Although I haven’t written that many blog posts, there are loads more to come! I wanted to write this post so you got an insight into what I think about when reading a book. Followed by my thought process of writing a review.

Before I’ve even opened the book, I read the blurb, the recommendations and the taglines trying to get a feel of what I can expect from the book.  The title of the book for me is a big part that catches me to pick it up and read it. It’s the first thing you see when buying a book, so why would you buy one when the name doesn’t interest you. There’s also the cover of the book as well of the title. I know the saying ‘you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover’ but for me and maybe a lot of other people the cover helps you pick the book as well as a good story.

When I come to reading the book, I don’t write as I go along because I don want to keep picking up and putting down the book. So I get little sticky notes and stick them in the pages when something interests me so I know where to come back to easily when writing. This is so I don’t waste time flicking through pages. These could be things like quotes that affect my thoughts on characters or the story, even ones that I just like. I also put markers in when my opinion changes on a character and when the story changes. This could be when there is disequilibrium (loss of stability) in the story and the characters come across a problem that disrupts their ’journey’.

I don’t write as I go along because I don want to keep picking up and putting down the book. With little sticky notes, I stick them in the pages when something interests me or so I know where to come back to easily when writing. I don’t waste time flicking through pages this way. These could be things like quotes that affect my thoughts on characters or the story. I put markers in when my opinion changes on a character and when the story changes. This could be when there is disequilibrium (loss of stability) in the story, making the characters come across a problem that disrupts their ’journey’.

Now the whole point of this post. 

How I write my reviews…

1. Name the book and author before you do anything. You never know someone might forget and then you don’t have a clue what you’re reading about.
2. Mention at the top of the post the publisher, publication date and the number of pages the book has.
3. You need to start off with a catchy sentence that brings the reader in. Have a summary of your overall opinion on the subject you’re reviewing. Whether it is a book, a film or a product.
4. The first subject should be what the story is about. A quick overview, you don’t want to be writing the book again. However, don’t reveal the ending or anything big that happens throughout the book here.
5. Next, you want to discuss the main characters, their personality, relationships and their importance to the story.
6. In this section as well you want to say which your favourite is and least favourite if you have one.
7. Another thing to include, What the state of disequilibrium is and how this affects the characters and the storyline.
8. You can also include characters or situations you relate to.
9. Finally! Round up your opinions and give it an overall rating! personally, I rate the books I read out of 5.

There it is! everything you need to know to write a review. I hope this has given you some understanding of how to write a review. Give it a try one day!