Everyone has a different system for reviewing what they read. I’m very active on Goodreads and leave a review on the site for every book I read. Honesty is crucial. In my opinion, there’s no point in leaving false feedback on a book.

Why do I review?

Because I believe feedback is important, first of all. As a writer, I know feedback is the only way I’ll ever get any better. As a reader, I search through reviews when looking for my next read. I’m not a parent, but I have many younger siblings and empathize with parents. They have the responsibility to monitor what their children read. It’s part of the parenting process. Kids are still maturing. They aren’t old enough to make every decision on their own! Shocker, I know! They need guidelines and the boundaries that parents establish are critical to growing mature adults. The Bible says that we are to guard our hearts. We’re supposed to watch what we ingest, what we see, what we hear, what we do. Every step. We need to watch our paths. This includes things like movies, books, podcasts, friends, etc. Even as an adult now, I want to know what I’m getting into before I pick up a book. The synopsis draws me in. Reviews seal the deal.

How do I review?

As you may have guessed, I have a very particular method to my reviewing madness. For the fictional books I read, I try to hit a particular set of points in each review. Sometimes these are briefly mentioned and sometimes I go on a tirade. It depends on the book. These are elements that compose every story, though listed in no particular order.

1. Plot: This category includes pacing, surprise twists (if applicable), and overall engagement. Do I want to keep reading? If it’s a retelling of some kind, how does it compare to the original? If it’s a new story, is it intriguing and captivating? Do I want to read the sequel, if there is one?

2. Characters/Development: I look for the dynamics of the characters in the story. Are they unique, dynamic, and round? Are they realistic? Can I relate to them? Or do they fall flat? Am I invested in the lives of these characters? Do they grow throughout the story?

3. Setting/World-Building: Is the setting realistic? Time and place are crucial to keeping a story grounded. If it’s a new world in fantasy/sci-fi/fairy tale/etc, how is the world built? Are the rules and laws of the lands explained well enough for the reader to follow? There are many ways to approach world-building. You could have an extensive world and know exactly how the creatures and cultures function, but if the reader doesn’t get it, it doesn’t matter. Alagaesia is a complex world with unique creatures, cultures, and laws in place, but the reader never feels lost and confused when reading Eragon.

4. Writing Style/Technical: I look for grammatical and language choices. Figurative language, writing style, and voice. Is the story well-written? Syntax, Diction, etc. Is the writing clear and concise? Bonus points for clever writing.

5. 3 Strikes: Foul language, graphic violence, and explicit romance. I don’t have a rating system for these, but I do make a note in each review about the language, violence, and romance because I know that I appreciate knowing ahead of time when I search for a book to read. This is for the parents out there and people like me who would rather avoid certain things.

a. Personally, I can handle a little bit of language. I don’t prefer it, but I don’t knock a book automatically for it. Foul language shows a lack of creativity in my opinion. Well placed, mild language has its place, but there’s no call for excessive language.

b. Similarly, I’m okay with mild violence. I understand the necessity to depict what is realistic and true. War is real. It happens. And what’s a good mystery or crime novel without some well-placed butt-kicking? Where I draw the line, again, is in excess. I don’t want to read Kill Bill.

c. And, predictably, the same goes for romance. I think every good story has a thread of romance in it. It’s part of our human nature to love. But I don’t want anything explicit. I just don’t want to fill my head with that.

There are very few instances in which I will include spoilers in my reviews. For the once in a blue moon when I do, rest assured, the spoilers will be very clearly marked. (Usually, it’s for something I just get super excited about.) I hate reading spoilers in a review without warning, so I refuse to leave unmarked spoiled reviews!

Obviously, there are different standards for non-fiction and children’s books. I often review children’s books because I’m just a huge kid; however, those books clearly don’t have enough content to warrant my five-point reviews.

As for non-fiction, I typically read these books for some sort of self-improvement or if I’m interested in a particular subject or person in history. Non-fiction books are rated on technicality (point four above) and what I got out of the book. Was there truth? Did it resonate with me?

What do you look for in a review? Leave me a comment and let me know!