Book Reviews

USC Libraries defines a book review as "a thorough description, critical analysis, and/or evaluation of the quality, meaning, and significance of a book, often written in relation to prior research on the topic. Reviews generally range from 500-2000 words, but may be longer or shorter depending on the length and complexity of the book being reviewed, the overall purpose of the review," the occasion, and the audience. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/bookreview

When writing a book review, it is important to know your audience!

The UNC Writing Center identifies four main parts to a book review:

1. Introduction - can be catchy, but must introduce basic information about the book (title, author, main theme), present the context of the book and/or your review, and present your thesis about the book

2. Summary of Content - should be brief, and amount depends on whether or not the audience has already read the book

3. Analysis and Evaluation of the Book - each paragraph should cover one single aspect of your argument (themes, methods, etc.) ; pair your assertions with evidence; reference page numbers when you quote

4. Conclusion - summarize/restate your thesis or make final judgement about the book; do not introduce new evidence, but you can introduce new ideas that go beyond the book if they extend the logic of your own thesis; balance the books strengths and weaknesses

For detailed guidelines on each of these sections, visit https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/book-reviews/ 

Subway Book Review started as an Instagram account of "underground" book reviews featuring New York City subway riders and the books they are reading. It has since grown to an organization and movement that has influenced people all over the world and encouraged more reading and literary discussion. Here are a few examples of Subway Book Reviews:  

• Play It As It Lays, by Joan Didion, review by Melanie

• Resistencia: Poems of Protest and Revolution, review by María José

• We Will Not Cancel Us, by adrienne maree brown, review by Rachel

• Circe, by Madeline Miller, review by Brandon

• The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larson, review by Wendy