Ellen Karsh, a writer and former director of the Mayor’s Office of Grants Administration, in New York, and Arlen Sue Fox, associate executive director for development at Sunnyside Community Services, also in New York, significantly update this edition from 2005 by including interviews with grant makers about how the current… More >>
The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need: Top Grant Writers and Grant Givers Share Their Secrets

WHY do teachers give book review tasks?

Apart from they want to instill in you the flair for reading, they want you to widen your knowledge about the world we live in, more so, acquaint you with an author’s way with words. And whether they tell it to you or not, they want to learn from your book report!

When you are told to do a book review, before you start browsing the pages of any book, consider these basic steps first, so that you will come up with a fantastic book report.

Find the “greatest one.”

The best paperback doesn’t solely refer to the works of William Shakespeare: It may mean an author whose writings you love to read, a book that leaves an impression, or something that has to do with your passion. Libraries are the best sources of materials for any book review assignment, as they have everything to feed the mind. You may also ask your classmates for some suggestions and to avoid “repetitions.” Make certain that it is “the only one” in your class.

“Thou shall not copy other’s works!” Never copy someone else’s written or published work, as plagiarism over the Internet is a cybercrime, while on campus, it’s touted as an academic fraud. Copying of a book review is a serious offense and a student may be subjected to suspension when found guilty. Through the help of modern computer software, teachers nowadays can easily trace if a book report submitted to them is really authentic or just rehashed.

“Read not for pleasure, but for a purpose.” Choose a material for your book review that interests you a lot, so that going through the pages won’t be a burden but pure enjoyment. Have a breakdown of the number of pages you want to read every day, so you’ll have a clear view of what you are reading. Calendar or schedule your activities to check if you can beat your deadline or not.

“Write, write and write.” When making a book report, it’s important to take down very good notes—the storyline, background, characters, etc.; your reactions to specific events in the book; as well as questions that came into your mind while reading some pages or chapters. Writing on paper even the minuscule details of your book review will help you to “systematize” all your thoughts.

Don’t just dwell on elaborating the book’s summary. Put more substance on the story line, the characters and your reactions: Be like an experienced evaluator.

Extract all your creative juices, and don’t forget to have fun while doing your book review.

To begin a review, I start with the format required by Midwest Book Review. I then adapt the format and word count to what is required by each submission site. A nice touch is to comment on the cover design, table of contents structure and or glossary at the back of the book. (Sample: This beautifully laid out trade paperback has a gorgeous and practical design both inside and out. I recommend you read this book with a highlighter and a pen, ready to take copious notes in the blank pages thoughtfully provided between chapters.):

Detail the recommended audience and note why they should read the book. (Sample: Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That Builds Profits should be required reading for high school and college students and for anyone already in the business environment. Once upon a time, good manners were taught in school and at home, but that time has long since passed. This book provides the perfect refresher course for those of us who learned manners but no longer remember the finer points of etiquette.)

Write about the book structure and layout, number of chapters and topics covered. (Sample: While reading this book, I discovered that the author, Lydia Ramsey, covered every conceivable point of etiquette including many that I’d never been taught. Each of the twelve chapters covers one main topic broken down into digestible bite sized chunks of rules and guidelines to enhance credibility and professionalism. Topics include first impressions, greetings and introductions, the art of conversation, dressing for business, telephone courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in business, etiquette in the office, gift-giving in business, etiquette out of the office, dining for profit and doing business internationally.)

Give a brief biography of the author including their name, name of their business (if applicable), business or personal expertise and if available, include titles of their other books. (Sample: The author of this delightful book, Lydia Ramsey, is a business etiquette expert with over thirty years of experience working with non-profits, corporations, colleges and universities. She is a frequently published author who presents workshops, seminars and keynotes on all aspects of business etiquette.)

Recommend the book and offer some ideas of its practical use by individuals or groups. If applicable, mention that it would make a good gift book and wrap up the review with a positive summary of the book. (Sample: I recommend businesses buy this book in bulk and present one to every employee from the frontline up to the top management. In this ever-changing world of so many consumer choices, the bottom line is often affected by the simple courtesies that can and should be afforded to customers. You need this book if you want your employees to succeed and your business to thrive.) Add your copyright statement and byline to the bottom of the review and, as usual, have the review proofread by an editor before you begin submission. Your book reviews can be very effective marketing tools that will generate considerable exposure for you.

This is James Ross’ first exploration into the literary world, and he should pat himself on the back for producing a very well designed and executed story. I like my heroes heroic and my villains villainous, and Ross delivers.

Being a book reviewer, I maybe treat reading a little different from most people. I pick up a book, check the number of pages, the typeface, and font size. Lifetime Loser based on my reading criteria looked like a two, or at most 3 day adventure. How wrong I was, it took me over a week to read this book. The plot lines are intricate, and the character development intricately and cleverly handled. I knew I was in trouble when at the end of my first day of reading I had barely scratched the first 50 pages. I took some time out to think about this shocking statistic. It wasn’t that I had lost my touch at the art of reading, it was just that there was so much detail that was so well written, it took time to assemble and file the information.

OK, I suppose you want to know what the book is about?

Our hero is J. W. Schroeder (aka J Dub), we meet him as a young man who has a flair for the game of golf, his father having taught him all he can about this gentleman’s game. J Dub has a chance to make it to the big league, a player on the PGA. One momentary lapse of concentration wrenches defeat from the jaws of victory, and J Dub loses his opportunity. What next for this young man and his pregnant wife? A life giving golf lessons at the local driving range?

J Dub’s angel comes in the form of one Lewford E. Zerrmann. Lew is a ‘land man’ and has recently purchased a rather run down golf course, he needs someone with a knowledge of the game to run it for him. Better still, because Lew is such a nice guy he will offer a partnership, J Dub can have have 20% of the business, and a first option to buy should J Dub wish to become a sole owner.

15 years elapse, and about the only thing J Dub knows for sure is that his partner is no gentleman, he has no people skills, and seems to be hell bent of driving customers away. The golf course on the other hand is a popular spot, cash flow is great, yet their never seems to be any money left in the bank after expenses have been paid.

As the relationship becomes increasing strained J Dub is forced to start looking around, and talking to people. What he hears and sees does not make for a pretty picture. He must know make a decision, to walk away from 15 years of sweat equity or stay and fight?

This is a great book, it has murder, swindles, forgery, tax evasion, pretty much everything you could want in a great read. Lew has all of the social skills of Rattle Snake, while naive J Dub plods gently along at his own pace. In a David Vs. Goliath battle who will win?

I will not give the intricacies of the plot away, and neither will I spoil the ending, but I will whet your appetite with the fact that the ending will come as a big surprise.

You can pick up your copy from Amazon.

With three options to choose from, writers cannot go wrong with the Xlibris Science Fiction Trilogy Publishing. Choices start with the Sci-Fi Solo, which allows writers to publish a book for only $533. For authors who have conjured up a two-part story, the Sci-Fi Duo is perfect for publishing two books at only $1,000. Finally, the Sci-Fi Trilogy, the zenith of the three packages, enables the writer to publish their trilogy for only $1,333.

The Science Fiction Trilogy Publishing package also includes amazing features. The registration of their books with online resellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders), targeted science fiction marketing, and a book review on the Yellow30 Science Fiction website are just some of the elements of the sci-fi publishing packages.

More information about the Xlibris Science Fiction Trilogy Publishing package can be found at www.xlibris.com.

About Xlibris
Xlibris was founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Philadelphia, PA and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.

For more information, please visit http://www.xlibris.com/requestkit/index.asp?src=apr&key=mm, e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call at 1-888-795-4247, to receive a free publishing guide.

Book Review

Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

Macbeth is one of most famous plays and a great tragedy of Shakespeare. It is also named as ‘The Scottish play’. The title itself suggests the name of the protagonists. The whole play revolves around the protagonists Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth. “Macbeth” means “son of life”, and is a Christian name rather than a patronymic. The themes that are depicted in the play are that of fate, ambition, treachery and deception. The drama is rich in imagery. Moreover, the idea prevalent is that the state of nature affects the state of the world, where there is thunder, lightning, doom and gloom. Shakespeare’s main source for Macbeth, written in c.1603-1610, was Raphael Holinshed’s “Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland”. Holinshed got inspiration from Hector Boece’s Scotorum Historiae, written in 1527. Moreover, Shakespeare’s portrayal of Holinshed’s “weird sisters” were derived from the portrait of other fictional witches. He was also inspired by King James VI/I’s book “Daemonologie”.

Comprised of five acts, “Macbeth” starts by depicting a tragedy. The book starts with the brief appearance of the three witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, who defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonald and another was from Norway. While returning from battle, Macbeth and Banquo encountered the witches as they cross a moor. The witches predict that he will become king one day by killing Duncan. This prediction leads Macbeth to murder the king. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth accompanies him in his plan. Lady Macbeth is an integral part of this thematic web and is the most memorable character. Like her husband, Lady Macbeth’s thirst for power leads her to practice an unnatural, phantasmagoric realm of witchcraft, insomnia and madness. But while Macbeth reacts to the prophecies of the witches, Lady Macbeth moves even further by figuratively transforming herself into a desexualized, unnatural evil spirit. After Macbeth kills Duncan, Lady Macbeth smells the blood of Duncan on the daggers of the sleeping guards. A pious soul Macduff discovers the body. Macbeth kills the guards insisting that their daggers smeared with Duncan’s blood are proof that they committed the murder. The crown passes to Macbeth. It was followed by a series of murders. These murders ensue that the bloodied ghost of Banquo appears to Macbeth. Lady Macbeth’s conscience tortures her and she visualizes blood everywhere, which leads her to commit suicide. Finally, in the great battle, Macbeth is killed by Macduff. Malcolm becomes king and the order is restored. Good wins over evil and corruption and human greed were slain.

Macbeth was compiled from the earlier sources like The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1054), The Prophecy of St. Bercan and The Chronicle of Melrose (731-1270). The play ‘Macbeth’ is considered by many scholars to be Shakespeare’s darkest work and is a relatively a short play without a major subplot. Compared to the other tragedies, in Macbeth, Shakespeare adds a supernatural dimension that purposively conspires against Macbeth and his kingdom. The current trend of critical opinion is toward an upward reevaluation of Lady Macbeth, who is said to be dehumanized by her insanity and her suicide.  Moreover, the books recount different events in Macbeth’s life in a fragmentary fashion. We have seen that an authentic aspect about the medieval sources is that they are all much more positive compared to the 16th century sources that Shakespeare eventually used. Shakespeare portrayed a doughty king typical of his age, and not a tyrant at all. Macbeth is easy to read and is accessible. Moreover, it identifies itself with the timeless themes – the corrupting nature of power and greed, and the terrible affects this can have. It is surely an absorbing read with a fascinating, yet thrilling sensation.                                                                         ~Bipasha Chowdhury

Astral Projection Book Review

If you are looking for an astral projection book that will teach you everything you need to know about astral projection, then you need not look any further after reading Astral Projection Underground by Abhishek Agarwal. In this 350 page book, he reveals some of the most closely guarded secrets from India about astral projection. In fact, what he teaches in this book is so powerful that you are guaranteed to have your first astral projection in 30 days or less.

You may be wondering what exactly does Agarwal teach in this book that makes it so special? Well I will try my best to break it down for you.

The first thing I thought I should mention is that this astral projection book has been written based on 15 years of research and experience. It is not based on myth or any personal beliefs, it is based on the author’s personal experiences and the techniques he has used to master this almost lost skill.

Just a few of the things you will learn include:

*The basics of astral projection (covered in Chapter 1)

*There are actually benefits from astral projection that you might not have been aware of. (covered in Chapter 2 )

* In Chapter 3, all the myths and misunderstands regarding astral projection are set straight for the record.

*8 Tips that will help prepare you and get you ready for astral projection

*22 techniques for astral projection

and much more! I have just covered a few of the things included in this astral projection book.

If you would like to learn more about Astral Projection Underground, you can download the first 2 chapters for free at AstralProjectionRevealed.com.

Also, you can read another review of this book by visiting Astral Projection Book

A book report is completely factual. It includes information on the author, title, place and year of publication as well as a summary of the content of the book. A book review, on the other hand, is much more personal. It is really an expression of the reader’s opinion of the work, or of specific aspects of the work. The review will probably include much of the same factual content as the report, but it is the reader’s personal opinions that are most important. For the purposes of this guide we will be dealing with the book report.

In the hustle and bustle of modern everyday life the simple pleasure of reading a good book is often forgotten. There is nothing easier yet more satisfying than sitting down in a favorite place to read. Find somewhere quiet and private where you are unlikely to be disturbed.

Obviously you have to read it cover to cover at least once to write a good book report. Do not make yourself read a set number of pages or chapters every day. This can make your reading a chore. Read as much as you are comfortable with and then put the book down until you are ready to start again.

After reading that book, now you have to start writing your book report. Start with the description of the book, and then if the book is a work of fiction, divide the whole book report writing in the following four parts

• Background & location â?? Origin Of the story
• Time Period â?? Past, Present or Future
• Characters
• The Main Plot

 

After this, write your personnel opinion bout the book. Is it too fictitious? What author trying to achieve and how much successful he was in achieving that.

And If the book is Non-Fiction in nature than you can start book reports just by giving an initial statement on the general subject of the book. After that statement, give a summarized version of that book, its whole concept, purpose and achievement.

Again in the end, you have to give your personnel or a general opinion over the book. Remember! Whether you are writing about fiction or non-fiction you must be sure to recognize the main idea or ideas in the book. So be sure that you have a good understanding of it before you begin to write book report. Keep the book beside you while you are writing your report so that you can refer to it when necessary.

 

 

A book report is completely factual. It includes information on the author, title, place and year of publication as well as a summary of the content of the book. A book review, on the other hand, is much more personal. It is really an expression of the reader’s opinion of the work, or of specific aspects of the work. The review will probably include much of the same factual content as the report, but it is the reader’s personal opinions that are most important. For the purposes of this guide we will be dealing with the book report.

In the hustle and bustle of modern everyday life the simple pleasure of reading a good book is often forgotten. There is nothing easier yet more satisfying than sitting down in a favorite place to read. Find somewhere quiet and private where you are unlikely to be disturbed.

Obviously you have to read it cover to cover at least once to write a good book report. Do not make yourself read a set number of pages or chapters every day. This can make your reading a chore. Read as much as you are comfortable with and then put the book down until you are ready to start again.

After reading that book, now you have to start writing your book report. Start with the description of the book, and then if the book is a work of fiction, divide the whole book report writing in the following four parts

• Background & location â?? Origin Of the story
• Time Period â?? Past, Present or Future
• Characters
• The Main Plot

 

After this, write your personnel opinion bout the book. Is it too fictitious? What author trying to achieve and how much successful he was in achieving that.

And If the book is Non-Fiction in nature than you can start book reports just by giving an initial statement on the general subject of the book. After that statement, give a summarized version of that book, its whole concept, purpose and achievement.

Again in the end, you have to give your personnel or a general opinion over the book. Remember! Whether you are writing about fiction or non-fiction you must be sure to recognize the main idea or ideas in the book. So be sure that you have a good understanding of it before you begin to write book report. Keep the book beside you while you are writing your report so that you can refer to it when necessary.