What Makes a Good Book Review?

COMMENTS

1. Sonia Bellhouse says:

   11 July 2018 at 6:22 pm

   A wise person told me that if the book was not to my taste to consider which other author’s style it was like. Then to compare it with their books. For example this techno thriller will appeal to readers of Tom Clancy.

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2. Beverley Cios says:

   8 December 2018 at 8:08 pm

   I really enjoyed this book, lots of people love reading their stars, the characters were really likeable and you could see yourself in their situations. Is my Aries like that, funny, sad, highly readable,

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3. Suzanne says:

   27 November 2019 at 6:52 pm

   This is a great set of tips for creating a review. I review a lot of books and really do have a pet peeve about summarising in a review – it is not the point of a review! If there are any criticisms, it is always best to be constructive.

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4. Sally Kelly says:

   14 April 2020 at 9:29 am

   Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Paris never leaves you ‘ by Ellen Feldman . I loved this book . I felt it slow to start before I fell into story and was in awe of the difficulties and survival determination of the lead character .I have read many novels set in WW2 Europe yet this was unique and I enjoyed the story line . Would Make a stunning movie .Bravo Ellen Feldman , your strong characters and story line kept me turning those pages .

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5. Chris Newcombe says:

   14 April 2020 at 3:45 pm

   When I received my copy of Paris Never Leaves You it only took me a day and a half to finish it. The story of Charlotte and her daughter Vivi takes us from Paris in 1944 to America in the 1950s. A story of survival and what a mother had to do to keep her and her daughter alive. I’ve never read any of Ellen Feldman’s novels before but her portrayal of war torn Paris and the New York publishing scene made me imagine being there. I’ve read many novels that depict WW2 and I rate this one up with them. Strong, believable characters. Loved it.

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6. Ellen Sanders says:

   11 March 2021 at 12:47 pm

   Thank you for these tips ! I have just sent in a review for my first book I have read and reviewed ” A room called earth “. Immensely enjoyable.

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7. Kylie T says:

   15 March 2021 at 10:32 am

   Thanks for the tips, a pleasure to review books.

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8. Shani says:

   18 March 2021 at 1:54 pm

   I really enjoyed reading this book. The insight into how a cause can so easily become a cult and whether we choose to stay or go is intriguing. especially when you add in a marriage and a child to the mix. Well worth a read. leaves you really thinking.

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9. Sandra Merlo says:

   25 March 2021 at 6:03 pm

   A good combination of family matters love stories and the fight for the right to vote. I certainly was not aware that women, once married, were not allowed to teach anymore. Romance novels usually use the opposite attracts guideline and this works beautifully as the 3 sisters and their love interests are so different. Frankie and her “swearing” is endearing and her independence is to important to her until….. Lovely, naive Ivy and Aggie, the married sister round up the different types. I only had issues with Riley finding George and the other offenders at exactly the right time, too implausible for me, but otherwise the story was going along nicely with some harsh insights on how women and children were treated back then. This was a very enjoyable book, even for me, who usually prefers crime and mystery. 4 1/2 stars from me

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10. Kerrie Chudleigh says:

    15 May 2021 at 1:53 pm

    We Were Not Men is a “slow reveal” of loss, love, and growing up amid challenges. It is written in a style that allows the readers to feel the impact of tragedy and emotional upheaval suffered by twins Jon and Eden when they became orphaned. They were only 9 years old. The story is told through Jon’s eyes. The plot centres around their adjustment to a new life with Bobbie, their step-grandmother who is dealing with the loss of her partner, her dog Hemi and their passion of swimming. This novel deals with ever changing styles of love, sadness, relationships and teenage angst. Five stars for this enlightening and superbly told story. Be prepared to become emotionally involved with all the characters.

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11. Debbie says:

    17 September 2021 at 8:55 am

    Thank you for the opportunity to review ‘The Maid’. I was excited about reading this book as it was a little different to most out there at the moment and it didn’t fail. I completed this book in a weekend, the intrigue was getting to me. The way the characters were described and woven into the story had me hooked, made be feel like I knew them. Highly recommend it for a weekend read that will have you in suspense and intrigue the entire time!

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12. Elaine Burrows says:

    7 March 2022 at 4:14 pm

    Thank you for the tips. His is my first book review. I wrote my review first on Pages (apple iPad) then read the tips. I then went back and hopefully improved my review. I hope I get the chance to review another book.

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13. MICHELLE R ROBERTS says:

    11 March 2022 at 4:07 pm

    If you are a fan of Patricia Cornwell you will love this book! In this book we befriend psychiatric nursing specialist, Meredith, and her partner in life and in crime, Detective Leo Donnelly.

    Together Meredith and Leo set out to solve the mystery of why young female victims are murdered suffering the same unusual fatal injuries. Why did the murderer select these victims? They have no obvious connection to each other except for the fact that they are young and female. What is the significance of the method of their murders? There are no self-evident answers to these questions, which must be answered before the murderer strikes again!

    The content is well-researched and provides an entirely credible insight into the conditions and frustrations of the staff providing care in an Emergency department.

    This book is a must-read for the lover of an interweaved murder mystery.

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14. Yewande Abe says:

    27 July 2022 at 2:33 pm

    Angelika Frankenstein makes her match is a fantastic book.
    This book is a page turner,I was glued from start to finish.
    Not your regular historical romcom,but I totally loved it.
    Angelika and victor her brother,I loved all their conversations and banters.
    I finished reading it in 2 days.
    I highly recommend this book.
    And a big thank you you better reading for sending me an ARC.

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15. Marg Koppel says:

    27 July 2022 at 10:27 pm

    Stone Town Wow The continuation of the main people in the book ,great. .So many twists turns right up to last paragraph, you are in the story with them . All the towns been there , makes it more special as you can visualise it all more clearly . I didn’t want the book to end what a thriller

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16. Arrisarne Graham says:

    26 September 2022 at 3:29 pm

    The Ghost of Gracie Flynn by Joanna Morrison

    Three university friends go down different paths after the tragic death of Gracie Flynn. Eighteen years later, Robyn, Sam and Cohen reunite. They are all still haunted by Gracie’s death except Sam, or so they think. Sam is mysteriousley found dead and the ghost of Gracie Flynn’s story is alive again.

    Joanna Morrison’s novel has a really good story to tell but it is hard to keep track of the story because of the the constant time jumping and so much changing of the characters stories. There are many different plot lines and extra characters in the Joanna’s story that aren’t relevant.

    The scenes and story aren’t described in detail and it is hard to follow the narrator woven through the chapters. The plot continually jumps from the narrator to the characters seperate lives to the past, leaving the novel confusing and hard to follow and always having to reread previously read pages. The story stops and starts within each sentence leaving it overall a good story but very hard to read and get through.

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17. Jane says:

    26 October 2022 at 12:31 pm

    Thanks for these tips. I’m about to write my first book review since high school many decades ago!

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18. Lorraine vella says:

    11 November 2022 at 11:28 am

    Always reading in the crime genre, I found the book The work wives by Rachael John refreshing. Debra’s daughter Ramona took nome back to when I was fifteen years old as she sounds like me. Quinn was a fantastic edition to the story as the friend who was always on the phone and Debra who is my age reminds me of myself as she is organised and protective of Ramona. I felt sorry for Lucy who was getting bullied by Sydney, Nora and Kenzie but glad Ramona stuck to her guns and continued to be friends with Lucy. A book that make. You feel good is a book worth reading. Definitely buying more books by Rachael Johns

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19. Sonya Hooper says:

    1 February 2023 at 1:42 pm

    Thank you for the opportunity to read & review ‘The Running Club’ by Ali Lowe. I have previously read ‘The Trivia Night’ which I really enjoyed so looked forward to reading and reviewing this book.
    I enjoyed the plot & even though there weren’t a lot of characters it kept me guessing right up until the end as to who was involved in Shelby’s murder.
    The true personalities of the characters were gradually revealed as the story went on and this definitely kept me wanting to turn the pages to see what was going to happen next and reveal the storyline. Such a great ending – not predictable which I liked!
    Definitely a page turner which I really enjoyed and I look forward to reading more of this author’s works.

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20. Maree Radnell-Collett says:

    12 February 2023 at 5:34 pm

    “Becoming Mrs Mulberry” – I really enjoyed this novel , it had me from from the first line. It is the first novel I have read by Jackie French.
    Easy to read and captivating which leads you to want to know what occurs next. It looks into the stigmas associated with women in early 20th century as they are placed in situations once dominated by men after so many lost their health and lives to ravages of WW1. A well researched depiction of life in Australia in the early 1920’s.
    An Australian literary gem .

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21. Julie Styles says:

    28 February 2023 at 7:17 pm

    I have not read a Jackie French book before and was looking forward to reading Becoming Mrs Mulberry.
    Reading the first couple of chapters I found the book hard to get into and very depressing. Persevering I found the story line very interesting with many twists along the way. A lot of characters made up the story, many with very interesting backgrounds. It tells of a woman who was determined on a medical career as a doctor, then, circumstances happen that sends her life in a completely different direction. She uses her compassion for people, not as a doctor, but still as a carer and nurse to still help people.
    It was a great story, but did find that the story was dragged out causing me to lose interest. But that is only my opinion.
    Not every reader enjoys every author. To others this will be a great book. Enjoy.

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22. Edith Joy says:

    22 March 2023 at 1:45 pm

    “A Woman’s Work” , was a refreshing novel , set in Victoria , Australia , in 1956 . Victoria Purman , an Australian author, has penned a heartfelt novel based in St Kilda , where the story is involved around two women , Kathleen O’Grady , wife and mother of 5 children , and Ivy Quinn , a war widowed single mother of a 12 year old boy called Raymond. Ivy has a job as a secretary/receptionist at the local doctor’s surgery where she has worked for 9 years .
    The country is recovering from the end of the Second World War , and Melbourne is in a frenzy getting ready to host the next Olympic Games in November.
    Through the lives of these two women, we are reminded of how life was back in 1956 , to NOW .
    Our mothers and grandmothers would have lived in that era .
    The Australian Woman’s Weekly , is a magazine which is very popular , has lots of advice , recipes etc .
    They are holding a cooking competition, where the winner can win 6,000 pounds .
    Thus begins a new challenge to the lives of these women , boosting their confidence and much more .
    So very well written and enjoyed .

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23. Gwynne Meredith says:

    16 April 2023 at 3:54 pm

    “A Woman’s Work” by Victoria Purman is a historical novel that takes place in Melbourne, Australia.
    The story revolves around the Australian Women’s Weekly cookery contest where women from all over Australia compete to win the equivalent of what was a year’s salary in the 1950’s. The storyline follows 2 women who are competing in a cooking contest and how winning a share of £6000 could change their lives.
    It’s 1956 and Melbourne is in a frenzy gearing up for the Olympics and is still suffering from post war restrictions.
    It was not an easy time for women raising families. Money was tight and food rationing was still in place.
    One character Ivy Quinn is a war widow and a single mum with a 12 year old son. The other is Kathleen O’Grady, mother of 5 whose own mum helped and cajoled her into participating in the contest.
    It is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of the time period and the struggles that women faced.
    The author Victoria Purman, is an Australian top ten and USA Today bestselling fiction author.
    I found it to be a touching tale and an enthralling read. Some of the included recipes sound delicious and are going to be trialled in my own kitchen.
    Can’t wait to read her other books.

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24. Irene penfold says:

    6 July 2023 at 4:59 pm

    Thank you . I only have an I phone so will hope to do about 200 words that can be sent to the panel

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