If you are going to write a book review, you need to put yourself in the right mindset. Reading for a book review is different than reading for entertainment. Keep a notebook and pen nearby so that you can take notes for easier recall later. Before beginning to read, consider the following:

• Title – What does it suggest?

• Preface – Provides important information on the author’s purpose in writing the book and will help you to determine the success of the work.
• Table of Contents – Tells you how the book is organized and will aid in determining the author’s main ideas and how they are developed – chronologically, topically, etc.

As you read the text, make note of your impressions and list effective passages for quoting later in your review. When you read, become critical utilizing the list of questions below. You can do your best if you read in a spirit that is at once critical and aware.

Read the whole book thoroughly and carefully. Reread what you don’t understand. Don’t skip forewords, prefaces, and other parts that may not appear integral to the text. What you learn from those sections might help you to understand the book better.

If possible, it’s best to read the book twice; the first time will give you an overview and the second time will detail your impressions and additional evidence to support your ideas.

Take notes as you read. The list that follows will give you an idea of what to watch for. Taking notes also helps you stay alert as you read, and gives you the opportunity to mark effective passages for quoting.
Below is a list of some of the questions you might ask yourself:

• What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it?

• From what point of view is the work written?
• What is the author’s style? Is it formal or informal? Does it suit the intended audience? If a work of fiction, what literary devices does the author use?
• Are concepts clearly defined? How well are the author’s ideas developed? What areas are covered/not covered? Why? This helps to establish the book’s authority.
• If a work of fiction, make notes on such elements as character, plot, and setting, and how they relate to the theme of the book. How does the author delineate his characters? How do they develop? What is the plot structure?
• How accurate is the information in the book? Check outside sources if necessary.
• If relevant, make note of the book’s format – layout, binding, typography, etc. Are there maps, illustrations? Do they aid understanding?
  
• Check the back matter. Is the index accurate? What sources did the author use – primary or secondary? How does he make use of them? Make note of important omissions.

• Finally, what has the book accomplished? Is further work needed? Compare the book to others by this author or by others. Use the listing, if available, in the bibliography.

Do not hesitate to consult additional sources

Try to find further information about the author – his/her reputation, qualifications, influences, etc. – any information that is relevant to the book being reviewed and that would help to establish the author’s authority. Knowledge of the literary period and of critical theories can also be helpful to your review. Your professor and/or reference librarian will be able to suggest sources to use.

From your notes, prepare an outline and the first draft

Carefully review your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Then, outline the arguments that support your thesis. Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner.

This might sound like a daunting task with all the things to remember. However, as you gain experience in writing book reviews, some of the steps will get easier as you will know what to look for. At some point, you will scan and take note of important information seemingly unaware of it.