Topic: Book Review
The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing
by Mayra Calvani & Anne K. Edwards
Twilight Times Books
Trade Paperback/Ebook
188 pages
Format: PDF, HTML, Palm
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List Price: $5.95 USD
Format: Trade paperback
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List Price: $16.95 trade paperback
*****
Nailing Down The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing
Do you write book reviews, or wish you could but have no idea where or how to start? Maybe you are an author or publisher and are wondering just how important book reviews are to your sales. The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing can answer all your questions.
The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing isn't simply a how-to book. The authors do give lists of what to do or not to do, but they go deeper. This book covers such important aspects: How to deal with writing a review of a book you don't like; How to handle publicists, authors and publishers and their demands; How to set up your own book review site and much more. There is even a section on what to do with the books you have received once you are finished with them. The main focus is on the actual elements required for a professional book review--what to do, what not to do, and why. The authors end the book with an impressive list of resources for those loooking to do reviews. This list covers not only places to find books to review, but also places to submit reviews.
I found The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing to be easy to read and understand, although there is so much information included I know I will return to it many more times for reference. The way it is formatted will make the future visits easier. The book is broken down in a way that makes finding just the information you need easy.
I really liked the way the authors set up the examples. Instead of the usual, sample then explanation format you normally find, notes are made within the bodies of each example pointing out what concepts have been applied. This helped in further cementing what you had learned. The section on dealing with others associated with the book--authors, publishers, etc--was something I had not seen before and was very helpful. The section on how to read critically was something I also found new and helpful.
While I personally like to see a more conversational tone used, the authors covered everything you could possibly need to know about writing book reviews. The language is simple, allowing for more effort to go into understanding the concepts involved. I believe this book should be considered essential to any reference library. It is one you will refer to again and again.
On the Rainbow Scale of Excellence, I give The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing six colors.
