Review the Damn Book: A Grim Little Love Letter to the Dying Art of Saying Something
You just finished a book. It rearranged your organs. You might never be the same. Or maybe it mildly entertained you while you ignored your inbox and life responsibilities. Either way, you close it, sigh… and move on?
No.
Do not ghost the book like a bad Tinder date. Write the damn review.
Why Your Opinion Matters (Even If You’re a Hot Mess)
You may think, “Who cares what I think? I barely remember what I had for breakfast.” But in the world of books—especially the fragile, beautiful underdog world of indie publishing—your opinion is currency.
Every time you write a review, a book gets its wings. Or, at the very least, gets seen by someone besides the author's mother.
Here’s what your few measly (but mighty) sentences actually do:
Feed the Algorithm Beast – On Amazon, Goodreads, and other sites, the more reviews a book gets, the more likely it is to show up in the “You May Also Like” section. Which means more readers. Which means more life.
Signal Boost the Author’s Career – Publishers, bookstores, libraries, and review outlets do check how much buzz a book is getting. If no one’s talking about it, it may as well not exist.
Make You Look Smart and Generous – People trust people who talk about books. You become part of the secret society of literary citizens. Welcome. We drink coffee and cry often.
Where to Leave Your Glorious Opinions
You don’t need a blue check or a book blog with 10k followers. Post wherever you haunt:
Goodreads – The kingdom of nerdy opinions. Low-key intimidating, but still vital.
Amazon, Bookshop.org, B&N – Quick and dirty reviews are gold here. A sentence is fine.
Instagram, Threads, TikTok – You don’t need a ring light. Just yell about the book and tag the author.
Your own blog or newsletter – Resurrect your dusty corner of the internet. This is what it's for.
Literary journals and zines – Feeling fancy? Submit a longer review and build your writing cred while helping another writer stay emotionally afloat.
How to Write a Review (Even If Your Brain Is Oatmeal)
Let’s be real: you’re not trying to write an MFA thesis here. A decent review just needs a few things:
Be honest—but not a jerk – If you hated it, say so with grace. If you loved it, scream.
Be specific – “This book wrecked me in a beautiful way” is a perfectly legit review.
Name the vibe – Who else would like this book? Moody introverts? Sad girl fall fans? Dads with existential dread? Help people find their people.
And remember: even a three-line review helps. You are not writing War and Peace. You are writing a tiny gift to the author and the book's future readers.
Bonus: Reviewing Makes You Smarter (and Less Dead Inside)
Taking a few minutes to process what you read actually sharpens your brain. You get better at reading. You get better at writing. And you join the collective effort to keep art from vanishing into the digital void.
Final Word: Don’t Be the Silent Type
Authors need you. Their books need you. If you finish a book and don’t leave a review, somewhere a small indie press weeps into a glass of cheap wine.
So go on.
Write the damn review.
