Upon a Time
• Tales Untold
• The Fiction Forge
• Fictional Adventures
• Plot Twist Central
• Narrative Nest
• Written Whims
• Story Weavers
• Fiction Haven
• Fables and Fiction
• Wordy Worlds
• Boundless Fiction
• Writing Wonders
• Novel Notions
• Imaginative Ink
• Fiction Playground
• Thoughtful Tales
• Fiction Flare
• Quests in Fiction
• Literary Fantasies

Non-Fiction Book Blog Names

A strong non-fiction name can highlight your focus on facts and insights, attracting curious readers. Here are 30 name ideas for a non-fiction book blog:

• Fact Finder
• Real World Reads
• Non-Fiction Nexus
• Truth in Text
• The Knowledge Nook
• Wisdom Within Pages
• Informed Ink
• Fact-Filled Pages
• Non-Fiction Notes
• Insightful Reads
• Realities Revealed
• Page of Truth
• The Learning Library
• Enlightened Reads
• Facts & Features
• Knowledgeable Narratives
• Reality Check Reads
• Life Lessons Library
• Fact Tellers
• Real Reads Hub
• Information Avenue
• Reality in Focus
• Factual Journeys
• Thoughtful Truths
• The Non-Fiction Shelf
• Insight Ink
• Informative Insights
• Veritas Voices
• Learning Lane
• Fact and Fiction
• Reading Reality

Mystery Book Blog Name Ideas

A captivating name can draw in readers who love unraveling secrets and solving puzzles. Here are 30 name ideas for a mystery book blog:

• The Enigmatic Bookworm
• Whodunit Haven
• Clue Chasers
• Mystery Maven
• The Sleuthing Shelf
• Detective’s Den
• Puzzle Pages
• Hidden Secrets Library
• The Mystery Manuscript
• Crime & Clarity
• Intrigue and Investigations
• Hush-Hush Reads
• Cloaked in Mystery
• Reading Riddles
• The Mysterious Reader
• Solved and Unsolved
• Shadowed Stories
• Dark Corners Books
• Detective’s Corner
• Veiled Volumes
• Clue Notebook
• The Hidden Page
• Beyond the Mystery
• Unraveled Narratives
• Secrets and Suspense
• Strange Whispers
• Suspenseful Stories
• Mystery Unmasked
• Chasing Shadows
• The Cryptic Collection
• Bookish Detective

Fantasy Book Blog Names

A whimsical name can transport readers into magical worlds filled with adventure and wonder. Here are 30 enchanting name ideas for a fantasy book blog:

• Whimsical Realms
• Fables in Fantasy
• Magical Page Turners
• The Enchanted Library
• Fantasy Adventures Await
• Realm of Reads
• Mythical Musings
• Bookish Sorcery
• Wondrous Words
• Once Upon a Book
• Epic Fantasy Finds
• The Imagination Station
• Chronicles of Magic
• Whispers from the Woods
• Starlit Stories
• Daring Quests
• Legends & Lore
• The Fictional Frontier
• Secret Lore Library
• Spellbound Reads
• Fantasy Flight
• Dreamweaver Diaries
• The Mythos Vault
• Magic in the Pages
• Journeys Beyond Worlds
• Bookish Fantasies
• Epic Tale Trails
• Fantasy Quest Chronicles
• Enchanted Explorations
• Realm of Imaginations
• Fantastical Bookscapes

Children’s Book Blog Name Ideas

A playful name can capture the joy and imagination found in children’s literature. Here are 30 delightful name ideas for a children’s book blog:

• Storytime Adventures
• Little Book Explorers
• Magic Book Nook
• Giggles and Tales
• Whimsical Wordsmiths
• Storybook Land
• Imagination Station
• Young Readers’ Haven
• Picture Book Palace
• Pages of Playfulness
• Little Readers Unite
• Curious Kids’ Books
• Fables and Fairytales
• Adventure Awaits
• Read, Play, Explore
• The Story Castle
• Cuddle Up with Books
• Joyful Reads
• Young Storytellers
• Bookish Adventures
• Magic and Mischief
• Creative Kids’ Corner
• Books for Tiny Hands
• Giggles and Stories
• Bright Futures in Books
• Imaginary Journeys
• Bookworms in Training
• Stories to Share
• Dreamy Storytime

Romance Book Blog Names

A captivating name can draw in readers looking for love stories and heartfelt narratives. Here are 30 enchanting name ideas for a romance book blog:

• Love at First Page
• The Romantic Reader
• Passionate Pages
• Chasing Love Stories
• Sweet Romance Reads
• Love Stories Untold
• Whispers of Romance
• Romantic Escapes
• Pages of Passion
• Love and Lit
• Amour Among the Pages
• Entwined in Fiction
• Chapters of Love
• Romantic Rendezvous
• Heartstrings and Stories
• Bookish Romance
• Tales of the Heart
• Darling Diaries
• Heartbeats and Books
• Romance Reimagined
• Echoes of Love
• Novel Love Affairs
• Bound by Romance
• Romantic Journey
• Entangled in Love
• Read and Romance
• Love in Lit
• Heartfelt Narratives
• Infatuation Chronicles
• Romance Under the Stars

Sci-Fi Book Blog Name Ideas

An imaginative name can attract readers who are fascinated by futuristic tales and otherworldly adventures. Here are 30 exciting name ideas for a sci-fi book blog:

• Galactic Bookworm
• Fiction from the Future
• Stellar Stories
• Cosmic Reads
• The Sci-Fi Spectrum
• Interstellar Imaginings
• Warp Speed Reading
• Chronicles of the Cosmos
• Futureverse
• Science Fiction Scrolls
• The Alien Archive
• Beyond the Stars
• Quantum Quests
• Books Beyond Reality
• Futuristic Fiction
• Galaxies of Prose
• Spaceships and Stories
• Temporal Travels
• The Sci-Fi Odyssey
• Otherworldly Narratives
• Imaginary Universes
• High-Tech Tales
• Stargazer’s Library
• Extraordinary Explorations
• Fiction of the Futurists
• Astro Adventures
• Epic Sci-Fi Escapes
• Veil of the Unknown
• Time Travel Tales
• The Sci-Fi Sanctuary
• Destination: Imagination

Historical Book Blog Names

A compelling name can pique the interest of readers who are passionate about exploring the past. Here are 30 captivating name ideas for a historical book blog:

• Pages from the Past
• Chronicles of History
• Timeless Tales
• The History Hub
• Echoes of Time
• Historical Horizons
• The Past in Pages
• Olden Stories
• History Uncovered
• Writers of Yore
• Legacy Library
• The Historical Narrative
• Time Travelers’ Weekly
• Artifacts and Authors
• History and Lore
• Historical Highlights
• The Timeline Tales
• Pillars of History
• Victorian Ventures
• Past Perspectives
• The History Diaries
• Chronicles and Legends
• Legacy of Literature
• History Enthusiast
• Historical Insights
• Time-Honored Titles
• The Retrospective Reader
• Vintage Volumes
• Chronicles and Controversies
• Timeless Literature
• The Story of Civilization

Young Adult Book Blog Name Ideas

An engaging name can resonate with young adult readers eager for stories that reflect their experiences and challenges. Here are 30 name ideas for a young adult book blog:

• Young Hearts and Pages
• Adventures in YA
• Teen Lit Corner
• The YA Odyssey
• Rebel Reads
• Voices of Youth
• Uncharted Chapters
• Stories for the Brave
• Young Adult Insights
• Teen Genre Junction
• Fiction for the Young
• The Reality Check Shelf
• Emerging Voices
• Boldly Booked
• Chasing Dreams in YA
• Here and Now Reads
• The YA Experience
• Heartfelt YA
• Teenage Tales
• Unfolding Stories
• Lit for the Young
• The Young Bookworm
• Whirlwind Reads
• Lit Lingering
• Realms of Young Adult
• Creative Chaos
• The Story Spectrum
• Next Chapter for Teens
• Teen Dream Reads

Self-Help Book Blog Names

A motivational name can inspire readers seeking personal growth and self-improvement. Here are 30 uplifting name ideas for a self-help book blog:

• Empowerment Pages
• Path to Progress
• The Growth Journal
• Mindful Reads
• Transformative Texts
• Thrive and Shine
• Inspire and Evolve
• Wisdom for Life
• The Motivation Station
• Personal Growth Hub
• Unlock Your Potential
• The Positive Pathway
• Change Your Story
• Journey to Self
• The Self-Discovery Shelf
• Mindset Matters
• Living Your Best Life
• Empowerment Journey
• Daily Motivation
• Steps to Success
• The Change Catalyst
• Self-Help Haven
• Inspiration Station
• The Clarity Corner
• Wellness Words
• Inner Strength Stories
• The Reflective Reader
• Realizing Dreams
• Personal Power Pages
• Becoming You

Key Tips for Naming Your Book Blog

Choosing the right name for your book blog can be challenging. These tips will help you find a name that stands out and resonates with your audience.

Reflect Your Niche

The name should give readers an idea of what to expect. If you focus on mystery novels, include a hint of mystery. This helps attract the right audience.

Keep It Short and Simple

A short and simple name is easy to remember and type. Avoid long phrases or complex words. Clear names are easier to find online.

A unique name sets you apart from other book blogs. Check if the name is already taken by searching online. Unique names make your blog more memorable.

Use Keywords

Including keywords related to books or reading helps with search engine optimization. This makes it easier for people to find your blog. Keywords improve your blog’s visibility online.

Consider Your Audience

Think about your target audience when choosing a name. A name that appeals to young adults might not attract older readers. Pick a name that resonates with your specific readers.

Check Social Media Availability

Ensure the name is available as a handle on social media platforms. Consistent branding across the web is helpful. This makes it easier for readers to find and follow you.

Test It Out

Say the name out loud and see if it sounds good. Share it with friends and get their opinions. Testing helps you ensure the name is a good fit for your blog.

Avoid Trends

Trendy names might seem appealing but can become outdated quickly. Choose a name that will stand the test of time. This ensures long-term relevance for your blog.

Final Thoughts

The right name for your book blog can help you attract a loyal audience. With 540 ideas to choose from, there’s something that will resonate with everyone. Pick one that best fits your blog’s style and content. Consider using the name generator at the top of the page for suggestions tailored specifically to your blog.

Slava Velikiy, CEO of Rontar and GainRep, has over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, project management, and software development. Passionate about innovation and solving real-world problems, he shares his insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology.

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771 Book Blog Name Ideas For Your Literary Journey

Hey, fellow bookworms! 😊

As you dive into the world of book blogging, the very first hurdle is… well, what should you call it?

The name matters. Trust us.

Just like a gripping title makes you pick up a book, a captivating blog name will make readers pause and visit.

And book lovers are actually some of the best audiences to reach out to because they love nothing more than reading.

So, buckle up! We’re about to drop a huge list of book blog name ideas to kickstart your literary journey.

Catchy Book Blog Names

You know, a catchy name is like that book cover you just can’t ignore. It stands out. Draws readers in.

Why Go Catchy? A catchy name is memorable. When readers stumble upon a zillion blogs every day, you want yours to stick. It’s almost like having a bestseller. Instant recall.

Remember: Catchy doesn’t mean complicated. It should roll off the tongue and be easy to type.

Think about it: “The Hunger Games.” Simple. Yet, unforgettable, right?

Alright, ready for some inspiration?

Dive into these catchy book blog names:

• Literary Insights
• Novel Notes
• Readers’ Realm
• Narrative Nook
• The Book Lady
• Story Spectrum
• Book Hooked
• Flowing Words
• Readers’ Cave
• Bibliophile Beat
• Novel Experiences
• Diary of a Bookworm
• Reading Resonance
• Shelf Help Books
• By Hook Or Book
• The Plot Thickens
• Puns and Roses
• Fiction Focus
• Literary Lounge
• Bookalicious
• The Magic of Words
• Igniting the World
• Book Beaver
• Hungry for Books
• The Comprehensive Reader
• Book Addicts
• Read More Books
• Reading on the Run
• Books, Music, Coffee
• Book Empress
• Journal of a Bookworm
• The Paperback Princess
• Bookie Bits
• Chapter Chats
• Literary Ledger
• Novel Navigators
• Prose Place
• Readers’ Review
• Bookish Beat
• Lit Lifelines
• Page Pioneers
• Narrative News
• Epicenter Reads
• Book Blueprint
• Novel Numbers
• Tome Territory
• Prose Pursuits
• Reads Reviewed
• Story Spotlight
• Book Breakdown
• Fiction Finder
• Chapter Chronicles
• Lit Leaders
• Tales Unfolded
• Novel Nexus
• Prose Pulse
• Bibliophile Bulletin
• Page Pursuits
• Reading Radar
• Bookish Broadcast
• Story Seekers
• Literary Link
• Novel Narratives
• Tome Trails
• Bookish Bytes
• Fiction Forward
• Read Reflect
• Narrative Nectar
• Literary Lift
• Novel Nuggets
• Story Station
• Tome Tidbits
• Page Points
• Reading Routes
• Bookish Bench
• Lit Listings
• Fiction Files
• Chapter Check
• Narrative Nods
• Bookish Buzz
• Epic Echoes
• Tales Tapped
• Novel Nudges
• Story Stands
• Reading Ranks
• Literary Loom
• Prose Pointers
• Chapter Clues
• Bookish Bites
• Narrative Nests
• Reading Reverie
• Story Strokes
• Novel Nodes
• Literary Latch
• Epic Entails
• Bookish Blend
• Fiction Frames
• Read Relays
• Narrative Niche
• Chapter Channels
• Tome Trends
• Literary Lanes
• Bookish Bounds
• Fiction Foci
• Reading Ripples
• Novel Nests
• Epic Embers
• Page Pivots
• Story Sifters
• Chapter Charms
• Prose Prism
• Bookish Bridges
• Fiction Facets
• Novel Ideas
• Prose and Cons
• Paged With Interest
• Well-Readhead
• Tome Sweet Tome
• Read Between the Wines
• Plot Twisters
• Take A Leaf Out Of This Book
• Shelf Aware
• Of Mice and Pen
• Booked for the Weekend
• Readers’ Digestive
• War and Piece
• The Grape Gatsby
• Lord of the Fries
• A Room of One’s Scone
• Tequila Mockingbird
• Brewed Awakening
• A Novel Approach
• Pride and Punctuation
• To Read or Not To Read
• Eats, Shoots, and Leaves a Review
• Gone with the Whimsy
• Unputdownable
• Cover to Cover
• Daily Digests
• Read ‘n’ Roll
• The Novel Nook
• Plot Puzzles
• Word Wonder
• The Prolific Pen
• Scribe’s Scroll
• Fictional Feasts
• Parchment Pursuit
• Fictional Fervor
• Bookish Beats
• Reading Reprieve
• Page Perusal
• Bibliophile Bliss
• Timeless Tomes
• Boundless Bibliophile
• Page-turner Pulse
• The Fable Foyer
• Daily Dialectic
• Prologue Ponderings
• Literati Love
• The Prose Portal
• Bookmarked Bliss
• Plotting Paths
• The Book Bar
• The Prose Place
• Vivid Volumes
• Tale Tangle
• The Plot Pub
• Plotlines And Prose
• The Bookish Bistro
• The Bookish Banquet
• Plot Pursuits
• The Cozy Chronicle
• Reader’s Reverie
• Tale Trends
• Chronicle Crave
• The Cozy Corner
• The Bookish Banter
• Chronicle Cafe
• The Book Boutique
• Scripted Sojourns
• Book Bazaar
• Bookish Bubbles
• Reading Rendezvous
• Written Wonders
• Novel Notions
• The Reading Retreat
• The Bookish Bind
• The Book Bazaar
• Endless Epics
• Infinite Imagery
• Bound By Books
• Epic Embrace
• Daily Debut
• The Prose Pub
• The Literary Loft
• Infinite Imaginations
• The Book Bistro
• The Prose Potion
• Spine Chillers
• The Book Buffet
• The Page Palette
• Paperback Palace
• Fable Frames
• Daily Dose of Drama
• Prose Perusal
• Literary Labyrinth
• Papyrus Pulse
• Fiction Fascination
• Daily Discourse
• The Novel Nerd
• Prolific Prose
• Manuscript Mélange
• Literary Lore
• Ink Imprints
• Boundless Books
• The Book Brew
• Spine-tingling Stories
• Wordy Wonders
• Ink Impressions
• Characters And Chapters
• Bookish Binge
• The Story Sanctum
• Chronicle Chasers
• Epic Endeavors
• The Compelling Chapter
• Literary Luxuries
• Narrative Nuances
• The Literature Lovers
• Volumes of Verve
• The Literature Lounge
• Inky Insights
• Novel Nibbles
• Plot Pursuit
• The Novel Nest
• Rustic Readers
• Plot’s Peak
• Quill Quirks
• Bibliophile’s Boudoir
• The Story Suite
• Reading Room
• Daily Drama
• The Bookish Brew
• Quill Quest
• Storyline Synergy
• Reading Respite
• Literary Latte
• The Fiction Flare
• Bountiful Books
• Imagined Ink
• Daily Dystopia
• The Page Pundit
• Scripted Saga
• Daily Dialogues
• Chronicles Corner
• Reading Refuge
• Parchment Parlor
• Quotation Quest
• Prose and Plots
• Paperback Perks
• Infinite Ink
• The Bookish Beat
• Fiction Feeding
• The Epilogue Essence
• Character Chronicles
• Bookish Banter
• Eloquent Editions
• Plot Provisions
• The Narrative Nudge
• Books And Bagels
• The Fiction Feeds
• Ink Inspiration
• Read Relish
• PageTurners
• Prose Patrol
• Fable Forest
• Narrative Nectars
• Tales And Tomes
• Verbose Vibes
• Scripted Symphony
• Reading Realm
• Manuscript Muse
• The Open Book
• The Wordy Wanderer
• Prolific Pages
• Storyline Stash
• Literary Lantern
• The Stylish Scribe
• Page Turner
• Novel Nibble

Creative Book Blog Names

Creativity stands tall. Especially in a sea of similar-sounding names.

Why Go Creative? Creative names evoke emotions. They paint a picture in the reader’s mind. The more vivid, the better.

But be cautious. With creativity, the balance is key. Too far off, and readers might get puzzled.

Remember “A Series of Unfortunate Events”? Intriguing, right? It promises a tale, a journey.

Check out these creative book blog names:

• The Story Seeker
• Whispering Words
• Prose Pavilion
• Story Street
• Fable Fusion
• The Reading Refuge
• Avid Adventures
• Book Buffet
• Novel Nuances
• Page Parables
• Whispers of Words
• Prose Uncovered
• Enticing Epilogue
• Stanzas And Stories
• The Reading Respite
• The Inked Inn
• The Manuscript Mansion
• Pensive Page-Turners
• Reading Realms
• Fiction Fizz
• Bookish Boutique
• Spilled Ink Insights
• The Chapter Chronicles
• Prose Palette
• Prologue Perspectives
• The Chapter Cafe
• Prologue and Pages
• Captivating Chronicles
• Between the Bindings
• Literary Liaisons
• The Narrative Niche
• Autographed Anecdotes
• The Tale Tracker
• The Book Beacon
• Inked Wisdom
• Bibliophile Banter
• The Epic Encounter
• Literati Lounge
• The Vivid Volumes
• Marginal Musings
• Prose Paradise
• Dreamy Dialogues
• Library Labyrinths
• UnBound Chapters
• The Quotation Quarters
• Literary Lighthouse
• Book Boudoir
• Plotting Pages
• Fable Factory
• Inked Impressions
• Papyrus Parlor
• The Printing Press
• The Story Soiree
• Literary Luxe
• Fictitious Fervor
• Storyline Snippets
• The Novel Nexus
• Diction Diner
• Attic of Authors
• Daily Dose of Discourse
• Chapter Chatter
• The Scripted Sanctuary
• The Spine Spree
• Dainty Dictums
• Scripted Serenity
• Diction Delight
• The Word Weaver
• Bookish Bliss
• Print and Prose
• Enchanted Editions
• The Paged Path
• Bookish Bistro
• Boundless Book Banter
• Parchment Chronicles
• Bibliophile’s Bakery
• Literary Lush
• Enchanted Epics
• The Librarian’s Loft
• Literary Lunch
• The Fiction Fortress
• The Storybook Sanctuary
• Book Banter
• The Boundless Bookshelf
• Narrative Nibbles
• Prose And Poetry
• The Story Stash
• Ink And Insights
• The Folio Forum
• Tangled Texts
• Compendium of Chronicles
• Bibliophile’s Bistro
• Words And Wanderlust
• The Bookmarks Bureau
• Dose of Diction
• The Boundless Bookstore
• The Bookish Boulevard
• Prose And Parchment
• The Plot Point
• The Fable Factory
• The Escapist Editions
• Wordsmith’s Workshop
• Chronicles of Candor
• The Tale Tavern
• The Story Spectrum
• Inked Pages
• The Volume Vault
• The Bookish Bungalow
• Epic Escapades
• The Reading Room
• Daily Dose of Dystopia
• Epilogue Emporium
• The Printed Place
• Narration Nibbles
• The Book Club
• The Storytelling Studio
• Wisdom Well
• The Fictional Feast
• Book Banquet
• Bookish Breeze
• The Textual Trove
• The Written Word
• Paperback Pursuits
• Words And Wonders
• Captivating Chapters
• Prose And Parchments
• Manuscript Musings
• Bookish Feast
• The Printed Passage
• The Folio Frontier
• The Parchment Parlour
• The Narration Niche
• Wisdom Waves
• The Tale Twist
• Storyline Spectrum
• The Literary Lair
• Narrative Nuggets
• Book Barrel
• Words And Whisky
• Tome Traditions
• The Narrative Nook
• Prose And Potions
• Between The Hardcover
• Prose And Pages
• Saga Sanctuary
• Words And Wisdom
• Paperbound Pulse
• Bookish Beginnings
• Verses And Volumes
• Prose And Plumes
• Witty Wordsmiths
• Versed Ventures
• The Book Bundle
• Storybook Sojourns
• The Volume Voyage
• The Fictional File
• Literary Digest
• Wit And Wisdom Library

Unique Book Blog Names

Want to carve a niche? Go unique. But remember, unique doesn’t mean abstract.

Why Go Unique? Unique names set you apart. They’re like those rare editions every bibliophile cherishes. Distinct and irreplaceable.

A tip from us: Blend personal experiences with bookish terms.

Now, let’s stir those creative juices, shall we?

Unravel these unique book blog names:

• Lit Labyrinth by Laura
• Novel Nook Nests
• Book Binge Bayside
• Prose Pulse Points
• The Page Turner
• Ink Slingers
• Book Babble
• The Novel Daily
• Reads Review
• Dose of Drama
• Book Bender
• Inkling Ideas
• Chapter Chat
• Parchment Parade
• Letter Lounge
• Book Bistro
• Literary Lair
• Dose of Books
• Ink Innovations
• Reader Revels
• Edition Echoes
• Print Pulse
• Book Bounty
• Dose of Novels
• Chapter Chase
• Read Revelry
• Literary Lux
• Book Dynamo
• Reading Rush
• Book Beacon
• Narrative Notes
• Book Buzzer
• Literary Lines
• Book Brunch
• Novel Niche
• Book Barometer
• Ink Igniters
• Novel Narrator
• Book Brilliance
• Book Breeze
• Book Bubble
• Novel Network
• Book Balloon
• Narrative Navigator
• Book Bungalow
• Ink Invaders
• Novel Navigator
• Book Bedtime
• Reading Router
• Ink Invasion
• Novel Nomad
• Narrative Nest
• Book Bridge
• Reading Ritual
• Wordsmith’s Wonderland
• Dystopian Digest
• Tale Temptations
• Literati Lodge
• Novella Niche
• Tome Travels
• The Tale Teller
• Magic Manuscripts
• Literary Lion
• Lexicon Lovers
• Plots and Prologues
• Written Whispers
• The Bibliophile Bunker
• Scribe’s Scrolls
• Austen Avenue
• The Boundless Book
• Fables Found
• Inkwell Ideas
• The Enthralling Epilogue
• Balzac’s Bookshelf
• Inklings Insights
• Parchment Ponderer
• Vivacious Volumes
• The Versed Voyager
• Fantasy Fiction Focus
• Pensieve Pages
• The Quill Quest
• Parable Planet
• Eloquent Epiphanies
• Classic Connoisseurs
• Fable’s Footsteps
• Bewitched Books
• Novella Nook
• The Chapter Chaser
• The Versed Vagabond
• Mystic Manuscripts
• Odes of Old
• Intriguing Inklings
• Enlightening Editions
• Lexicon Lair
• Spellbound Scrolls
• Whimsical Writings
• Pages of Passage
• The Quill’s Quest
• Words in Wanderlust
• Enthralling Editions
• Fable’s Footnotes
• Prose And Poetry Perusal
• Boundless Bookworm
• Turning Pages
• Attic Adventures
• Parable Pundit
• Volumes Voyage
• Poesy’s Prose
• Tome Tracker
• Worded Wonders
• The Quirky Quill
• The Prose Prospector
• Twisted Tales
• Epic Epochs
• Moby’s Digest
• Narrative Navigators
• The Story Space
• Chronicles of Novels
• The Literary Lens
• Incantation Ink
• The Yarn Yard
• Captivating Codex
• Word Wanderer
• Storyteller’s Study
• The Book Brigade
• Story Sanctum
• Pages and Prose
• Vibrant Volumes
• Parchment and Prose
• Storyteller’s Soirée
• Serene Stories
• Storybook Sanctum
• The Read Retreat
• Bookish Beatitudes
• Wordsworth Wonders

Book Blog Name Generator

Okay, feeling a tad overwhelmed? It happens. Especially when the possibilities are, well, endless.

That’s when a name generator can be your best bud.

How does it work? Feed in keywords. Hit generate. Voila! A plethora of names at your fingertips.

Our Two Cents: Generators give you a starting point. Feel free to tweak the results. Personalize them.

Still with us?

Jump into these generated book blog names:

• Biblio Play
• Prose Party
• Word Wizardry
• Book Junkiez
• Story Scribbles
• Quill Whisper
• Page Turner Blog
• Paper Trailz
• Bookish Fiesta
• Bookworm Hub
• Plot Twist Zone
• Bookworm Haven
• Bookish Tales
• Prose Playground
• Literary Journey
• Prose Palace
• Novel Nirvana
• Page Turners
• Literary Larks
• Page Turner Hub
• Book Jamboree
• Bookish Babble
• Chapter Chums
• Bookworm Buzz
• Literary Lark
• Bookworm Nook
• Bookworm Bliss
• Story Safari
• Read Revolution
• Story Stash
• Book Whimsy
• Literary Laughs
• Book Worm Club
• Bookish Glee
• Bookish Joy
• Story Sparkle
• Ink Whisper
• Novel Whimsy
• Book Wormery
• Literary Whimsy
• Bookish Vibes
• Story Stomp
• Story Sphere
• Book Chatter
• Bookworm Bash
• Story Siesta
• Whimsy Words
• Read Rendezvous
• Novel Fiesta
• Bookworm World
• Charming Chapters
• Inked Imagination
• Bibliophile Buzz
• Page Pounce
• Plot Pirates
• Lit Junkies
• Book Wizards
• Plot Playground
• Literary Llamas
• The Bookish Den
• Inked Whimsy
• Bookish Shenanigans
• Bookworm Chronicles
• Bookish Escapades
• Storyland Adventures
• Plot Pounce
• Biblio Bliss
• Novel Ninja
• Story Scoop
• Read It Rave
• Chapter Chirp
• Ink Imagination
• Literary Fun
• Page Turnerz
• Quirky Reads
• Chapter Charm
• Story Journey
• Page Turner Party
• Literary Jamboree
• Storytime Shenanigans
• Readaholic Rendezvous
• Word Whimsy
• Bookish Haven
• Bookish Fun
• Bookish Buddy
• Story Swoop
• Storybook Journey
• Read Sparrow
• Page Ponder
• Story Stroll
• Page Turn Pals
• Book Nookery
• Novel Charm
• Quirky Verse
• Chapter Caper
• Chapter Cheer
• Lit Lovers Land
• Bookworm Bonanza
• Epic Era Chronicles
• Mystical Manuscripts
• Fable Frontier Fort
• Tale Trek Terrains

How To Pick A Name For Your Book Blog?

Choosing a name for a book blog goes beyond picking catchy words. It’s about evoking the rich world of literature, appealing to your target audience, and setting the tone for your content.

Let’s deep dive.

• Genre Specificity: If you’re focusing on a particular genre, let it shine in your name. “MysticMurders” for a mystery blog or “FantasyFolio” for fantasy lovers.
• Literary Techniques: Employ literary devices for a touch of flair. Alliterations like “Bibliophile’s Bliss” or metaphors like “Literary Lighthouse” can make your blog memorable.
• Classic References: Dive into the classics for inspiration. “Austen Avenues” or “Shakespearean Shades” can be a nod to iconic authors and draw readers who appreciate these references.
• Play With Bookish Terms: Words like “chapter”, “prologue”, “epilogue”, “verse”, or “tome” can be creatively integrated. Think “ChapterChats” or “ProloguePages.”
• Localization: If you’re focusing on regional literature or writing in a specific language, include that. “Slavic Stories” or “Francophone Fiction” can attract a targeted readership.
• KISS (Keep It Short And Simple): “The Lit Lane” instead of “The Long Literary Lane of Luscious Reads.”
• Future-proof It: Planning to expand genres? Choose a flexible name.
• Check Domain Availability: Before finalizing, always ensure your chosen name is available as a domain. You don’t want to pick the perfect name only to realize it’s taken online. You don’t want copyright issues.
• Gather Feedback: Share your options with a book club or on literary forums. Fellow bookworms might offer insights you hadn’t considered. A fresh set of eyes can give perspective. But remember, it’s your call.

Conclusion: Book Blog Names

Phew! That was quite a literary journey, wasn’t it?

Remember, your blog’s name is its identity. Its face. It should mirror your love for books and resonate with your readers. But most importantly, it should resonate with you .

Happy naming and happy blogging! 📚🚀

P.S. Once you’ve picked a name, drop it in the comments. Would love to see what you came up with! 👀👇🏼

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Everything About Book Blog Names & 230+ Ideas for Your Own Blog

Neil March 1, 2024 Blog Post Idea Generator Leave a Comment

Table of Contents

Hey book lovers! Are you excited about starting a personal blog to review and recommend books to avid readers? To start blogging off right, the first step is to select the optimal option from a plethora of book blog names. It should be super catchy yet easy to remember, spell, and pronounce. 

But coming up with such a booktastic blog name that meets all these criteria is somehow knotty. Worry not as we’ve already done the hard work for you! In this blog, you’ll learn about tips for choosing a name and examples of popular book blog names.

Source: Freepik

Wait, the best is yet to come – the names! Brace yourself to explore 230+ book blog names that are simple, exciting, and totally you. From catchy to the downright clever, we’ve got something for every book blogger. Let’s roll! 

How to Choose a Book Blog Name?

Before addressing ‘how’ let’s talk about what role good names for a blog play. A good blog name draws in potential readers by giving a glimpse into what it is about. Furthermore, it serves as a descriptive and memorable title that reflects the content and theme of your blog. Now we’ll discuss how to pick a good book blog name.

• Identify your blog’s niche that you’ll focus on. For example, book reviews, literary recommendations, or author interviews.
• Brainstorm some words/ phrases that relate to your book genre, theme, or style.
• Make a list of book blog names that have the potential to capture your reader’s interest.
• Incorporate relevant keywords to help readers find your blog in searches.
• Make sure the blog name you’ve settled on is not too similar to any other (competitor) blog.
• Test the options you’ve narrowed down with your friends, family, or potential readers.
• Ask your primary testers – friends and family – for their feedback. Then, consider this feedback to select a book blog name that resonates with your target audience and reflects your blog’s personality.

Congrats! You’ve selected a name for your book blog. Now you can start creating and sharing your content with the world.

Checking Domain Availability for Your Book Blog

A domain name is the web address that people use to find your blog online. To check the availability of a domain for your book blog, visit a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap . 

Enter your desired blog name in the search bar to see if it’s available. If it’s taken, experiment with slight variations or explore different extensions like .net or .co. Once you find an available option, register it to secure your unique online address.

Real Book Blog Name Examples

Before diving into examples of book reading blog names, let’s find some of the best blog names online in this category.

• A Literary Escape – Delightful journey into enchanting literature, providing readers an immersive escape through the book pages.
• BookBub – With such a catchy name, this blog is your go-to hub for discovering and buzzing about the latest and greatest books.
• Wottaread – With its informal tone and wordplay, it hints at engaging book discoveries that leave avid readers saying “Wow!”
• Book Nerdection – It cleverly combines ‘nerd’ and ‘detection,’ signaling a quirky approach to in-depth book reviews.
• Good Comics for Kids – A welcoming blog name highlighting its focus on recommending quality comics suitable for children.
• That Artsy Reader Girl – It’s a creative platform for book reviews, discussions, and topical lists that engage readers.
• 49th Shelf – Your go-to blog for Canadian literature, demonstrating diverse voices and compelling stories from the Great White North.
• Crime By The Book – It’s a book blog about crime fiction, offering book recommendations, reviews, and a monthly subscription service called Crime by the Box.
• Bookworm Girl – Emma runs this delightful blog where she shares her love for books with passionate readers across the globe.

Book Blog Name Ideas

Now we’ll share our hand-crafted book blog name ideas that are catchy, funny, clever, unique, nostalgic, vintage, and more for your very own blog.

Catchy Name Ideas for Book Blogs

Stay on your readers’ minds with these catchy names for blogs about books.

• The Book Club
• Cover Craft Corner
• Story Stride Spot
• Bookish Bonanza
• Literary Journey
• Beyond the Last Page
• The Bookish Buzz
• Coffee & Story
• Bibliophile’s Bonanza
• The Book Addict
• Plot Twist Pavilion
• The Bibliophile’s Bookshelf
• Chapter Chatter Corner
• The Bookworm’s Burrow
• Prose and Pages
• The Book Geek
• Literary Lure Land
• Book Nerd Nook
• Literary Leap Lounge
• Chapter by Chapter Adventures
• The Book Binder
• Lit Vibes Lounge
• Bookworm’s Bounty Bay
• Literary Love Letter Loft
• The Reading Retreat
• Reading Corner
• Bookish Blitz
• Paperback Ponderings
• Word Wonders World
• Book Burst Bliss
• Page Palette Paradise
• Novel Nook Delights
• Literary Delights
• Ink Insider Insights
• Book Odyssey

Funny Book Blog Names

Let your bookish humor shine through with these playful book blog names that’ll bring a smile to your readers’ faces.

• Comic Capers With Books
• Book Hoarder
• Hilarious Haven Reads
• The Hilarious Hardcover
• Quirky Quotation Quarters
• Funny Fiction Finds
• Chuckles & Chapters
• Quirk Quest Quarters
• The Comical Chapter
• Haha Book Haven
• The Laughing Library
• Punny Page Parade
• Comic Chapter Carnival
• Laughing Lines Library
• The Book Snob
• Gigglesome Genre Hub
• Punderful Pages Palace
• The Bookish Giggle
• Laugh Lit Lounge
• The Comic Bookworm
• Wit and Words
• Chuckle Chapter World
• Bookish Banter
• The Bookish Buffoonery Blog
• Quirky Reads
• The Laugh-Out-Loud Library
• Basically Just Book Memes
• Laugh and Leaf
• The Procrastireader’s Den
• Amusing Adventures in Books
• The Funny Page
• Satire Saga Spot

Clever Names for Book Blogs

Grab attention with these witty and thought-provoking names for your book blog.

• Literary Labyrinth Log
• Confessions of a Bookaholic
• Bookish Boulevard
• The Hook of The Book
• Shelfies & Selfies
• Clever Covers
• The Bookish Muse
• Sage Script Space
• Book Hangovers Are My Thing
• A Bookish Misadventure
• Cleverly Crafted Reads
• Tales from the TBR Pile
• Book Brainwave Base
• Literary Logic Lair
• The Bookish Blueprint
• Storycraft Studio
• The Reading Riddle
• What’s In the Story?
• Intellectual Ink Inn
• Tales Untold
• Quill Quotient
• Verse Vista
• The Smart Page-Turner
• Pages Unfurled
• The Savvy Scribbler
• Literary Lens
• Prose Puzzle Pavilion
• The Witty Writer
• Brainy Book Buffet
• Smart Script Review
• I Read, You Read, We All Read
• The Bookmarked Life
• Smart Style Script
• The Book Wanderer

Unique & Aesthetic Book Blog Names

Embrace individuality with these visually pleasing and unique and short blog name ideas.

• Literary Euphoria
• Booktastic Delight
• Fae & Fiction
• Moonstone & Moonlight
• Your Bookshelf
• Prose Paradise
• The Graceful Bookmark
• Velvet Verse
• The Painted Page
• Artistic Alcove of Books
• Ethereal Bookish Bliss
• The Bookish Bohemian
• Avid Readers Nirvana
• Dreamydiction Domain
• Quill & Compass
• Serene Pages
• Charming Chapter Corner
• Bohemian Bookish Bazaar
• Aesthetic Arcade Archives
• Fairytales & Folklore
• Starlit Library
• Literary Serendipity
• Surreal Storytelling Haven
• Moonlit Chapters
• Aesthetic Pages
• Whispers & Ink
• Serendipitous Stories
• Epic Elysium of Books
• Serene Storyteller
• The Delicate Narrative

Nostalgic Book Blog Names

These memorable and evocative book blog names will guide you to tap into your readers’ nostalgia.

• Timeless Tales
• Literary Flashback
• The Bookworm’s Wayback Machine
• Rainy Day Reads
• Time Capsule Reads
• Storytime by Candlelight
• The Yellowed Pages
• Reading by the Fireplace
• Once Upon a Storytime
• Classic Chronicles
• Pages of Yesteryear
• The Bookcase of Memories
• Literary Throwback
• The Bookmarked Past
• Adventures in Paperback Paradise
• Retro Readings Retreat
• Classic Comforts
• Tales from the Attic
• Bibliophilic Nostalgia
• Echoing Epoch
• The Bookworm’s Bookmobile
• Vintage Tales
• The Book Nook of Childhood
• Bookish Memories
• The Sentimental Storyteller
• Golden Age Gazette
• The Bookworm’s Blanket Fort

Creative Vintage Names for Book Review Blogs

Give your book review blog a timeless and classic feel with these artistic names.

• Nostalgic Narrative Notes
• Vintage Reading Room
• The Bookworm’s Bindery
• Bygone Book Bulletin
• Vintage Bookmarks
• Booked Spotlight
• Nostalgia Notes Nexus
• The Vintage Book Blog
• BygoneBook Bulletin
• The Literary Timepiece
• Literary Heirlooms
• The Bookish Relic
• Vintage Whispers
• The Quill and Scroll
• Dusty Pages
• The Old-School Reader
• Literary Time Machine
• Antique Aisle Archives
• The Classic Critique
• Literary Antiques
• Vintage Volumes 

Non Fiction Book Review Blog Names

These captivating blog names are perfect who want to review non-fiction literature. 

• The Researcher Review
• Knowledge Chronicles
• Truth Trail Tales
• Fact Finder’s Library
• The Real-Life Reader
• Authentic Analysis Alcove
• Beyond the Hype
• The Knowledge Codex
• Documented Discovery Domain
• Insightful Inquiry Inn
• Fact File Fables
• NonFic Nook Notions
• Real Read Reflections
• Informative Imprint Inn
• The Non-Fiction Notebook
• Factual Frontier
• The Knowledge Corner
• Non-Fiction Junction
• The Critical Eye
• Inquiry Insight Index
• Truth Seeker’s Den
• Unbiased Ink
• True Tale Terrace

Fiction Book Blog Names

Transport your readers into the imaginary world of fiction with these enchanting book blog names.

• Novel Notes
• Fictional Narratives
• The Romance Book Blog
• What’s the Plot Twist
• Fictionscapes & Fantasies
• Page-Turning Adventures
• The Fictional Fix
• Fictive Fiesta Frontier
• Whimsical Words
• Character Chronicles
• Surreal Storyteller’s Spot
• Lost in Literary Lands
• Sci-Fi World
• Dystopian Literature
• Story Safari 
• World of Fiction Lovers
• Plot Play Playground
• Fiction Fiesta Foyer
• Novel Nirvana Nook
• Fanciful Fiction Frenzy
• The Fiction Fanatic
• Enchanting Epic Enclave
• The Fictional Enchantment
• Novel Escapades
• Otherworldly Oasis of Books
• Supernatural Storytelling Sanctuary
• The Literary Imaginarium
• Literary Dreamscape
• Storybook Spectrum Spot

Q. Should I include my name in my book blog name?

Including your name in your book blog will add a personal touch to it and level up the chances of audience connectivity. However, not including it will give an air of mystery.

Q. Can I use puns or wordplay in my book blog name?

Absolutely! As long as your selected blog name is catchy and memorable, it works. Feel free to take inspiration from our suggested book blog names for your own blog.

Q. What are the common mistakes to avoid when choosing a book blog name?

Avoid blog names that are too long, generic, hard to spell or pronounce, or similar to other existing blogs. Simply put, keep things interesting and concise. 

Q. Can I change my book blog name in the future if I want to?

Yes, you can change it whenever you want, but consistency is generally beneficial for building your brand. Hence, prefer to put a lot of thought into deciding on a blog name first, rather than changing it later. 

By choosing a name that reflects your personality and passion for books, you’ll create a space that invites readers to join you on your literary adventures. From catchy and nostalgic to fiction and non-fiction, we presented 230+ unique ideas for book blog names. So, now you can easily find a name that matches your taste and vision. 

Once you decide on the blog name, try using our Free Blog Post Idea Generator to generate multiple content ideas for it. You’ll get quality content in one click, so there’s no more need to spend hours researching blog topics!

I am a full-time online marketer, for over a decade now. Helped over 100,000+ people & generated well over $12M in online sales.

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One More Cup of Coffee

50 Book Review Blog Name Ideas For Every Type Of Reader

If you’re interested in books, what could be better than a starting book review site ? Seriously, you get the chance to talk about all of your favorite books, while finding new gems along the way. To do so, you’re going to need some book review blog name ideas before you actually build the website.

Are You Ready To Work Your Ass Off to Earn Your Lifestyle?

Are you tired of the daily grind? With a laptop and an internet connection I built a small website to generate income , and my life completely changed. Let me show you exactly how I’ve been doing it for more than 13 years .

Talking about blog names is one of the first steps for most new blogs. The process can help you work out how you want to define your site and what areas you hope to focus on.

Yet, blog names aren’t as critical as they seem. While you’re going to need a blog name for your site, it doesn’t have to be the best name ever. In fact, just face it now, your blog name won’t be perfect.

I don’t mean that as an insult. It’s a simple fact. The online world is far too complex for any single name to be precisely right. A ‘perfect’ blog name isn’t going to guarantee online success. You can be just as successful with a ‘bad’ name.

In the end, your blog name simply doesn’t matter that much. It will always be your content that defines what people see.

To that end, this post aims to get you started with your site. We’re going to talk about some tips for choosing a blog name, along with the next steps that you’ll be taking.

Table of Contents

50 Book Review Blog Name Ideas

• Gateway into Other Lives
• Fictional Land
• Top New Writers
• Best New Books Online
• Sci Fi Book Reviews
• A Writer’s Review Freedom
• Find the Great Books
• Sci Fi Fanatic Reviews
• Nonfiction Journal
• Page and Pen Hub
• Fine Literature Expert
• The Best Books Flow
• Creative Landscape Living
• Fable Tellers and Day Dreamers
• A Bookworm’s Soup
• Best Writers of My Generation
• Core of a Critic
• Always Buried in Books
• Powerful Plots
• Best Old Books
• Of Cities, Tales and Dreams
• Fine Stories Still Matter
• My Nonfiction Reviews
• New Book Squirrel
• Best Books to Get Buried in
• My Fiction Passion Board
• Forever a Bookworm
• Conversing About Reading
• Book Lover’s Heart
• Great Authors of My Time
• Sci Fi Fanatic Café
• Book Review Nation
• Author Heart
• Powerful Stories Project
• Finding the Fantastic Story
• Best Writers Dreamscapes
• The Obscure Loft Literary Gems
• Chit Chat About Reading
• My Indie Writer Reviews
• Craving Great Reads
• Authentic Book Reviews
• Our Fiction Zeal
• All New Tales Reviews
• Buried in a Book Guide
• Chatting About Reading
• Nonfiction Reviews Fire
• Modern Literature Party
• Reading and Reviewing Zone
• Finding Good Books
• Fantastic Fiction Project

How To Choose A Good Blog Name

To begin with, think about your site. What do you plan to talk about? For example, is your entire site going to focus on book reviews, like the site amazonbookreview.com ?

Or, are you also going to talk about other aspects of literature? If so, you might want a broader site name, which is you see with the sites bookriot.com and totallybookedblog.com .

What about yourself? Are you an expert in the field? Is there something unusual about you that is worth highlighting?

Here’s another angle – the genre. Are you talking about new books? Classics? Mysteries? Fiction? Nonfiction? Some sites use this in their blog name, like bookhoundsya.net , which focuses on Young Adult books.

You don’t need to mention any of these areas in your blog name, but the questions are fantastic for brainstorming.

Another trick is to use domain name tools to help in your search. Many of these offer ideas, while also showing you the domain names that are available. My favorite is domainwheel.com , but there is no shortage of others.

Before you get too far in the searching process, we also need to talk about the areas that you should be aware of.

The first of these is a lack of originality. This doesn’t just mean you need to avoid brands that are already taken. You also need to make yourself distinct from other sites. This is critical for getting noticed online.

Another area is the words that you include in your blog name. Whenever possible, try to avoid words that are likely to be confusing or difficult to remember.

For example, if a word has multiple spellings, your audience will need to remember how to spell the word. Likewise, numbers may be included as numerals or written out as words.

Consider dashes too. Your visitors will need to remember to put the dash in. They might need to work out where the dash goes too.

Now, these decisions won’t make or break your site. I broke most of those ‘rules’ with onemorecupof-coffee.com. Even so, following these ideas can make life easier in the short-term.

Keyword VS Branding

The process of domain name searching can be easier if you think about what type of domain name you want. There are two distinctive styles to consider.

The first style involves using a keyword in your blog name. As you probably know, keywords are used to help drive traffic to websites.

They’re also a way to help people know what your site is focusing on. Keywords can be as short as a word or two, or much longer.

Some bloggers use a long phrase as their domain name, like thebestromancebookstoday.com. Doing so may offer a slight ranking advantage for that particular keyword, but you could still rank for it without using that domain name.

Others might just use a related word or two, like ‘romance’ and ‘books’, rather than an entire phrase. Doing this gives them more flexibility, while still making the site topic obvious.

The second style of blog name doesn’t use a keyword at all. That’s really the only difference. This type of blog name focuses on branding instead. Avoiding keywords can make it easier to create a memorable blog name.

The name you choose doesn’t need to have anything to do with book reviews. It could be something completely unrelated. You might even end up with a made-up word.

That being said, branded blog names often include one related word, such as thebooksmugglers.com and awfullibrarybooks.com . You’ll see this style with many different blogs and it is one of the easiest types of blog name out there.

How To Buy A Domain Name

Once you get past the initial blog name search, the next step is actually buying a domain name. This is done through a domain name registrar, like GoDaddy, Namecheap or domains.com.

You’ll even find that most hosting companies sell domain names, while many other sites recommend particular services. The number of options can make the field pretty confusing.

Most services will work just fine. I recommend looking for ones that are easy to use and are up-front about their pricing. Make sure you know how much you’ll be paying each year, along with what you get for that money. My personal preference is Namecheap .

How To Build & Make Money From Your Book Review Website

There are plenty of options for building your website too. This time, the choice that you make is highly significant.

First of all, you need to decide if you want to go with a website builder or a self-hosted WordPress site. A website builder is something like Wix or Weebly , where you are using some type of tool to create your website.

The services will often use a visual editor, which might allow you to drag and drop elements into place. Website builders are often appealing. They make the website building process feel very easy, even if you have no previous experience at all.

A self-hosted WordPress site is a bit different. You get to choose the host that you sign up with and the underlying system for building remains roughly the same either way. This means that you can transfer from one host to another – something that isn’t possible when you’re using a website builder.

The tricky thing is that you generally have to set up a WordPress site yourself. This can seem a bit confusing at first (which may be why people turn to website builders).

But honestly, you don’t need any expertise to build your own WordPress site . You can do so by simply following instructions and learning as you go.

A WordPress site will be more powerful than anything you can make with a website builder. You end up having much more control and there are many more tools at your disposal. This is critical in the long-term.

After all, you’re never going to know exactly what functions your site will need when you first get started. Allowing yourself as many options as you can is the most logical path.

While there are many ways to earn from a website, two approaches stand out for beginners. One is affiliate marketing, where you are using affiliate links to promote products from other companies. The other is display ads.

The styles work well as they can both be expanded over time. You don’t have to choose between them either. Many sites use both.

You’re likely to find other income streams as your site develops further. For example, some new authors look for people to review their book and may even pay you for doing so.

How Much Do Book Review Bloggers Make?

The site Hooked to Books is a fantastic example of making money in the book review niche. The site talks about books, writing, reading and related gadgets. It’s seriously worth checking out.

Their income report from December 2018 highlighted a total revenue of $5.440.35. More than $4,600 of this income came from affiliate sales, while the rest was from display ads via Mediavine.

A second interesting site is Expand Beyond Yourself. This site focuses on a variety of areas, including books and self-improvement.

The income report from August 2019 showed a total income of $2,142 for the month. The site did actually earn considerably more than this (around $3,000 in Amazon sales alone), but expenses were also high.

Display Ads

Display ads can be viewed as a relatively passive way to make money. This is because most of the work is in setting the ads up. You might optimize them a little too, but you don’t need to constantly tweak your ads.

You do need to create content regularly, but this is something that you should be doing with a book review site regardless.

The most useful feature of display ads is that you don’t need to write about any specific products or run promotions. You get to write the content you want to, and the ads display automatically. This type of monetization is very popular with gossip blogs , which don’t have a lot of products you can directly promote to your audience.

The style is perfect if you don’t want to be making sales pitches. For example, if part of your site talked about famous authors, you might not want to promote a product at the same time. Display ads provide you with the chance to still earn from your content.

Still, display ads have their limitations.

You only earn a little bit of money per visitor, so you’re not making much when your site first kicks off. Your income ends up being strongly linked to traffic, so you need to get more people to your site to increase the amount you earn.

Doing so isn’t impossible. The number of people using the internet continues to grow and you only need a fraction of those visitors to start to see decent income. Even so, sites with low traffic typically don’t earn much from display ads.

Affiliate Links

Affiliate links always work best when your content has a natural association with products. This makes them a good choice for book review sites. After all, you can simply provide affiliate links to any book that you review.

You can also look at other related products and services. For example, Amazon Associates pays bounties for getting customers to join some of their programs. One such program is Kindle Unlimited, which acts a little like a library for a selection of eBooks.

You might branch out into audio books too. There are plenty of affiliate programs for books and eBooks as well. Depending on your target audience, you could definitely promote things not directly related to books, like furniture for a designing a study, or survival gear if you’re reading and reviewing survival books.

Affiliate links are powerful because they scale. You don’t need to make a new sales pitch to every person who visits your site. Instead, the same book review could be earning you money for years after you write it. A single review on our website could earn tens of thousands of dollars depending on what you review and how well it ranks .

Final Thoughts

It’s entirely possible to create a successful book review site and you don’t need an amazing name to do so. The blog name that you choose is simply one aspect of your site.

This means that you shouldn’t spend too much time on it. It’s much more important to put your energy into writing good content and creating a site that provides value for your visitors.

Should You Start Your Own Blog?

Honestly, the sad thing is that most people who want to start a blog get a domain name and a website set up, but never really do much beyond that. They are leaving a serious amount of money on the table!

If you want to actually make something of your site, and earn the kind of income that could allow you to quit your job and work full time online, then this members-only training site is what I recommend. If you're serious about making some moves, they're your best shot at building some fat traffic to your brand and profiting from your blog!

What's up ladies and dudes! Great to finally meet you, and I hope you enjoyed this post. My name is Nathaniell and I'm the owner of One More Cup of Coffee. I started my first online business in 2010 promoting computer software and now I help newbies start their own businesses. Sign up for my #1 recommended training course and learn how to start your business for FREE!

About Nathaniell

I’ve been building profitable affiliate blogs for more than a decade, and built six-figure blogs in a wide variety of niches, including computer software, self help, and home & garden topics. I do things a bit differently, and I hope you like my perspective and my style of teaching.

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Book Review Blog Name Ideas

• Updated February 7, 2024

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Table of Contents

Ready to find the perfect name for your book review blog but feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices?

Don’t worry! With our Book Review Blog Name Ideas, we’ve put together a huge list of name ideas to get your creativity flowing and point you in the right direction for sharing your love of books.

Our list has all sorts of names, from the clever and intriguing to the friendly and welcoming, setting you up for a fantastic start to your blog.

And we’re not just about names – we’re here to give you essential tips on choosing a blog name that really shows off your passion for books and reading.

So, grab a pen, get ready for some inspiration, and dive into our exciting collection of book review blog names and helpful advice.

Let these insights light the way to success in the wonderful world of book blogging. Let’s start this amazing journey together!

Alphabetic Book Review Blog Name Ideas

Starting a book review blog and looking for the perfect name? Here are some creative book review blog name ideas from ‘A’ to ‘Z’ to inspire you. Whether you’re into analyzing classics or exploring new releases, these names are designed to capture the essence of your literary journey.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘A’

• Avid Reader’s Atlas
• Author’s Annex
• Alchemy of Words
• Archives of Adventure
• Astute Analysis
• Artful Pages
• Allegory Alley
• Arcane Anthologies
• Aesop’s Insights
• Aura of Authors
• Atlas of Alphabets
• Anthology Avenue
• Azure Annotations
• Affinity for Books
• Aspire to Read
• Amble Through Pages
• Apex Bookmarks
• Arcadia of Authors
• Aura of Allegories
• Alcove of Adventures

These ‘A’ names aim to inspire your book review blog with a sense of adventure, analysis, and appreciation for storytelling.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘B’

• Binding Tales
• Bookish Banter
• Bibliophile’s Bliss
• Beyond the Bookends
• Backstory Brigade
• Boundless Biographies
• Beacon of Books
• Bedtime Bookworm
• Books and Beyond
• Brevity’s Bookmark
• Blissful Bookshelves
• Bygone Bookmarks
• Bibliomania Buzz
• Booklover’s Bungalow
• Bravo for Books
• Binding Adventures
• Books in Bloom
• Bookmark Boulevard
• Backdrop of Books
• Ballad of Books

‘B’ names bring a sense of community, curiosity, and the timeless joy of losing oneself in a good book.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘C’

• Chapters and Characters
• Critique and Chronicles
• Cover to Cover
• Chronicles of Critique
• Canvas of Classics
• Curated Chapters
• Character Chronicles
• Cultivated Critiques
• Cipher of Chapters
• Compendium Corner
• Classics and Contemporaries
• Curiosity’s Call
• Chapter Checkpoint
• Canvas of Creativity
• Core of Chronicles
• Cryptic Chapters
• Continuum of Classics
• Crafting Characters
• Chronicle Canvas
• Character’s Crescendo

‘C’ names are designed to evoke the richness of literature, exploring every chapter and character with depth and enthusiasm.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘D’

• Depth of Dialogue
• Dossier of Dreams
• Dimension of Diaries
• Dialogue and Discourse
• Daring Discoveries
• Diverse Dimensions
• Dreamy Diction
• Diaries of Discovery
• Drafts and Discussions
• Dusk till Dawn Reads
• Decoding the Depths
• Dominion of Dreams
• Dialect of Dreams
• Drafted Dreams
• Diary of Dystopias
• Diverse Dialogues
• Depths and Dialects
• Discovery in Depth
• Diction and Dynamics
• Dreams and Dialogues

‘D’ names reflect the journey of discovery and the deep dives into the dialogues that define our favorite stories.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘E’

• Echoes of Epics
• Enigma of Endings
• Essence of Elegance
• Ethereal Edits
• Epics and Eras
• Elegy of Echoes
• Envisioned Epilogues
• Elysium of Expression
• Expanse of Excerpts
• Elemental Epics
• Enchanted by Edits
• Epitome of Epics
• Eclipses and Eons
• Eloquent Expositions
• Epoch of Elegance
• Edges of Epics
• Enigmatic Expressions
• Elucidating Epics
• Expedition of Echoes
• Essence and Echoes

‘E’ names offer a nod to the timeless and the transformative, celebrating the epic tales and elegant prose that enchant us all.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘F’

• Fictional Frontiers
• Fable Findings
• Fantasy and Foresight
• Flourish in Fiction
• Fragments of Fantasy
• Flickering Fictions
• Folktale Fantasies
• Found in Fiction
• Frameworks of Fiction
• Fathomless Fiction
• Fictional Flux
• Flair for Fiction
• Fusion of Fables
• Fiction Finder
• Fantasy Flares
• Fables and Facts
• Fictional Foundations
• Frontline Fiction
• Fairytales and Fictions
• Foresight in Fiction

These ‘F’ names are perfect for a blog focused on exploring the vast landscapes of fiction, from fantasy worlds to the nuanced tales found in fables.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘G’

• Gateway to Genres
• Gothic Galore
• Glimpses of Greatness
• Genre Giants
• Grasp the Genre
• Grandiose Guides
• Galactic Guides
• Grit and Grace
• Gothic Grace
• Grimoire Gatherings
• Genius of Genres
• Graphic Gazette
• Golden Galleons
• Genre Gladiators
• Grandeur of Gothic
• Gossamer Guides
• Glimmering Genres
• Generational Gems
• Graphic Grandeur
• Gothic Gardens

‘G’ names offer a gateway into the diversity of literature, inviting readers to explore everything from the mysteries of gothic novels to the expanses of genre fiction.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘H’

• Horizon of Histories
• Heartfelt Histories
• Historical Horizons
• Haunts of Horror
• Harmonies in History
• Heritage and Hues
• Haven of Heroes
• Histories Unfolded
• Hallowed Histories
• Hypnotic Histories
• Humor and Heartstrings
• Haiku Haven
• Hidden Histories
• Heroic Haunts
• History’s Heartbeat
• Hues of Humor
• Harmonic Histories
• Horror Highlights
• Haven of Humor
• Histories and Horizons

‘H’ names are perfect for bloggers passionate about bringing the past to life, whether through the lens of history, the thrill of horror, or the warmth of humor.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘I’

• Imaginary Isles
• Insights into Imagination
• Inked Inspirations
• Illuminated Illusions
• Infinite Ideations
• Inklings of Infinity
• Immersive Imaginations
• Illusions Illustrated
• Icons and Insights
• Imaginative Inklings
• Ideals in Ink
• Ink and Intuition
• Illuminations of Intellect
• Infinite Inspirations
• Intimate with Ink
• Illuminated Insights
• Illustrative Imaginations
• Inklings and Insights
• Intellectual Imaginaries
• Ideation and Illusion

‘I’ names are designed for those who delve into the realms of the imaginary, offering insights and inspirations that light up the mind and soul through the power of the written word.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘J’

• Journey through Journals
• Juxtaposed Journeys
• Jewel of Jargon
• Journeys in Genre
• Jocular Jottings
• Jargon and Judgments
• Justified Juxtapositions
• Jigsaw of Journeys
• Journal of Journeys
• Jesters and Journeys
• Juncture of Journeys
• Jottings and Judgments
• Journeys and Journals
• Joyful Journeys
• Juxtapose and Justify
• Jargon Junction
• Just Journeys
• Journeys in Junctures
• Jester’s Journals
• Journeys of Joy

These ‘J’ names blend the idea of literary exploration with the joy and jest found in various narratives, perfect for a blog that celebrates the journey of reading.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘K’

• Kindle the Knowledge
• Knots of Knowledge
• Keynote Kernels
• Kingdoms of Knowledge
• Kinetic Kites
• Kaleidoscope of Kinds
• Knack for Knowledge
• Knaves and Knights
• Knowledge Knapsack
• Kites of Kinetics
• Kernels of Knowledge
• Knights of Knowledge
• Knacks and Knots
• Kaleidoscopic Kites
• Kinetic Knowledge
• Knaves of Knowledge
• Knowledge and Knaves
• Knots and Knacks
• Kites in the Sky
• Knaves in Knead

‘K’ names evoke a sense of discovery and curiosity, perfect for a blog focused on unearthing and sharing the kernels of wisdom found within book pages.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘L’

• Legends and Lore
• Literary Lanterns
• Labyrinths of Literature
• Lore of Legends
• Lanterns in Literature
• Luminous Letters
• Legends in Literature
• Literature and Labyrinths
• Lattices of Lore
• Letters and Lanterns
• Luminaries in Literature
• Literary Labyrinths
• Lore and Luminaries
• Lanterns of Lore
• Labyrinths and Lanterns
• Luminous Literary
• Legends of Luminance
• Literary Legends
• Luminance of Letters
• Literature’s Luminaries

‘L’ names are designed to light the way for readers, guiding them through the labyrinths of stories and the lore of legends found in books.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘M’

• Mysteries and Manuscripts
• Manuscript Mysteries
• Myths and Memories
• Memories of Myths
• Mystical Manuscripts
• Manuscripts of Myth
• Memory’s Manuscript
• Myths in Manuscripts
• Mysteries in Memory
• Myths and Mysteries
• Memory of Myths
• Mystical Memories
• Manuscript of Memory
• Myths of Memory
• Mysteries of Myths
• Memory’s Mysteries
• Mystical Myths
• Manuscripts and Myths
• Memories and Manuscripts
• Myths in Memory

‘M’ names delve into the mysteries and myths that captivate readers, perfect for a blog that explores the depth and diversity of narratives spanning time and culture.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘N’

• Narratives and Notions
• Nexus of Narratives
• Notions of Novels
• Novels and Narratives
• Nautical Narratives
• Nexus for Novels
• Notable Narratives
• Navigating Novels
• Novels in Nexus
• Notions in Novels
• Narrative Nexus
• Novels of Note
• Nautical Notions
• Notable Novelties
• Novels and Navigations
• Nexus of Notions
• Navigational Narratives
• Notions and Navigations
• Narrative Navigations
• Notable Nexus

‘N’ names offer a sense of exploration and connection, ideal for a blog that navigates through the vast sea of stories and ideas.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘O’

• Odyssey of Odes
• Odes of Odyssey
• Oracles of Odes
• Oasis of Odes
• Odyssey in Odes
• Odes and Oracles
• Oracles and Odysseys
• Oasis of Odyssey
• Odes in Oasis
• Odyssey of Oracles
• Odes of Oasis
• Odyssey in Oracles
• Oracles in Odyssey
• Oasis in Odes
• Odyssey and Oasis
• Oracles of Oasis
• Odes of Oracles
• Oasis and Odyssey
• Oracles in Odes
• Odyssey of Oasis

‘O’ names are crafted to inspire thoughts of epic journeys and poetic explorations, perfect for blogs that delve into the depths of literary art and adventure.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘P’

• Pages and Prose
• Prose and Pages
• Pondering Pages
• Pages of Ponder
• Prose in Pages
• Pages in Prose
• Ponder in Prose
• Prose of Ponder
• Pages of Prose
• Prose and Ponder
• Pondering Prose
• Pages in Ponder
• Prose in Ponder
• Ponder of Pages
• Pages and Ponder
• Prose of Pages
• Ponder in Pages
• Pages of Pondering
• Prose in Pondering
• Ponder and Pages

‘P’ names emphasize the thoughtful exploration of prose and pages, inviting readers to ponder the deeper meanings and joys found within the written word.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘Q’

• Quest for Quills
• Quills in Quest
• Quaint Quills
• Quills of Quiet
• Quest in Quills
• Quiet in Quills
• Quills and Quiet
• Quiet of Quills
• Quest of Quills
• Quills in Quiet
• Quiet Quests
• Quills and Quests
• Quests and Quills
• Quaint Quests
• Quests in Quaint
• Quiet and Quills
• Quills of Quest
• Quiet in Quest
• Quest and Quiet
• Quills in Quests

‘Q’ names are designed to evoke a sense of adventure and the pursuit of knowledge, perfect for blogs that embark on quests through the realms of literature and beyond.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘R’

• Reading Ruminations
• Riddles of Reading
• Realm of Reviews
• Reviews and Reflections
• Rhapsody in Reads
• Riveting Reads
• Readers’ Retreat
• Reflections on Reads
• Rendezvous with Reading
• Reading Realm
• Reviewer’s Rhapsody
• Reads and Ruminations
• Ruminative Reading
• Reading Reverie
• Reviewer’s Roundtable
• Resonating Reads
• Read, Reflect, Review
• Reading Resonance
• Reverie of Reads
• Realm of Ruminations

‘R’ names aim to evoke the contemplative and immersive experience of diving into books, highlighting the thoughtful analysis and joy found in reading and reviewing.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘S’

• Stories and Synopses
• Synopses of Stories
• Storyteller’s Summit
• Synoptic Stories
• Summit of Stories
• Stories in Synthesis
• Syntheses of Stories
• Storytelling Soiree
• Soiree of Stories
• Stories and Speculations
• Speculative Stories
• Summit of Synopses
• Soiree of Synopses
• Synthesis of Stories
• Speculations in Stories
• Stories and Sagas
• Sagas and Synopses
• Synopses and Sagas
• Summit of Sagas
• Soiree of Sagas

‘S’ names capture the essence of storytelling, blending narrative exploration with the analysis and summary that book reviewers provide, inviting readers into a world of literary depth and discovery.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘T’

• Tales Transcribed
• Transcribing Tales
• Transcripts of Tales
• Tales and Theories
• Theoretical Tales
• Transcripts and Tales
• Tales in Transcription
• Theories of Tales
• Tales of Transcription
• Transcribed Tales
• Theories in Tales
• Transcription of Tales
• Tales to Tell
• Telltale Transcripts
• Tales and Transcripts
• Theories and Tales
• Transcribed Theories
• Transcription and Tales
• Telltale Theories
• Tales for Telling

‘T’ names are crafted to reflect the art of transforming narratives into written reviews, focusing on the tales and theories that emerge from the pages of a book.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘U’

• Unveiling the Unknown
• Unknown Unveiled
• Unveiled Understanding
• Understanding the Unveiled
• Unveiling Understanding
• Unknown and Unveiled
• Unveiled and Unknown
• Understanding Unveilings
• Unveilings Understood
• Understood Unveilings
• Unveiling the Understood
• Understood and Unveiled
• Unveiled Understandings
• Understanding of Unveilings
• Unveilings of Understanding
• Unknown Understanding
• Understanding Unknowns
• Unveiled Unknowns
• Unknowns Unveiled
• Understanding the Unknown

‘U’ names suggest a journey into uncovering and understanding the mysteries and depths of literature, perfect for a blog that aims to explore and elucidate the often undiscovered treasures of the literary world.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘V’

• Visions in Verse
• Verse and Visions
• Voyage through Volumes
• Volumes of Voyage
• Vantage of Volumes
• Volumes and Visions
• Visions of Volumes
• Voyage of Volumes
• Volumes in Voyage
• Vantage on Volumes
• Volume Visions
• Visions in Volumes
• Voyage in Verse
• Verse Voyage
• Volumes of Verse
• Verse Volumes
• Voluminous Visions
• Voluminous Voyage
• Visions of Verse
• Voyage in Volumes

‘V’ names are designed to evoke the exploration and depth found in literary works, from poetry to prose, inviting readers on a journey through the volumes of stories and insights.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘W’

• Whispers of Words
• Words and Whispers
• Woven Words
• Words Woven
• Whimsical Words
• Words of Whimsy
• Writings and Whispers
• Whispers and Writings
• World of Writings
• Writings of the World
• Whispers in Writing
• Writings in Whispers
• Whimsy in Words
• Words in Whimsy
• Woven Whispers
• Whispers Woven
• Worldly Words
• Words of the World
• Whispers of Writings
• Writings and Words

‘W’ names aim to capture the subtle beauty and intricate craft of writing, focusing on the whispers and words that weave together to tell a story.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘X’

• Xenial Chronicles
• Xanadu of Xenophiles
• Xylophone of Xylographs
• Xenogenesis Xplorations
• Xeric Xanadu
• X Marks the Thought
• Xylographs and Xylophones
• Xenial Xeriscapes
• Xiphoid Xanadu
• Xeno Xplorers
• Xystus of Xanadu
• Xanadu’s Xerophytes
• Xebec of Xylographs
• Xylotomy Xpeditions
• Xystarch Chronicles
• Xerophile Xanadu
• Xanadu Xenology
• Xiphias Chronicles
• Xerarch Xplorations
• Xenodocheionology Xplorations

‘X’ names are uniquely crafted to intrigue and invite readers into the world of books with a sense of adventure and discovery, perfect for a blog that seeks to explore the unknown or less tread paths in literature.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘Y’

• Yarns of Yore
• Yesteryear’s Yarns
• Yielding Yields
• Yonder Yarns
• Yearning for Yesteryears
• Yore of Youth
• Youthful Yarns
• Yarns from the Yard
• Yearn for Yarns
• Yonder of Yore
• Yarns and Yearnings
• Yeoman’s Yarns
• Yore’s Yarns
• Yuletide Yarns
• Yarns of Youth
• Yachting through Yarns
• Yarns Yoked
• Yarns of Yonder
• Yearly Yarns

‘Y’ names evoke nostalgia and a journey through time, perfect for a blog that focuses on historical literature, timeless classics, or exploring the narratives that have shaped the literary world through the years.

Book Review Blog Names Starting with ‘Z’

• Zenith of Zeal
• Zephyrs of Zen
• Zest for Zenith
• Zenith’s Zephyrs
• Zonal Zephyrs
• Zephyr’s Zenith
• Zeal’s Zenith
• Zenith Zest
• Zephyr Zest
• Zenith of Zest
• Zestful Zenith
• Zephyrs in Zen
• Zenith’s Zest
• Zephyr’s Zeal
• Zest of Zenith
• Zen Zephyrs
• Zenith’s Zone
• Zephyrs of Zeal
• Zonal Zenith

‘Z’ names offer a sense of achievement and pinnacle exploration, perfect for a blog that aims to review the best in literature or explore the zeniths of various genres and literary achievements.

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The 10 Best Book Reviews of 2020

Adam morgan picks parul sehgal on raven leilani, merve emre on lewis carroll, and more.

The pandemic and the birth of my second daughter prevented me from reading most of the books I wanted to in 2020. But I was able to read vicariously  through book critics, whose writing was a true source of comfort and escape for me this year. I’ve long told my students that criticism is literature—a genre of nonfiction that can and should be as insightful, experimental, and compelling as the art it grapples with—and the following critics have beautifully proven my point. The word “best” is always a misnomer, but these are my personal favorite book reviews of 2020.

Nate Marshall on Barack Obama’s A Promised Land ( Chicago Tribune )

A book review rarely leads to a segment on The 11th Hour with Brian Williams , but that’s what happened to Nate Marshall last month. I love how he combines a traditional review with a personal essay—a hybrid form that has become my favorite subgenre of criticism.

“The presidential memoir so often falls flat because it works against the strengths of the memoir form. Rather than take a slice of one’s life to lay bare and come to a revelation about the self or the world, the presidential memoir seeks to take the sum of a life to defend one’s actions. These sorts of memoirs are an attempt maybe not to rewrite history, but to situate history in the most rosy frame. It is by nature defensive and in this book, we see Obama’s primary defensive tool, his prodigious mind and proclivity toward over-considering every detail.”

Merve Emre on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ( The Point )

I’m a huge fan of writing about books that weren’t just published in the last 10 seconds. And speaking of that hybrid form above, Merve Emre is one of its finest practitioners. This piece made me laugh out loud and changed the way I think about Lewis Carroll.

“I lie awake at night and concentrate on Alice,  on why my children have fixated on this book at this particular moment. Part of it must be that I have told them it ‘takes place’ in Oxford, and now Oxford—or more specifically, the college whose grounds grow into our garden—marks the physical limits of their world. Now that we can no longer move about freely, no longer go to new places to see new things, we are trying to find ways to estrange the places and objects that are already familiar to us.”

Parul Sehgal on Raven Leilani’s Luster ( The New York Times Book Review )

Once again, Sehgal remains the best lede writer in the business. I challenge you to read the opening of any  Sehgal review and stop there.

“You may know of the hemline theory—the idea that skirt lengths fluctuate with the stock market, rising in boom times and growing longer in recessions. Perhaps publishing has a parallel; call it the blurb theory. The more strained our circumstances, the more manic the publicity machine, the more breathless and orotund the advance praise. Blurbers (and critics) speak with a reverent quiver of this moment, anointing every other book its guide, every second writer its essential voice.”

Constance Grady on Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall ( Vox )

Restoring the legacies of ill-forgotten books is one of our duties as critics. Grady’s take on “the least famous sister in a family of celebrated geniuses” makes a good case for Wildfell Hall’ s place alongside Wuthering Heights  and Jane Eyre  in the Romantic canon.

“[T]he heart of this book is a portrait of a woman surviving and flourishing after abuse, and in that, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall feels unnervingly modern. It is fresh, shocking, and wholly new today, 200 years after the birth of its author.”

Ismail Muhammad on Anna Wiener’s Uncanny Valley ( The Atlantic )

Muhammad is a philosophical critic, so it’s always fun to see him tackle a book with big ideas. Here, he makes an enlightened connection between Wiener’s Silicon Valley memoir and Michael Lewis’s 1989 Wall Street exposé, Liar’s Poker.

“Like Lewis, Wiener found ‘a way out of unhappiness’ by writing her own gimlet-eyed generational portrait that doubles as a cautionary tale of systemic dysfunction. But if her chronicle acquires anything like the must-read status that Lewis’s antic tale of a Princeton art-history major’s stint at Salomon Brothers did, it will be for a different reason. For all her caustic insight and droll portraiture, Wiener is on an earnest quest likely to resonate with a public that has been sleepwalking through tech’s gradual reshaping of society.”

Hermione Hoby on Mieko Kawakami’s Breasts and Eggs ( 4 Columns )

Hoby’s thousand-word review is a great example of a critic reading beyond the book to place it in context.

“When Mieko Kawakami’s Breasts and Eggs  was first published in 2008, the then-governor of Tokyo, the ultraconservative Shintaro Ishihara, deemed the novel ‘unpleasant and intolerable.’ I wonder what he objected to? Perhaps he wasn’t into a scene in which the narrator, a struggling writer called Natsuko, pushes a few fingers into her vagina in a spirit of dejected exploration: ‘I . . . tried being rough and being gentle. Nothing worked.’”

Taylor Moore on C Pam Zhang’s How Much Of These Hills Is Gold ( The A.V. Club )

Describing Zhang’s wildly imaginative debut novel is hard, but Moore manages to convey the book’s shape and texture in less than 800 words, along with some critical analysis.

“Despite some characteristics endemic to Wild West narratives (buzzards circling prey, saloons filled with seedy strangers), the world of How Much Of These Hills Is Gold feels wholly original, and Zhang imbues its wide expanse with magical realism. According to local lore, tigers lurk in the shadows, despite having died out ‘decades ago’ with the buffalo. There also exists a profound sense of loss for an exploited land, ‘stripped of its gold, its rivers, its buffalo, its Indians, its tigers, its jackals, its birds and its green and its living.’”

Grace Ebert on Paul Christman’s Midwest Futures ( Chicago Review of Books )

I love how Ebert brings her lived experience as a Midwesterner into this review of Christman’s essay collection. (Disclosure: I founded the Chicago Review of Books five years ago, but handed over the keys in July 2019.)

“I have a deep and genuine love for Wisconsin, for rural supper clubs that always offer a choice between chicken soup or an iceberg lettuce salad, and for driving back, country roads that seemingly are endless. This love, though, is conflicting. How can I sing along to Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, and Merle Haggard knowing that my current political views are in complete opposition to the lyrics I croon with a twang in my voice?”

Michael Schaub on Bryan Washington’s Memorial ( NPR )

How do you review a book you fall in love with? It’s one of the most challenging assignments a critic can tackle. But Schaub is a pro; he falls in love with a few books every year.

“Washington is an enormously gifted author, and his writing—spare, unadorned, but beautiful—reads like the work of a writer who’s been working for decades, not one who has yet to turn 30. Just like Lot, Memorial  is a quietly stunning book, a masterpiece that asks us to reflect on what we owe to the people who enter our lives.”

Mesha Maren on Fernanda Melchor’s Hurricane Season ( Southern Review of Books )

Maren opens with an irresistible comparison between Melchor’s irreverent novel and medieval surrealist art. (Another Disclosure: I founded the Southern Review of Books in early 2020.)

“Have you ever wondered what internal monologue might accompany the characters in a Hieronymus Bosch painting? What are the couple copulating upside down in the middle of that pond thinking? Or the man with flowers sprouting from his ass? Or the poor fellow being killed by a fire-breathing creature which is itself impaled upon a knife? I would venture to guess that their voices would sound something like the writing of Mexican novelist Fernanda Melchor.”

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Best Book Review Blogs in 2024

Showing 223 blogs that match your search.

Jen Med’s Book Reviews

https://jenmedsbookreviews.com/

I have a real love for Crime Fiction and thrillers as I love a little (fictional) human suffering from time to time, but don’t mind the occasional bit of Chick Lit, Young Adult or romance – I’m not completely heartless and consider myself an equal opportunity reader.

Blogger : Jen Lucas

Genres : Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Mystery/Thriller, New Adult, Romance, and YA

🌐 Domain authority: 27

👀 Average monthly visits: 3,500 p/mo

💌 Preferred contact method: Website contact form

⭐️ Accepts indie books? Yes

Book Reporter

http://www.bookreporter.com/

The majority of our reviews on Bookreporter.com are fiction. We review bestsellers, debut authors, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, some fantasy/science fiction and some romance. We also delve into Non-Fiction, newsworthy books, biographies and memoirs.

Blogger : The Book Report

Genres : Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction, and Non-Fiction

🌐 Domain authority: 63

👀 Average monthly visits: 113,000 p/mo

💌 Preferred contact method: Mail

Cozy Mystery

http://www.cozymysterybookreviews.blogspot.com/

Cozy Mystery Book Reviews is a site dedicated to cozy mysteries. We review cozy mysteries only. Requests for other genres will be ignored. We also only post positive reviews. If you don't see your review on the book blog, either our reviewer decided to pass on reviewing, or hasn't gotten to reviewing your book yet.

Blogger : Missi

Genres : Mystery/Thriller

🌐 Domain authority: 11

👀 Average monthly visits: 5,000 p/mo

💌 Preferred contact method: Email

Self-Publishing Review

http://www.selfpublishingreview.com

Self-Publishing Review has been providing book reviews of indie books since 2008. We review all genres of books fairly and impartially, as well as provide additional marketing services, for a fee. Our reviews are shared to our social media accounts totalling 40,000+ followers. Our site has been covered in The Guardian, New York Times, Forbes, Publisher's Weekly, Writer's Digest, and other sources.

Blogger : Henry

Genres : Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Erotica, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBT, Mystery/Thriller, New Adult, Non-Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and YA

🌐 Domain authority: 46

👀 Average monthly visits: 20,000 p/mo

http://bookangel.co.uk/

Bookangel started as a London bookclub's private site to swap book recs and highlight free books. It opened to other users a few years back after realising that there weren't many sites that focus on UK readers.

Blogger : Book Angel Team

Genres : YA, Crime, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction, Paranormal, New Adult, Children's, LGBT, Humor, Horror, and Urban Fantasy

🌐 Domain authority: 29

👀 Average monthly visits: 3,000 p/mo

Avocado Diaries

https://www.avocadodiaries.com

Accomplished book critic and columnist reviewing a selection of fiction and nonfiction. The editor also enjoys interviewing authors, creative and art directors, and book cover designers.

Blogger : Sean Loughran

Genres : Contemporary Fiction, LGBT, Mystery/Thriller, Non-Fiction, and Romance

🌐 Domain authority: 10

Shelf Awareness

http://www.shelf-awareness.com/

To have your book considered for review, please send two copies of a galley at least three months in advance of publication, and a finished copy when the book is finished.The book must be available through national distribution, i.e. Ingram and/or Baker & Taylor. Currently, we do not review ebooks or print-on-demand titles. We send galleys out for review consideration, but do not guarantee reviews.

Blogger : Stefanie & Si̢n

Genres : YA, Contemporary Fiction, and Children's

👀 Average monthly visits: 47,500 p/mo

Whispering Stories

https://www.whisperingstories.com/

Whispering Stories was established in 2015. We are a team of reviewers committed in providing professional, 100% honest, unbiased book reviews, for FREE. The majority of our reviews are for fictional books, including children’s books, (we do review non-fictional books too).

Blogger : Stacey

Genres : Children's, Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBT, Mystery/Thriller, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and YA

🌐 Domain authority: 28

👀 Average monthly visits: 6,000 p/mo

http://www.nishitak.com/

If you are an author/publisher/publicist/other who wants to promote books on my blog, read on: I accept all kinds of books for review, except for Non-Fiction (unless it is health/fitness related). Once I receive the book, it can take me up to 2 months to review it depending on my TBR list. If your book is a part of a book tour or you want a review published at a specific time, please state it up-front.

Blogger : Nishi K Kat

Genres : YA, Crime, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Science Fiction, and Paranormal

🌐 Domain authority: 31

Book Wyrming Thoughts

http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/

If you are an author/publisher, we would be happy to feature your book on Bookwyrming Thoughts. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read our review policy - we look forward to working with you! If you have any questions/suggestions, feel free to contact us. :)

Blogger : Sophia, Lupe & Anelise

Genres : YA, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Paranormal, and Humor

🌐 Domain authority: 33

Read and Rated

https://readandrated.com/

Read and Rated, where all good books come to be reviewed! Find me on twitter too @ReadandRated

Blogger : Lisa Hall

Genres : Children's, Christian, Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Erotica, Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBT, Mystery/Thriller, New Adult, Non-Fiction, Paranormal, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports, Urban Fantasy, and YA

🌐 Domain authority: 17

Jill's Book Cafe

https://jillsbookcafe.blog/

I read a variety of genres but you will normally find me reading UK based police procedurals and psychological thrillers, well researched historical fiction, and I’m partial to a bit of chick lit (or Choc Lit as I prefer to call it) of the more intelligent and humorous kind. I also enjoy quirky and interesting novels and what would be described as women’s fiction/romance but not of the Mill’s and Boon variety (nothing wrong with M&B just not my thing).

Blogger : Jill Doyle

Genres : Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller, and Romance

👀 Average monthly visits: 1,500 p/mo

Literary Titan

https://literarytitan.com/

We review books, conduct author interviews, and have monthly book awards.

Blogger : Thomas Anderson

🌐 Domain authority: 30

👀 Average monthly visits: 12,000 p/mo

Books Can Save A Life

https://bookscansavealife.com/

I emphasize nonfiction and especially love to feature nature and environmental writing, gardening, and books about social justice, sustainability, and our future. I write about books that can save lives on a personal level and collectively.

Blogger : Valorie Hanninan

Genres : Non-Fiction

🌐 Domain authority: 23

http://paperfury.com

I read quite furiously and have been known to swallow whole books and whole worlds before breakfast. I'm taking over the world. It's happening. I also write and plan to be a famous author. Currently my stories are about sad characters with cake deficiencies, feature magic and fantasy and unfortunately bad puns. I've written 25 miserable manuscripts and someday you will read them all and either (a) proclaim my genius, (b) weep, or (c) feel driven to eat cake.

Blogger : Cait

Genres : YA

🌐 Domain authority: 45

⭐️ Accepts indie books? No

So you want to find a book blog?

If you’re a voracious reader, you might think of a book blog as an oasis in the middle of the desert: a place on the Internet that brims with talk about books, books, and more books.

Well, good news — we built this directory of the 200 of the best book blogs  to satiate your thirst. Take a walk around, use the filters to narrow down your search to blogs in your preferred genre, and feel free to bookmark this page and come back, as we do update it regularly with more of the best book blogs out there. 

If you’re an aspiring author, you might see a book blog more as a book review blog: a place where you can get your yet-to-be published book reviewed. In that case, you’ll be glad to know that most of the book blogs in our directory are open to review requests and accept indie books! We expressly designed this page (and our book marketing platform, Reedsy Discovery ) to be useful to indie book authors who need book reviews. If you’re wondering how to approach a book blog for a review request, please read on. 

You’ve found a book blog. Now what? 

Let’s say that you’re an author, and you’ve found a couple of book blogs that would be perfect fits to review your book. What now? Here are some tips as you go about getting your book reviews:

• Be sure to read the review policy. First, check that the book blog you’re querying is open to review requests. If that’s the fortunate case, carefully read the blog’s review policy and make sure that you follow the directions to a T.  
• Individualize your pitches. Book bloggers will be able to immediately tell apart the bulk pitches, which simply come across as thoughtless and indifferent. If you didn’t take the time to craft a good pitch, why should the blogger take the time to read your book? Personalize each pitch to up your chances of getting a response. 
• Format your book in a professional manner before sending it out. Ensure that your manuscript isn’t presented sloppily. If the book blogger asks for a digital ARC, you might want to check out apps such as Instafreebie or Bookfunnel. 
• Create a spreadsheet to track your progress. Wading through so many book blogs can be troublesome — not to mention trying to remember which ones you’ve already contacted. To save yourself the time and trouble, use a simple Excel spreadsheet to keep track of your progress (and results). 

Looking to learn even more about the process? Awesome 👍 For a detailed guide, check out this post that’s all about getting book reviews. 

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53 Catchy Book Review Blog Names

Book Review Blog Names:

• All Book Reviews
• A Book Review Blog
• Good E-Reader
• Under Reviews
• My Book Reviews
• The Writing Cooperative
• Make Use Of
• The Book People
• Just A Book Review Blog
• Book Marketing Tools
• Happy Readers Blog
• Book Reviewing Blog
• Let Me Review A Book
• Dreamy Reads
• Perfect Book Reviews
• Electric Literature
• Bustle Books
• The Book Designer
• Omnivoracious
• Brain Pickings
• Real Book Reviews
• The Write Practice
• The New York Times Book Review
• Night Owl Reviews
• Edit and Audio
• Attested Reads
• Dawn Of Book Reviews
• Reading for the Love of Books
• Clever Book Reviews
• Amazing Book Reviews
• Helping Writers Become Authors
• Kirkus Reviews
• Paranormal Cravings Book Reviews
• Very Interesting Books
• All Reading Love
• Royal Books
• The Write Life
• Un Trusted Reviews
• Green Reviews
• Book Reviews Blog
• Dear To Readers
• First Reviews
• Cutting Edge Books
• Unfolded Books
• Last Reviews
• The Millions
• All Reading Hacks

Umer Idrisi

A staunch entrepreneur with 10+ years of editing content, writing news articles and blogging on various topics. Won many awards as a top blogger. Here to talk about tech, business, life, and more!

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How to Write a Book Review (A Tutorial With Examples)

Finished a book? Great! Now, prepare to write a book review to persuade others to read that book. Reviews contribute to the reader’s decision to pick a new book about 50%. You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can lead fellow book lovers toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will help you excel at your assigned tasks, contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community, and turn your passion into a professional pursuit. Today,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

Table of Contents

What is a Book Review?

A book review critically evaluates a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book. Aside from regular reviews, you might have to write a book review as an assignment at your school because it benefits students in multiple ways. Such as:

• Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes,  writing style , and characters.
• Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism.
• Book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.
• Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information.

Sample And Example of A Book Review

We have shared a great example of a book review below for you to review the structure and the content.

The Kite Runner  -By Khalid Houssini

“For you a thousand times over.” I can’t even explain the emotions this line holds.

This is one of the books that will always be in your mind. It will make you cry, laugh, scared, and emotional, and take you to the true spirit of Afghanistan. This book shares the story of two little boys and two friends living under the same roof: Amir and Hassan. Khalid Hossini blends the beauty of Afghanistan with the serenity of childhood friendships to reveal the truth of reality.

It’s a story of betrayal and redemption with a touch of culture, history, politics, and war crimes in Afghanistan. It shows how once the richest of Afghanistan became the secondary citizens of the United States. This book will reveal the realities of life and give you hope that redemption can be teh way to make things right.

It shows the simplicity of humans, the cruelty of humans, the pain of exiling the country you were born into, the struggle to fit into a new country, the pain of broken hopes, and the constant lingering of the memories and warmth we once used to experience. If you are looking for a book to make you cry, this is the one. The dialogue, the emotions, the pain, and the beauty this book holds are a treasure to me. I recommend this book to everyone who wants a fine piece of literature.

Does Book Review Matters?

Yes, absolutely. To clarify the importance of book reviews, we are sharing a survey to determine what factors contribute to the reader’s decision to pick a book on a scale of 1 to 10. Let’s take a look at the responses.

How to Write a Book Review- Step-by-Step

So, you see the example of a short book review above that tells all the book’s features without spoiling the story and what to include in a book review. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review. Check out these five straightforward steps for composing the best format of book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before reviewing the book, let’s step back and plan your approach. Knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

Many students ask how do I start a book review, so, first things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss Read great book review examples to have an idea how they compile ideas.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “How to write a book review,” we’re focusing on creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its title and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the  book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

For those asking how to write a thesis for a book review, now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review. Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review, making readers eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights.

Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a book section without revealing major plot twists or spoilers. You aim to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through a pattern of book review, including planning, introductions, and body paragraphs, with finesse. Now, it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “How to write a Book Review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. Follow the book review outline to stay on track. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example,  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve crafted your book review from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of rating the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate a Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair: Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up The Book Review

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

8 Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook them with an Intriguing Introduction.

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Are you feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples, or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you quickly navigate the world of book reviews.

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book review writing, and let it shine in its light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance and barricade how to write a good book report process.

In this section of “How to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake:  Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example:  “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid:  Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake:  Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example:  “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid:  Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake:  Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example:  “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid:  While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake:  Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example:  “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid:  Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake:  Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example:  “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid:  Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake:  Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example:  “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid:  Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake:  Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it leads to potential readers’ confusion.

Example:  “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid:  Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices. These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

How To Write A Book Review Right Now!

Today, you have learned how to write a book review. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the  finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So, seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

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How to Write a Great Book Review: 6 Templates and Ideas

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Whether you’ve loved or hated your recent reads, writing book reviews can be a fun and satisfying process. It’s a great way to unpack messages and information from a story, and it also helps you remember key elements of a book for much longer than you usually would. Plus, book reviews open up some interesting and exciting debates between readers with different opinions, and they also help others decide which books to read next .

Table of Contents

Where Can You Post Book Reviews?

Back in the old days, book reviews were reserved for leading publications and journals, but now, anyone can create their own book reviews, and they’re popping up almost everywhere.

Social Media

Bookworms have taken over social media, with hashtags like # bookstagram drawing in millions of readers from around the internet to share thoughts, ideas, inspiration, and of course, reviews.

Book blogs are also blowing up right now, and plenty of avid readers are making a solid income by writing and sharing their book reviews this way. You can either create your own from scratch or write guest posts and reviews for already established blogs.

Goodreads is the undisputed online home of books. It’s a great place to find inspiration for your next reads, browse other people’s book reviews, and of course, add your own reviews, too.

If you post a review of a popular book on Goodreads, it’s bound to be seen by a huge audience. Plus, it’s a great way to advertise your blog if you have one, as the Goodreads guidelines allow you to insert a link within the body of your review.

The world’s largest bookstore gets an incredible amount of traffic, so it’s one of the best places to get your reviews seen by the masses. But bear in mind that there are more rules and regulations for Amazon book reviews than on some of the other platforms listed here. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the guidelines first, or your submission could be rejected.

Booktube is a Youtube community dedicated to reviewing, discussing, and recommending books. If you’re comfortable in front of a camera, vlogging your book reviews on Booktube is an excellent alternative to the more traditional written book reviews above. It’s also a great way to get noticed by viewers around the world.

Some Booktube reviewers make their entire income from their channel, so if you’re passionate about reviewing and want to turn it into a living, this is a great avenue to explore.

Get Paid for Your Book Reviews

Some of the platforms I’ve listed above, like Booktube, Instagram, and blogging , allow you to get paid for your book reviews if you generate enough traffic, but getting to that level takes a lot of dedication, time, and patience.

Thankfully, there are plenty of websites that pay reviewers on a freelance basis. Here are three of the most popular:

Remember, each site has strict submission guidelines and requirements that you’ll need to check carefully before writing and submitting a review.

Kirkus Reviews

The Kirkus Reviews magazine, founded in 1933, is one of America’s oldest, most respected book reviewing companies.

They accept reviews around 350 words in length, and once you’re assigned the gig, you have a two-week submission deadline.

Kirkus is always on the lookout for new book reviewers, but you’ll need to prove you have experience and talent before they’ll accept your submissions. The best way to do this is to create a professional-looking portfolio that showcases your previous reviews, both paid and unpaid.

Booklist is a subgroup of the American Library Association. They feature all kinds of book reviews, both fiction and non-fiction, and publish them online and in print.

They pay their reviewers on a freelance, book-by-book basis. Their rates aren’t going to make you rich (around $12- $15 per review), but it’s a great way to gain some professional experience and build your book review portfolio without having to work for free.

Booklist has various publication outlets, such as their quarterly in-print magazine, a reader’s blog, and top book lists. Plus, they also accept pitches for book-related news and author interviews.

Online Book Club

This free-to-access community of bibliophiles has been going for over ten years, with a million active members and counting.

To join their professional freelance team, you’ll first have to submit an unpaid review to help them to determine if you’re worth hiring. If your review makes the cut, then your next submission is paid at a rate varying between $5 and $60, depending on the book’s length, the quality of the review, etc.

One of the major stipulations of Online Book Club is that your reviews are in-depth and honest. If you don’t like the book, never put a positive spin on it for the sake of it. ( The same goes for any book review platform you post on. )

It’s also worth noting that with Online Book Club, you’ll never pay for the books you review. So even if they reject your submission, you’ll still get a free book out of it.

How to Write a Book Review?

Book reviews can range from a simple tweet to a full-length essay or long-form blog post and anything in between.

As I mentioned above, some book review sites and platforms have strict guidelines and parameters to follow. But if you’re writing a book review for social media, your own blog, or any other purpose that lets you take the reins, then the following ideas will give you some help and inspiration to get started.

But before we dive in, let’s take a look at four key elements that a comprehensive book review should contain.

1. Information about the author and the name of the book

You might want to include any accolades that the author has received in the past and mention some of their previous notable works.

Also, consider the publication date; is the book a brand-new release, a few years old, or a classic from another century?

2. A summary of the plot

Writing about the plot takes skill and consideration; if your description is too thorough, you risk ruining the book for your audience with spoilers. But on the other hand, if you’re too vague on the details, your review can lack depth.

Consider your audience carefully, and if you feel like your book review contains even the slightest hint of spoilers, always add a warning at the beginning so people can decide for themselves whether to read on.

3. Your evaluation

This is the part where you get to describe what you feel about the book as a whole and give your opinion on the different elements within it. But, again, don’t be tempted to fall into the trap of positively evaluating books you didn’t actually like; no one wants to read a false review, so if you didn’t like it, explain why.

4. Your reader recommendation

Who might the book appeal to? Is it suitable for all audiences? In your opinion, is it a universal must-read, or should people avoid it?

Keep in mind that the purpose of most book reviews is to help the reader decide whether or not they would like to read it themselves. What works for you might not work for others, so consider this when writing your recommendations.

6 Book Review Templates and Ideas

1. the traditional approach.

Most traditional fiction reviews, like the ones found in newspapers and other popular publications, are based on the following format…

Introduction

The introduction is a paragraph or two which includes:

• Key information that the reader needs to know. For example, the book’s title, the author’s name, the publication date, and any relevant background information about the author and their work.
• A brief one-sentence summary of the plot. This sets the general scene of what the book is about.
• Your overall opinion of the book. Again, keep it brief. (you can delve deeper into what you liked and disliked later in the review).

This is the main body of your book review, where you break down and analyze the work. Some of the key elements you might want to examine are listed below. Approach each element one at a time to help your analysis flow.

• The characters
• The setting
• The structure of the story
• The quality of the writing

What did you notice about each one, what did you enjoy, and what did you dislike? Why?

The conclusion is usually the shortest part of a traditional book review, which usually contains:

• A summary of your thoughts about the book as a whole
• Your reader recommendation

Remember that unless you’re writing a book review for a pre-existing publication, there are no rules that you need to follow. This traditional format can be adapted to suit your own style, the book you are reviewing, and your audience.

Also Read : BEST FICTION BOOK REVIEWS

2. Social Media Book Reviews

Book reviews posted on social media tend to have a more relaxed tone than a traditional book review. Again, there are no set rules, but here are a few guidelines and suggestions for posting reviews on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

• Include an eye-catching image

This is essential on Instagram, but whatever social media platform you’re posting on, including a great photo will draw people in to read your review.

In the Instagram world, photos of books taken directly from above are called ‘flat lays.’ You can keep it simple and just snap the front cover, or you can get creative and shoot your book flat lay against an interesting backdrop or include items related to the story.

• Break up your review into short, bite-sized paragraphs

This rule applies to most web content, but it’s even more important on social media, where everyone competes for your reader’s attention.

Big blocks of text are much harder to follow and a sure-fire way to lose your reader’s attention before they even get started. Instead, stick to short paragraphs of one, two, or three sentences, and include spaces between each one.

• Know your character limit

At just 280 characters, Twitter is by far the stingiest of the major social media platforms when it comes to the length of posts. That’s why most people choose platforms like Instagram or Facebook for book reviews. That being said, you can still use Twitter as a way of linking to them once they go live.

Instagram is considerably more generous with its 2,200-character limit, but if you have a lot to say about the book you’re reviewing, it can still be limiting.

If you want to post a more comprehensive review on social media, Facebook is your best bet; they have an upper limit of 63,206 characters.

Whichever platform you post on, remember to factor any hashtags into your character limit too.

• Keep it succinct

Book reviews on social media perform better when sentences are concise. This helps to combat the character limit issue I mentioned above and gets your point across quickly, without the fluff.

Readers on platforms like Instagram and Facebook flit from post to post, so if you don’t say what you mean in as few words as possible, you’ll risk losing your audience altogether.

• Don’t be afraid of emojis.

Love them or hate them, emojis convey mood and emotion where words can sometimes fail us. They also add an extra visual element to a post, help to break up blocks of text and keep the tone informal.

Of course, there’s no rule that you have to include emojis in your social media book reviews, but if you’re already comfortable using them elsewhere, consider incorporating them here too.

• Add a star rating

Star ratings instantly tell your audience whether you loved the book or not before they read a single word of your post. It’s also another visual element to help draw your audience in to find out more.

• Avoid spoilers

I’ve already touched on spoilers above, but it’s essential to avoid them on social media book reviews. That’s because unsuspecting users are scrolling from post to post on these platforms with no way of knowing what’s coming next. As a result, it’s very easy to read something you can’t unread.

• Consider tagging the author and publisher.

But ONLY do this if you enjoyed the book and your review is favorable. It’s not good online etiquette to tag in the creators if you’re posting a scathing critique; it’s mean-spirited, and it could lead to a social media squabble, which the internet has enough of already.

3. Goodreads and Amazon Book Reviews

Both Goodreads and Amazon allow anyone to upload a review of any book, so they’re great places to get started if you’re new to the reviewing world. Plus, you can post more in-depth and lengthy reviews than you can on social media platforms.

There are endless ways to write reviews for sites like these, but if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration, here’s a good template that will help you to flesh out your ideas.

• Star Rating

Sites like Goodreads and Amazon usually ask for a 1-5 star rating before writing your review. 3 is your baseline which translates to “pretty good.” It can be tempting to rush straight in for a 5 star if you loved a book, but where possible, try to reserve this rating for books that really blow you away.

• A Brief Synopsis

Reviews on these sites appear directly under the book listing, so generally, there’s no need to mention the author, title, or publishing details. Instead, you can dive straight into a quick overview of the plot, using the official publisher’s summary to help you if needed.

Avoid revealing any significant details or spoilers, but include enough to outline the story and give context to the rest of your review.

Talking about how the book made you feel is a good place to start. Did you learn something you didn’t know before? Was it a page-turner or a hard slog? Were there any twists you did or didn’t see coming? Mentioning the existence of a plot twist is usually deemed ok, as long as you don’t reveal what it is.

Next, examine the book’s various elements, including the characters, setting, and plot, using examples. You might even want to include some direct quotes from the book, as long as they don’t give too much away.

Just like the traditional book review format, conclude it with a summary. Are you glad you read it? Who might enjoy this book, and who should avoid it?

4. Listicle Book Reviews

Listicles are articles and blog posts structured like a numbered list. An example from the book review world is “10 reasons why you need to read X by X”.

These types of reviews are particularly well suited to blog posts, as they’re an excellent way to encourage people to click on your link compared with a less attention-grabbing traditional format.

That being said, listicle book reviews tend only to work if your feedback is positive. Using this format to review a book you hated risks alienating your audience and coming across as harsh and judgemental. Less favorable reviews are better presented in a more traditional format that explores a book’s different aspects one by one.

5. An Essay Style Analysis

An essay-style review isn’t technically a review, as it delves much deeper into the work and examines it from multiple angles.

If you’re not limited to a word count and want to dissect an author’s work, then an in-depth essay-style analysis can be a great addition to your blog. Plus, they’re generally written for people who have already read the book, so there’s no need to worry about spoilers.

But when you’re writing more than 500 words about a book, it can be easy to ramble or go off on a tangent. Here’s an example format to keep you on track:

• Include the author’s name, the title of the book, and the date of publication.
• Is the book a standalone novel or part of a series?
• What made you choose this book in the first place? Have you read any of the author’s previous work?
• Describe the cover. Does it draw you in? Is it an appropriate representation of the book as a whole?

Set the Scene

• Include an overview of the plot.
• Did you have any expectations or preconceived ideas about the book before you read it?

Your Review

Discuss the following elements one at a time. Use quotes or direct examples when talking about each one.

• Describe the geographical location, the period in time, and the environment.
• Is the setting based on reality or imagination?
• How does the setting help to add mood and tone to the story?
• Give an overview of the main characters and their backgrounds.
• Discuss the significant plot points in the story in chronological order.
• What are the conflicts, the climaxes, and the resolutions?
• How does the author use literary devices to bring meaning and life to book?
• For example, discuss any elements of foreshadowing, metaphors, symbolism, irony, or imagery.
• What are the overall themes and big ideas in the story? For example, love, death, friendship , war, and coming of age.
• What, if any, are the morals within the story?
• Are there any underlying or less prominent themes that the author is trying to portray?

Your Opinion

• Which elements were successful, and which weren’t?
• Were the characters believable? Did you want them to succeed?
• In the case of plot twists, did you see them coming?
• Are there any memorable scenes or quotes that particularly stood out to you? If so, why?
• How did the book make you feel? Did it evoke any strong emotions?
• Did the book meet your preconceived expectations?
• Were you satisfied by the ending, or did you find it frustrating?
• Summarise the plot and theme in a couple of sentences.
• Give your overall opinion. Was the book a success, a failure, or something in between?
• Include a reader recommendation, for example, “this book is a must-read for anyone with a love of dystopian science fiction.”
• Include a star rating if you wish.

6. Create Your Own Book Review Template

If you plan on becoming a regular book reviewer, it’s a good idea to create your own unique template that you can use for every book you review, whether you’re posting on a blog, website, or social media account.

You can mix and match the various elements of the review styles above to suit your preferences and the types of books you’ll be reviewing.

Creating a template unique to you helps build your authority as an independent reviewer and makes writing future reviews a lot easier.

Writing book reviews is a great way to get even more out of your reading journey. Whether you loved or hated a title, reviewing it will help you remember and process the story, and you’ll also be helping others to decide whether or not it’s worth their time, too.

And who knows, you might fall in love with writing book reviews and decide to pursue it as an additional source of income or even a new career!

Whatever your book reviewing plans and goals are, I hope the templates, tips, and ideas above will help you get started.

Do you have any advice for writing a great book review? Let me know in the comments below!

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Home » Writing » How to Write a Good Book Review

Tips for Writing a Good Book Review 

Now that you’ve prepped what you want to say, how you want to say it, and who you want to say it to, it’s time to start writing. Below we’ve gathered our favorite tips to help you write a good book review. Wait… make that a GREAT book review.

1. Include general information

Make sure to include all the relevant book information for your audience , including the title, author, genre, and publisher in your review. While not necessary, it is also helpful to include the number of pages, list price, and ISBN number.

2. Provide a brief plot summary

After the hook, you can then move on to the brief plot summary. This summary shouldn’t be too long, but it can be a paragraph that explains the basic plot so that the reader better understands if it’s a topic of interest. One pitfall to avoid is to give away spoilers in the plot summary. Don’t give away any plot twists, and err on the side of caution if you feel that the information is too much. For example, tell the reader that the plot has unexpected twists rather than explain any surprises in the summary.

3. Focus on the book, not the author

Keep in mind that your main job as a reviewer is to share your opinion on the book, not to critique the author. Keep the focus on the story. Avoid referencing pitfalls in any of the author’s past books or what you about them as a writer. You can provide a brief introduction to the story mentioning the author and past books, but don’t spend too much time focused on the author. The review should focus on the content of the book and its characters.

4. Be clear and specific

It is not enough to just say that you did or didn’t like the book. Let your readers know why. Make your thoughts clear as early as possible and explain the reasons why you liked or disliked specific storyline components and characters. Be specific about what you loved about the writing, what drew you to the characters, or what left you feeling lukewarm about the plot. You don’t need to explain every aspect of the book, but the reader should walk away with a sense that they understand the basic plot and determine from the review if they want to read the book for themselves.

5. Remain subjective

Not all book reviews have to be glowing, but they should be subjective. Rather than just saying you didn’t like something, support it by letting your readers know why. We all gravitate towards different things, so what may not appeal to you may appeal to someone else. If you remain subjective, then you can explain to the reader the basic story and let them decide for themselves. The review can include your likes and dislikes, but they should focus on what you felt the story did well and what parts of the story you didn’t like. However, the main focus of the review should be to explain the story so that readers can determine if they want to read the book further.

6. Avoid spoilers

We know it can be tempting, but do your best not to let any spoilers slip in your book review. Have you ever been excited to see the latest blockbuster hit (or watch the season cliffhanger to your favorite TV show) and then someone spoils the end before you even have time to watch? That is exactly what you don’t want to do to your reader. As you explain the book in your summary, ask yourself if what you are explaining ruins any surprises or twists. As you write the review, keep it vague. For example, explain that there is a major plot twist but don’t go into the specifics.

7. Be transparent

Always share if you received an incentive to review the book, got an advance copy, or have any connection to the author. Your readers will appreciate your honesty. Plus, it helps you avoid the negative impact on your credibility if they find out later. Getting paid for a review is a perfectly reasonable excuse to read a book, but it does allow readers to determine if you’re being unbiased. By specifying if you have any relationship with the author, the reader can better trust your opinion, even if they feel you’re being more biased.

8. Keep it short

While book reviews can be any length, it is always best to keep it short and succinct. Pull in your reader with a strong first sentence that sets the tone of the review and end with your recommendation. Remember, most people start to scan when something gets too long. A book review is a short summary, so writing a novel-length review loses reader interests. Keeping it short will ensure that your readers will dive into your likes and dislikes and use your reviews to determine if they have an interest in the books.

9. Proofread before posting

The quickest way to lose credibility is to post a review filled with typos. Make sure to give your final book review a thorough read before posting it and double check the spelling of any character names or places that you mention. Even better, ask someone else to read it over. It is always good to have a fresh pair of eyes proof to catch any typos. If you don’t have a family or friend who will help with proofreader, you can join a writing community where members offer test reads and proofreading. Make sure that you don’t post the review publicly, because search engines will index it and the review will no longer be unique content.

Also, keep in mind that you will want to write different book reviews for different sites. Don’t just copy and paste the same review. Google search engines scan for duplicate content and if flagged, your review won’t appear.

10. Add a hook

The hook is one or two sentences that grab the reader and convince them to keep going. It should be interesting, but it should also stick with the topic without misleading readers. The hook could be a simple statement that explains the main character of the book, or it could ask a question that resonates with the reader. Don’t make the hook too sensational to avoid sounding like a sales pitch. It should simply provide an introduction that grabs reader interests.

11. Explain what you liked about the book

Writing your own book review is a way to explain what you liked about it, and what you liked could be of interest to another reader. This section allows you to personalize the review. You can explain what you liked about the characters, who was your favorite character, what part of the book was your favorite, and if the book invoked any personal feelings (e.g., you laughed or cried).

12. Explain what you disliked about the book

You likely have something that you disliked about the book, and this section explains what you wish would have been different about the storyline or the characters. Just like the other sections, make sure that you do not reveal too much and give away important plot lines that could be considered spoilers for the rest of the story.

13. Include brief quotes as examples

Brief quotes provide readers with better insight into characters. Using quotes from characters will help the reader follow the plot summary and determine if the characters are people they can relate to. Avoid using excessively long quotes. Since the reader hasn’t read the book, a long quote could ruin plot twists or overpower the review.

14. Reference similar books

A great way to introduce readers to a specific book is to compare your book review with other books. For example, you can explain to the reader that they will like the current book you’re reviewing if they like another similar book. Alternatively, you can also compare characters between books to provide better insight into the story’s characters and the dynamic between individual characters.

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The 13 Best Book Review Sites and Book Rating Sites

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Nobody likes to spend money on a new book only to face that overwhelming feeling of disappointment when it doesn't live up to your expectations. The solution is to check out a few book review sites before you hit the shops. The greater the diversity of opinions you can gather, the more confidence you can have that you'll enjoy the title.

Which book review and book rating sites are worth considering? Here are the best ones.

1. Goodreads

Goodreads is arguably the leading online community for book lovers. If you want some inspiration for which novel or biography to read next, this is the book review site to visit.

There's an endless number of user-generated reading lists to explore, and Goodreads itself publishes dozens of "best of" lists across a number of categories. You can do a book search by plot or subject , or join book discussions and reading groups with thousands of members.

You can participate in the community by adding your own rankings to books you've read and leaving reviews for other people to check out. Occasionally, there are even bonus events like question and answer sessions with authors.

2. LibraryThing

LibraryThing is the self-proclaimed largest book club in the world. It has more than 2.3 million members and is one of the best social networking platforms for book lovers .

With a free account, you can add up to 200 books to your library and share them with other users. But it's in the other areas where LibraryThing can claim to be one of the best book review sites.

Naturally, there are ratings, user reviews, and tags. But be sure to click on the Zeitgeist tab at the top of the page. It contains masses of information, including the top books by rating, by the number of reviews, by authors, and loads more.

3. Book Riot

Book Riot is a blog. It publishes listicles on dozens of different topics, many of which review the best books in a certain genre. To give you an idea, some recent articles include Keeping Hoping Alive: 11 Thrilling YA Survival Stories and The Best Historical Fiction Books You’ve Never Heard Of .

Of course, there's also plenty of non-reading list content. If you have a general affinity for literature, Book Riot is definitely worth adding to the list of websites you browse every day.

Bookish is a site that all members of book clubs should know about. It helps you prep for your next meeting with discussion guides, book quizzes, and book games. There are even food and drink suggestions, as well as playlist recommendations.

But the site is more than just book club meetings. It also offers lots of editorial content. That comes in the form of author interviews, opinion essays, book reviews and recommendations, reading challenges, and giveaways.

Be sure to look at the Must-Reads section of the site regularly to get the latest book reviews. Also, it goes without saying that the people behind Bookish are book lovers, too. To get a glimpse of what they’re reading, check out their Staff Reads articles.

5. Booklist

Booklist is a print magazine that also offers an online portal. Trusted experts from the American Library Association write all the book reviews.

You can see snippets of reviews for different books. However, to read them in full, you will need to subscribe. An annual plan for this book review site costs $184.95 per year.

6. Fantasy Book Review

Fantasy Book Review should be high on the list for anyone who is a fan of fantasy works. The book review site publishes reviews for both children's books and adults' books.

It has a section on the top fantasy books of all time and a continually updated list of must-read books for each year. You can also search through the recommended books by sub-genres such as Sword and Sorcery, Parallel Worlds, and Epic Fantasy.

7. LoveReading

LoveReading is one of the most popular book review sites in the UK, but American audiences will find it to be equally useful.

The site is divided into fiction and non-fiction works. In each area, it publishes weekly staff picks, books of the month, debuts of the month, ebooks of the month, audiobooks of the month, and the nationwide bestsellers. Each book on every list has a full review that you can read for free.

Make sure you also check out their Highlights tab to get book reviews for selected titles of the month. In Collections , you'll also find themed reading lists such as World War One Literature and Green Reads .

Kirkus has been involved in producing book reviews since the 1930s. This book review site looks at the week's bestselling books, and provides lengthy critiques for each one.

As you'd expect, you'll also find dozens of "best of" lists and individual book reviews across many categories and genres.

And while you're on the site, make sure you click on the Kirkus Prize section. You can look at all the past winners and finalists, complete with the accompanying reviews of their books.

Although Reddit is a social media site, you can use it to get book reviews of famous books, or almost any other book for that matter! Reddit has a Subreddit, r/books, that is dedicated to book reviews and reading lists.

The subreddit has weekly scheduled threads about a particular topic or genre. Anyone can then chip in with their opinions about which books are recommendable. Several new threads are published every day, with people discussing their latest discovery with an accompanying book rating or review.

You'll also discover a weekly recommendation thread. Recent threads have included subjects such as Favorite Books About Climate Science , Literature of Indigenous Peoples , and Books Set in the Desert . There’s also a weekly What are you Reading? discussion and frequent AMAs.

For more social media-like platforms, check out these must-have apps for book lovers .

10. YouTube

YouTube is not the type of place that immediately springs to mind when you think of the best book review sites online.

Nonetheless, there are several engaging YouTube channels that frequently offer opinions on books they've read. You’ll easily find book reviews of famous books here.

Some of the most notable book review YouTube channels include Better Than Food: Book Reviews , Little Book Owl , PolandBananasBooks , and Rincey Reads .

Amazon is probably one of your go-to site when you want to buy something. If you don’t mind used copies, it’s also one of the best websites to buy second-hand books .

Now, to get book reviews, just search and click on a title, then scroll down to see the ratings and what others who have bought the book are saying. It’s a quick way to have an overview of the book’s rating. If you spot the words Look Inside above the book cover, it means you get to preview the first few pages of the book, too!

Regardless of the praises or criticisms you have heard from other book review sites, reading a sample is the most direct way to help you gauge the content’s potential and see whether the author’s writing style suits your tastes.

12. StoryGraph

StoryGraph is another good book review site that's worth checking out. The book rating is determined by the site's large community of readers. Key in the title of a book you're interested in and click on it in StoryGraph's search results to have an overall view of its rating.

Each book review provides information on the moods and pacing of the story. It also indicates whether the tale is plot or character-driven, what readers feel about the extent of character development, how lovable the characters generally are, and the diversity of the cast.

13. London Review of Books

The London Review of Books is a magazine that covers a range of subjects such as culture, literature, and philosophy. Part of its content includes amazingly detailed book reviews. If you feel that most modern book reviews are too brief for your liking, the London Review of Books should suit you best.

You'll gain insight into the flow and themes of the story, as well as a more thorough picture of the events taking place in the book.

Read Book Reviews Before You Buy

The book review sites we've discussed will appeal to different types of readers. Some people will be more comfortable with the easy-to-interpret book rating systems; others will prefer extensive reviews written by experienced professionals.

Although it’s easy to be tempted by a gorgeous book cover, it’s always best to have a quick look at the book reviews before actually buying a copy. This way, you can save your money and spend it on the books that you’ll be proud to display on your shelves for a long time. And check out recommendations, as well, to help you find what's worth reading.

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17 Places to Find Book Reviewers | IBR Book Marketing Series (Part 8)

17 Places to Find Book Reviewers is an author and publicist resource to helping indies get book reviews. The eighth installment of the IBR Book Marketing series, this post includes both free options and paid options.

17 Places to Find Book Reviewers

by Joe Walters

Book reviewers play an important role in the book-buying process.

As an author, you’re told early and often that you should try to get more book reviews . It’s great for marketing, they say. But is it really?

I’ve been a book marketer for three different indie presses now, having marketed and promoted hundreds of books, and I can say pretty confidently that the answer is yes .

Book reviews are incredibly important. Readers want to buy books that have been vouched by real-life people (like Amazon’s consumer reviews) and experts (like with blurbs & media). Nothing ever guarantees book sales , but getting reviews can at least help. Book marketing is all about about doing the things that can help.

So where you do you find book reviewers?

Let’s explore some options.

• Book review publications

Professional book reviewers are a good way to start this list. There are people out there who focus on books across a number of genres; their audience is readers, booksellers, and librarians. The content they publish is about books, and they are experts in the book field. This is different from someone who runs a niche publication, like one about ducks who could review your book about ducks.

If you want to get book reviews, you should definitely try to get reviews from review publications. Here’s a list of 30+ book review sites to get you started.

But there are way more than that. Just type keywords into Google like “[Your Genre] book reviews,” and you’ll find a number of them that are not on our list. Review publications will usually offer the chance of being reviewed for free or to guarantee a review by paying for it. More on that in the paid section!

Amazon is one of the most influential places to get your book reviewed. Not only is it the place that most people buy books, but it’s also the place with the most book & product reviewers. 

You can find Amazon reviewers by searching for books similar to yours and reading those reviews. When the reviewer has a picture, click on their name. This means that they created a reviewer profile, and it’s possible they shared information on how to get in contact with them to request reviews in exchange for a free book. 

Amazon used to share a list of their top reviewers, but they’ve recently gotten rid of that. This is probably because they were being bombarded by tons of review requests. Take it from me, a guy who gets tons of review requests. 

It’s not easy to get book reviews from Amazon consumers, but it is possible. You can increase the amount of reviews you have on there in different ways (like building a launch team), but since that includes people you know, I’ll get to that in #8.

Goodreads is a social networking platform for readers, run by Amazon. Similar to Amazon, reviewers can create profiles and write reviews on book pages. You can find those reviewers by searching similar books to yours on Goodreads and reaching out to them if they share contact information and express interest in free books for review.

But the book pages aren’t the only places to find them! They also have groups and forums on Goodreads. It’s not easy to get reviews by requesting reviews on forums and groups, but it is possible. (Sensing a pattern here?) 

• Social Networking Sites

Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with likeminded people. Search functions and hashtags enable you to find real people talking about your book’s topic in real time. That means you could find reviewers on Instagram, Facebook (including Facebook Groups), Twitter, the hundreds of Twitter alternatives popping up, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

Want to know the best way to get book reviews from social media?

If you decide that a certain platform is your platform–the one where you will invest the most time and where you will build your following–then you will want to post often, be likable as a human (easy, I know! 😂), and when your book is coming out and/or when it’s out, you can mention a few times how helpful reviews are and that you’d love their support in that regard. Let people know how they can get a free copy in exchange for review. (I like Google Forms !) And again, super important, don’t be pushy!

If you find a book reviewer who doesn’t follow you , follow them. Be real as a follower. Engage with their posts and support them long before you request help from them. Reviewers on social media are sent review requests in their DMs and emails all the time, and they don’t have time for most of them. Build a real relationship with these people—which definitely requires time!—and your chances of converting them into a reviewer for your book will increase. 

• Book Review Directories & Lists

You can also find book reviewers in long lists and directories online. You have our list of review sites , IndiesToday , Bookbloggerlist , Book Reviewer Yellow Pages , Kindlepreneur, and more. There are a whole lot of reviewers in the world, and a whole lot of reviewers want to appear on those lists. It helps them get more and better books as well as drive more traffic to their websites. 

You should definitely check out these lists and directories, but don’t get lost inside them. Some are so long that you could spend all your marketing time combing through them, and you might not even get that many reviews out of it. Since they appear on those lists, other authors have access to them too, meaning they get a ton of pitches. Find some that you like, send some pitches, test if it works, and if it doesn’t, get out of there. 

• Book & Niche Blogs

Researching & pitching blogs could very well be my favorite way to get more book reviews . Some of the bigger book blogs will get boatloads of review requests per day, but the nice thing here is that NOT ALL BLOGS ARE BIG.

Some have small, dedicated audiences, and some have little to no audiences. I like them both! The nice thing about small blogs is that they’re not inundated with hundreds of review requests, and they often are willing to post their reviews on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

You’re dealing with one person a lot of the time, so you can cultivate a relationship by being kind, supportive, generous (like sending a physical book & a custom bookmark, playlist, etc.), and you can increase your chances of being reviewed for this book AND the next one. You can find blogs by using keywords on Google, social media, and on hosting platforms like WordPress.

There are also a ton of niche blogs out there. If you wrote a travel memoir, you could reach out to travel bloggers who want to read more . Wrote a business book? Business bloggers could be interested in that, especially since they’re not receiving hundreds of book review requests.

• Local publications & platforms

Don’t sleep on local platforms! In addition to national publications and review publications, you should definitely look close to home for book reviewers. I’m not saying you’re definitely going to get a review if you pitch a magazine with a local angle, but I am saying that your chances increase with smaller outlets. They may not leave their review on Amazon and their readership might not be in the tens of thousands, but if all it takes is a pitch and sending a book, then I’d say reaching out to local publications is worth it.

• Your personal connections

You may get the most traction out of this one. Other authors, friends, colleagues, former teachers, acquaintances, and non-household-sharing family members can be great book reviewers for you.

Here are a few ways you can turn the people you know into book reviewers:

• Ask fellow authors to blurb your book. They may want to write a blurb for you because they know you’ll use the blurb for your marketing material like on the back cover, in the opening pages of the book, and graphics. One great way to increase blurbs for your books is by offering to blurb their book first, at the same time, or afterwards.
• You can also get writer friends to write a review and submit a review for publication at various review, literary, and local platforms. Instead of asking that team’s staff to do it, you can increase your odds to have that writer offer something already written to them.
• Are you publishing with an indie press? Ask your fellow indie authors to write a blurb for you or simply to review it on Amazon and/or Goodreads!
• Build a launch team before the book is published. Add a bunch of people who you know will want to support you—like your best friend Jon and Aunt Kate—and ask if they’d join your launch team. Basically, a launch team member is asked to read a book before it is published and then share a review on the day of or a couple days after the book is finally available on Amazon. It is totally fine to get friends and family members to leave reviews, but do note that Amazon can flag family members with the same last name and/or the same address as you and remove the review from the site.
• If you run into someone who has read your book in person, it’s totally okay to ask for them to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Don’t be pushy and probably don’t follow-up with them if they don’t—your relationship is more important!—but sometimes the first request can result in actual reviews.
• Your newsletter

Having (and actually using!) a newsletter is one of my favorite ways to market books. Social media is cool and all, but what happens when the platform you’ve chosen to focus on (like Twitter for example) up and changes everything about it?

Email is as close to direct person-to-person marketing that you can get online. It’s an excellent way to speak with your fans, keep them, and watch your fanbase grow. If you are operating a newsletter (particularly if you have multiple books), you should definitely ask them a few times to leave reviews for your books. Your biggest fans are probably in that email; make sure they know what could help you.

• The back of your book

In the back of books, authors and publishers share acknowledgement pages, author bios, and “More books from the author/publisher” pages. You can add a page at the back that requests readers to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads! You can even make it a clickable link for the eBook after you’ve published.

If your reader has already finished reading your book, they are the best possible candidates for leaving book reviews. This means that every time you run a book promotion , you are asking that reader to review your book.

Here’s our guide to selling more books on Amazon .

• Sponsored & editorial book reviews

As you’ll see, you won’t get reviews from every single review platform. Sometimes you might not get any. There are not enough review platforms on the planet to cover all the books published on it.

Some review publications offer the chance to guarantee a review by paying for it. It is a chance for authors to appear on reader-focused websites; increase their validity & searchability; add blurbs to their book; get starred reviews and the recognition that comes with it; post something new and exciting to their existing fan-base; appear on book lists; and get real honest engagement with a piece of art they care deeply about. 

Here are 5 reader-focused review platforms that offer sponsored or editorial book reviews:

• Clarion/Foreword
• City Book Review

Have you heard of Pubby? It’s relatively new, but it’s a rapidly growing community where authors review other authors’ books on Amazon. You can do a 10-day free trial, retaining the reviews you get during that time, but then you pay per month to stay on the platform. You’re not allowed to pay for Amazon reviews directly, but this site is a clever little workaround that offers incentives to those who participate.

• Reedsy Discovery

I love Reedsy! It may initially be a site where writers can get freelance editors, designers, and marketers, but when you look a little further, you can see that they host a ton of consumer reviewers too. Reviewers can create a profile on there to get access to free books before they publish and earn tips for writing great reviews.

Netgalley is a place where readers & book reviewers go to get free copies of books in exchange for review. There’s a big pool of readers here, and it’s got a safe distribution process that a lot of publishers and review platforms like. It’s pretty expensive for solo indie authors, but publishers could find the expense worth it. Reviews are that hard to come by sometimes. Some authors team up with other authors by joining a co-op where they split the cost to join. Check those out too!

BookSirens is a clean, user-friendly site where authors upload books that are available for review, and reviewers browse available books for review. They also have a large list of book bloggers by genre. You do have to pay for the service, and it won’t always increase your reviews on Amazon, but it can work for the right books. I used it with some (varying) success during my time at Paper Raven Books.

• Online Book Club

Online Book Club is a review and social networking site somewhat similar in concept to Goodreads. There are a lot of readers on this platform, and you can advertise on them in hopes of getting reviewed. You can get some free reviews on Online Book Club too, by reaching out to different readers and being active in the groups. Keep that in mind too!

• Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems sends out an email every day with new books available to review on it. They do a great job of curating their options, and they even send out review reminders to those who have agreed to review the books. They also share ebook deals—a nice addition to their ARC program. It is a much cheaper option than Netgalley.

Best of luck in finding great book reviewers! If you have any feedback on any of these platforms, please share them in the comments.

About the Author

Joe Walters  is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review, and he has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Inkwater Press, and Paper Raven Books. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

Thank you for reading Joe Walters’s blog post “17 Places to Find Book Reviewers!” If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

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Pingback: What Are Book Blurbs and How Do You Get Them? | IBR Book Marketing Series: Part 1 - Independent Book Review

Great list! Another good paid option is Pubnook.com – similar feel to Pubby.

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From Melania Trump: Modeling, Motherhood and a Brazen Whitewash of a Presidency

Slim and full of obfuscations, her memoir touches on business ventures and raising her son, but barely grapples with the mysteries of her marriage.

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By Alexandra Jacobs

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MELANIA, by Melania Trump

White House memoirs tend to go on a bit. Melania Trump’s is slim, as befits an erstwhile fashion model who prepared for her husband’s 2017 inauguration with “strong espresso and a light breakfast of fruit,” but gravely out of shape.

Better brew a double before cracking “Melania,” which, though clad in a black cover — a choice that could symbolize mourning, sophistication or more likely abject nothingness — is a brazen whitewash of a presidency and a marriage of some tumult .

Its 182 pages are padded with a generous photo insert, including an old ad she did for Camel cigarettes. There are long quotes from the former first lady’s previously delivered speeches, and some of Mr. Trump’s, too. And as if to assert herself against his omnipresent monogram, some paragraph breaks are marked with the stark initial M. Is this a book or a souvenir tea towel?

Certainly the timing of its release, less than a month before the 2024 election, invites speculation about what exactly “Melania” is intended to accomplish. Its biggest revelation, that Mrs. Trump supports abortion rights , could be a cry of independence — or a strategized attempt to further blur Mr. Trump’s unpopular policy position . The author briefly waves a manicured hand at the idea that trans women in sports might unfairly dash some dreams, and refuses to concede that President Biden won in 2020.

“I acknowledge that differing viewpoints are a natural aspect of human relationships” is a typical bland, obfuscating sentence. No co-writer is credited; after a plagiarism incident at the 2016 Republican National Convention, as Mrs. Trump explains in a chapter called “Why Was the Speech Not Vetted?,” she’s loath to delegate.

Like much of the best life writing, “Melania” begins when its subject, then surnamed Knauss, arrives in New York, after modeling vaulted her from communist Slovenia to Milan, Paris and “everywhere in Europe.” She’s 26, ready to take her career to the next level and wearing a necklace from her family engraved with the German words Ich liebe dich (“I love you”). The twin towers loom as her limo comes into Manhattan, and will not be referred to again.

Her mother, Amalija, who died this year, was Austrian, an onion farmer’s daughter who became a patternmaker. Her father, Viktor, was a chauffeur turned auto salesman, and Melania fondly recalls the new-leather smell of a Citroën Maserati he brought home when she was 7.

There’s another chomp of the madeleine when Donald, after meeting her one night during Fashion Week in the V.I.P. section of the now-defunct Kit Kat Klub , picks her up in a black Mercedes for their first date, a business-tinged visit to his property in Bedford. “Driving provides freedom,” she writes, “which I always treasure.”

She and an older sister, Ines, had grown up in a colorfully decorated three-bedroom apartment in the idyllic-sounding town of Sevnica, tended to by a nanny. The family summered on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, where Melania remembers running barefoot over cobblestone streets and enjoying gelato. She was a diligent student and planned to pursue industrial design before professional photographers began clamoring to take her picture.

Her idealism was punctured after her prize money was stolen following a runway competition. “Such dishonesty has no place in my life,” she writes, “and it never will.”

“Melania” is less a confessional than a C. V., most notable for what it leaves out than what it includes. Forget anything about porn stars or crotch-grabbing ; astoundingly, George Floyd’s name is never mentioned during a discussion of Black Lives Matter. Instead she writes of business ventures like her jewelry sold on QVC, a planned skin care line with “the rejuvenating properties of caviar” that never quite made it to eager customers and recent dabblings in blockchain.

“Knowing that I can stand on my own if necessary,” she writes in one of those lines you’re dying to read into, but can’t quite, “gives me great confidence in everything I do.”

If there’s a plain truth in “Melania,” it’s that she loves her son, Barron, and will protect him at all costs; and sincerely cares for imperiled children. She has an aversion to raw fish that was accommodated during an official trip to Japan, and an ongoing correspondence with King Charles III. There’s plenty about her hard-hatted but high-heeled renovation of the White House, including a tennis pavilion, and her design of a flowery new rug for the Diplomatic Reception Room.

And yet the only entity called to the carpet by “Melania” is the media — a faceless monolith solely motivated by a desire to do damage to her family, willfully misinterpreting and mocking messages — “Be Best,” her initiative to stop cyberbullying; “I Really Don’t Care, Do U?” scrawled on a jacket — that should be obvious to all.

“Lying is not acceptable,” she asserts.

MELANIA | By Melania Trump | Skyhorse | 182 pp. | $40

Alexandra Jacobs is a Times book critic and occasional features writer. She joined The Times in 2010. More about Alexandra Jacobs

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2024 Booker Prize:  Most bets were on Percival Everett’s “James,” but the judges chose Samantha Harvey’s “beautiful, miraculous” novel, ‘Orbital , ’ which is set aboard a space station.

‘The Wild Robot ’: Peter Brown’s obsession with the abandoned railway that became the High Line  led to two best sellers — including “The Wild Robot,” which is now a blockbuster movie.

Aleksei Navalny’s Prison Diaries : In the Russian opposition leader’s posthumous memoir , compiled with help from his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny faced the fact that Vladimir Putin might succeed in silencing him.

The Book Review Podcast:  Each week, top authors and critics talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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Writing a Book Review

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Book reviews typically evaluate recently-written works. They offer a brief description of the text’s key points and often provide a short appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

Readers sometimes confuse book reviews with book reports, but the two are not identical. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words. If you are looking to write a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Report.

By contrast, book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. They typically range from 500-750 words, but may be longer or shorter. A book review gives readers a sneak peek at what a book is like, whether or not the reviewer enjoyed it, and details on purchasing the book.

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider the elements you will need to included in your review. The following items may help:

• Author: Who is the author? What else has s/he written? Has this author won any awards? What is the author’s typical style?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, romance, poetry, youth fiction, etc.? Who is the intended audience for this work? What is the purpose of the work?
• Title: Where does the title fit in? How is it applied in the work? Does it adequately encapsulate the message of the text? Is it interesting? Uninteresting?
• Preface/Introduction/Table of Contents: Does the author provide any revealing information about the text in the preface/introduction? Does a “guest author” provide the introduction? What judgments or preconceptions do the author and/or “guest author” provide? How is the book arranged: sections, chapters?
• Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: Book jackets are like mini-reviews. Does the book jacket provide any interesting details or spark your interest in some way? Are there pictures, maps, or graphs? Do the binding, page cut, or typescript contribute or take away from the work?

As You Read

As you read, determine how you will structure the summary portion or background structure of your review. Be ready to take notes on the book’s key points, characters, and/or themes.

• Characters: Are there characters in the work? Who are the principal characters? How do they affect the story? Do you empathize with them?
• Themes/Motifs/Style: What themes or motifs stand out? How do they contribute to the work? Are they effective or not? How would you describe this author’s particular style? Is it accessible to all readers or just some?
• Argument: How is the work’s argument set up? What support does the author give for her/findings? Does the work fulfill its purpose/support its argument?
• Key Ideas: What is the main idea of the work? What makes it good, different, or groundbreaking?
• Quotes: What quotes stand out? How can you demonstrate the author’s talent or the feel of the book through a quote?

When You Are Ready to Write

Begin with a short summary or background of the work, but do not give too much away. Many reviews limit themselves only to the first couple of chapters or lead the reader up to the rising action of the work. Reviewers of nonfiction texts will provide the basic idea of the book’s argument without too much detailed.

The final portion of your review will detail your opinion of the work. When you are ready to begin your review, consider the following:

• Establish a Background, Remember your Audience: Remember that your audience has not read the work; with this in mind, be sure to introduce characters and principles carefully and deliberately. What kind of summary can you provide of the main points or main characters that will help your readers gauge their interest? Does the author’s text adequately reach the intended audience? Will some readers be lost or find the text too easy?
• Minor principles/characters: Deal only with the most pressing issues in the book. You will not be able to cover every character or idea. What principles/characters did you agree or disagree with? What other things might the author have researched or considered?
• Organize: The purpose of the review is to critically evaluate the text, not just inform the readers about it. Leave plenty room for your evaluation by ensuring that your summary is brief. Determine what kind of balance to strike between your summary information and your evaluation. If you are writing your review for a class, ask your instructor. Often the ratio is half and half.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Publisher/Price: Most book reviews include the publisher and price of the book at the end of the article. Some reviews also include the year published and ISBN.

When making the final touches to your review, carefully verify the following:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Try to read from the vantage point of your audience. Is there too much/enough summary? Does your argument about the text make sense?
• Should you include direct quotes from the reading? Do they help support your arguments? Double-check your quotes for accuracy.

What’s in a Name? Reviewing the Review

ArtReview Features 11 November 2024 ArtReview

What are reviews and why do we produce them? Why do we value some things more than others? Can anything be reviewed? Four critics from around the world re-view the review

Contemporary life is cushioned in evaluation: suggested routes to walk or drive, which products work best, where to eat, what to watch or listen to. Inundated by product reviews on social media, for every transaction constantly asked to ‘leave a review!’

Reviews offer a way to navigate the overwhelming stuff of the world. Because it’s so big and so vast and so full of stuff to engage with or look at that no one could possibly cope with it on their own.

Broadly speaking, ArtReview was founded, 75 years ago, to deal with much the same problem. In relation to the world of art. Its purpose, back then, was both to record the breadth and variety of art exhibitions being staged, in venues ranging from purpose-built galleries and museums, to pubs and private homes, in London (which, for a little while, constituted the ‘artworld’ as far as ArtReview was concerned), and to tell its readers which ones were worth the trouble of schelpping through the bombed-out capital to see in the flesh. There was also a side-gig in tracking the ‘new’ (after all the idea, post-Second World War, was that a new world was being built out of the ashes of the old), punctuated by the odd reminder that the old (long-dead painters such as John Constable) was still great and shouldn’t be chucked out with the rest of the rubble. The main point, perhaps, was that culture was as essential to the construction of a new society as anything else. That still needs to be argued for today.

The art review has acquired its own purview of the terrain; often published after an exhibition has come and gone, not offering so much an assessment of how you spend your time or money as an attempt at offering up implications: how you might be inspired or ignited, and why. Though in today’s world, of aggregate reviews and entertaining influencers, the job of the art critic is often mistaken to be the job of simply amplifying the art. Which, in the age of celebrities and influencers, more often than not, means the voice of the artist. In short, there’s some confusion about what a review is supposed to do. Given that that’s ArtReview ’s name, it thought that it might be useful to offer some insights into what a review can be. In the interests of establishing something of a personality behind the name. Or making itself more interesting than its name might suggest. That’s what everyone else does every day, after all. And ArtReview is nothing else but a person of the people, just like everyone else.

What are reviews and why do we produce them? Why do we value some things more than others? In the interest of finding out, ArtReview asked its contributors to re-view the review, with a series of case studies in what reviews can do, and in looking beyond their usual subjects and habits. In a sense, what follows pushes against the constraints of the review. Whether a comprehensive trawl of Mexico City’s San Miguel Chapultepec neighbourhood, reviewing everything within a half-kilometre radius; repeated looking at a solo show in Berlin of Maja Ruznik’s paintings, again and again to see if anything changes from one reviewing session to the next; reviewing a rural Brazilian rodeo, examining something that you wouldn’t necessarily call art, but might be more popular, more engaging and more relevant than art; or in Tokyo it’s to look at the role of the review itself and how cultural difference may determine differing reviewing etiquettes. What the review can be is still a matter to be endlessly critiqued. The point, perhaps, is to make you think about reviews as more open systems, full of potential. And perhaps you’ll look at the usual reviews section differently after that.

Case Study 1: Mexico City (the posh bit) Gaby Cepeda

I usually avoid the San Miguel Chapultepec neighbourhood of Mexico City. Not for any particular reason; but because it’s not so easily accessible via my preferred form of public transport. One recent morning, however, I was at Mari Gold, an over-hyped ‘Indo-Mexa’ breakfast-lunch spot right in the middle of an area crawling with contemporary art galleries. The food was fine, I guess – papaya with pistachios is always a good choice, but the sopes with minilla were more like Tostito-sized snacks for the price of what a whole meal would have been in a humbler spot a few blocks over. It’s my fault for straying from my usual stomping grounds and into an area ruled by two types of establishment: Frida-Coyoacán-kitsch or greige-minimalist-overpriced. For that, there was no one else to blame but myself. Afterwards, I got on with my assignment for the day: to look at every single art gallery, good or bad, within a half-kilometre radius of kurimanzutto, the apparent centre of the CDMX art universe. I had picked the area precisely because I don’t frequent it, only work can drag me here, and I was anxious about what I would find: if some of the best-known galleries are here; so are some of those you might politely describe as ‘fillers’.

My first stop was RGR, a very serious looking gallery in a corner building that it seemed to occupy in its entirety. I had been here before, I think I saw some Carlos Cruz-Diez ‘chromointerferent’ Op-art pieces recently? This time, the gallery was showing O Vento Experimenta o que irá fazer com sua liberdade (The Wind Experiments With What It Will Do With Its Freedom) by Brazilian Marcelo Cidade, which was a nice surprise. Ansiosa ansiedade (Anxious Anxiety, 2024), the central work, was his take on a kinetic sculpture, a Barbie-pink garage bay-door cyclically rolling down and then back up with characteristic noisiness. Sitting in a corner was Resíduo privado de um corpo laboral explotado (Private Residue from an Exploited Labor Force, 2024), an object that is omnipresent in the crevices of my beautiful city: a plastic Coca-Cola bottle filled with a suspicious yellow liquid, a pithy gesture that cleverly encapsulated Cidade’s gift for the aesthetic observation of the urban environment.

My second stop, at Le Laboratoire, materialised every fear and prejudice I have about San Miguel galleries and the real reason I evade them: extraneous formal experiments, mostly by men of a certain age. It was an indecipherable four-person group show; a veritable snoozefest. ‘Stuff’ was everywhere: the best looking was 7 Islas (7 Islands, 2007), geography-inspired cowhide floor-sculptures by Gabriela Gutiérrez Ovalle; then there was Árbol y Escorpión (Tree and Scorpion, 2024), six ugly chunks of wood encrusted with vinyl-record chips by Guillermo Santamarina; and also a lot of Carlos Aguirre’s minimalist, black canvases completed by metal rods coming off the wall, from the series Extensiones y tensiones espaciales desde el plano pictórico (Spatial Extensions and Tensions from the Pictorial Plane, 2024). There were so many more works, I simply do not have the stamina to keep on describing. Naturally, this mish-mash of art objects was crowded under the title Archipiélagos (Archipelagoes), force-fitting a Glissant quote under pretexts so vague, so slippery, that I really thought: ‘What did he ever do to you?’

Also a little cramped was Galería de Arte Mexicano (GAM), a historical locale once run by legendary gallerist Inés Amor: Rivera, Toledo, Siqueiros, Tamayo and Carrington are still on its roster. They were showing Structure? by British sculptor Luke Hart. Chain-Link Twist III: Half Ellipse (2024) consisted of 21 sizable carbon-steel beams held together by interconnected orange clamps. The sequence was arranged dynamically, the two ends lying on the floor so that the middle section fanned haphazardly, in precarious equilibrium. Bar Arrangement I (2024) performed a similar trick but with less beams and in more chaotic angles. It felt slightly redundant, especially since the pieces were far too big for the space and one could never get a wide, unobstructed view of them to admire their industrially produced simplicity. An excessive amount of text on the poster-sized handout also drowned the otherwise straightforward work.

Nevertheless, undaunted, I kept going and dropped by Patricia Conde Galería, dedicated to contemporary Mexican photography. It was showing Crecí a la sombra de los árboles (I Grew Up in the Trees’ Shadow), dozens of small-format prints by Cristina Kahlo (yes, great-niece of). I will only say that most of them looked like what the bigwig at a publisher who underestimates women readers would pick as the cover of the new Elena Ferrante novel. A couple blocks down, I tried to visit Lizbeth Mitty’s painting show at Adhesivo Contemporary but the door was locked and no one was there to open it. There was a dark hued triptych that looked intriguing from the other side of their glass doors.

After that I strolled to Galería Enrique Guerrero, a spot that also enjoyed a sparkly moment in the early 2000s, back when they showed Teresa Margolles, Guillermo Kuitca and Julian Schnabel. Nowadays… well, I haven’t really visited in a while, but I was pleasantly surprised by Peruvian Jimena Chávez Delion’s show Aferrarse a los márgenes (Hanging on to the Margins). Hers is kind of a post-Post-Internet, readymade-ish sculptural exercise that leaves behind that movement’s cynicism to opt for a more regionally empathetic critique. A highlight was Montaña (2024), a Jenga-like tower of white sneaker-soles rising to a few meters in height. It imitated the way migrant workers pile the many bootleg sneaker soles they hand-paint daily in Lima, the artist’s home city, for sale in its many markets dedicated to ‘piratería’. As documented in Chávez Delion’s charming video Despertar el pulso (Awakening the Pulse, 2023), many of those workers arrive from nearby provinces and neighbouring countries. The artist’s eye and tact when recording the women workers felt very refreshing, unlike so much of the current victimisation and dehumanisation of such people, which is, unfortunately, the prevailing image perpetuated by mass media.

I was particularly taken by the part when a young girl, while painting a sneaker sole, talks about her dream: to make enough money to go back to Venezuela and study fine art. Soon enough, I got to the crown jewels of San Miguel Chapultepec: Kurimanzutto and Labor. At Kuri there was an eponymous show by Danh Vo, his second in five years, which is quick return for a gallery representing the number of artists it does. It wasn’t as perfect as the 2019 Danh Vo , but it was pretty good. There was a wooden space-within-a-space holding up 47 framed lithographs of different closeups of Renaissance paintings, lightly overlaid with Fraktur type that read ‘lick me lick me’, which was also the title of the entire piece. The best was at the very end: Untitled (2024) was a graceful little setup that included a sleek Angelo Mangiarotti grey-stone console with some plants, flowers and animal bones. Hanging above it, a crumpled replica of an early 13 Colonies American flag veiling a tiny, almost completely invisible, sixteenth-century Flemish painting of a Madonna Lactans. Vo’s historical-conceptual games of hide-and-seek continue to be amusing, and I imagine the 47 small prints flew off the shelves.

In a nice full-circle moment for my tour, another Brazilian artist was showing at Labor: Raphaela Melsohn’s Cortando linha se faz espaço (Cutting Lines Makes Space). She too showed at RGR earlier this year, in their Después del edén (After Eden) group show, but this was her first solo show in the city. There were a lot of big ceramic pieces, quite beautiful, though maybe a little cramped – an ongoing trend, apparently. They were white and voluptuous, their curves had curves: textured, bearing the marking and smoothing patterns of the artist’s fingers, they huddled in a huglike formation ( DE NOVO E DE NOVO PASSO MEUS DEDOS PARA CONSTRUIR LUGAR , Again and Again, I Trace with My Fingers to Create Space, 2024), laid about like intestines in a butcher shop ( Nó , 2024), or stood up, alert, like organic periscopes ( Tipping Point , 2024). The best part was the ‘cutters’: Cut #1 and #2 (2024), large, heavy steel walls, bisected in the middle and standing near the entrance and in the back like exaggerated space dividers. Delightfully, the walls gave in to one’s touch, they were meant to be swung on their axis, cutting into the space in different ways. They reminded me of Hart’s steel works at GAM, which simulated flexibility and possibility; Melsohn’s enacted this.

Anonymous Gallery gets an honorary mention. Circulación Espectral (Spectral Circulation) was a group show about money with works by well-known locals Paloma Contreras Lomas and Daniel Aguilar Ruvalcaba, along with a couple of foreigners, Ignacio Gatica from Chile and Adriana Martínez Barón from Colombia. Gatica had Preface for an Automated Stratosphere UMSCA (2024), one of his now recognisable LED-tickers processing financial information live; and Peregrinación Bursátil (México) (Stock Market Pilgrimage [Mexico], 2024), a lovely silver chain with a pendant in the style of the souvenirs from la Basilica de Guadalupe, but with the Mexican Stock Market Exchange building instead, exhibited inside a delicate vitrine. Martínez Barón had quite a few pieces, a favourite was her money-loving vitrine, Arco Iris (2015), an orderly rainbow of colours created by a thick roll of bills wrapped in an elastic band. She also had Prophecy (2024), a small and intricate origamilike sculpture of three birds standing atop of each other, made out of very pretty but worthless – because of dramatic devaluation – Venezuelan bills.

I believe this exhaustive art tour of the San Miguel Chapultepec area taught me two things: one, is that young South American artists are producing excellent work, and the local scene is finally catching up to them – surprising in a city that doesn’t show enough of our regional brethren, unless they’re living here and we personally like them. And two, is that aside from the last three galleries, which are on my usual rotation, maybe I should drop by some of the other ones sporadically as well. Maybe I should not judge the book by its cover (Instagram-posted documentation) every single time; perhaps I’ll turn the critique inwards and admit that I can afford to reexamine the preconceptions and habits I’ve fallen into after years on the local criticism beat. I will be brunching elsewhere though.

Case Study 2: My First Rodeo Oliver Basciano

The track was pitch black and we only had the vaguest idea where we were heading. Still, the car’s headlights were picking out numerous people walking through the mud in the same direction. Then, round the bend, floodlights appeared; parking up, they illuminated a great metal cage around which thronged an eager crowd in jeans and Stetsons, clutching beer and pastel. The music started up: a high energy, unstoppable mix of song excerpts, no track lasting more than ten seconds before blasting into the next, or segueing into the frenetic commentary of the MC. This is the first rodeo of the season in my newly adopted hometown in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, far from the galleries and artist studios of São Paulo. This is the cultural fare available to me now.

My friends and I got a beer and found the slightest of gaps in the crowd: the first rider was lowering himself onto a colossal bull behind a gate at the far side of the cage, the animal snorting and spitting as the young man wiggled himself into position. And then the gate swung open. The bull roared forth, back legs flicking up, a blur of muscle and sweaty fur as it twisted in circles. It ran full pelt towards us, a couple of metal bars between beast and our oblivion. The rider was good; a previous champion we later found out. The requisite eight seconds passed, and he was still on the bull’s back. 9, 10, 11, 12, thir- and he’s thrown into the air. The boy – and he really looked like just a boy – expertly rolls and lands a little distance away; he grabs his fallen hat and climbs the perimeter bars away from the bull’s lunges. The gate swings back open and the heaving animal bolts inside to its temporary stable.

The first night of the rodeo has a feverish energy to it: my neighbours and I are excited for the next few days. We will drink, there will be music, there will be hangovers that will be shaken off by doing the whole thing again. It struck me that this was a carbon copy of the rituals of the artworld I’d left behind: the fair-week excesses, the stamina needed for biennial openings. There is the slowly building momentum behind a particular rider that seems analogous to the whispers propelling a hotly tipped artist; except at the rodeo, opinion is less open to manipulation. The score sheet isn’t rigged as often happens the artworld, where gallery reps hype a new name until exhibition-goers begin to repeat it as if it were their own finely judged opinion.

For the rider, rodeo week is as high stakes as an art fair can be for an artist. The crowning champion will win a car or a sum of money equivalent to six months wages; the artist knows that a sellout booth will steady their career for a similar duration. There’s a uniform too: here, the linen suits of the art-fair crowd (or the gaudy wacky dress of the European biennial denizens) are replaced with jeans, boots and belt buckles. On hats, stickers proliferate: the Brazilian flag, the state flag, the Monster energy drink logo, cartoon cows and chilli peppers. These are the real markers of a ritual gathering: a bucking cow or the installation of art is just the excuse.

As the months drift by, the nature of the event changes, but the same sense of a community exercising its social bonds endures. During carnival the usually quiet central street erupts into an orgy of dancing and drinking, buses and Toyota pickups arriving from across the hills crammed with kids from neighbouring towns and villages (the tipple being horrifying pints of red wine and condensed milk). During the town’s saint’s festival, the church in the central square holds a service every night. If salvation wasn’t a big enough pull, a marquee is set up for bingo. Every night for a week, after the priest’s final blessing, the faithful and many more beside sit down for five hours of high-speed number-calling. I win an air fryer. There is a motocross rally in August (apparently only semilegal, but I spot the mayor of the town, currently up for reelection and keen to be seen, on a bike himself); there’s an ox parade in October (the cows, cute as they are, turn out not to be the highlight of the cow parade; rather it’s the wagons they pull, wooden carts, great sanded logs strung together with leather rope, intricately woven baskets atop); monthly night markets and the annual rodeo-queen contest.

Art has long since shifted beyond the object, entering what might be termed the experience economy: it has become a space of social performance that replicates the traditional community structure evident here. The bad collector buys a painting to go with the couch, the good collector is deemed so because she immerses herself in the network of the artworld (though she buys the same painting as her bad counterpart): the first day at the fair, the dinner, the museum patron’s event. Art creates relations that, unlike the rodeo or church bingo, are untethered from geography, their base only the presence of capital. The favourite bar of gallery weekend becomes the artworld’s town square, the queue to the restaurant outside the biennial the place of gossip and bonding. This dematerialisation of art – in which meaning, and a prevailing culture, is carved out by two-way discourse alone – was a fact recognised by the relational-aesthetics brigade during the 1990s, but that has since devoured the entire circuit. Art is no longer a sculpture or painting but a social mechanism. Performance programmes, parties, talk series: pity those who don’t want to play.

It took me a while not to imagine the fun my neighbours were having – gatherings that were initially strange and alien to me – through the secondary gaze of the seasoned gallerygoer. The rodeo looked like it might appear in some videowork I could have encountered. An interpretation label would have talked of masculinity and economics, it might have name-checked Donna Haraway as it made curatorial face-saving nods to animal ethics. The endurance of the bingo players feels akin to Doug Aitken’s obsession with auctioneers or something Rirkrit Tiravanija might have come up with to play out in a museum plaza as an ersatz spectacle of sociability (in the style of his ping-pong tournaments). Yet one tribal affiliation replaces another and when I did go back to the city, I found myself increasingly ambivalent to the noise around the art object. Can the artwork be read beyond the ritual that surrounds it, the one that shines its aura? Perhaps a topicality is lost, but beyond the noise, I’d argue, a certain clarity is born. High up in the mountains of Minas Gerais, where the rituals of community and culture are still tied to place, things feel less performed, less mediated and more personal.

Case Study 3: Groundhog Day Martin Herbert

How many times do you typically visit a given exhibition? For people who aren’t critics, the answer is probably ‘once’. For those who are, it’s maybe twice or thereabouts, unless the show is uncommonly big. Then there’s looking: how long, how close? The late critic Dave Hickey reckoned you should be able to spend as long in an exhibition as it took to get there. Scaling up, T.J. Clark’s 2006 book The Sight of Death records the art historian’s daily returning, for months, to two Poussin landscapes in Los Angeles’s Getty Museum, and the granular revelations they disclosed under patient scrutiny. You don’t, though, typically find critics placing comparative temporal pressure on contemporary art. Is that down to the art, the writers, diminished or altered artistic ambitions, digitally broken attention spans, all the above?

To begin finding out, I decided to keep revisiting one show until I couldn’t take anymore. I chose Maja Ruznic’s show at Contemporary Fine Arts, Berlin, because on a quick first visit during a gallery tour it seemed a useful test case: this one, I thought, might have hidden depths, or might not. (As a critic you need to be open to both possibilities.) The Bosnia-Herzegovina-born, New Mexico-based artist’s show comprised 14 figurative paintings with modernist overtones, bathed in a jewel-box palette: the kind of display where you walk in, your brain goes ‘ah yes, more figurative painting with modernist overtones, bathed in a jewel-box palette’, and maybe you move on, dimly aware that you haven’t given the work a chance, that you’ve barely seen it. So, I thought, let’s try to see it. Doing this, it turned out, involved almost as much unseeing as seeing.

Facing viewers upon entry was Azmira & Maja (2023–24), featuring an adult and child against a gauzy yellow-green landscape: I thought immediately of Arshile Gorky’s The Artist and His Mother (c. 1942), a double portrait, based on a 1912 photograph, of artist and parent staring plaintively out of the past, unaware of what life, and specifically the Armenian genocide, will do to them. (Checking later, Ruznic’s composition is substantially different, but the vibe – memory, displacement – is comparable.) Amid the interlocking composition of faces and profiles in the peach, pink and toothpaste green Sea People (2023–24), I hallucinated both Edvard Munch and vague 1970s memories of Eastern European cartoons on BBC2. Afore other canvases I wondered if the gallery was actively seeking to replace its ex-artist Tal R, whose work has a comparable spooky, sometimes cartoonish, art history-inflected vibe. Some smaller paintings skewed more abstract and decorative. That’s probably all I got in half-looking, half-scouting mode.

The next day I dutifully went back, while wondering if I should have chosen a gallery that isn’t on the far side of town. In morning light, Sea People was paler and glimmering, raking sunlight emphasising the interior glow caused by Ruznic’s signature stippling; its compositional structure, rippling both vertically and horizontally, was newly clear. Grandmother (2024), too, implied a figure in water: a hunched, almost cronelike woman inhabiting a multicoloured lake while fireworks of dots and lines erupt around her. Her face looks like a crosseyed lion’s and is marked by outwardly radiating lines that, I saw, repeat on the mother’s shield-shaped face in Azmira & Maja , an aspect that felt significant, inscrutable: ciphered. At this point, though, a gallerist appeared and, because I didn’t protest in time, gave me the spiel; illuminating, if narrowing, anecdotes tying art to life arrived.

Ruznic and her mother, it turns out, fled the Bosnian war of the early 1990s when the artist was nine, displacing first to a refugee camp in Austria and later to the US. The double portrait is, indeed, of her and her mother, from a photo taken at the Austrian camp; its green colour scheme, Ruznic said in a recent interview, forever reminds her of Bosnia. Her grandmother, who stayed behind, died in 2017; Grandmother was apparently a deliberate attempt not to romanticise her. That Ruznic, of late, has gotten interested in shamanism meanwhile seemed germane to two paintings titled The Helpers (both 2023–24), which feature wraithlike figures in gravity-free space: in The Helpers II , keyed to deep greens and watery purples, a half-dozen facial profiles surround a female-looking figure with arms outstretched and a deadpan, cartoonish, frowny face; above her, a spreading light fitting or an inverted, long-haired figure’s head. Maybe Ruznic’s grandmother is in this halfway-consoling realm somewhere, maybe mine too.

One visit later, I approached a kind of spectatorial sweet spot: the stress-free pleasures of repetition offset by a low pulse of fresh discoveries and realignments. The pressed-together elongated figures in The Child’s Throat (2024) had initially felt offputtingly Klimt-indebted: pattern recognition in action again. But Ruznic’s askew mix of warm browns, verdant greens and lasers-in-the-jungle electric blue kept drawing me back into a progressively unnerving composition whose emotional fulcrum is a bent-backwards, big-headed, sacrificial child figure: a stabbing cipher of oblique pain, surrounded by gangly phantoms. Next time around, feeling familiar with the show’s broad strokes, I was gravitating towards its murkiest, least resolved elements: the dense, flickering purple otherworld of The Helpers (2023–4), into which the mother from Azmira & Maja now appeared to have crossed over; the scattering of smaller near-abstractions that punctuate the big canvases. After three visits and closer inspection, these little works still didn’t do much; Ruznic, I decided, was one of those painters who can’t scale down. I kept planting myself in front of the harlequin-patterned Cells (2024) with its nice harmonies of midnight blue, red and orange; it kept giving me mild, brushy tastefulness.

Time to stop doing this, my feet told my eyes. Parts of the show still didn’t quite jigsaw together beyond the past being only halfway accessible, the hope that our lost loved ones still hover, watching and supporting, in the ether, but the doubt itself felt emotionally true. Much more rote returning, though, and all this might boomerang into frustration. Meanwhile, a lesson learned, or relearned: the categorising eye and mind and the energy-conserving human organism want us off the hook of close looking, yet that’s where everything substantial about art viewing resides: pleasure, undoing, complication, judgment, surprise. I’d begun by putting a painter in a box: neomodernist, spiritualist space cadet, playing dress-up with lingeringly fashionable themes and aesthetics; I found, later, a sincere artist chasing vocabularies for bruising experiences. As it turned out, this show’s approach to articulation was right there in its title, Mutter : German for ‘mother’, English for saying something that requires effort to hear.

Case Study 4: Local Flavours Thu-Huong Ha

As an expat living in Tokyo, I’m expected to provide all kinds of local wisdom when friends (and cousins and former colleagues of former college friends) come to town. There are a number of rote tips I rattle off to well-meaning hipster tourists thirsty for some semblance of an ‘authentic’ experience in this city that’s been thoroughly picked over by influencers and vloggers, but there’s one that takes so much explanation that I sometimes hesitate to give it: never trust the Google reviews.

4.5 stars for conveyer belt sushi in Shibuya? Useless. 4.8 stars for a Tokyo station izakaya with an English menu? Better off just getting in a random line on the street.

This is not simply, as it may seem, a comment on the inferior tastes of tourists; it reflects a clash of review cultures. Japanese reviewers do not give 5 out of 5 stars for a service or establishment that is good. If it’s solid, it gets a 3. If it’s really good, it gets a 4. Nothing gets a 5. Japanese reviewers grade harshly on dimensions of service, cleanliness, ‘cosu pa’ or ‘cost performance’, the etiquette of other customers . At a soba shop near my house, low stars are given for the colour of the tempura (black), the smell (ammonia) and the presence of ashtrays (one for each table). On Tabelog, a Japanese Yelp for restaurants, if I see 3.49 stars, it gives me a little thrill. A typical review might read something like, ‘Food was super delicious. Perfect night. The server had messy hair. 2 stars.’ It’s why Shake Shack has 4.5 stars on Google and the best udon you’ve ever had in your life has 3.8: tourists love grade inflation.

For this Vietnamese–American raised on New York bagels and pizza, further nuances and dialects are required to interpret the language of local reviews. When I moved to my current apartment and needed to find a reliable neighborhood bakery, I looked askance at the mostly Japanese reviews on Google maps. The Japanese palate favours soft and bouncy fuwa fuwa textures – nobody is on the hunt for a crusty sourdough or a crackling baguette. (To my dismay, the search for good bread is still ongoing, six months later.) Similarly, Japanese spice tolerance has got to be one of the lowest in Asia, with employees trained to ask if customers are OK with wasabi, and whether they want their curry ‘spicy’ or ‘Japanese spicy’.

Our world of apps, algorithms and e-commerce is heavily saturated with user-generated reviews. Whether 5-star review culture symbolises the democratisation of taste or the demise of expertise, it’s too late to turn back to a time before everyone was a critic. But contending with bots, click farms, incentivised reviews, not to mention all those people – like me – who only leave reviews for excellent or awful experiences, how do we make sense of this abundance of text? When criticism is aggregated and flattened to a scale of five yellow stars, meaning breaks down.

Every platform has its own internal language and culture. A 2021 study found, for example, that Google Maps restaurant reviews are on average 0.7 stars higher than those on Yelp. Uber and other peer-to-peer rating systems are susceptible to what researchers call ‘reputation inflation’, in which users leave 5 stars by default and dock stars only when something has gone terribly wrong.

Meanwhile the review sections for books on Amazon and Goodreads have become hotbeds for cancel culture across the political spectrum, a place where users can quickly organise to bring down books and authors. In 2017, Amazon had to delete at least 900 fake reviews from people leaving one star for Hilary Clinton’s book about the 2016 US presidential election; it got so bad that later the company instated restrictions on select controversial items so that users couldn’t leave reviews at all without a verified purchase. In subsequent years YA novels deemed racist by early reviewers and social media critics were targeted with one-star ratings on Goodreads, and multiple titles have been pulled before they ever hit the shelves.

But as one becomes more fluent in any particular system, the culture reveals itself. No longer a tourist in Japan, I find a certain ethnographic delight in plumbing the depths of sub-review cultures that remain relatively homogenous, like neighbourhood pharmacies, laundromats and tailors. I read the user-generated reviews for a nearby funeral home and crematorium like I would an art show I’ll never see – and like the best criticism, it offers a kind of artwork unto itself.

You’d think the appraisals would be full of highly sensitive and emotional reactions to how beloved family members were treated after death. Yet here in the Google reviews for this funeral home, in this very specific sliver of internet, I find a surprising number of things at work: nationalism, pastoral nostalgia, budgetary concerns, hunger, pride, grief. There is of course the requisite ‘It’s very beautiful’ with a picture of a pretty decent looking teishoku set. (3 stars.) ‘It seemed like we were being rushed, like we should hurry up and do it quickly because we have so much to do, without immersing ourselves in the sadness.’ (1 star.) One reviewer is surprised that there is nowhere to get a drink and you have to use the vending machines outside. (1 star.) There are several complaints about the bones being handled directly by the hands of the staff without gloves, and how rushed it feels, compared to the countryside, where more care and patience are given to the ceremony. A lot of comments are about where the parking is, how much it costs, where the smoking section is, and how hard the roads are to navigate. A couple of reviewers use this opportunity to give screeds against the Chinese, as the for-profit funeral home has been reportedly bought by a Chinese parent company. A few mention that imperial family members and other celebrities have been cremated here.

It turns out, once we learn to search the sweep of stars with careful eyes, patterns and stories reveal themselves. One person is only in the Google reviews to say rest in peace to their best friend of half a century.

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What You Should Know about the Lost Books of the Bible

My pastor was teaching a class on the unity and diversity of Scripture when a verse from the book of Numbers leapt out at me. I consider myself deeply familiar with the Bible and yet, apparently, I’d skipped over mentions of lost books of the Bible. Yet, this time, Numbers 24:14 NASB “For that reason it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord,” ignited my imagination.

With a love of speculative fiction, I imagined all kinds of content for this book, but then I remembered that most ancient writings from the Israelites were named by the first significant words that appear in the scroll. So, for instance, Genesis is Bereshit  in Hebrew which is translated “In the beginning.” Exodus is Shemot, meaning “Names.” Leviticus is Vayikra, meaning “And He called.” Numbers is Bamidbar  translated, “In the Wilderness.” And Deuteronomy is Devarim, which is “Words.” So, it’s most likely that “Wars of the Lord” is the first significant phrase in this scroll. Still intriguing, though.

“Wait a minute!” I asked, “What is this?” You may similarly intrigued.

The discussion in my pastor’s class about writings that are referenced in the Bible but not included sent me on a search. I remembered my friend, Eva Marie Everson , had just released a novel, and in her research, she referenced the writings of Gad, the seer. Turns out, these are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 29:29 along with the chronicles of Samuel and of Nathan the prophet, “Now the acts of King David, from the first to the last, are written in the chronicles of Samuel the seer, in the chronicles of Nathan the prophet, and in the chronicles of Gad the seer” (NASB).

I am curious about everything related to God and His Word, so I followed the trail of these books. Still, as I indulged my curiosity, I remembered that my pastor often tells us that while we don’t get all the details we always want in God’s Word, we do have everything we need (which often makes him sound like he’s quoting the Rolling Stones).

A Brief List of Lost Books Mentioned in the Bible

Besides the books or writings already mentioned, some of the lost books mentioned in God’s Word include:

1. The Book of Jasher, possibly poetry. Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18 2. There are several books or chronicles of kings referenced throughout the Old Testament. This is understandable as every king would have had a scribe recording the history of their reign. Some that are mentioned are The Chronicles of King Ahasuerus ( Esther 2:23 ), The Acts of the Kings of Israel (also called the Acts and Prayers of Manasseh) mentioned in 2 Chronicles 33:18 , and The Book of the Acts of Solomon ( 1 Kings 11:41 ). 3. Writings of various prophets not included in the canon of Scripture are referenced, including those written by Shemaiah and Iddo ( 2 Chronicles 12:15 ), Ahijah the Shilonite ( 2 Chronicles 9:29 ), and the Seers ( 2 Chronicles 33:19 ).

Some of these writings may exist, but none are considered on a standing with the books actually included in the Bible's canon.

Are These the Same as the Apocryphal Books or Pseudepigrapha?

The short answer is no. The “Lost Books” is a broad category that also includes the Pseudepigrapha and the Apocrypha.

We know a pseudonym is a fictitious or pen name. Pseudepigrapha are ancient writings from biblical times that have been determined to be suspicious as not authentic to the author claimed in the title. There are many, and occasionally, we see them in modern headlines. Perhaps the most familiar are The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Judas. A frequent topic of the New Testament writers was the prevalence of false teachers already on the rise in the early church. Many of these writings reflect one of the most prevalent forms of false teaching called Gnosticism .

Greg Grandchamp explains that Gnosticism can be challenging to define. “The word itself is derived from the Greek word “gnosis,” which means knowledge. At the core, all versions of Gnosticism, and there are many, contend that people find their salvation and overcome the material, physical world only through attaining secret knowledge.”

Apocryphal books are biblically related writings but have historically not been accepted as to be included in the canon of Scripture. The books commonly known as apocryphal are: 

• The First Book of Esdras
• The Second Book of Esdras
• The Book of Tobit
• The Book of Judith
• Additions to the Book of Esther
• The Book of Wisdom
• The Book of Sirach 
• The Book of Baruch
• The Epistle of Jeremiah
• Additions to the Book of Daniel
• The Prayer of Manasses
• The Additional Psalm
• The First Book of Maccabees
• The Second Book of Maccabees
• The Third Book of Maccabees
• The Fourth Book of Maccabees

While some denominations accept some of these books as authoritative Scripture, since the Reformation, most are not considered Scripture by Protestant denominations. The Apocrypha are generally published as either a stand-alone volume not included in the Bible or as a distinctive section clearly separate from the canonized books within the Bible.

Do the Lost Books Contain Biblical Truths?

Truth is truth. God’s truth stands wherever we find it, even in books written by secular writers or without the intent of teaching God’s truth. So, the books of the Apocrypha, those considered pseudepigrapha, and even the lost books mentioned within Scripture are likely to include some biblical truth, although that doesn’t validate them as “true” books.

Heresy is often built on truth, but then falsehood is added, part of the truth is withheld, or the truth is subtly, dangerously twisted in ways that can, and have, led believers astray so they have shipwrecked their faith. This is a tactic as ancient as the Garden of Eden when the serpent asked Eve, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” ( Genesis 3:1 NASB). “Has God really said?” is a phrase repeated through time by people with the intent of leading followers of Christ off the narrow road. 

God’s truth is revealed in His Word. Nothing that contradicts, twists, adds to or subtracts from this Word should be considered authoritative above Scripture.

Should Christians Study the Lost Books of the Bible?

First, every Christian’s primary focus of study should be the entire Word of God as found in canonized Scripture. The Old and New Testament books contain the full truth we need to follow Him. Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:3 (NASB) “for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” With busy schedules and full lives, most believers would benefit from exploring the breadth and depth of Scripture before expanding to any extra-canonical writings.

Second, any writing historically considered heresy (such as most of the Pseudepigrapha and parts of the Apocrypha) is best for the common believer to avoid. Some will read or study these writings as academics, teachers, or pastor/shepherds to analyze them and prepare to spot similar heresies in every age. Don’t allow curiosity alone to lead, but listen to the Holy Spirit and to your pastoral leadership. In the course of evangelism, if the people to whom you’re witnessing are quoting from extra-biblical literature, it can be helpful to read it yourself but engage the support of well-studied leadership mature in the faith.

Third, as far as the apocrypha is concerned or any verified lost books mentioned in Scripture that exist, it can be interesting to read these. Sometimes, we learn from apocryphal works from where some damaging misconceptions of the church arise. However, read these as books, not as God’s Word, but as you might read books now written by followers of Jesus. Evaluate them with the same eye, always weighing what is read against the authoritative truth of God’s Word.

Further Reading What are the Lost Books of the Bible? What are the Apocryphal Books and Do They Belong in the Bible? Are There Missing Books of the Bible?

Photo credit: David Greitzer