A book report or review is both a description and an evaluation of a book (fiction or nonfiction, popular or literary).  The report or review should contain a brief summary of the book’s contents, but also provide a critical analysis of the book.  Book reviews are found primarily in newspapers, magazines, or journals.  They are usually written at the time of the book’s publication.  For in-depth analysis of literary works, please ask the Reference Librarian for assistance in finding Literary Criticism resources.

Getting Started

To begin your research, you need to have the following information:  Title of the book, Name of the author, and the Date of first publication.  Book reviews and reports generally include the following
kinds of information:

• Identification of the book, including the full title, name of the author, the publisher, the
  edition, the place and date of publication.

• A description or summary of the book's content, format, organization, and development.

• A description or summary of the purpose of the book and its general argument or theme.

• A statement about the book's intended audience.

• Information about the author.

• A critical evaluation, which discusses the book's strengths and weaknesses.

• Personal opinions and reactions to the book.

To Find Reviews in Newspapers

The Nealley Library subscribes to a number of online newspaper indexes for current full-text articles and reviews. 

National Newspaper Index, 1998 – present

(Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post)

Orange County Register, 1987 – present

USA Today, 1988 – present

There are print newspaper indexes that have citations to past reviews.  The full-text articles and reviews are on Microfilm or Microfiche.  (Located in the Periodicals Department).

Los Angeles Times Book Review

Hard copy:  1 year only

Microfilm:  1972 – 1999

New York Times Book Review

Hard copy:  current 2 years

Microfilm:  September 1923 +

Microfiche:  1972 – 1988

To Find Reviews in Magazines & Journals

Reviews in magazines and journals can be located in online periodical indexes and literary sources.

• Academic Search

• Literature Resource Center

• Books in Print

There are print resources as well.

• Book Review Digest
  Index Table:  1960 – present, Oversize:  1905 – 1959

• Contemporary Authors
  Reference  PN 771 C7

• Contemporary Literary Criticism
  Reference  PN 771 C591

• Critical Survey of Long Fiction
  Reference  PN 3451 C75 2000

• Critical Survey of Short Fiction
  Reference  PN 3321 C7 2001

To Find Reviews on the Internet

Book Browser:  The Reviews Are In

http://www.bookbrowser.com/Reviews/index.html

Internet Public Library: Finding Book Reviews

http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/bookreviewFARQ.html

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com

Using Other Colleges and Universities

The California State University and University of California campuses have additional resources,
such as Book Review Index , Book Review Digest online, and Humanities Abstracts.  

How to Write Book Reports and Reviews

Santa Ana College Nealley Library

Teitelbaum, Harry.  How to Write Book Reports.  New York: Macmillan, 1998.

Main Book Stacks  PE 1478 T45 1998

Book Reviewing:  A Guide to Writing Book Reviews for Newspapers, Magazines, Radio, and Television.  Boston:  The Writer, 1978.

Main Book Stacks  PN 98 B7 B6

Useful Internet Sites

A Concise Guide to Writing a Critical Book Review

http://www.library.ualberta.ca/guides/bookreview/index.cfm

How to Find Book Reviews

www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/find_book_reviews.php

How to Write a Book Review

www.library.mun.ca/guides/howto/write_book_review.php

How to Write a Book Review--Dalhousie University Libraries

http://www.library.dal.ca/how/bookrev.htm

How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level

http://www.infoplease.com/homework/wsbookreporths.html

Writing a Book Report

http://www.webspawner.com/users/BBBookReport/