Blogs How Do You Review a Book?

http://www.bit-tech.net/blog/2009/05/15/dragon-age-stolen-throne-review-methodology/

 

That's actually a pretty good idea.
It's usually hard to write a review of a book without giving to much of the plot away.

 

Reviewing a book should be no different to reviewing a game. You explain what other books the book is like, what other developers authors the writer was influenced by etc and then tell relate the experience of reading the book. Was it engaging? Was it well written? Did you relate to the characters? Would you recommend a friend also read it?

 

I think you should lend the book to me so I can see if I want to read it.

 

Subjective reviews? Game-based tie-ins? Journalism about journalism? Lecturing readers about individual tastes and personal trivia before getting to the product? It seems I'm going to have some competition in the future - this is usually my area!

 

Knowing what kind of stuff you like to read in the area is always good, as it gives a better idea on your viewpoint when reviewing this one.

 

Exactly my point

 

I'm with Tyrmot, I find it easier to judge recommendations from people when I have an idea of where they're coming from.

 

Give it to Joe, reviewing a book should be fairly similar to reviewing a game.

 

True - and I'm the only person in the world who can do either of those things!

:superman pose:

 

Reviewing books is pretty hard I guess.
Whereever you go you hear Shakespeare is the King of the Hill of English literature but to me personally his stories just don't appeal. I'm not saying they're bad or badly written but I just don't really like them. If I had to review let's say MacBeth I'd find it very hard to review it fairly.

What I'm trying to say is that I think you can fail epicly when reviewing literature [maybe even more with poems] whereas reviewing a game is, as mentioned in the original post, pretty much a straightforward task.