Book Reviewer: What Do You Call Someone Who Reviews Books?
Jun, 3 2025
You ever come across a book review and think, who actually writes these? Most people call them book reviewers, but you might also hear the term book critic thrown around. There’s a small difference — reviewers stick to giving regular readers the inside scoop, while critics tend to get a bit more serious and dig into deeper meanings or cultural impact. Either way, they’re the folks who read a book and tell us straight up: worth your time or not?
But here’s the thing—book reviewing isn’t just for stuffy magazines anymore. Regular readers are hitting up social media, blogs, and even TikTok with their thoughts. Some reviewers get books sent to them for free; some even earn money. Everyone’s looking for that honest opinion before spending hours with a new read.
- Common Names for Book Reviewers
- What Does a Book Reviewer Do?
- How to Start Reviewing Books
- Fun Facts About Book Reviewing
Common Names for Book Reviewers
When you want to know what someone who reviews books is called, the most common answer is a book reviewer. This is the go-to term you'll see in newspapers, websites, and even on Amazon. Book reviewers share their thoughts on a book, usually breaking down what works and what doesn’t in a way that’s easy for anyone to get.
Sometimes, especially in literary magazines or big newspapers, you’ll see the word "book critic." Critics dive a little deeper—not just telling you if a book is good, but also how it fits in with other books, trends, or history. Think of them as the folks who’ll compare a brand-new novel to something written fifty years ago.
Here are some other names you might bump into:
- Literary critic – More involved in analyzing meanings and themes.
- Reviewer – In general, but usually means someone reviewing any product or media, including books.
- Book blogger – Bloggers who post book reviews on their social media or websites.
- Bookstagrammer or BookTuber – People who review books on Instagram or YouTube. These folks have a ton of influence, especially with younger readers.
- Freelance reviewer – Someone who writes reviews for different publications, sometimes getting paid for each piece.
It’s funny, but some of the biggest impact these days comes not from professional critics, but from regular readers posting online. Data from 2024 shows over 65% of people under 30 check online reviews before buying a book. Here’s a quick comparison of where you’ll find these different reviewers:
| Name | Main Platform |
|---|---|
| Book Reviewer | Newspapers, online magazines, blogs |
| Literary Critic | Academic journals, literary magazines |
| Book Blogger | Personal blogs, Goodreads |
| Bookstagrammer | |
| BookTuber | YouTube |
So next time you read a book review or decide to write one yourself, you’ll know there are plenty of titles you can use. Whether you think of yourself as a reviewer or a critic, or you just like chatting about books on TikTok, you’re part of a huge community of book lovers making reading more fun for everyone else.
What Does a Book Reviewer Do?
A book reviewer reads books and shares honest opinions so others can decide if a book’s worth picking up. But reviewing isn’t just about saying whether you liked it or not. It’s really about breaking down the whole experience and making it easier for others to figure out if a book fits their taste.
Here’s what you’ll usually find in a book review:
- Summary (without spoilers): Quick rundown of what the book’s about, giving just enough info so people know what they’re getting into.
- Thoughts on the writing style: Is it easy to follow? Does the author use simple language or go heavy with details?
- Characters and plot: Reviewers talk about whether the characters feel real, if the plot makes sense, or if it drags.
- Personal opinions and feelings: Honest reactions — was it a page-turner or a snoozefest? Did certain scenes stand out?
- Recommendation: Who would actually enjoy this book? Hardcore fans, casual readers, or someone looking for something specific?
Reviewers might work for magazines, websites, newspapers, or even run their own channels and blogs. Some land advance copies from publishers (called “ARCs” — advance reader copies), so their reviews go live before the book hits stores. Others just review whatever they find at the library or bookstore. There’s no one right way, but detailed, thoughtful reviews usually build trust and gather audiences over time.
And it’s not all about opinion. Professional reviewers often follow a style guide and stick to word counts, but casual reviewers on YouTube or Instagram are free to get creative. The main point? Give clear, honest feedback other readers can actually use.
How to Start Reviewing Books
Getting into book reviewing isn’t as tricky as you might think. You don’t need a fancy English degree or connections in the publishing world to get started these days. If you can read a book and share your honest thoughts, you’re already halfway there. Let’s break down how you can go from reading books just for fun to actually being considered a book reviewer.
- Pick Your Platform: You don’t have to write for a big newspaper. Bloggers, YouTubers, and folks on Instagram or TikTok all post book reviews. Goodreads is a classic place to start, but you can also use a personal blog or even X (formerly Twitter).
- Read with Purpose: Enjoy the story, but also take notes on what stands out. What did you love? What drove you nuts? Jot down your first impressions, favorite lines, or points where you got lost.
- Write Honestly: No book is perfect. Readers want to know what worked and what didn’t. Keep it real, and it helps to share a mix of positive and negative points.
- Keep It Clear: Most helpful reviews stick to the basics: what’s the book about, what you liked/disliked, and who you think would enjoy it. Short and simple works better than long rambles.
- Engage with Others: Book reviewing is social. Comment on other reviews, join reading groups online, or tag authors and publishers (respectfully!) when you share your review.
If you’re curious about who’s actually reviewing books and where, check this out:
| Platform | Approximate Reviews Posted (2024) | Main Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 95 million+ | All ages, worldwide |
| Amazon (Books section) | 35 million+ | General shoppers |
| Bookstagram (Instagram) | 2 million+ | Young adults, trendsetters |
| BookTube (YouTube) | 600,000+ | Teens, young adults |
Pro tip: If you want free books to review, sign up for sites like NetGalley or join publisher mailing lists. They often send out advance copies to readers willing to post reviews. Just be honest—publishers care more about real feedback than fake five-star hype.
Fun Facts About Book Reviewing
Book reviewing didn’t start with online blogs or even newspapers—it goes way back. The oldest known book review appeared in 1665 in a scientific journal called Philosophical Transactions. Imagine reviewing books before public libraries were even a thing!
Some book reviewers can be so influential that they impact sales overnight. When The New York Times Book Review gives a thumbs up, publishers often see a huge spike in orders the very next day. That’s real power. Check out the numbers below for how reviews can shake things up:
| Platform | Avg. Sales Boost After Big Review |
|---|---|
| New York Times | 30%-65% |
| Amazon Top Review | 10%-30% |
| Goodreads Highly Rated | 15%-25% |
Don’t think you have to be a literary professor to review books, though. Loads of famous reviewers started with zero formal training. Book influencers on YouTube or BookTok sometimes build bigger followings than respected critics. Sometimes it’s just about being real and talking like you would to a friend.
Here’s something that surprises most people: most book reviewers don’t get paid for their reviews. A survey from 2023 showed only about 12% make regular money; the rest do it just for their love of reading or to get free books.
- George Orwell, the author of 1984, wrote more than 200 book reviews—he even reviewed cookbooks!
- Amazon lets anyone post a book review, and there are people who have written over 50,000 reviews—yes, that’s not a typo.
- Some publishers will pull quotes from reviews on blogs and slap them right on the book cover—sometimes from readers with just a handful of followers.
If you’re writing book reviews and spot typos, you’re not alone—reviewers love spelling out when books get sloppy. And sometimes, negative reviews actually make people more curious to read a book just to see what the fuss is about.