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Book Reviews

Writing a Book Review

A book review is a description and a critical evaluation of a book. It gives a summary of the content and assesses the value of the book focusing on the book's purpose, contents, and authority.
 
Check the guide, How to Write a Book Review (Dalhousie University) for a step by step approach to writing critical book reviews.

Additional Resources

Check the following links, which discuss the elements essential to a good review.

Concordia Libraries: How to Write a Book Report and a Book Review
Laurentian University: How to Review a Book
Purdue University: Writing a Book Review

For further writing assistance, consult Writing a Critical Review, published by Student Academic Success Services at Queen's. To learn more about book reviews, look at examples of ones in The New York Times Book Review, the New York Review of Books, and the Times Literary Supplement to see how professional writers review books.

Further Reading

The Modern Researcher. 4th ed. New York: Harcourt, Brace and World, 1985.
D13 .B334 1985
 

Writing Book Reviews .Westport: Greenwood Press, 1974
PN98 .B7 D7 1974

Literary Reviewing. Charlottesville, University Press of Virginia, 1987.
PN441 .L487 1987

Reviews and Reviewing: a Guide. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1986.
PN98 .B7 R5 1986