What Information Do You Look for In a Book Review?

This is one of my bookshelves where I stored personal books and part of the book inventory I was selling.
@bagarad (14283)
Paso Robles, California
February 20, 2017 1:41pm CST
I write a book review blog, and I'm getting burned out. Why? I guess because I think I have to go into depth about plot, theme, or characters or all three without giving away what happens in the end. I do most reading when I'm too tired to do anything else, or while recovering from illness or medical procedures. I'm not alert enough at those times to then write a real review. When I'm recovered I have to catch up on other things. When I have time to write again, I've forgotten important parts of the book. I only remember bits and pieces and how I felt about the book. I often finish a book and tell myself this book is worth reviewing. (Most I read aren't.) I had planned to review a book I finished Saturday, but I didn't have time to write a review. I don't have time today and probably won't have time tomorrow. If too much time has elapsed, I feel the same heaviness I used to feel when I had to write a book report or composition in school. That makes it not fun. Then I have to go back over the book and almost read it all again to bring things back. What information do you want to see in a book review? I'm thinking maybe I don't need to write so much. I'm wondering if I should put my reading tastes into the "About Me" page, link to it in every post, and then in my blog posts write briefly what the book was about and why I enjoyed it. It would then come across more like a friend recommending a book instead of a critic reviewing it. If someone has read my criteria for judging books and knows me, they would know if they might enjoy the same sorts of books I do. What do you want to know about a book before you decide if you want to read it?
6 people like this
4 responses
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
20 Feb 17
When writing or reading a book review, I usually write what I did or didn't like about the book. Some things I like to include in a review are the pacing of a story, character development, or any errors in the story.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
20 Feb 17
I appreciate your feedback. I tend toward being heavy on character development. Since so many people are self-publishing without professional editors, more and more errors are appearing in today's books.
1 person likes this
• Ringgold, Virginia
21 Feb 17
@bagarad Character development is an important factor for me. As a reader, I want to connect with the character and see them grow.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Feb 17
@dramagirl26 I simply stop reading a book if I don't like or related to any of the characters. I've got to care about at least one of them to keep reading.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (138320)
• India
21 Feb 17
It's ok if you choose to read a book and then write a review on it. But if you are asked to write on a book which you have not chosen but have to read to write the review how hard is it for you?
2 people like this
@allknowing (138320)
• India
23 Feb 17
@bagarad That is true about having to read once again if you do not do the moment you read the book. Hope all will go well with your root canal
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Feb 17
I don't think I'd do it. I read a terrific book yesterday I had sitting around. I want to review it, but don't have time today because there's too much I have to do before my root canal tomorrow. I won't be able to work at all tomorrow. I have a meeting tonight. That's what always seems to happen. I read a book I want to review and by the time I get a chance to review it I almost have to read it again.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (138320)
• India
23 Feb 17
@bagarad You have gone through sedations before and so what's the big deal?
@andriaperry (117270)
• Anniston, Alabama
23 Feb 17
What kind of book it is. If the author kept you into the book.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
23 Feb 17
Those are the easy things to write about. No problem with those questions. Finished a Nero Wolfe trilogy of detective stories today. It was well-written with a touch of humor, but it's not my favorite writing style. I prefer more modern stories.
@WriterAI (5373)
• Bulgaria
20 Feb 17
I write book reviews too. Before decision whether I want to read a book I want to know something about its content, plot, author's style and appearances, book role in culture, book presentations before the review.
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
21 Feb 17
Could you explain in more detail what you mean by the book's role in culture and book presentations? Do you mean awards the book has received?