you book review

When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age. You is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to Gone Girl, American Psycho, and Stephen King’s Misery.

praise and reviews for You by Caroline Kepnes

– stephen king.

“I am RIVETED, AGHAST, AROUSED, you name it. The rare instance when prose and plot are equally delicious….My most favorite thriller.”

– Lena Dunham

“YOU is superb. So funny, apart from anything else, and properly clever. It is: different, hot.”

– Sophie Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Monogram Murders and The Other Woman’s House

“An impending sense of dread hangs over Kepnes’ cleverly claustrophobic debut, in which love takes on a whole new meaning…Kepnes keeps the reader guessing.”

– Kirkus Reviews

“Compelling.”

– Entertainment Weekly

“Intense and deeply disturbing, You is a dark story told in a fresh voice, and an addictive read from beginning to end. Being inside Joe Goldberg’s head was both a thrill and a nightmare, and yet I didn’t want to wake up. I look forward to more from the very talented Caroline Kepnes.”

– Jennifer Hillier, author of THE BUTCHER

“Chilling…[Kepnes’ YOU] will have readers looking over their shoulders.”

– Publisher’s Weekly

“Chilling…unrelenting.”

– USAToday.com

“A deeply dark yet mesmerizing first novel of two people caught in a romantic tangle with an ever-tightening knot.”

– Booklist

“This beautifully crafted thriller… will give you chills.”

– People

– us weekly.

“Both original and compelling. If you only read one new thriller this year, make it this one. It will stay with you long after you have put it down.”

– Geoffrey Wansell Daily Mail (UK)

“You think you know the story: girl meets boy, boy turns out to be a murderous stalker. US journalist Kepnes’ debut is a fantastically creepy thriller…the kind of book you put your life on hold for.”

– Glamour

“A page turner…clever and chilling.”

– Elle (UK)

“A brilliant tale of obsessive love…it’s GONE GIRL meets a sinister version of GIRLS.”

– Marie Claire (UK)

“Is Caroline Kepnes’ ‘You’ the next GONE GIRL? It’ll take you inside a psychopath’s head… and might even make you like him. A mad and macabre love story.”

– TimeOut Australia

“Could be the next GONE GIRL…a perverse suspense romance about obsession, sex, and secrets.”

– PopSugar.com

“All-consuming – a book that will not release its hold on you, even when you are not actively reading it.”

– BoloBooks.com

“You…had the page-turning quality of classic (Stephen) King at his peak.”

– The Devil’s Advocate

“Kepnes’debut novel is gripping in both substance and style.”

– Closer Magazine

“You is a deliciously terrifying stalker tale that grabbed hold of me on page one and kept me captivated right until the very end…Utterly unputdownable.”

– Kathryn’s Inbox

“If you like twisted psychological horror with a liberal dose of hip and more than a dollop of perversion, this one’s for you!”

– Pages Podcast

“If you liked GONE GIRL’S portrayal of a marriage in decline, the demented love story at the heart of YOU will have you gripped….This book will give you Stockholm syndrome.”

– Harpers Bazaar (UK)

“You by Caroline Kepnes completely blew me away…It’s an exceptional thriller that is chillingly passionate, dangerous, and quite often left me speechless.”

– The Book Ramblings

“Dark and disturbed, You is definitely a must read.”

– That’s What She Read

“You was addicting and compelling.”

– Books with Cass

“A very sexy page turner.”

– Chester County Books

“Wholly engrossing…I will not be forgetting this one for a while!”

– The Insomniac Bibliophile

“To say You was intense would be the understatement of the year… Nothing I have read remotely compares… It’s so sick and twisted and yet magnificently brilliant. Read YOU.”

– Book Addicts NSA

“One of the best books that I have read this year…From page one of this book, I knew it was going to be something that gripped me…I cannot wait to read what comes next from Caroline. Her voice is original and her writing style captures modern society down to every hashtag.”

– Art Books Coffee

“Couldn’t get the story out of my mind…Joe’s complex and flawed character and [the] suspenseful tone of his story will…keep you turning the pages.”

– Way Too Hot Books

“Kepnes has penned her own version of the ‘stalker’ novel. It’s different – and it’s darn good.”

– A Bookworm’s World

“Gripping, erotic, suspenseful… yes, it’s the next Gone Girl.”

– Splice Today

“I finished You a day ago, and Joe’s voice is still in my head…I was so impressed with everything about this book, I have no choice but to give it 5 stars. I look forward to reading her work in the future.”

– The Literary Gossip

“An absolutely creepy novel of obsession, You is told from a rare point of view—that of the stalker—and is as absolutely chilling as it is absorbing. Fans of psychological thrillers shouldn’t miss this intriguing debut.”

– Skrishnasbooks.com

“[I] devoured every page and enthusiastically recommended others do the same…I’m going to scoop up everything Kepnes writes… Probing, visionary and intricate, [You] makes me excited to read whatever she comes up with next.”

– The Joplin Globe

“Compulsively readable… deliberately seductive.”

– Curled Up with a Good Book

“Completely unique…it scares me to the core.”

– Fictional Candy

“Reminiscent of Gone Girl, but with a darker, more chilling tone.”

– Pubslush

“Completely and utterly scary, but masterful all the same.”

– The Insatiable Bookie

One of The Daily Mail‘s Crime Book Picks of 2014

– The Daily Mail (UK)

“Stunningly marvelous…Highly recommended.”

– Peter Kelton Examiner.com

“Evilly fantastic.”

– Leah Raeder, author of UNTEACHABLE and CAMGIRL

“YOU is punch-you-in-the-face stunning. Caroline Kepnes takes her readers by the hand and masterfully leads them into an ever darkening, twisted and delicious tale full of sharp psychological edges. This book needs to find its way onto the bookshelf of every reader of mysteries and thrillers.”

– Allen Eskens, author of The Life We Bury

“This is one of the most unsettling books I’ve read this year, but despite being thoroughly creeped out, I couldn’t put it down even for a second. It’s narrated by the villain, which makes for a rather unnerving read. I even found myself accidentally rooting for him as he was about to commit pretty heinous crimes. Whoops.”

"You": Book vs. Show

Finished the fourth season of You and feeling curious about how it differs from its source material? Our explainer has you covered.

The fourth season of the hit Netflix series You is as compelling and twisty as the previous three, enthralling both newcomers and loyal fans of the original series of psychological thrillers by Caroline Kepnes . The first novel, You introduces listeners to Joe Goldberg, a bookshop clerk who falls hard for the smart, sexy, and sophisticated Guinevere Beck. But his interest soon turns to obsession, and before long, Guinevere finds herself caught up in a chilling tangle of lies and deceit.

The sequel, Hidden Bodies follows Joe as he flees to Los Angeles, hoping to leave his dark past behind. But when he meets another beautiful woman, he soon falls back into dangerous patterns. In You Love Me , Joe attempts, once again, to start over, this time on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and, once again, fails spectacularly. The forthcoming For You and Only You sees Joe finally writing his own books instead of selling them. He even lands a coveted spot in a prestigious Harvard writing fellowship, where he meets a fellow writer who he is sure could be the love of his life—with just a little encouragement, of course.

The four seasons of You draw on storylines from all of Kepnes's novels, though the plot does diverge in a few significant ways. The series, like the books, is a fast-paced and propulsive story of obsession, power, lust, loneliness, and the cost of keeping secrets. It has all the hallmarks of a dark romantic thriller, with plenty of twists, turns, and surprise reveals.

Ready to delve into the differences between the You books and the show? Read on, but beware—spoilers for both the books and all four seasons of the show abound.

Major Differences: You , Page vs. Screen

Like many book-to-screen adaptations, the You TV series introduces some characters that don't exist in the books and leaves out other characters entirely. There are plenty of smaller differences too, like the ends certain characters meet, differing or compressed timelines of events, and gritty details about Joe's stalker and serial killer behaviors. Though all of these differences will stand out to anyone who's listened to the original novels, the biggest differences lie in the direction of the plot. The show diverges entirely from the books in Season 3, during which Joe and his girlfriend Love raise their son in a California suburb. The recently released fourth season also ventures into brand new territory—after the murderous fallout of his relationship with Love Quinn, Joe flees to London.

Differences in Characterization

Joe goldberg.

Of all the characters in the You universe, obsessive stalker, creepy charmer, and serial killer Joe Goldberg is the most consistent between the books and the show. The biggest difference between Joe in the television series and Joe in the books is that he's much less sympathetic in the books. The novels are written from Joe's POV, so listeners are privy to all of his dark and violent thoughts. As such, despite his projected charisma, he's more immediately chilling in the novels.

The series also introduces several characters and plot lines designed to make Joe more sympathetic, to show a different side of his personality, and perhaps to make any woman's attraction to him a bit more palatable to viewers. In season one, Joe supports and mentors his teenage neighbor Paco, eventually helping him to get free of his abusive stepfather. In season two, Joe similarly helps his 15-year old neighbor Ellie, the sister of his new landlord. He gives her money to get out of town when she's in trouble, once again showing that maybe he's not entirely monstrous. Neither Paco nor Ellie exist in the books.

Another major difference is Joe's backstory. In the television series, there are multiple flashbacks to Joe's past, in which viewers learn about his mentor and former boss, Mr. Mooney, who was abusive and cruel. Mr. Mooney taught Joe about restoring books but also locked him in a glass cage used for storing books—behavior that Joe repeats with many of his victims. This traumatic backstory is entirely absent in the novels.

Guinevere Beck

Like Joe, Guinevere's character is fairly consistent between the book and the show. In both, she's a Brown graduate pursuing her Masters in Fine Arts in New York. But while she's struggling to make ends meet in the show by working as a TA under a shady professor, she's stable and financially well-off in the books. Her character arc and storyline—meeting and falling for Joe, and eventually getting murdered by him—remain the same.

Joe murders his ex-girlfriend Candace in the first novel, You . In the series, viewers are led to believe he murdered her, but she turns up alive at the end of season one in a big twist, and features prominently in the second season. The show's writers did have some fun playing with the source material, though—the first novel ends with Joe flirting with a new love interest, Amy Adam, in the bookshop. Hidden Bodies opens with Joe establishing himself in LA, seeking revenge after his relationship with Amy ended with her theft of his rare and valuable books. Though Amy Adam doesn't exist in the screen version, Candace uses the name as a pseudonym when she arrives in LA, hoping to take her own vengeance on Joe.

Love Quinn, Joe's love interest in season two, is also his love interest in Hidden Bodies . in the series, Love is a 20-something aspiring chef. She and Joe meet at a grocery store in LA, where Joe is working. In the book, she's an actor in her mid-30s, and she and Joe meet at Soho House.

Love features prominently in both seasons two and three, when the show began to diverge significantly from the books. In the series, Love, like Joe, is a killer. When she realizes that Joe had an affair with his landlord, Delilah, Love kills her. Later, when Candace tries to warn her that Joe is a serial killer, she kills her too. Love is crafty and smart, and when it looks like Joe is going to kill her anyway, despite what she's done to protect him, she announces she's pregnant, and they move to the suburbs together to raise their baby.

Forty Quinn

Love's twin brother, Forty has a different personality in the books and the show. In the books, he's portrayed as selfish, thoughtless, and reckless, often making choices that cause trouble and put his loved ones in harm's way. In the show, while he's still a somewhat reckless character, he's portrayed as a lot more lovable—wild and free and a bit unhinged, sure, but not exactly dangerous or unsympathetic.

His character arc and eventual death play out very differently as well. In Hidden Bodies , Forty pretends to write screenplays with Joe, only to sell them under his own name for a ton of money. For this, Joe attempts to murder him, but fails. Forty is eventually killed randomly by a drunk driver. In the show, none of this happens. Forty actually becomes suspicious of Joe and tries to warn his sister about him, but in a tense encounter, where he arrives on the scene to kill Joe and save his sister, he is shot and killed by a police officer instead.

Mary Kay DiMarco & Nomi

Mary Kay DiMarco plays a central role in the third Joe Goldberg novel, You Love Me . After murdering Love, Joe moves to Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest and, predictably, becomes obsessed with a local woman, Mary Kay, a married librarian with a teenage daughter, Nomi. In the TV series, Joe never moves to Bainbridge. Season three is set in a California suburb, and though he does meet and fall for a librarian named Marienne, who also has a teenage daughter, that's about the only similarity between the two characters.

Plot Differences

The first season of You follows is a relatively faithful adaptation of the first book, with a few changes. But as each new season brings bigger and bigger plot twists, the series spirals further away from the original books. Although seasons two, three, and four of You are obviously inspired by the books, they are full of characters and plots that do not appear in the original novels. Let's dig into some of the biggest plot differences between each season and the book it's based on.

Season One vs. You

The first season of You is based heavily on the book and follows the plot closely. It concerns the relationship between Joe, who's working at a bookshop in New York, and grad student Guinevere Beck, who falls for him before realizing he's actually a stalker and serial killer. Both the first season of the show and the book end with Joe murdering Beck and fleeing to Los Angeles, though the exact circumstances of his exit differ.

Season Two vs. Hidden Bodies

Season two shares the same basic scaffolding as the book it is loosely based on, Hidden Bodies , but the actual events, major plot, characters, and ending are very different. In the book, Joe arrives in LA to seek out Amy Adam, his ex-girlfriend. Amy stole a huge cache of valuable rare books from Joe and then fled to LA, and Joe is determined to track her down. Leaving New York also has the added bonus of taking him far away from the place where he murdered Beck. He gets a job at a bookstore hoping to catch Amy in the act of selling the books. However, his plan changes when he meets Love Quinn, an aspiring actor, and soon becomes entangled with her.

In the TV series, Joe also leaves New York for LA, but under different circumstances. He doesn't go there to seek out an ex but simply to flee the mess he's made of his life. He arrives in LA under the false name Will Bettelheim—like with so many of his victims, he keeps the real Will imprisoned in his glass cage. He meets and falls for Love Quinn, but their relationship is much more complicated and drawn out than it is in the book.

In both the show and the book, Love reveals to Joe that she's pregnant with his child. The book ends with Joe being arrested for the murder of Beck. It is later revealed that Love gives birth while he's in jail, and he never meets his son. Despite finally being caught, he believes Love and her rich family will soon get him out of jail.

Season two of the series introduces an entirely new storyline. After Love reveals she's pregnant, she and Joe move to the suburbs together to raise their child. The season finale hints at future cracks in their relationship, as Joe begins a new obsession with their neighbor, despite pledging his devotion to Love.

Season Three vs. You Love Me

Season three of You isn't based on the third book in the series, You Love Me , at all. It does draw some inspiration from Hidden Bodies but soon ventures into territory not even hinted at in the books. This season marks a distinct split from the storylines of the Joe Goldberg novels—though the books and the show continue to share characters, the plots are not at all similar.

In You Love Me , after Joe's arrest, Love Quinn's rich family pays all his legal fees. Once he's found not guilty, they bribe him with millions of dollars to leave Love alone forever. So Joe does what he's best at—he leaves town again, this time resettling on Bainbridge Island off the coast of Washington. There, he falls hard for a local librarian, and though at first he tries to woo her instead of stalking her, he soon falls back into old patterns.

None of this happens in the television series. Instead, the season focuses on Love and Joe's new life in the California suburbs as parents of a newborn. Joe soon becomes obsessed and then involved with their neighbor, Marienne. Love, who has killed several women to protect Joe, and has proved over and over again that she's just as twisted as he is in some ways, eventually realizes the magnitude of her mistakes. In a confrontation with Marienne, who urges her to leave Joe, Love realizes that the only way she can repent is by killing him. She sets out to do so, but Joe kills her first.

Love also dies in You Love Me , but Joe doesn't kill her. She reaches out to Joe, inviting him to meet his son for the very first time. When he arrives at their rendezvous, she pulls a gun on him. She shoots, with the intention of killing Joe, but he survives after falling into a coma. Love dies by suicide.

At the end of season three, after Love's death, Marienne flees to Paris, hoping to get free of Joe forever. Joe frames Love's murder as a suicide, fakes his own death, and follows Marienne to Europe, setting up the events of the fourth season.

Season Four vs. For You and Only You

The fourth Joe Goldberg novel, For You and Only You will be published in April, and since season four of the show has already aired, it's obviously not based at all on the new book. The show was written and produced long before the fourth book’s publication. They do have one thing in common, though—both season four and For You and Only You begin with Joe once again starting over somewhere new. In the book, he switches from selling books to writing them at a prestigious literary fellowship at Harvard. In the show, he arrives in Europe looking for Marienne, who fled to Paris after narrowly escaping Joe's villainy at the end of season three.

Season four’s storyline is entirely independent of the novels. It follows Joe's exploits in Europe, where he's living under a new alias, Jonathan Moore, an English professor. He gets involved with Kate, the girlfriend of one of his fellow professors. The season also slowly untangles, through flashbacks as well as a present-day storyline, what happened to Marienne. Though he at first decided not to murder her, it is later revealed that Joe experienced a psychotic break, and thus cannot remember many of the events of the season, including his kidnapping of Marienne. In the season finale, Joe attempts suicide but is stopped by the police. He then decides to continue with his evil ways. He moves back to New York, accompanied by Kate, who pulls strings and spins the story to make it look like Joe was actually the victim in the gruesome events he was responsible for in Europe. The ending of season four, which repeats the pattern of Joe arriving in a new place with a new woman, leaves plenty of open threads to be explored in a potential fifth season.

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• Mystery & Thriller
• Book vs Show
• Adaptations

Book Review: You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes

By john valeri.

You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes is the highly anticipated third thriller in her hit You series—now a blockbuster Netflix show—and a compulsively readable trip into the deviant mind of the uniquely antisocial, savvy bookseller Joe Goldberg.

New York Times bestselling author Caroline Kepnes is among an elite group of writers who have crafted such compellingly charismatic criminals that they’ve both transfixed readers and transcended the page, appearing on screens big and/or small. Think Thomas Harris’s Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan—and Kepnes’s own Joe Goldberg. While Joe’s last outing was in 2016’s Hidden Bodies , he’s since seduced TV audiences with the first two seasons of the hit Lifetime-to-Netflix series, You . Both the author — who also penned the standalone novel Providence— and her creation make their highly anticipated returns with April’s You Love Me .

As the story opens, Joe—who has left behind dead bodies on both coasts (“RIP Beck,” etc.) and now has a baby mama and child he’s estranged from—is recently released from prison and finds himself living on Bainbridge Island in Washington state, which is connected to Seattle by ferry; to his mind’s eye, it’s the real-life counterpart to Debbie Macomber’s charming coastal town of Cedar Cove. Following his previous work in bookstores and dealing in rare books, Joe accepts a volunteer position at the Bainbridge Public Library, where he reports to branch manager Mary Kay DiMarco. It may seem a mundane job by comparison, but Joe is never without an agenda and a multitude of angles.

You see, skirt-over-leggings-wearing Mary Kay has caught Joe’s eye. Not only is she a fellow booklover, but she’s committed to her community, her friends, and her teenage daughter, Nomi (who is obsessed with the book Columbine and Dylan Klebold’s poetry)—a seemingly idyllic woman in a seemingly idyllic town. Thinking she can help him to be the optimal version of himself, Joe does what he does best: he insinuates himself into her life, subtle manipulations guised as charm and concern. And Mary Kay begins to respond, opening herself up to the idea of romance with a younger man. Happy endings, or the prospect of them, are so appealing.

But appearances and realities seldom jibe (which is a recurring theme throughout the books), their incongruities increasingly apparent in a digital age where anything can be cropped or filtered for consumption. Just as Joe has manufactured an idealized version of himself, so has Mary Kay put forth only a partial picture. This is an admittedly simplistic explanation, but to be more specific would risk ruining some surprising plot points. What can be said is that Mary Kay keeps company with individuals Joe finds unworthy—and when Joe finds people unworthy, their days tend to be numbered. He is both the watcher and the watched, however, as his own movements are being monitored. (Remember the Quinns? You should.)

As with her debut (2014’s You ), Kepnes tells the story from the rarely used second-person point of view; consequently, Joe isn’t just speaking directly to Mary Kay but also to you , the reader. It’s a risky gambit, but one she again pulls off with aplomb. After all, what better way to elicit our collusion than to create such a direct channel to a magnetically maniacal mind? A little rationalization goes a long way—and it’s hard not to root for such a reacher. Despite his many faults, Joe has a few moments of genuine self-reflection in which he acknowledges his own failures; such character growth is notable—though we needn’t worry he’s anywhere close to being reformed.

You Love Me is a triumphant return that reaffirms Caroline Kepnes’s standing as one of fiction’s boldest, most inimitable voices—a trait shared by Joe Goldberg, albeit to different (read: deadly) effect. While You and Hidden Bodies took on pretense and privilege in big cities, small-town toxicity and tropes get the treatment here. It’s meta meets Macomber, with all the humor, horror, and pop culture savvy you’ve come to expect. Kepnes continues to be trendy without chasing trends, which makes her both of the times and timeless.

Check out Doreen Sheridan’s review of Season One of  You !

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Book Review: The Confidence Games by Tess Amy

Our most anticipated reads: august 2024, book review: ladykiller by katherine wood, cooking the books: trouble is brewing by vicki delany, john valeri.

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The Crooked Pen

“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

Thoughts on The “You” series by Caroline Kepnes (Spoiler-Free Review)

I will be completely honest.

After the dumpster fire that was season 2 of You , I had not planned on engaging with anything in the You universe ever again.

However, after about 3-months into a reading slump, I decided to give this series a chance in the hopes that it would be at least moderately entertaining.

Like the TV show it inspired, the premise is a relatively unique one.

It isn’t a story about a cat-and-mouse game between a hardboiled detective and a serial killer, nor is it slasher featuring a hapless twenty-something trying to outsmart a potential murderer. It’s a story told exclusively from the perspective of a narcissist who hyper-fixates on women (seemingly arbitrarily) and tries to convince them to fall in love with him by removing all the obstacles that keep them from being together….by any means necessary.

Not only did I end up reading the first book, I decided to read the entire series and, to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

That being said, the series is not without its problems.

The first book is relatively grounded in reality; however, as the series continues, it starts to veer off into American Psycho t erritory where you don’t know if the obvious departure from plausible reality is a flaw in the writing, or if this is actually genius on the author’s part.

Joe, as mentioned, is narcissistic so it would make narrative sense for him to embellish events or outright lie so he can look cleverer than he actually is, or so he can portray himself as the victim of his circumstances. It’s the only explanation I can come up with that would allow him to get out of some of the scrapes he finds himself in as they become progressively more and more implausible with each passing novel.

Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Kepnes’ work outside of the You series so I can’t say with any degree of certainty if this was an intentional artistic choice or if it’s simple laziness.

While this element was slightly ruined in further installments of the series by obvious plot armor, it was fascinating watching Joe commit heinous acts and find inventive ways of getting out of them. While he is a clever man, he isn’t Heisenberg levels of smart and he often finds himself in trouble by making careless mistakes. Personally, I think it makes the reading more engaging. How is he going to get out of this situation? Will the trap ever close? Will he ever find “love”?

The cynic in me also admires the biting social commentary when it comes to things like social media, relationships, and friendships that Joe delivers in his stream of consciousness narration. While he is a narcissistic serial killer….he kind of has a point about a lot of things.

That beings said, I have mixed feelings about the pop cultural references. While the inclusion of social media sites makes the series more realistic, the constant movie call-backs get a bit…grating after a while. This is especially true in the third book where Joe keeps saying “close as in Closer. ”

Yeah, bud, it’s not nearly as clever the 70th time.

I also found it mildly annoying there are a lot more references to movies than books, you know, considering Joe works at a book store and is supposedly obsessed with literature.

Regardless, the pacing was always snappy and it is easily bingeable. I don’t think it took me longer than a week to read each book even with a busy schedule. That and, without giving too much away, it lacked a lot of the issues that I had with the travesty that was season 2. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that certain people that are supposed to be dead stay dead.

For those who might be put-off by the whole serial-killer thing, there is a lot of death, but I would hesitate to call this a violent series. Hardly any detail is given to the murders themselves even when they involve butchering, stabbing, and the like. The “morbidity” comes from Joe’s acts of voyeurism and his insatiable desire to remove everyone he deems toxic from his victim’s life.

That being said, this series probably won’t be for people that are easily disturbed. Of course you probably shouldn’t be reading a book about a serial killer if you have delicate sensibilities anyway, but…what do I know?

Personally, I enjoyed reading this series. Was it perfect? No. But they were a fun diversion from the craziness of life and they gave me something to dive into to distract me from the doldrums of life.

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Published by The Author

Hello, person. It's nice to meet you. I am a twenty-something published writer obsessed with tea and coffee. I mostly blog about writing and books, but occasionally I will write about fandoms as I am a massive nerd. Enjoy your stay. But mind the bears. View all posts by The Author

2 thoughts on “Thoughts on The “You” series by Caroline Kepnes (Spoiler-Free Review)”

Man, I hate it when the narcissistic serial killer makes some good points.

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You Paperback – 16 June 2015

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• Book 1 of 4 You
• Print length 424 pages
• Language English
• Publication date 16 June 2015
• Dimensions 13.49 x 2.79 x 20.96 cm
• ISBN-10 9781476785608
• ISBN-13 978-1476785608
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Product description

About the author, product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1476785600
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Emily Bestler Books; Reprint edition (16 June 2015)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 424 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781476785608
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1476785608
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 kg 50 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.49 x 2.79 x 20.96 cm

About the author

Caroline kepnes.

CAROLINE KEPNES is the New York Times bestselling author of YOU, HIDDEN BODIES, PROVIDENCE, YOU LOVE ME and FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU. The Netflix series You is an adaptation of her Joe Goldberg/You novels.

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Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 56% 24% 12% 4% 4% 56%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 56% 24% 12% 4% 4% 24%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 56% 24% 12% 4% 4% 12%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 56% 24% 12% 4% 4% 4%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 56% 24% 12% 4% 4% 4%

Customers say

Customers find the book good, interesting, and creepy. They also describe the plot as fascinating. Opinions are mixed on the writing style, with some finding it amazingly written and others saying it takes a little time to get used to.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book good and intense to read.

"...Overall the book is a good page-turner " Read more

"I loved th book. Book is amazing but the quality is not satisfying. Book came with some print problems." Read more

"...Salman Khan movies have better stories . But the web series was done so brilliantly - the exceptional dialogues , the ethereal beauty of Liz , the..." Read more

"... Worth a read !" Read more

Customers find the book interesting, brilliant, and twisted. They also say the story doesn't get boring.

"...Joe Goldberg is now become one of the most interesting and most twisted creepy character of my list." Read more

"...Except for some parts that can be triggering to some, the story doesn’t get boring and you may remain hooked to it till you turn the last leaf...." Read more

"...This book is filled with surprises and verbal magic .If you are looking forward to read a horror story and are "to sunkissed for Stephen king" do..." Read more

"The story keeps you hooked and let's you see the other side of things." Read more

Customers find the plot fascinating and interesting. They also mention the characters are twisted and creepy.

"...The relation between Joe goldberg and Guinevere Beck is so unusual and creepy . Overall the book is a good page-turner" Read more

"It’s a good read, a great as well as creepy mystery . Please do read its sequel too, it’s worth it." Read more

"Its an amazing book. Loved Joe's creepy character " Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style. Some find the first half of the book amazingly written and brilliant, while others say it took a little time to get used to.

"...But the web series was done so brilliantly - the exceptional dialogues , the ethereal beauty of Liz , the inch perfect acting of Penn - that I..." Read more

"...The first half of the book is amazingly written . I just couldn't put the book down...." Read more

"...I just couldn't put the book down. Yes, the writing took a little time for to get used to but I had started loving it before I could even notice...." Read more

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How to Write a Book Review: The Complete Guide

by Sue Weems | 23 comments

If you've ever loved (or hated) a book, you may have been tempted to review it. Here's a complete guide to how to write a book review, so you can share your literary adventures with other readers more often! 

You finally reach the last page of a book that kept you up all night and close it with the afterglow of satisfaction and a tinge of regret that it’s over. If you enjoyed the book enough to stay up reading it way past your bedtime, consider writing a review. It is one of the best gifts you can give an author.

Regardless of how much you know about how to write a book review, the author will appreciate hearing how their words touched you.

But as you face the five shaded stars and empty box, a blank mind strikes. What do I say? I mean, is this a book really deserving of five stars? How did it compare to Dostoevsky or Angelou or Dickens?

Maybe there’s an easier way to write a book review.

Want to learn how to write a book from start to finish? Check out How to Write a Book: The Complete Guide .

The Fallacy of Book Reviews

Once you’ve decided to give a review, you are faced with the task of deciding how many stars to give a book.

When I first started writing book reviews, I made the mistake of trying to compare a book to ALL BOOKS OF ALL TIME. (Sorry for the all caps, but that’s how it felt, like a James Earl Jones voice was asking me where to put this book in the queue of all books.)

Other readers find themselves comparing new titles to their favorite books. It's a natural comparison. But is it fair?

This is honestly why I didn’t give reviews of books for a long time. How can I compare a modern romance or historical fiction war novel with Dostoevsky? I can’t, and I shouldn’t.

I realized my mistake one day as I was watching (of all things) a dog show. In the final round, they trotted out dogs of all shapes, colors, and sizes. I thought, “How can a Yorkshire Terrier compete with a Basset Hound?” As if he'd read my mind, the announcer explained that each is judged by the standards for its breed.

This was my “Aha!” moment. I have to take a book on its own terms. The question is not, “How does this book compare to all books I’ve read?” but “How well did this book deliver what it promised for the intended audience?”

A review is going to reflect my personal experience with the book, but I can help potential readers by taking a minute to consider what the author intended. Let me explain what I mean. 

How to Write a Book Review: Consider a Book’s Promise

A book makes a promise with its cover, blurb, and first pages. It begins to set expectations the minute a reader views the thumbnail or cover. Those things indicate the genre, tone, and likely the major themes.

If a book cover includes a lip-locked couple in flowing linen on a beach, and I open to the first page to read about a pimpled vampire in a trench coat speaking like Mr. Knightly about his plan for revenge on the entire human race, there’s been a breach of contract before I even get to page two. These are the books we put down immediately (unless a mixed-message beachy cover combined with an Austen vampire story is your thing).

But what if the cover, blurb, and first pages are cohesive and perk our interest enough to keep reading? Then we have to think about what the book has promised us, which revolves around one key idea: What is the core story question and how well is it resolved?

Sometimes genre expectations help us answer this question: a romance will end with a couple who finds their way, a murder mystery ends with a solved case, a thriller’s protagonist beats the clock and saves the country or planet.

The stories we love most do those expected things in a fresh or surprising way with characters we root for from the first page. Even (and especially!) when a book doesn’t fit neatly in a genre category, we need to consider what the book promises on those first pages and decide how well it succeeds on the terms it sets for itself.

When I Don’t Know What to Write

About a month ago, I realized I was overthinking how to write a book review. Here at the Write Practice we have a longstanding tradition of giving critiques using the Oreo method : point out something that was a strength, then something we wondered about or that confused us, followed by another positive.

We can use this same structure to write a simple review when we finish books. Consider this book review format: 

[Book Title] by [book author] is about ___[plot summary in a sentence—no spoilers!]___. I chose this book based on ________. I really enjoyed ________. I wondered how ___________. Anyone who likes ____ will love this book.

Following this basic template can help you write an honest review about most any book, and it will give the author or publisher good information about what worked (and possibly what didn’t). You might write about the characters, the conflict, the setting, or anything else that captured you and kept you reading.

As an added bonus, you will be a stronger reader when you are able to express why you enjoyed parts of a book (just like when you critique!). After you complete a few, you’ll find it gets easier, and you won’t need the template anymore.

What if I Didn’t Like It?

Like professional book reviewers, you will have to make the call about when to leave a negative review. If I can’t give a book at least three stars, I usually don’t review it. Why? If I don’t like a book after a couple chapters, I put it down. I don’t review anything that I haven’t read the entire book.

Also, it may be that I’m not the target audience. The book might be well-written and well-reviewed with a great cover, and it just doesn’t capture me. Or maybe it's a book that just isn't hitting me right now for reasons that have nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my own reading life and needs. Every book is not meant for every reader.

If a book kept me reading all the way to the end and I didn’t like the ending? I would probably still review it, since there had to be enough good things going on to keep me reading to the end. I might mention in my review that the ending was less satisfying than I hoped, but I would still end with a positive.

How to Write a Book Review: Your Turn

As writers, we know how difficult it is to put down the words day after day. We are typically voracious readers. Let’s send some love back out to our fellow writers this week and review the most recent title we enjoyed.

What was the last book you read or reviewed? Do you ever find it hard to review a book? Share in the comments .

Now it's your turn. Think of the last book you read. Then, take fifteen minutes to write a review of it based on the template above. When you're done, share your review in the Pro Practice Workshop . For bonus points, post it on the book's page on Amazon and Goodreads, too!

Don't forget to leave feedback for your fellow writers! What new reads will you discover in the comments?

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

23 Comments

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin is about a girl that shows no emotion befriending a ice dragon.

I chose this book based on the cover that had a little girl riding a ice dragon, and wondered what is about.

I really enjoyed the interaction the little girl had with the dragon.

I wondered how how the girl’s bond with the dragon.

Anyone who likes a coming of age story set in a fantasy will love this book.

Thanks for sharing your practice, Azure!

You’re welcome.

A interesting, at times perplexing, subject! And one on my mind lately,as I’ve agreed to do a few. I do enjoy giving reviews and am delighted when I can say, “This was a great book!” Or even, “I enjoyed this book.” It gets perplexing when I agree to review a book — and simply don’t like it. Then what to say? I hate to disappoint the writer but I’ve promised to give my honest opinion.

I’ve found some books mediocre and yet I see a dozen other reviewers saying “A great story!” Tastes do vary. But when there are obvious flaws I tend to skip all the best-friend-and-cousin reviewers and find the first person who says, “This writer has a problem with…” Usually there’ll be a number of reviewers who spot the same problems I do.

I like upbeat main characters, but not aggressive, belligerent, and/or self-centered ones. I like to meet in a story the kind of people I’d like to meet in real life— not people I’d avoid if possible. I recently read a book where the main character came across as insipid and the story only mildly interesting. Other reviewers said it was great and I know for this specific audience — readers who want a certain slant to a story — it was quite suitable. So I tried to cut the book some slack. Everyone has their limit as to how much blood and gore, smooching and snuggling, they are willing to read about.

Once I agreed to review a book and would have tossed it after the first chapter — for several reasons. A lot of “writer inserting facts for reader’s benefit”; teach/preach paragraphs; excess of description; attitudes of MCs. Once it’s live on seller’s sites like Amazon, what can you say? The one thing good it had going for it was the story line or theme. With a pro editor’s help it could have been a great story.

As for a review, one book I read lately was “A Clue for the Puzzle Lady” by Parnell Hall. It’s one of those “Stayed up half the night to finish it” books; I think anyone who likes a compelling cozy mystery would probably like it. Downside: I didn’t care for the “Puzzle Lady.” She’s a lush, hangs out at the bar getting sloshed. The upside: her sensible niece has a starring role —trying to keep her aunt on the straight-and-narrow and the mystery keeps you guessing until the end.

Christine, Thanks for sharing your insight! It sounds like you are approached often to review new books. It does make it tricky if it’s a request, especially outside your own preferences. Thanks for chiming in about your process, as I’m sure others will appreciate the perspective too. I’ll have to take a look at the Puzzle Lady– I do enjoy cozy mysteries. Sue

Here’s another cozy mystery book review in case you’re interested. I’m not approached by writers that often, but there are the Story Cartel, Book Bub and Goodreads, all sites where authors ask for review volunteers.

Reel Estate Ripoff by Renee Pawlish

The detective Reed Ferguson is a fan of Humphry Bogart, movie memorabilia of that era, and fancies himself a bit of a Sam Slade. Though not your super-sleuth, rather inept at times, he’s a likeable character. Told in first person, the story has a Philip Marlowe tone to it, but much tamer. Dialogue and story line are well done, the story well plotted and believable. I’d gladly read more stories about this particular gumshoe.

If you like cozy mystery books, I’ll send you a list later, Sue. Love them too and I’ve met many authors who write in this genre. Back on topic– you inspire me again to add some reviews to my Blog. I have been reading and writing many middle grade mysteries for a project! My latest favorite: “The World’s Greatest Detective” by Caroline Carson (who I hope to meet tomorrow in Arlington, VA!) My 12 year old grandson borrowed it and finished it before I could. “It’s the best mystery I ever read, Grandma! You’ ll never guess the ending with unpredictable twists!” What better review could we read. The target audience and I both highly recommend this 2017 mystery.

Adding it to my stack, Beth. Thanks!

Not wanting to sound life an idiot, but willing to risk it here among friends: What exactly is a cozy mystery?

Glad you asked! It’s a subgenre of mystery. The best examples of cozy mysteries are those by Agatha Christie. They usually avoid profanity, excessive gore/ violence, and sex. They focus more on the puzzle, sleuth, and their smaller world. Hope that helps!

Thanks, Sue.

Wonderful article. The first I have read by you. It especially gets those of us who don’t feel we have the formula down for review writing to be introduced to a form we can build upon with experience. You’ve kept it simple but you have given us the main ingredients needed for a good review. I printed this one off to look at the next few times I write reviews. Thank you.

Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for reading and commenting!

I haven’t gone into all this. It’s a matter of time, Joe. I gad about all over the place, not knowing where I am or where I’m going. Within weeks, I’ll be 87. I’ve books of my own that I’d like to see reviewed. Even sorting them out, however, even finding where any of them are, would be a time burden. You see the fix?

Hi Dave, You aren’t alone in feeling the press of time for getting your stories out into the world. May I gently offer this: start with finding and sorting one. If you can’t find it, write it anew. You’ve probably grown in time and perspective since you wrote the first draft, which will make for a stronger story. Good luck. I’m cheering you on!

This is an article for me, because I am happy to receive a rating. I haven’t sold many books. But, at least some thinks that it was worth the time to read. That was refreshing. And, I think I wrote two reviews, so far. It was on Amazon.com. Thank you.

You’re welcome!

Hi, Sue. Thanks for the helpful advice. I did a review on Amazon for the first of a 7-part thriller titled ‘Mosh Pit (The Rose Garden Incident)’ by Michael Hiebert. [Here it is.]

“5.0 out of 5 stars Advance copy review. By A fellow author on September 18, 2016 Format: Kindle Edition I Recommend This Book Strongly

I enjoyed reading this first part of the thriller. The author’s opening chapter/prologue was fast paced, and set me in the middle of the inciting incident along with two of the main characters. After that thrilling opening, I felt the ensuing chapters moved at a more leisurely pace, and was about to grade them as less praiseworthy when I watched a lecture by Brandon Sanderson on YouTube about building three dimensional characters and realised Michael Hiebert had done exactly that by introducing the reader to the minutiae of other characters who had parts to play in the development of the story. So, instead of cardboard cutouts of bland stock characters, the author shows us real people with real concerns that the reader can relate to.and actually care about. I look forward to reading the rest of this intriguing thriller, and highly recommend it to all lovers of well-written, and well-crafted thrillers.”

I also reviewed Part 2 of the series, but that review is too long to post here.

Footnote: The author, Michael Hiebert, was so pleased with my reviews, he recently asked me to beta-read a short story collection he plans to publish in November.

Great review, John! I like how you shared a bit of your process as a reader too, in recognizing what the writer was doing with their characterization. Thanks!

Thank you, Sue.

Five out of five stars When I picked up a copy of “The Girl with All the Gifts,” by M R Carey, at the used book store, I somehow had it in my head that it was a YA dystopian novel along the lines of “Divergent” or “The Hunger Games.” While I would definitely say that I was not right about that, I wouldn’t say that I was completely wrong. I was, however, completely unprepared for a zombie novel–which is a good thing, cause I wouldn’t have read it, and I’m glad I did. Think “The Walking Dead” meets (why do I want to say ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night”?) “Peter Pan.” I really enjoyed seeing things from, the main character, Melanie’s point of view. Her limited knowledge of her own situation was intriguing, to say the least (and probably why I thought of “The Curious Incident”). I was a bit disappointed when the POV changed to another character’s, but, as the novel progressed, I found myself sympathizing with nearly all the characters–with one exception, and I’ll leave that for you to ponder when you read it. I wondered how much of the science was real, but not enough for me to research it myself. Although, based on other reviews, I guess most of the science about the fungus is real. I also wondered about the fate of the remaining ‘lost boys’ of the cities. If you liked…. well, I don’t know. I’m not typically a fan of things zombie, so I don’t have a comparison, but the book was somewhat similar to “Divergent” and “The Hunger Games” in that the main character goes through a hellluva time and comes out the other side with a plan for her future.

“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom is a true story about how one man found meaning in life when his doctors gave him a death sentence. Morrie was a college professor who passed on his new found wisdom in the last year of his life to a favorite student, the author, who chronicled his professor’s perspectives on death and dying.

I chose this book because of its philosophical topic, and because it is so well written that the words just jump off the page.

Knowing we are all mortal beings, I especially liked the insights, the tidbits of wisdom imparted by the dying man. Death is a subject that few, if any of us, ever talk about seriously with friends and family. The subject of death is verboten. We deny its existence. And, if we are religious, we pretend we will not really die, but we deceive ourselves and think we will live on in some afterlife existence for all eternity. But the professor, Morrie, learns some valuable life lessons from his impending death, and Mitch Albom was gracious enough to capture them in this short but eminently readable book.

I really liked the book because it is timeless. This true story will impart serious life lessons for all future generations, and will help us gain perspectives on our lives and the relationships with those we love the most.

R. Allan Worrell

Sue, I’ve been meaning to come back since this was first posted to tell you thanks for a great article. I seldom review books for alllllll the reasons you listed. This is a perfect tool and I’ll surely use it. Cathy

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You: A Novel (1) (The You Series) Paperback – August 28, 2018

• Book 1 of 4 You
• Print length 464 pages
• Language English
• Publication date August 28, 2018
• Dimensions 5.31 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
• ISBN-10 1501195433
• ISBN-13 978-1501195433
• See all details

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About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria/Emily Bestler Books; Media Tie-In edition (August 28, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501195433
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501195433
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.1 x 8.25 inches
• #941 in Psychological Fiction (Books)
• #2,324 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)
• #4,407 in Suspense Thrillers

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About the author

Caroline kepnes.

CAROLINE KEPNES is the New York Times bestselling author of YOU, HIDDEN BODIES, PROVIDENCE, YOU LOVE ME and FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU. The Netflix series You is an adaptation of her Joe Goldberg/You novels.

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Customers say

Customers find the book suspenseful, chilling, and twisted. They also praise the writing style as great and detailed. Readers describe the plot as awesome, romantic, and page-turning. They find the characters well-developed and funny. They describe the storyline as unique, humorous, and clever. Customers also find the design intriguing and the reading pace fast. They mention the viewpoint as compelling, fascinating, and different.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the sexual content in the book suspenseful, chilling, and engaging. They also describe it as disturbing, unsettling, compelling, hypnotic, and scary. Readers also mention that the casual, sometimes stream-of-consciousness writing style makes the book creepy and violent.

"...The one thing I PRAISE about this book is its ability to FULLY IMMERSE AND CAPTIVATE THE READER ...." Read more

"...This novel really is good. It held my attention the entire time ...." Read more

"...of words are used to describe this read: “unsettling”, “compelling”, “ hypnotic and scary”. I’d have to say I agree with each of them...." Read more

"...Overall You was enjoyable and well written, but a few things pushed believability and it could have been way more disturbing." Read more

Customers find the writing style great, logical, and thoughtful. They also say the story is completely narrated by Joe, and the writing is smooth and nearly flawless. Readers also mention that the book is intelligent, detailed, and inventively created.

"...It really made Joe's menacing tone come out strongly. The writing itself was smooth and very nearly flawless...." Read more

"...The story is completely narrated by Joe . This was fascinating; through his narration, we become intimately acquainted with the mind of a stalker...." Read more

"...routes, but overall, the novel’s can’t-stop-reading quality, well-written narrative , and fascinating character dynamics outweighed the obvious..." Read more

"...Holy (edit). I am so in love with this author, and I absolutely adored the second person POV ...." Read more

Customers find the plot awesome, a true page-turner about infatuation, and unafraid of cliffhanger chapter endings. They also say the series is a must-watch for its clever and repetitiveness. Customers also say it's charming, intelligent, and romantic.

"...It is like Lolita in the fact that it is an extremely dark story , written from the point of view of a charming, likable villain stalking a woman...." Read more

"...Right from the start, I found it quite gripping ...." Read more

" Awesome psychological thriller ! Could not put it down!!!!!SYNOPSIS..." Read more

"...The book is a bit choppy and things skip forward and you get a feel for that but I was not ready for that because the TV show seems more linear and..." Read more

Customers find the characters in the book well developed, charming, and funny. They also mention that the author makes Joe an absolutely wonderful anti-hero.

"...In You, I believe the cast of characters is so colourful and also so honest about how people act today...." Read more

"...But Kepnes writes him in such a way that it's easy to forget he's a monster , and instead the reader starts to almost care about him and root for him..." Read more

"...After all, Joe is smart , handsome and witty. Joe is also a stalker...." Read more

"...Beck is an insanely dislikable character (actually, every character is a special kind of awful human), so it's hard to care much about what happens..." Read more

Customers find the storyline clever, unique, and witty. They also appreciate the quick banter from Joe and the good writing.

"...She’s smart, sexy, funny and he’d do anything in his power to have her...." Read more

"...Joe is a fascinating character. He is charismatic and uses a lot of humor . I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts of this book...." Read more

"...After all, Joe is smart, handsome and witty . Joe is also a stalker...." Read more

"...They're perceptive and disdainful and cynical and amusing and as I'm thinking this, I'm also thinking that for someone who looks down on it all, he..." Read more

Customers find the book design intriguing, clever, and subtle. They appreciate the author's vivid, rich, and expressive detail into the psyche of a young woman. Readers also say the storyline creates vivid settings.

"...She’s smart, sexy , funny and he’d do anything in his power to have her...." Read more

"...After all, Joe is smart, handsome and witty. Joe is also a stalker...." Read more

"...Court: Yes, this now even has a blurb. And it looks so freaking intriguing . Hhhmmm, I say. I can't wait!" Read more

"...meant to be humorous or sarcastic, but a lot was awfully pretentious with literary references so the author could show off a bit, I suppose...." Read more

Customers find the book fast-paced and enjoyable to read.

"...It was just that good. The pacing was perfect, making the novel move just fast enough that I never got bored...." Read more

"...the plot info as that is everywhere here, but will say it was very fast-paced and engaging...." Read more

"...It is scary and disturbing but I felt it was too slow ." Read more

"...The story is fast paced and easy to get hooked into, especially because you literally have no clue what Joe will do next...." Read more

Customers find the viewpoint compelling, fascinating, and strong. They also say it's witty, funny, and a smart commentary on the digital age. Readers say the book is liberating, honest, and different. They say the author does a great job making them feel sympathetic toward the protagonist.

"...believe the cast of characters is so colourful and also so honest about how people act today ...." Read more

"...I didn't honestly find it scary at all. But I did find it thought-provoking and emotionally-loaded in other ways that make it quite a memorable..." Read more

"...It's both a fascinating social commentary and a true page-turner about infatuation, and not letting anything stand in the way of what you believe is..." Read more

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How to Write a Book Review: A Comprehensive Tutorial With Examples

You don’t need to be a literary expert to craft captivating book reviews. With one in every three readers selecting books based on insightful reviews, your opinions can guide fellow bibliophiles toward their next literary adventure.

Learning how to write a book review will not only help you excel at your assigned tasks, but you’ll also contribute valuable insights to the book-loving community and turn your passion into a professional pursuit.

In this comprehensive guide,  PaperPerk  will walk you through a few simple steps to master the art of writing book reviews so you can confidently embark on this rewarding journey.

What is a Book Review?

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, offering insights into its content, quality, and impact. It helps readers make informed decisions about whether to read the book.

Writing a book review as an assignment benefits students in multiple ways. Firstly, it teaches them how to write a book review by developing their analytical skills as they evaluate the content, themes, and writing style .

Secondly, it enhances their ability to express opinions and provide constructive criticism. Additionally, book review assignments expose students to various publications and genres, broadening their knowledge.

Furthermore, these tasks foster essential skills for academic success, like critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information. By now, we’re sure you want to learn how to write a book review, so let’s look at the book review template first.

Table of Contents

Book Review Template

How to Write a Book Review- A Step-by-Step Guide

Check out these 5 straightforward steps for composing the best book review.

Step 1: Planning Your Book Review – The Art of Getting Started

You’ve decided to take the plunge and share your thoughts on a book that has captivated (or perhaps disappointed) you. Before you start book reviewing, let’s take a step back and plan your approach. Knowing how to write a book review that’s both informative and engaging is an art in itself.

Choosing Your Literature

First things first, pick the book you want to review. This might seem like a no-brainer, but selecting a book that genuinely interests you will make the review process more enjoyable and your insights more authentic.

Crafting the Master Plan

Next, create an  outline  that covers all the essential points you want to discuss in your review. This will serve as the roadmap for your writing journey.

The Devil is in the Details

As you read, note any information that stands out, whether it overwhelms, underwhelms, or simply intrigues you. Pay attention to:

• The characters and their development
• The plot and its intricacies
• Any themes, symbols, or motifs you find noteworthy

Remember to reserve a body paragraph for each point you want to discuss.

The Key Questions to Ponder

When planning your book review, consider the following questions:

• What’s the plot (if any)? Understanding the driving force behind the book will help you craft a more effective review.
• Is the plot interesting? Did the book hold your attention and keep you turning the pages?
• Are the writing techniques effective? Does the author’s style captivate you, making you want to read (or reread) the text?
• Are the characters or the information believable? Do the characters/plot/information feel real, and can you relate to them?
• Would you recommend the book to anyone? Consider if the book is worthy of being recommended, whether to impress someone or to support a point in a literature class.
• What could be improved? Always keep an eye out for areas that could be improved. Providing constructive criticism can enhance the quality of literature.

Step 2 – Crafting the Perfect Introduction to Write a Book Review

In this second step of “how to write a book review,” we’re focusing on the art of creating a powerful opening that will hook your audience and set the stage for your analysis.

Identify Your Book and Author

Begin by mentioning the book you’ve chosen, including its  title  and the author’s name. This informs your readers and establishes the subject of your review.

Ponder the Title

Next, discuss the mental images or emotions the book’s title evokes in your mind . This helps your readers understand your initial feelings and expectations before diving into the book.

Judge the Book by Its Cover (Just a Little)

Take a moment to talk about the book’s cover. Did it intrigue you? Did it hint at what to expect from the story or the author’s writing style? Sharing your thoughts on the cover can offer a unique perspective on how the book presents itself to potential readers.

Present Your Thesis

Now it’s time to introduce your thesis. This statement should be a concise and insightful summary of your opinion of the book. For example:

“Normal People” by Sally Rooney is a captivating portrayal of the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, class, and self-discovery with exceptional depth and authenticity.

Ensure that your thesis is relevant to the points or quotes you plan to discuss throughout your review.

Incorporating these elements into your introduction will create a strong foundation for your book review. Your readers will be eager to learn more about your thoughts and insights on the book, setting the stage for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

How to Write a Book Review: Step 3 – Building Brilliant Body Paragraphs

You’ve planned your review and written an attention-grabbing introduction. Now it’s time for the main event: crafting the body paragraphs of your book review. In this step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the art of constructing engaging and insightful body paragraphs that will keep your readers hooked.

Summarize Without Spoilers

Begin by summarizing a specific section of the book, not revealing any major plot twists or spoilers. Your goal is to give your readers a taste of the story without ruining surprises.

Support Your Viewpoint with Quotes

Next, choose three quotes from the book that support your viewpoint or opinion. These quotes should be relevant to the section you’re summarizing and help illustrate your thoughts on the book.

Analyze the Quotes

Write a summary of each quote in your own words, explaining how it made you feel or what it led you to think about the book or the author’s writing. This analysis should provide insight into your perspective and demonstrate your understanding of the text.

Structure Your Body Paragraphs

Dedicate one body paragraph to each quote, ensuring your writing is well-connected, coherent, and easy to understand.

For example:

• In  Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë writes, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.” This powerful statement highlights Jane’s fierce independence and refusal to be trapped by societal expectations.
• In  Normal People , Sally Rooney explores the complexities of love and friendship when she writes, “It was culture as class performance, literature fetishized for its ability to take educated people on false emotional journeys.” This quote reveals the author’s astute observations on the role of culture and class in shaping personal relationships.
• In  Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë captures the tumultuous nature of love with the quote, “He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” This poignant line emphasizes the deep, unbreakable bond between the story’s central characters.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create body paragraphs that are both captivating and insightful, enhancing your book review and providing your readers with a deeper understanding of the literary work. 

How to Write a Book Review: Step 4 – Crafting a Captivating Conclusion

You’ve navigated through planning, introductions, and body paragraphs with finesse. Now it’s time to wrap up your book review with a  conclusion that leaves a lasting impression . In this final step of “How to write a Book Review,” we’ll explore the art of writing a memorable and persuasive conclusion.

Summarize Your Analysis

Begin by summarizing the key points you’ve presented in the body paragraphs. This helps to remind your readers of the insights and arguments you’ve shared throughout your review.

Offer Your Final Conclusion

Next, provide a conclusion that reflects your overall feelings about the book. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and persuade your readers to consider your perspective.

Address the Book’s Appeal

Now, answer the question: Is this book worth reading? Be clear about who would enjoy the book and who might not. Discuss the taste preferences and circumstances that make the book more appealing to some readers than others.

For example:  The Alchemist is a book that can enchant a young teen, but those who are already well-versed in classic literature might find it less engaging.

Be Subtle and Balanced

Avoid simply stating whether you “liked” or “disliked” the book. Instead, use nuanced language to convey your message. Highlight the pros and cons of reading the type of literature you’ve reviewed, offering a balanced perspective.

Bringing It All Together

By following these guidelines, you’ll craft a conclusion that leaves your readers with a clear understanding of your thoughts and opinions on the book. Your review will be a valuable resource for those considering whether to pick up the book, and your witty and insightful analysis will make your review a pleasure to read. So conquer the world of book reviews, one captivating conclusion at a time!

How to Write a Book Review: Step 5 – Rating the Book (Optional)

You’ve masterfully crafted your book review, from the introduction to the conclusion. But wait, there’s one more step you might consider before calling it a day: rating the book. In this optional step of “how to write a book review,” we’ll explore the benefits and methods of assigning a rating to the book you’ve reviewed.

Why Rate the Book?

Sometimes, when writing a professional book review, it may not be appropriate to state whether you liked or disliked the book. In such cases, assigning a rating can be an effective way to get your message across without explicitly sharing your personal opinion.

How to Rate the Book

There are various rating systems you can use to evaluate the book, such as:

• A star rating (e.g., 1 to 5 stars)
• A numerical score (e.g., 1 to 10)
• A letter grade (e.g., A+ to F)

Choose a rating system that best suits your style and the format of your review. Be consistent in your rating criteria, considering writing quality, character development, plot, and overall enjoyment.

Tips for Rating the Book

Here are some tips for rating the book effectively:

• Be honest: Your rating should reflect your true feelings about the book. Don’t inflate or deflate your rating based on external factors, such as the book’s popularity or the author’s reputation.
• Be fair: Consider the book’s merits and shortcomings when rating. Even if you didn’t enjoy the book, recognize its strengths and acknowledge them in your rating.
• Be clear: Explain the rationale behind your rating so your readers understand the factors that influenced your evaluation.

Wrapping Up

By including a rating in your book review, you provide your readers with additional insight into your thoughts on the book. While this step is optional, it can be a valuable tool for conveying your message subtly yet effectively. So, rate those books confidently, adding a touch of wit and wisdom to your book reviews.

Additional Tips on How to Write a Book Review: A Guide

In this segment, we’ll explore additional tips on how to write a book review. Get ready to captivate your readers and make your review a memorable one!

Hook ’em with an Intriguing Introduction

Keep your introduction precise and to the point. Readers have the attention span of a goldfish these days, so don’t let them swim away in boredom. Start with a bang and keep them hooked!

Embrace the World of Fiction

When learning how to write a book review, remember that reviewing fiction is often more engaging and effective. If your professor hasn’t assigned you a specific book, dive into the realm of fiction and select a novel that piques your interest.

Opinionated with Gusto

Don’t shy away from adding your own opinion to your review. A good book review always features the writer’s viewpoint and constructive criticism. After all, your readers want to know what  you  think!

Express Your Love (or Lack Thereof)

If you adored the book, let your readers know! Use phrases like “I’ll definitely return to this book again” to convey your enthusiasm. Conversely, be honest but respectful even if the book wasn’t your cup of tea.

Templates and Examples and Expert Help: Your Trusty Sidekicks

Feeling lost? You can always get help from formats, book review examples or online  college paper writing service  platforms. These trusty sidekicks will help you navigate the world of book reviews with ease. 

Be a Champion for New Writers and Literature

Remember to uplift new writers and pieces of literature. If you want to suggest improvements, do so kindly and constructively. There’s no need to be mean about anyone’s books – we’re all in this literary adventure together!

Criticize with Clarity, Not Cruelty

When adding criticism to your review, be clear but not mean. Remember, there’s a fine line between constructive criticism and cruelty. Tread lightly and keep your reader’s feelings in mind.

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Resist the urge to compare one writer’s book with another. Every book holds its worth, and comparing them will only confuse your reader. Stick to discussing the book at hand, and let it shine in its own light.

Top 7 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Writing a book review can be a delightful and rewarding experience, especially when you balance analysis, wit, and personal insights. However, some common mistakes can kill the brilliance of your review. 

In this section of “How to write a book review,” we’ll explore the top 7 blunders writers commit and how to steer clear of them, with a dash of  modernist literature  examples and tips for students writing book reviews as assignments.

Succumbing to the Lure of Plot Summaries

Mistake: Diving headfirst into a plot summary instead of dissecting the book’s themes, characters, and writing style.

Example: “The Bell Jar chronicles the life of a young woman who experiences a mental breakdown.”

How to Avoid: Delve into the book’s deeper aspects, such as its portrayal of mental health, societal expectations, and the author’s distinctive narrative voice. Offer thoughtful insights and reflections, making your review a treasure trove of analysis.

Unleashing the Spoiler Kraken

Mistake: Spilling major plot twists or the ending without providing a spoiler warning, effectively ruining the reading experience for potential readers.

Example: “In Metamorphosis, the protagonist’s transformation into a monstrous insect leads to…”

How to Avoid: Tread carefully when discussing significant plot developments, and consider using spoiler warnings. Focus on the impact of these plot points on the overall narrative, character growth, or thematic resonance.

Riding the Personal Bias Express

Mistake: Allowing personal bias to hijack the review without providing sufficient evidence or reasoning to support opinions.

Example: “I detest books about existential crises, so The Sun Also Rises was a snoozefest.”

How to Avoid: While personal opinions are valid, it’s crucial to back them up with specific examples from the book. Discuss aspects like writing style, character development, or pacing to support your evaluation and provide a more balanced perspective.

Wielding the Vague Language Saber

Mistake: Resorting to generic, vague language that fails to capture the nuances of the book and can come across as clichéd.

Example: “This book was mind-blowing. It’s a must-read for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Use precise and descriptive language to express your thoughts. Employ specific examples and quotations to highlight memorable scenes, the author’s unique writing style, or the impact of the book’s themes on readers.

Ignoring the Contextualization Compass

Mistake: Neglecting to provide context about the author, genre, or cultural relevance of the book, leaving readers without a proper frame of reference.

Example: “This book is dull and unoriginal.”

How to Avoid: Offer readers a broader understanding by discussing the author’s background, the genre conventions the book adheres to or subverts, and any societal or historical contexts that inform the narrative. This helps readers appreciate the book’s uniqueness and relevance.

Overindulging in Personal Preferences

Mistake: Letting personal preferences overshadow an objective assessment of the book’s merits.

Example: “I don’t like stream-of-consciousness writing, so this book is automatically bad.”

How to Avoid: Acknowledge personal preferences but strive to evaluate the book objectively. Focus on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, considering how well it achieves its goals within its genre or intended audience.

Forgetting the Target Audience Telescope

Mistake: Failing to mention the book’s target audience or who might enjoy it, leading to confusion for potential readers.

Example: “This book is great for everyone.”

How to Avoid: Contemplate the book’s intended audience, genre, and themes. Mention who might particularly enjoy the book based on these factors, whether it’s fans of a specific genre, readers interested in character-driven stories, or those seeking thought-provoking narratives.

By dodging these common pitfalls, writers can craft insightful, balanced, and engaging book reviews that help readers make informed decisions about their reading choices.

These tips are particularly beneficial for students writing book reviews as assignments, as they ensure a well-rounded and thoughtful analysis.!

Many students requested us to cover how to write a book review. This thorough guide is sure to help you. At Paperperk, professionals are dedicated to helping students find their balance. We understand the importance of good grades, so we offer the finest writing service , ensuring students stay ahead of the curve. So seek expert help because only Paperperk is your perfect solution!

What is the difference between a book review and a report?

Who is the target audience for book reviews and book reports, how do book reviews and reports differ in length and content, can i write professional book reviews, what are the key aspects of writing professional book reviews, how can i enhance my book-reviewing skills to write professional reviews, what should be included in a good book review.

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WHAT THIS COMEDIAN SAID WILL SHOCK YOU

by Bill Maher ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2024

Maher calls out idiocy wherever he sees it, with a comedic delivery that veers between a stiletto and a sledgehammer.

The comedian argues that the arts of moderation and common sense must be reinvigorated.

Some people are born snarky, some become snarky, and some have snarkiness thrust upon them. Judging from this book, Maher—host of HBO’s Real Time program and author of The New New Rules and When You Ride Alone, You Ride With bin Laden —is all three. As a comedian, he has a great deal of leeway to make fun of people in politics, and he often delivers hilarious swipes with a deadpan face. The author describes himself as a traditional liberal, with a disdain for Republicans (especially the MAGA variety) and a belief in free speech and personal freedom. He claims that he has stayed much the same for more than 20 years, while the left, he argues, has marched toward intolerance. He sees an addiction to extremism on both sides of the aisle, which fosters the belief that anyone who disagrees with you must be an enemy to be destroyed. However, Maher has always displayed his own streaks of extremism, and his scorched-earth takedowns eventually become problematic. The author has something nasty to say about everyone, it seems, and the sarcastic tone starts after more than 300 pages. As has been the case throughout his career, Maher is best taken in small doses. The book is worth reading for the author’s often spot-on skewering of inept politicians and celebrities, but it might be advisable to occasionally dip into it rather than read the whole thing in one sitting. Some parts of the text are hilarious, but others are merely insulting. Maher is undeniably talented, but some restraint would have produced a better book.

Pub Date: May 21, 2024

ISBN: 9781668051351

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: March 5, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024

CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES | ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & CELEBRITY | POLITICS | ISSUES & CONTROVERSIES

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by Bill Maher

Awards & Accolades

Our Verdict

New York Times Bestseller

by Stephanie Johnson & Brandon Stanton illustrated by Henry Sene Yee ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2022

A blissfully vicarious, heartfelt glimpse into the life of a Manhattan burlesque dancer.

A former New York City dancer reflects on her zesty heyday in the 1970s.

Discovered on a Manhattan street in 2020 and introduced on Stanton’s Humans of New York Instagram page, Johnson, then 76, shares her dynamic history as a “fiercely independent” Black burlesque dancer who used the stage name Tanqueray and became a celebrated fixture in midtown adult theaters. “I was the only black girl making white girl money,” she boasts, telling a vibrant story about sex and struggle in a bygone era. Frank and unapologetic, Johnson vividly captures aspects of her former life as a stage seductress shimmying to blues tracks during 18-minute sets or sewing lingerie for plus-sized dancers. Though her work was far from the Broadway shows she dreamed about, it eventually became all about the nightly hustle to simply survive. Her anecdotes are humorous, heartfelt, and supremely captivating, recounted with the passion of a true survivor and the acerbic wit of a weathered, street-wise New Yorker. She shares stories of growing up in an abusive household in Albany in the 1940s, a teenage pregnancy, and prison time for robbery as nonchalantly as she recalls selling rhinestone G-strings to prostitutes to make them sparkle in the headlights of passing cars. Complemented by an array of revealing personal photographs, the narrative alternates between heartfelt nostalgia about the seedier side of Manhattan’s go-go scene and funny quips about her unconventional stage performances. Encounters with a variety of hardworking dancers, drag queens, and pimps, plus an account of the complexities of a first love with a drug-addled hustler, fill out the memoir with personality and candor. With a narrative assist from Stanton, the result is a consistently titillating and often moving story of human struggle as well as an insider glimpse into the days when Times Square was considered the Big Apple’s gloriously unpolished underbelly. The book also includes Yee’s lush watercolor illustrations.

Pub Date: July 12, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-250-27827-2

Page Count: 192

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: July 27, 2022

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS & CELEBRITY | GENERAL BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

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by Brandon Stanton

by Brandon Stanton photographed by Brandon Stanton

by Brandon Stanton ; photographed by Brandon Stanton

LOVE, PAMELA

by Pamela Anderson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 31, 2023

A juicy story with some truly crazy moments, yet Anderson's good heart shines through.

The iconic model tells the story of her eventful life.

According to the acknowledgments, this memoir started as "a fifty-page poem and then grew into hundreds of pages of…more poetry." Readers will be glad that Anderson eventually turned to writing prose, since the well-told anecdotes and memorable character sketches are what make it a page-turner. The poetry (more accurately described as italicized notes-to-self with line breaks) remains strewn liberally through the pages, often summarizing the takeaway or the emotional impact of the events described: "I was / and still am / an exceptionally / easy target. / And, / I'm proud of that ." This way of expressing herself is part of who she is, formed partly by her passion for Anaïs Nin and other writers; she is a serious maven of literature and the arts. The narrative gets off to a good start with Anderson’s nostalgic memories of her childhood in coastal Vancouver, raised by very young, very wild, and not very competent parents. Here and throughout the book, the author displays a remarkable lack of anger. She has faced abuse and mistreatment of many kinds over the decades, but she touches on the most appalling passages lightly—though not so lightly you don't feel the torment of the media attention on the events leading up to her divorce from Tommy Lee. Her trip to the pages of Playboy , which involved an escape from a violent fiance and sneaking across the border, is one of many jaw-dropping stories. In one interesting passage, Julian Assange's mother counsels Anderson to desexualize her image in order to be taken more seriously as an activist. She decided that “it was too late to turn back now”—that sexy is an inalienable part of who she is. Throughout her account of this kooky, messed-up, enviable, and often thrilling life, her humility (her sons "are true miracles, considering the gene pool") never fails her.

Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023

ISBN: 9780063226562

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Dey Street/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

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Blog – Posted on Friday, Mar 29

17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.

Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

Should you become a book reviewer?

Find out the answer. Takes 30 seconds!

What must a book review contain?

Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)

In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:

• A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. 
• A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. 
• A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. 

If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.

How much of a book nerd are you, really?

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Book review examples for fiction books

Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .

That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.

Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.

Examples of literary fiction book reviews

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.

His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.

This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.

Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.

I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]

The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :

Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.

The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.

Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]

Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :

In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.

This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.

Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :

I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.

Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim.  To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]

Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews

The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :

♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.

In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.

♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]

The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :

Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.

Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.

“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]

James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!

This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.

The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.

Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :

This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.

Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.

Examples of genre fiction book reviews

Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:

4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.

I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.

The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.

I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.

Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:

“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”

Holy hell, what did I just read??

➽ A fantasy military school

➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history

➽ Shamans and gods

➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters

➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors

That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.

Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).

Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.

Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:

In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?

In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.

Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :

Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.

The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.

Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.

Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.

Book review examples for non-fiction books

Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.

Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!

The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :

The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”

Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.

All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]

Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.

The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.

Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]

Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :

Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.

In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.

To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]

Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :

WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

SUBJECT: 4/5

CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5

RELEVANCE: 3.5/5

ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.

Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]

Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:

Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.

This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.

I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.

And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.

She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.

I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.

Hopefully, this post has given you a better idea of how to write a book review. You might be wondering how to put all of this knowledge into action now! Many book reviewers start out by setting up a book blog. If you don’t have time to research the intricacies of HTML, check out Reedsy Discovery — where you can read indie books for free and review them without going through the hassle of creating a blog. To register as a book reviewer , go here .

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Book Review: ‘The Cheesemaker’s Daughter’ is a culturally rich novel that’ll make you really hungry

This cover image released by Regalo Press shows “The Cheesemaker’s Daughter” by Kristin Vukovic. (Regalo Press via AP)

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This year, Marina’s annual summer visit home to the island of Pag in Croatia turns into an extended stay. Marina has a lot to figure out, and home seems like the place to do it, if indeed Pag is still home.

Kristin Vuković's debut novel is a mouthwatering platter of culture, history, and the everlasting struggle for balance between tradition and progress. “The Cheesemaker’s Daughter” is told from Marina’s perspective on Pag, where she spent most of her childhood and teen years, as Croatia counts down the days before officially joining the European Union in 2013.

After moving to New York as a refugee from the Yugoslav wars, Marina built a life in the bustling city. But her job is unfulfilling and her coworkers unfriendly; her husband is inattentive and unfaithful; and with her trouble having children, it seems like that life she built is wearing down to nothing before her eyes.

There are plenty of distractions for Marina back on Pag, including a struggling family cheese business with failing Soviet-era machines and a rival cheesemaker whose son, Marina’s first love, could be her family’s reputational ruin if he keeps bumping into her and sending sparks flying between them.

Meanwhile, there’s an ongoing push and pull between the characters over gender issues — when to jostle for parity and when to respect tradition and leave it be.

OK, so it may seem like everything is going wrong. And it honestly is. But at least there’s mouthwatering food.

Reading “The Cheesemaker’s Daughter” gave me a thorough craving for cheese and a deep desire to visit Croatia. Vuković employs beautiful, all-encompassing sensory descriptions, from the smell of the herbs in the air to the squawk of seagulls, or the faded floral print on the sheets Marina had since before she could remember. These rich details build an enticing world — a scraggly yet comfortable one, cold but cozy.

Dedicated to the author’s Croatian grandparents who made America home, the novel is culturally rich. Vuković takes us on a tour of Croatian history and cheesemaking that requires no prior knowledge of either, peppering these bits throughout the book like herbs dotting the scraggly seaside landscape. She takes care to explain everything in due time, slowly introducing and building upon the religion, traditions, food and music Marina experiences.

“The Cheesemaker’s Daughter” is a quiet but commanding debut — a bit repetitive, but in a way that forces you to slow down to the speed of life on the island. It’s not the kind of book that leaves you on the edge of your seat needing to know what happens next, but it did leave me yearning to be back in that world after I finished the book and left it.

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The Only Normal Trump

The most astonishing thing in fred trump iii’s memoir is how bitter and vindictive donald’s nephew isn’t..

To judge by the coverage of Fred Trump III’s new memoir, All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way , the most damning detail Fred remembers about his uncle is that back in the 1970s, Donald used the N-word when ranting about his vandalized Cadillac Eldorado. Despite denials from the Donald Trump camp, does anyone seriously doubt this occurred? The continued obsession with documenting Donald’s use of a slur that someone of his age, origin, background, and temperament is basically guaranteed to have deployed seems like a colossal waste of time and energy. Besides, there are far more telling anecdotes in All in the Family .

One example is a story in which the young Fred was watching TV with his two uncles, Donald and Rob, at his grandfather’s house. “Hey Fred,” Donald said to his nephew, “hit Rob.” For some reason, Fred complied by punching his uncle in the arm, whereupon Rob turned and slapped his nephew across the face. “Donald thought the whole thing was hilarious,” Fred writes.

It’s not clear how old Fred was at the time, but likely he was still a kid. Donald is 17 years his senior. “Honestly,” Fred writes, demonstrating what seems to be a constitutional tendency to downplay his family’s dysfunction, “it was like a Three Stooges episode.” All it lacked were “the clanging bells, the boing-boing and the nose twists.”

The crude bullying and let’s-you-and-him-fight cowardice of this interaction is classic Donald Trump, even more so than the “mashed potatoes story,” a famous incident within the clan. In that anecdote, an adolescent Donald refused to stop teasing the younger Rob at the dinner table. So Fred III’s father (Fred Jr., the eldest son of the family’s patriarch, who was also named Fred) dumped a bowl of mashed potatoes on Donald’s head. As Mary Trump, Fred III’s sister, told it in her own bestselling memoir, 2020’s Too Much and Never Enough , to this day Donald still fumes every time the mashed potato story gets trotted out, furious at having once been made the butt of the joke. He hates nothing more. Fred III firmly believes that Donald made his final decision to run for president at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, when Barack Obama mocked him for spreading conspiracy theories. One look at his uncle’s face, and Fred III knew that Donald was “already calculating how to get back at him.”

All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way

By Fred Trump III. Gallery Books.

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Mary is a clinical psychologist, and her book, unsurprisingly, is more penetrating on the subject of Trumpian pathology. But she also seems to have inherited some of the family’s stubborn and vengeful qualities. Fred III is sweeter and more forgiving. Much of the information in All in the Family reiterates what Mary revealed in Too Much and Never Enough , but this time it’s told from the perspective of a normal person—something all too rare in Trump Land.

As Fred tells it, his father, Fred Jr., was a well-liked “free spirit” who just wanted to fly airplanes—a dream crushed by his father, who sent Donald to tell him that a pilot is nothing more than a “glorified bus driver.” Fred Jr.’s unhappiness (which Mary—and to a lesser degree Fred III—attributes to this thwarted hope) drove him to alcoholism and an early grave. Fred III seems to have been the only person who made an effort to visit Fred Jr. during his years of diminishment, when he was relegated to a cotlike bed in the attic of Fred Sr.’s mansion. Fred III also delivered an impromptu elegy at his father’s low-budget funeral because he was the only person motivated to speak.

Surely the most shameful incident detailed in All in the Family (as well as in Too Much and Never Enough ) is the scheme by Donald, Rob, and their older sister Maryanne to disinherit Fred Jr.’s children after Fred Sr.’s death in 1999. Led by Donald, who was in financial straits due to numerous unwise business deals, the three pressured their disoriented father, who had been diagnosed with dementia, into revising his will. When Fred III and Mary refused to take this lying down, their uncles and aunt threatened to cut them both off from the family health insurance plan. At that time, Fred III and his wife were struggling to save their infant son, William, from a rare seizure disorder that left him intellectually and developmentally disabled, and they desperately needed the insurance to pay for William’s care.

None of this is news, but it’s appalling every time you revisit it, and in All in the Family it’s made even more appalling by how completely and happily devoted Fred III is to his son. (The first people Fred III lists in the book’s acknowledgments are all the caregivers who have ever helped them, by name.) The truly shocking revelations in Fred’s book aren’t the racial slurs Donald blurted out 50 years ago, but the more contemporary instances when Donald suggested that severely disabled people aren’t worth caring for, and that because William “didn’t recognize” his father (untrue), Fred III should “just let him die and move down to Florida.”

How Fred III managed to make peace with his uncle is a mystery. (Lawsuits regarding Fred Sr.’s will were settled out of court, but Fred III notes that he and Mary got significantly less than their fair share.) The man doesn’t appear to have a spiteful bone in his body. This may be the most astonishing thing about All in the Family : that Fred III turned out so well. As Donald sees it, he is the success in the family, and Fred Jr. was an abject failure. But unlike his brother, Fred Jr., for all his flaws, was capable of love. He raised a son whose adult life is shaped not by ambition or greed but by love. If Fred Jr. were alive today, he would have every reason—and much more reason than his brother Donald—to be proud.

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Deals with the Devil Aren’t What They Used to Be

How many who piously lament the “disenchantment” of the secular world would have been able to bear ordinary life in, say, seventeenth-century Europe? We are bereft, the elegy goes, because modern knowledge has stripped us of ancient magic. We can’t wander like our ancestors in the spirit-filled woods, or hear the music of the spheres, because the sacred spaces became concrete deserts. The cathedrals were displaced by malls. To “understand” the solar system, the charge continues, is to be dead to it. No longer open to the pressing torque of divinities and djinns, we moderns are closed off and shut down, buffered and buttressed, marching efficiently through our merely material world, grim-faced assassins of mystery.

But consider for a moment the nature of those early modern supernaturalisms. In a classic study, “ Religion and the Decline of Magic ” (1971), Keith Thomas patiently restored, parish record by parish record, the old enchanted English world of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. For most people, life was a business of terrifying external forces and arbitrary powers, both spiritual and legal. Credulity cut both ways: when religion was still magical, and magic was still religious, then both were supported by alarming superstition. Prayers were also placatory spells, and harmless charismatics might well be witches. The local doctor was really just a helpless conjurer, while the lazy village priest got endowed with unwarranted godlike powers. Thomas is particularly good at depicting the centrality of the Devil in ordinary life. Medieval Christianity was effectively Manichaean. Christ and his angels battled for your salvation, while the Devil and his many demonic spirits sought to trick and tempt, to pull you into their infernal kingdom. King James I called the Devil “God’s hangman.” Demons had no bodily presence, Thomas writes, but it was understood that they could borrow a human form. Preachers spiced up their sermons with frightening reports of abduction and deception.

In England, the Protestant Reformation of the early sixteenth century did nothing to ameliorate this regime. Protestantism’s obsession with human sinfulness and the arbitrariness of salvation exposed the self only more acutely to the battleground of warring deities. For Martin Luther , who famously threw his inkpot at the Devil, Satan was as elemental and omnipresent as excrement. (Luther essentially told Satan to eat shit.) Keith Thomas tells the story of an English boy who, for five or six years, “went to sleep with his hands clasped in a praying position, so that if the devils came for him they would find him prepared.” This is the world brilliantly evoked in Daniel Kehlmann’s novel “ Tyll ” (2017), set in early-seventeenth-century Germany, in which Claus, a village miller who has been dabbling in magic and necromancy, is quickly forced to confess by Jesuit inquisitors and sentenced to hang. Claus humbly accepts that he’s done something wrong, though he doesn’t know what it is. The local hangman reassures him that execution is much nicer than it used to be: “These are better days. In the past you were all burned to death. That takes time, it’s not pleasant. But hanging is nothing. It happens quickly. You climb onto the scaffold and before you know it, you’re standing before the Creator. You’re incinerated afterward, but by then you’re dead, it doesn’t bother you at all, you’ll see.” “Good,” the unlucky Claus replies.

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It was a logical step from this apprehension of the Devil to the suspicion that certain people had done deals and bargains with him, selling their immortal souls for worldly benefits. My favorite of the many stories that Thomas recounts involves a student at Cambridge University, who was struggling to understand one of his scholarly texts. The Devil appeared in the guise of a Master of Arts, who elucidated the text and offered the student a trip to Italy and a degree from the University of Padua. “Two days later,” we learn, “the hapless student’s gown was found floating in the river,” the student having paid a rather steep price for a spot of academic help.

These kinds of tales, as Ed Simon explores in his lively new book, “ Devil’s Contract: The History of the Faustian Bargain ” (Melville House), existed as myths that enacted both resistance and control. A cowed culture flirted with the danger of freedom and blasphemous knowledge—literally, the danger of reading the wrong things—while the shape of the Faustian tale almost always enforced the proper religious and social punishment, in the form of Faust’s death and eternal damnation. Reading Simon, I was often put in mind of the English critic Tony Tanner’s observation that the nineteenth-century novel of adultery wrote judgment but dreamed transgression. The Faustian tale teased and consoled an earlier culture in similar ways. In these stories, knowledge itself functions a bit like the heroine’s extramarital affair in the novel of adultery. It’s the lure of freedom, the understandable temptation, the promise of a wider world (Emma Bovary imagining the streets and shops of Paris). In Christopher Marlowe’s play “Doctor Faustus,” written at the end of the sixteenth century, the Devil gets Faustus, who has a doctorate from the University of Wittenberg and is bored with the standard academic disciplines, to sign a contract in his own blood. For twenty-four years, Faustus can have whatever he desires. He gets to dabble in magic, to meet the seven deadly sins, to make himself invisible and play tricks on the Pope’s court in Rome, even to conjure up Helen of Troy. For twenty-four years, he flies high, and views the world as if he were one of God’s spies (to steal a phrase from a certain rival playwright). But, when the time is up, there’s only one possible outcome. He must pay for his expensive error. In the final scene, the devils arrive to cart Faustus off to Hell.

Simon is especially alive to the transgressive. To begin his account, he reaches back to the Bible, and locates two early Faustian stories that shimmer with peril. Each exists on the sharp edge between orthodoxy and doubt. The first concerns Simon Magus, or Simon the Sorcerer, a trickster and Gnostic chancer who appears briefly in the New Testament’s Book of Acts. Simon was a kind of rival Messiah, who had been claiming miraculous powers from God. Obsessed with the actual spiritual powers of Jesus’ apostles Peter and John, Simon offered them money, in exchange for knowledge of the Holy Ghost. Scandalized, Peter and John denounced Simon’s false heart, and commanded him to repent. In other, less canonical, texts of this period, stories are told in which Simon moved to Rome, where he founded a cult with his lover Helen, a reformed prostitute. Perhaps, other accounts suggest, Simon promised to levitate over the rooftops of Rome, and was brought down by Peter’s furious orthodox prayers—what Ed Simon (a relation to the Magus only in his own pleasing addiction to dangerous knowledge) nicely calls a kind of “prayer battle.” An angry crowd subsequently stoned the Magus to death.

Ed Simon’s second early tale is more canonical, but its designation as Faustian might be more controversial—it’s the story of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness, when the Devil comes to entice Jesus with the fruits of worldly power. If you are hungry, the Devil teases, turn these stones into bread; you surely have the magical power. Jesus, in his usual style, replies gnomically, converting material advantages into spiritual ones: man does not live on bread alone. The Devil tries again. He shows Jesus “all of the kingdoms of the world,” offering him all earthly power if Jesus will bow down to him. Jesus again rejects material gain, and finally banishes the tempter: Satan is not the real God, because there is only one God; the Devil doesn’t have the best tunes.

In these two early stories lie most of the subsequent Faustian motifs: the temptations of knowledge and power; the bargaining away of more distant spiritual gains for nearer material ones; the almost symmetrical rivalry of good and evil forces; the taint of the commercial or contractual bond; the picaresque flights through time and space; even the odd obsession with exciting women called Helen. More interesting still is the note of blasphemous danger: in this way, these stories function like theological safety valves.

The Simon Magus tale is perilously perched on the narrow base between magical faith and religious faith. As a narrative, it merely insists on the orthodoxy of the latter over the former, with all the arbitrariness of the horticulturist who denominates some alluring plant as a weed rather than a flower. Simon Magus is sometimes called the founder of Gnosticism, which was an early Christian heresy, a kind of Manichaeism that posited that the world we live in is really the creation of a rival or false god, a diabolical Demiurge. So, as Ed Simon shrewdly notes, we might see Simon Magus’s desired pact as one made not with the Devil but with the Devil-in-Chief, “that equally malevolent deity known as God.” Theology gathers its cassock skirts and anxiously casts Simon out as a magician or a sorcerer. But on what basis? Note that Jesus, though he banishes the Devil, does not, or cannot, vanquish him: an essentially Manichaean world continues to breathe all around the Messiah. Indeed, long before Jesus arrived on the scene, the Book of Job had depicted God flippantly agreeing to a deal with Satan, in order to test Job’s righteousness, as if God and the Devil were two buddies killing time at a bar, dabbling in destruction.

A story is essentially just a rather entitled hypothesis; inherently and unstably suggestive, story is always offering up the ghosts of its shadowy alternatives. This becomes very interesting when stories are at all theological. In these cases, the “What if?” is potentially blasphemous. What if Jesus had become the first Faust, by succumbing to the Devil’s successful temptation? Equally, the existence of this story puts some pressure on the notion of Jesus’ divinity. Humans are susceptible to temptation, and of course Jesus was also human, but shouldn’t God be above or beyond such things? The Faustian tale is always a diabolically theological one, an orthodox tale with doubt, risk, and disobedience at its center. So the truly diabolical temptation might be not the one depicted in these stories but the one the story as story teases: the reader’s own religious surety. Ed Simon makes the point nicely: whether you sell your soul to Satan or to God, “you’ve still sold your soul.”

The Faustian tale is one of those myths that allow a culture to project its anxieties and desires. The celebrated historian of the novel’s rise, Ian Watt, counted the Faustian bargain, along with the tales of Robinson Crusoe, Don Juan, and Don Quixote , as four great “myths of modern individualism,” in a book of that title published in 1996. Watt’s emphasis falls on the Faustian myth as a religious culture’s way of maintaining theological and social order. He makes the point that Protestantism (and, of course, Christianity generally) had a need to enforce the discipline of delayed gratification. Since “one had to make people believe that pleasure in this world must bring pain in the next,” what better than a popular story that taught the ultimate dangers of sacrificing the eternal afterlife for the fleeting pleasures of this worldly existence? Ed Simon, though, tends to see the Faustian myth as more liberatory than punitive. He enjoys its heresies and dangers, its madcap adventures, the magical-realist wildness; and, since he has read extremely widely, he relishes sharing all of that narrative wealth with his lucky readers.

With his help, we can make out the tale’s distinct historical phases. Myths about the dangers of knowledge (Pandora, Genesis ) may be as old as humanity, but the Faustian tale as such really gets going only in the early modern period, when magic, necromancy, and sorcery became intellectual options for educated humanists while remaining potentially heretical choices as far as the established church was concerned. A man with the last name of Faust seems to have existed somewhere in Germany in the late fifteenth century. Perhaps he was an alchemist or a theological student, or both; perhaps he was from Heidelberg, or Roda, or Knittlingen. Simon mentions a record from 1507, in which Faust is an itinerant monk and “the prince of necromancers.” This Faust may have been sacked from a teaching position owing to “nefarious fornication.” From these modest beginnings, the myth balloons. The German Lutheran reformer Philip Melanchthon told of a Faust who tried to do a Simon Magus over the rooftops of Venice, crashing to his death in a canal. In 1548, Johannes Gast wrote about a Faust who had played tricks on a group of monks by introducing a poltergeist into the monastery. The Frankfurt “Faustbuch” of 1587, a highly popular collection of themed stories which became Marlowe’s source, told the story of Faust’s infernal contract.

These roomy tales could accommodate a lot of narrative baggage—Faust’s journeying across Europe, plenty of ribald comedy, easy racism. As with most stories concerning tricksters and con men, the tales existed as ways of desiring and demonizing a marked outsider. Faust could be considered heretical (though perhaps lovably or sympathetically so), whereas the Devil’s emissary or broker (ultimately named Mephistopheles) might be a “hellish prince of Orient,” or—of course—a seductive Jew. Great pleasure was had in imagining Faust’s inevitably sticky end: he might have been suffocated by Satan, hurled to the ground, or found with his head twisted violently backward.

Gradually, the tale’s strict theological obsessions were supplanted by a more general interest in the temptation of knowledge itself. Marlowe’s Faustus belongs quite explicitly to an academic setting—he has students, for instance, who ask him if he can summon the apparition of Helen of Troy. (He obliges: the ultimate PowerPoint.) In Goethe’s fairly incoherent verse play “Faust,” written in two parts between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the protagonist is an elderly scholar, and Mephistopheles appears in the guise of a wandering student. In the second part of the play, published in 1832, Goethe jettisons the orthodox punishments of the canonical accounts and has Faust sweetly ascend to Heaven: in the nineteenth century, the old theology is becoming romantically weightless.

Once the doctrinal dilemmas had been hollowed out, the tale could expand itself into the figurative, and become what it was always ready to be: not so much a story about the loss of an eternal soul as an allegory about any kind of painful exchange in which short-term gain threatens long-term security. Ed Simon, roaming far and wide with his own appealingly Faustian energies, points to the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin” (their version was published in 1812) as an example of this new, de-theologized Faustian fable: the eponymous imp does a deal with a miller’s daughter, in which he spins straw into gold for her, and secures, in return, her promise that he can take her firstborn child. But she ultimately vanquishes the devilish fellow, and protects her progeny. Simon notes the enormous popularity of Faustian fables in the nineteenth century, characterized by something new: “the possibility of people being victorious against the cloven-hoofed one, of being more talented in the skills of wit and duplicity.” Thomas Mann’s great postwar novel “ Doctor Faustus ” (1947) takes the Faustian bargain and allegorizes the exchange into nothing less than the moral balance sheet of German history itself, as his Faust, the brilliant composer Adrian Leverkühn, bargains away his soul for twenty-four years of musical genius. Adrian started out as a theology student, but the stakes of Mann’s novel are not, at heart, theological—Adrian has a maddening case of syphilis, and that is the secular portal through which Mephistopheles makes his entry.

Today, Hell is here, inside us; it is not elsewhere. We’re all Faustians now. These days, Simon argues, in an excoriating, eloquent final chapter, we write our contracts not in blood but in silicon—both figuratively, insofar as we sign away our identities and privacies for all the short-term benefits of material ease, and literally, whenever we scroll rapidly through one of those unreadable online contracts, eager only to assent. Somewhere out there in the ether, the ghost in the machine hears our weak little mouse clicks and pricks up his horns. ♦

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'The Pairing' review: Casey McQuiston paints a deliciously steamy European paradise

Is it possible to taste a book?

That's what I asked myself repeatedly while drooling over the vivid food and wine imagery in “The Pairing,” the latest romance from “Red, White & Royal Blue” author Casey McQuiston out Aug. 6. (St. Martin’s Griffin, 407 pp., ★★★★ out of four)

“ The Pairing ” opens with a run-in of two exes at the first stop of a European tasting tour. Theo and Kit have gone from childhood best friends to crushes to lovers to strangers. When they were together, they saved up for the special trip. But after a relationship-ending fight on the plane, the pair are left with broken hearts, blocked numbers and a voucher expiring in 48 months. Now, four years later, they’ve fortuitously decided to cash in their trips at the exact same time.

They could ignore each other − enjoy the trip blissfully and unbothered. Or they could use this as an excuse to see who wins the breakup once and for all. And that’s exactly what the ever-competitive Theo does after learning of Kit’s new reputation as “sex god” of his pastry school. The challenge? This pair of exes will compete to see who can sleep with the most people on the three-week trip. 

“A little sex wager between friends” – what could go wrong? 

“The Pairing” is a rich, lush and indulgent bisexual love story. This enemies-to-lovers tale is “Call Me By Your Name” meets “No Strings Attached” in a queer, European free-for-all. Reading it is like going on vacation yourself – McQuiston invites you to sit back and bathe in it, to lap up all the art, food and culture alongside the characters.

There are a fair amount of well-loved rom-com tropes that risk overuse (Swimming? Too bad we both forgot our bathing suits!) but in this forced proximity novel, they feel more natural than tired.

McQuiston’s use of dual perspective is perhaps the book's greatest strength – just when you think you really know a character, you get to see them through new, distinct eyes. In the first half, we hear from Theo, a sommelier-in-training who is chronically hard on themself. The tone is youthful without being too contemporary, save the well-used term “nepo baby." In the second half, the narration flips to Kit, a Rilke-reading French American pastry chef who McQuiston describes as a “fairy prince.”  

McQuiston’s novels have never shied away from on-page sex, but “The Pairing” delights in it. This novel isn’t afraid to ask for – and take – what it wants. Food and sex are where McQuiston spends their most lavish words, intertwining them through the novel, sometimes literally (queue the “Call Me By Your Name” peach scene …).

But even the sex is about so much more than sex: “Sex is better when the person you’re with really understands you, and understands how to look at you,” Theo says during a poignant second-act scene. 

The hypersexual bi character is a prominent, and harmful, trope in modern media. Many bi characters exist only to threaten the protagonist’s journey or add an element of sexual deviance. But “The Pairing” lets bisexuals be promiscuous – in fact, it lets them be anything they want to be – without being reduced to a stereotype . Theo and Kit are complex and their fluidity informs their views on life, love, gender and sex. 

The bisexuality in "The Pairing" is unapologetic. It's joyful. What a delight it is to indulge in a gleefully easy, flirty summer fantasy where everyone is hot and queer and down for casual sex − an arena straight romances have gotten to play in for decades.

Just beware – “The Pairing” may have you looking up the cost of European food and wine tours . All I’m saying is, if we see a sudden spike in bookings for next summer, we’ll know who to thank.