The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing

Author : Mayra Calvani Edition : 1st Number of Pages : 186 Publisher : Twilight Times Books List Price : $16.95 Amazon Price : $15.25

Product Description

If you're an experienced reviewer, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing will serve as an excellent reference tool and amalgam of resources. If you're a beginner, this book will show you how to write a well-written, honest, objective and professional book review. It will also teach you:
How to read critically.
How to differentiate the various types of reviews.
How to rate books.
How to prevent amateurish mistakes.
How to deal with the ethics and legalities of reviewing.
How to tell the difference between a review, a book report, and a critique.
How to start your own review site.
How to publish your reviews on dozens of sites and even make money while you're at it, and much more.

If you're an author, publisher, publicist, bookseller, librarian, or reader, this book will also bring to light the importance and influence of book reviews within a wider spectrum.

Customer reviews

Do you like reviewing? by .. Lee Lukaszewicz (Massachusetts)
If so, here is information that will help you improve your reviews! There's something in here for just about everyone, no matter how long you've been reviewing. This well-thought-out guide targets both the aspiring professional and hobbyist alike, and is set forth in clear, concise terms that can easily be applied to any review.

Included here are practical tips for reviewing, such as remaining honest and objective, how to read critically, do's and don'ts of reviewing, and key points to avoid being labeled an amateur. The authors explain how to slant a review either positively or negatively, while avoiding "sugar-coating" or slamming a book without respectful tact (both extreme reviews that scream "Amateur!"). Ethics are also addressed, such as your responsibility to review a book once you have accepted a review copy, how to deal with the backlash from negative reviews, and how the author's feelings should never influence the review, however positive or negative. (Again, for negative reviews, use tact, and give examples and reasons why you did not like the book).

While a little dry and repetitive in some spots, the majority of the book is very engaging.
All types of reviews are covered, as well as guidelines for rating books on a five star system. Here you will learn the difference between book reviews, reports, critiques, and articles. Actual review samples are given and deconstructed so you can see these tips in action. This book answers the question, "Why review?"

As authors Ms. Calvani and Ms. Edwards state, your true responsibility, as always, is to the reader, although responsibilities to the publisher and author are also addressed. Many readers consider reviews by both professionals and hobbyists as a basis for deciding whether or not to purchase a book, and you must always keep in mind that, as a reviewer, you are an important part of that decision.

A Must for Aspiring Reviewers by .. Janet Boyer (Pennsylvania)
"Are you passionate about books? Do you have a talent for easily capturing the essence of a book after reading it? Do you often feel the desire to share your thoughts about a book with readers? If you answered `yes' to these questions, then book reviewing can be one of the most satisfying, rewarding activities you'll ever undertake." - From The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing (Preface)

As an Amazon.com Top Reviewer, I often get emails from readers asking me how I became a reviewer, as well as requests for tips on getting started. I even had an independent publisher ask me to write an instructional book on how to write a great review.

Alas, my passion is actually writing reviews--not writing about reviews, or coaching others on how to create them (or enter the vocation/business of reviewing). Thankfully, I can now point aspiring writers to an excellent book called The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards.

When Ms Calvani approached me about her book, I was intrigued and excited. Finally, I thought, someone has taken the time to explain the necessary mechanics of a quality review!

From grammar skills to critical reading, ethical considerations to honest (but tactful) reviewing, the authors reveal the secrets of what separates amateurs from the pros. A few of the informative, helpful areas include:

* Reviewing a book for what it is, not what the reviewer wishes it was
* Signs of an amateur
* Five keys to being a good reviewer
* The harmful practices of both sugarcoated and caustic reviews
* A reviewer's responsibility to the reader, author and publisher
* The difference between book reviews, reports and press releases
* How to handle backlash resulting from a negative review
* Pre-publication versus post-publication reviews
* Dozens of print and online venues for getting started as a reviewer

The only (minor) qualm I have with in this book is the section on ascertaining readership. The authors write, "For instance, a mystery by Agatha Christie would be slanted towards the reader in their thirties or older. This can be judged by the age of the main character or detective, for example. If the character or detective solving the crime is under thirty-five, this is a book that would appeal to the younger set."

Their subsequent logic didn't ring true with my own reading experience. For example, by the time I graduated High School, I had read just about every book by Agatha Christie (not to mention those by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz--as well as many of the classics). Now, as a 38-year-old lover of books, juvenile and Young Adult fiction are two of my favorite genres. Personally, I feel that identifying readership is, indeed, important--but not necessarily based on the age of characters.

The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing also deconstructs actual reviews, explaining why certain elements are needed and work well or, in the case of poorly written reviews, why certain elements must be eliminated altogether for a professional, objective presentation.

For reviewers who want to hone their skills and discover additional reviewing opportunities, this book is an engaging, useful read. (I wish this book had been available when I started. Instead, I had to master the art of reviewing on my own!)

For those who are considering book reviewing as a hobby or career, reading (and owning) The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing is an absolute must--especially for those who want to be taken seriously and garner a reputation as a quality reviewer.

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

A Slippery Review by .. Emily-Jane Hills Orford ()
Amateur book reviewers beware! Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards' book, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing, has your number and you are being watched! I had better make sure that I double cross my "t's" and double dot my "i's", since I have now been assigned the slippery task of writing a book review on book reviewing. I thought I had the reviewing art down pat, but The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing has given me further points to ponder and improve my brush strokes to make my book reviews into a fine art. All I have to do is follow some of the extremely solid advice presented in this book and consider the lists of do's and don't's (and, of course, make sure that I always check my list twice).

Writing a book review about book reviewing! Isn't that something of an oxymoron? It was this daunting thought that haunted me as I plowed my way through yet another good book of useful advice. I am astounded at what I always took for granted as essentials for good book reviewing: the art of critical reading, the non-prejudice mind-set that is essential for a fair and honest review, the time and patience in reading and writing about both good and not-so-good books, and the diplomatic stance one must take to defend oneself when challenged about one's review. There are a few nice benefits to this task: free books, free exposure of one's own writing skills, and sometimes a small payment. Then, there is the business side of the art. Whilst one would never become rich as a book reviewer, one could always create a book review business with an online website or in the print journal format. It is all a matter of knowing how to do it and where to find the resources to help.

Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards are successful book reviewers. The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing is a compilation of lessons learned and rock solid advice for both the novice and the experienced book reviewer. Each chapter takes the amateur and experienced book reviewer through different steps in the process. The authors use examples of their own published reviews and provide alternate ways to write the same reviews from different perspectives. There are useful resources provided, as well as a good list of print and online book review sites where reviewers can submit their work.

Although some of the material seems repetitive, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing is a useful took for both amateur and professional book reviewers, as well as book review editors. There should be no doubt that the good tips, thoughtful perspective and resource information can be of considerable value to anyone wishing to practice this art. It is highly recommended by: Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Allbooks Reviews.

Effective Job Analysis of Book Reviewing by .. John M. Ford (near DC, MD USA)
The authors thoroughly describe the low- to no-paying job of book reviewing. Their guide helps both enthusiastic amateurs and paid staff or freelance professional reviewers. It outlines the basic requirements of reviewing, lists the things reviewers need to learn as they master their craft, and suggests strategies and resources to help the serious reviewer succeed.

Fundamentals needed by beginning reviewers include a command of the language, clarity of thought and expression, honesty, objectivity and tact. Assuming we have passed this five-hurdle screening test, the authors proceed to teach us their slippery art. "First, read the book." is their opening advice (p. 29). The curriculum that follows shows us how to target a specific audience, "hook" them with an interesting opening, fairly summarize the book, evaluate it, and made a useful recommendation about reading it. Any generalizations--especially criticisms--should be supported by carefully-chosen examples. The authors follow their own advice by including many examples of different types of reviews, both well and poorly written.

The book also includes advice about working in the book reviewing community. Readers learn how to deal with publishers, editors, authors, other reviewers and readers of their reviews. There are helpful tips on coping with the irresponsible, irate, and irrational members of each group. We are told how to find (mostly free!) books to review as well as web sites and print publications that distribute reviews. The book's extensive resource list will certainly drift out of date, but the authors commit to maintain the most recent version on the book's web site. The advice, examples, and these resources will keep this book valuable for a long time to come.

Calvani and Edwards also offer a passing perspective on Amazon.com. They like its easy accessibility and large audience. There is praise for its role as a training ground and as a way for new reviewers to build a reputation. On the other hand, they caution that Amazon is a stewy mixture of gushy reader reactions and fiery diatribes as well as disciplined professional reviews. We should sample from it with care. They also question the potentially biasing effect of Amazon's requirement that reviewers have a current account and actively purchase books.

If you plan to exercise your reviewing skills, whether here in the mire of Amazon or in some loftier setting, this book's lessons are for you. Enjoy!

Review Advice and Resources: The Perfect Combination by .. Carolyn Howard-Johnson (Los Angeles, CA USA)
I have long advocated reviewing as a way for freelance writers to begin a career and for the authors of books to network with other authors and lots of editors. The trouble is there are few books that approach the subject from any but the most traditional, literary and academic point of view.

The world has turned, and turned...and turned. We now have Amazon and other online bookstores. We have online review sites that specialize in the quick and easy (for screen-tired eyes and busy people) to those who prefer edgy or esoteric. There is room for all and Calvani and Edwards address that.

What I like best, though, is the lists of publications in their last chapters. Those pages are a veritable storehouse of helpful information for any would-be reviewer but also for any author who would like to get reviewed!
----
Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the author of the award-winning HowToDoIt series of books for writers.

NCLEX-RN® Review with HESI StudyWare CD-ROM

Author : HESI Number of Pages : 413 Publisher : Elsevier List Price : $59.95 Amazon Price : $59.95 Used Price : $35.00

Product Description

• Offers over 200 eye catching illustrations that present in depth information on RN care and subject matter.
• Special "HESI Hint" boxes that help students understand the reasoning behind select questions and areas of study.
• Multiple review test questions are provided to help organize knowledge, review important content, identify weaknesses, and help to develop test-taking skills. Answers and explanations are also provided.
• The STUDYware CD offers study exam questions in the following areas; fundamentals, medical-surgical, maternity, pediatrics, pharmacology, psychology, and behavioral inventory.

Customer reviews

Very Helpful! by .. Bill G. Diehl ()
This is very helpful not only for the HESI but also for the NCLEX and all other test through-out nursing school! CD is not as great as the book....the book is a must have for test!

Doesn't prep you for the Hesi by .. Juliette C. Morales ()
Overall, this books only OK. I recently took a HESI exam and much of the content was not even covered in the book. Several diseases that the pediatric HESI tested for were completely left out of the book--quite disappointing considering that I actually knew the book's content very well. Also, the book has spelling errors and contradicts itself (e.g., lab values) from one page to the next. Instead, I recommend NSNA's NCLEX review by Alice M. Stein.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY by .. R. White (Houston, TX)
I just took the HESI exam and this book isn't worth the price. The CD is terrible. Some of the answers the CD gives you are even wrong,our school provided a HESI review course by the HESI group and the moderator even said some of the rationales were incorrect as did my instructors, and the book itself has several typos. Buy the Kaplan book it is much better.!!!!!

Pass the Hesi the 1st time! by .. ShellyRN08 (Tennessee)
I really like this book. We had to take a an exit exam for Nursing school which is provided by Hesi. I used this book along with other NCLEX programs and books and passed the Hesi the first time around!

hesi----a must have for nursing nclex by .. tgj (tampa, fl. usa)
this book is a must have for the nursing student. although there is a new one being released in Dec. '07, it is worth the money spent if it helps to pass the first semester of nursing. there are not many questions in the book itself, however the tips and hints alone make it worthwhile. the companion cd is where the nursing student will find questions comparable to the nclex. i will also be purchasing the newer edition when it becomes available.

Roger Ebert's Four-Star Reviews 1967-2007

Author : Roger Ebert Number of Pages : 944 Publisher : Andrews McMeel Publishing List Price : $24.99 Amazon Price : $14.73 Used Price : $14.72

Product Description

Customer reviews

it's not about agreeing with ROGER by .. B. Lafave (lakeland , fl)
as it says on the jacket to one of ROGER's annual film reference guides , it's like having a conversation with a good friend . when i was younger , i saw eye to eye with MR. EBERT the lion's share of the time . as i grew older , a greater dispairity of opinion between myself and ROG began to occur . i noticed he had a strong disposition in favor of film with a very liberal agenda . that's hardly the point though . not only would it be profoundly boring if we always agreed , i'd lose . i'd lose one of the very best sources of film appreciation to which i could avail myself . oh , many is the time i wondered who slipped him an envelope to grant a good review to a film i though haughty or pretentious or heavy handed or crumby or stupid . but at the end of the week or month or however long i would go without reading ROGER , i knew i was not utilizing my favorite film critic . hell , we seldom agree on horror or comedy movies . who cares . he's still the man . he's put himself out there for public consumption for 40 years now . when he's on (and it's often) he's simply a great author . and he writes to meet deadlines . amazing body of work really . enthralling as a matter of fact . ***** . oh , and he's not watchin' the DVD like we are .

THREE STARS FOR FOUR STARS by .. Robert F. Powers (Quincy, Ma USA)
Roger Ebert is the champion of the underdog-ie. films no one sees or would want to see except for him and since at least 70% of the movies reviewed in this book falls into this category it would take six reviews by me to list them but how about "Gates of Heaven" a documentary about a pet cemetary which Mr Ebert feels is about the dogged elusiveness of the American Dream-this would bring pause to someone who goes to a pet cemetary to bury Fido and stop to ponder the elusiveness of the American dream. Could this be the movie review that won Mr Ebert the pulitzer prize? Maybe.

Sometimes a four star review can be a head-scratcher. "Funny Girl" is a great example. He hated the story-hated the scenery-hated the photography-hated the direction-hated the length-hated the co-stars but he loved Barbra Streisand. This must have been the reason for the 4-stars-but I must take issue with you for that Mr Ebert-Barbra Streisand deserves a lot more than just four stars.

Another howler is his review of the movie version of "Godspell" This was based on the off-broadway show which portrayed the last 7 days in the life of Christ with all the actors dressed clown-like. Jesus had baggy pants and a superman t-shirt. The show was a hit because it didnt pretend it was anything but entertainment and nothing profound. The movie was so bad it was pulled out of theatres as soon as it was delivered. The jokey dialogue and luke-warm songs which were a hit on stage were now performed by the singing, dancing clowns against every well-known landmark in NYC.
The actors portraying Jesus and Judas were called that, and since it didn't matter the rest of the actors playing the disciples used their own names as their character names. This was the main impetus for Mr Eberts 4 star review of the film. he thought it was profound. And Mr Ebert finding that profound-now that's what i call profound!

But i have to admit these last two reviews were early on in Mr Eberts career and he has become a fair-minded and well-respected critic--but he still LOVES those movies where the elusive American Dream is still not to be found in a pet cemetary.

Extremely useful and a lot of fun by .. a patriot (the Bronx)
This book is an excellent film reference guide. It contains (belive it or not) all of Roger Ebert's four-star reviews from 1967 until 2007. I haven't yet found a great movie that is not contained in the book.

This is a perfect before-bed read because you can look at one review at a time - and there are tons of them! It is also fun to use the index to look up all of the films by your favorite directors and actors.

The first thing that I usually do after I finish watching a movie is read Ebert's review. I always appreciate the reviews by Ebert because he has brilliant insights and honest, un-biased, educated opinions. I find that I always learn something new about films by looking at them from his perspective.

This guide is great for people -like myself- who have see so many films, that it is hard to find good ones that you haven't already viewed. If Ebert gives a film four stars, you should probably go see it. I'll try to watch every film in this book; I am probably one fourth of the way there.

This, along with Ebert's "The Great Movies" parts one and two, are must-have books for film lovers.

Mosby's Comprehensive Review of Nursing for NCLEX-RN (Book with CD-ROM for Windows & Macintosh)

Author : Patricia M. Nugent Edition : 17th Bk&Cr Number of Pages : 960 Publisher : C.V. Mosby List Price : $38.95 Amazon Price : $14.99 Used Price : $5.55

Product Description

Customer reviews

Great! by .. Tracey L. Piccola (NY)
Brand new with CD as described - exactly what I thought I would get. Thanks!

Fairly Good, But Includes Factual Errors by .. Brian S. Luedke (Boston, MA)
I am only doing the pediatric section so far, but have discovered factual errors. For example, question 155 in the pediatric section: An infectious process that could cause meningitis would have which sign? You have to choose between headache and stiff neck, but either one of these could indicate meningitis. Consider question 205, which suggests that lymphocytic thyroiditis is temporary. No, only the subacute form is temporary, but they left out the word "subacute" -- otherwise it would be chronic, Hashimoto's disease.

Another problem with the book is that the pages come out easily, with only slight pressure.

But most of these NCLEX books do contain a lot of factual errors. I feel like they should hire me as an editor; the so-called editors for most of these books must be whiskey drinkers.

It's a decent book, compared to the others. Not the best, but in the mid-range. I would buy it again, but double-check the answers to make sure they're correct.

Passed NCLEX first time! by .. A. mattke (San Diego, CA USA)
This book was so helpful! It was a great book that was easy to follow and included only pertinent information. I passed the NCLEX first time at 75 questions!

Above Average NCLEX Study Guide by .. Mark Anderson (Seattle, WA USA)
I bought this book for the CD . . .

Strengths

- short quiz or full exam mode
- over 50 detailed sections
- an electronic log of past quiz scores
- shuffling of quiz questions so you are always taking a "new" quiz


Weaknesess

- No option to print out individual questions
- pretty simple explanations for why answers are correct or wrong
- necessary to retake quizzes to find correct answers

Overall, the best NCLEX books you can buy are from Mary Ann Hogan - Prentice Hall's Reviews & Rationales: Comprehensive NCLEX-RN(R) Review (Prentice Hall Nursing Reviews & Rationales Series). However, it would cost over $100 to get all the separate books that this covers

Great review book! by .. Megan K. ()
I bought this book my 2nd semester in nursing school and it helped pass exams and gain a better understaning of the material. Doing NCLEX questions as a way to study for exams is a great way to study! Now this is helping me prepare for the NCLEX. This remains my favorite (I have used 3 different reviews). I highly reccomend it, and my friends who have other review books tend to like it better as well. The review outlines are extremely helpful, and the questions and rationales provided are great! Their CD is better too because it allows you to bookmark questions to go back to later. You can also narrow questions down on a more specific level (i.e. pediatric pharmacology). Hope this helps, good luck!

Supreme Bar Review MPRE Review, Revised Edition (Book & DVD)

Author : Professor Stephen Lazarus Number of Pages : 176 Publisher : Supreme Bar Review List Price : $39.95 Amazon Price : $33.00 Used Price : $12.00

Product Description

Customer reviews

All I needed by .. Kristen Lajeunesse (usa)
1 week with the book and I got a scaled score of 121. I got a C in Prof. Responsibility so I was nervous about the exam. I didn't bother with the video.

Barely adequate--you should be nervous by .. Sean D. Strasburg (ny ny)
The sample exam questions in this book are *dramatically* easier than in the real test. So much so, that this review book can mislead you into thinking you will do great, because you've gotten 19/20 practice questions right. And then you get to the exam, and the questions are far, far harder, and your hair turns white.

At least, that's what happened to me.

Finally, there really is not enough detail in the outline section. If you memorize the outline, and are very sharp in applying this information to new situations, the book might be adequate. Otherwise, this book should only be part of your review.

Tentative... by .. lolyer (Uh-murrica)
I don't have my score from Saturday yet, but I'm not confident. Maybe this book is old, but I found the practice questions significantly easier than the actual MPRE, which is the opposite of what you would want. Most of my colleagues that I've talked to were surprised by how hard it was, so maybe I passed, since it's a scaled score. If I need to take it again in March, I definitely won't be using this book.

EDIT

Well, I passed with an 87, which is a passing score in all US jurisdictions. But I still would not recommend this book.

Not a good representation of the actual exam by .. Law School Less ()
I recommend anyone considering purchasing this book to pay attention to the dates of the reviews of this book. Recent reviews of this book prove this book isn't enough prep to receive a good score on the current MPRE exam. I don't doubt that this was an excellent prep book back in 2005 and 2006, but not so much for 2008.

The first section is an easy read w/o too much fluff added. I wish the author had properly used commas. Some of the sections are hard to read due to a lack of a comma or two.

Two people recommended that I view the video at double the usual speed. This is good advice, since the instructor talks slowly. This reduces the video to a manageable 2.5-ish hours.

The 148 questions w/ answers and explanations are very useful. However, the questions on the actual exam are much, much harder. This book may be adequate if you are testing for a jurisdiction that requires a score of only 75 on the exam, but may not be enough for jurisdictions that require a higher score.

This book may have been adequate (or more than adequate) for a higher score a few years back, but the current questions are far trickier.

For some reason, I can't change the ranking on this review. I'd actually give this book 2 stars or 3 stars at most.

Good, Cheap Book by .. Lawguy82 (Cleveland, OH)
I got this book about a week before the MPRE. I reviewed the outline and did all of the sample questions. I'd say in total I studied for about 5 hours for the exam, all out of this book. I got a score well above what I need for my state (85). Would recommend to anyone looking to brush up before the exam.