Book reviews – why, how, and where to leave them

If you follow me on social media, or read my blog, you know I LOVE reading. Like, really love it. And I almost always leave book reviews on my Instagram, and on Goodreads, Amazon, and Bookbub.

Higher Ground Books & Media posted this meme two years ago – and it still applies!

Reviews are the best way to thank the author and to help them sell books! It is great encouragement!

I love to leave positive reviews, personally. Only once did I leave a negative one, and that’s because it had blatant fat-shaming in it. Yuck!

(PS – **This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Book reviews and the author

Just imagine – you’ve worked (for years) on a book and get it traditionally published or you self-pubbed. Then, your “baby” (because it is), just sits there. Crickets. No one says anything. And you wonder why no one likes your baby.

That’s just sad! If you had a real baby and no one said how precious he or she was, how beautiful, how amazing, how would you feel??

Yep, horrible! And that’s how authors feel when people don’t say anything about their book. Plus, reviews encourage publishers!

How to leave book reviews

My book reviews vary in length. I’ve seen some that put a lot of information in their reviews, including a summary of their own or copied from Amazon.

Personally, I typically give 5 star reviews. Why? Because I know how HARD it is to write and finish a book! It’s beyond difficult. And unless it’s just a really horrible book (which I usually don’t finish reading or leave a review for), I know how that writer has struggled.

I do try to be honest. You can use any number of words or phrases like:

• exciting
• thrilling
• honest
• great series
• down-to-earth
• funny
• page-turner
• deep or makes you think
• great twist (my fav kind of book)

Be sure to tag the author if possible. And hashtag the title. It truly does help and encourage the author.

Where to leave your book reviews

You can leave your book reviews on any social media you have: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Plus, you can leave a review and rating on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub. You can leave them on Barnes and Noble, also!

⭐⭐Authors! Check out this book – The Book Review Companion: An Author’s Guide to Getting and Using Book Reviews by David Wogahn

Over to you!

If you have great tips or stories on book reviews – let me know in the comments!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married 37 years, have 5 amazing kids and 2 adorable grandkids and one on the way. I homeschooled our three youngest children. I used to blog about homeschooling and taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)