How to Write a Book Review in Five Easy Steps

1. Display the book contents in a way that is both pleasing and interesting to the reader.  A book should be fun to read, a joy to open up, an adventure one wishes to come back to when it is done, and something which the reader remembers fondly, with either a smile, laughter, tears, or all of the above.  Displaying the contents in a way that makes the potential reader interested is the true mark of a good book review.  Keep 'em interested, I always say.
2. Write it well.  Using good imagery, specific, but brief, content to highlight the book's good points, and wittiness, can all make for a good review.  Just don't be too overly dramatic, or the reader won't even hear what is said about the book!
3. Keep it strong.  Good verbs and adjectives, as well as descriptive words, will never make up for a lack of information, but if opinion is all you have, by all means, use it! The bottom line is to get the reader to pick up the book you are recommending!  That's all there is to it.  The rest is just gravy.

Now I shall outline the five easy steps for writing a good book review, keeping in mind that these are only guidelines, and are to be followed loosely.  Keep in mind, above all use common sense in describing the book and why it comes so highly recommended, and keep the reader interested! If you've done that, that's half the battle already! Now, the rest is just getting the words out.

1. Describe the book in one paragraph or less.  The less said succintly, the better.  In this case, less really is more, in regards to describing the book and what it is about.  Use common sense for this one, trying to use your own words instead of just what comes off the jacket of the book.  Remember, it's what you think the book is about, no one else.
2. Quote a few sentences from the piece itself, very carefully! Remember, you don't want to infringe on anybody's rights here.  I like to quote the first few sentences of the book, get the reader interested.
3. Highlight highlight highlight.  Highlight, very briefly, the best parts of the book, without giving away the crucial points, or the ending.  You can either do this by quoting a few different parts, (again, very carefully!) or you can explain the highlighted parts in your own words.  This really is where you get them.
4. Give your opinion.  This can be as lengthy or brief as you want it to be.  Just keep it succinct and to-the-point, whatever you say.  Remember, keep 'em interested!
5. Give a reason.  You can either cite why you liked the book so much, explain the reason why you couldn't put it down, or give your opinion on the entire piece of work.  Whatever you do, give a reason or two why the reader should even pick it up! Remember, you're trying to sell someone on the idea of reading.  Give 'em a reason to read it.

Now that you have the highlights, get to reviewing.  And remember, keep it simple and to the point. Give the reader time to go pick that book up and read it, not spend all day reading a review.  Good luck and happy reviewing!