Jennifer Howard

Jennifer Howard

Writer, editor, journalist.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Mastodon
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Writing
    • Journalism
    • Fiction
  • Editing
  • Contact

Howard’s Rules of Reviewing (Wallet-Size)

July 9, 2009

An abridged version for those who don’t want to wade through the chatty one below:

1. Read the book. All of it.

2. Be honest. Say what you think and why.

3. Do not hide behind vagueness and cliche.

4. Resist the temptation to be mean just because you can.

5. Remember that the author is a human being who (we hope) put a lot into this book.

6. Be entertaining. Dullness is unforgivable.

7. Don’t spoil the surprise.

8. Think twice before you accept an assignment.

9. Do not kid yourself that a review is the equal of a book. It’s not.

10. Read the book. All of it.

Filed Under: Lit Crit

Previous Post

Howard’s Rules of Reviewing

Next Post

Link Rot!

Comments

  1. Rodney Welch says

    July 9, 2009 at 3:23 PM

    Number 9 is the only one I find iffy.

  2. JHoward says

    July 9, 2009 at 7:51 PM

    Perhaps we can make an exception for your reviews.

Recent Writing

  • New Kids’ Books Say Put Down the Phone, Pick Up a Field Recorder
  • “Because of Winn-Dixie” turns 25
  • Teachers Learn the Art of Teaching Civics in a Hot-Button Age

Recent Posts

  • June newsletter: Tapping away
  • My college road trip essay
  • Secret gardens

Get my newsletter

Get updates on what I'm working on and what I'm thinking about. Sign up and spread the word. Thanks!

Subscribe

About Jen

Jen Howard smiling.

Writer, journalist, editor, gadabout. Book- and nature lover. Washingtonian. LLC. Read more ยป

Latest Posts

  • June newsletter: Tapping away
  • My college road trip essay
  • Secret gardens
  • Fire, ice, and Feiffer
  • Twelfth Night/J6

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Mastodon

Content is © Jennifer Howard or respective owners | Site by Rocketkoi