Why Book Reviews are Good

With all the information available on the internet, some might wonder about the future of book publishing, whether online or hard copies.  I believe that both nonfiction and fiction will continue to be a source of knowledge and entertainment for the foreseeable future and that some of the steps taken by the publishing industry will lead to stronger business models resulting in continuous future releases.

There are a lot of great books out there and savvy, time-pressed readers can benefit from checking out book reviews to help them narrow down good selections for their interests.  Book reviews range from formal to informal and reverent to irreverent but all good reviews should establish why the books deserve to be read.  A successful book review is a little capsule of information establishing the background, major characters and a succinct tease at the plot with clear praise for the book's assets and polite critiques of less successful elements.

While readers may delight in choosing a random book based on a delightful cover or the promise of an exciting plot, book reviews offer a hand in selection when time is limited in either choice or reading.  Following a particular reviewer can also create a bond between the reviewer and reader, even if the bond results in the reader realizing his or her preferences contrast greatly with the reviewer's.

Fortunately, Suite101.com's Reading and Literature section offers plenty of book reviews on everything from highbrow literature to popular mass entertainment to notable nonfiction, all genres which possess the potential to positively affect a person's life and introduce new experiences within the pages of a book or the heft of an ebook. 

Life is too short not to read!