book review and earn

Join Discovery, the new community for book lovers

Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots 🤓

Blog – Posted on Tuesday, Sep 24

Get paid to read: 18 legitimate sites that pay reviewers.

Serious question: do you want to get paid to read? You might laugh it off at first, thinking that that sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. You can get paid for spending time on what you love: reading books. 

Of course, the key to this #hack is book reviewing, where you offer your personal opinion of a book after you’re done with it. (If you’d like to learn more, check out this post to discover how to write a book review .) Because books are constantly being published, book reviewers are generally always in demand. 

So whether you’re a voracious reader of nonfiction, genre fiction, classics, or indie books, there’s probably an outlet that’s willing to compensate you if you read (review) for them! Without further ado, here’s a definitive list of the 17 sites that will help you get paid to read. If you want to cut to the chase and find out which of them is the right fit for you, we recommend first taking this quick quiz:

Which review community should you join?

Find out which review community is best for your style. Takes 30 seconds!

Then read on for the full list of all of the ways to get paid while reading!

 1. Kirkus Media

💸 Pay: Freelance basis

👀 More information: Check here

If you’ve ever lingered on a book’s Amazon page before, you’ll have heard of Kirkus Reviews. It’s one of the most respected sources of book reviews out there, publishing many of the blurbs that you’ll see on Amazon, or on the cover of your favorite titles.

You have to wonder: where do all of these reviews come from? That’s where you come into the picture. Kirkus Media lists an open application for book reviewers. As of right now, they’re specifically searching for people who will review English and Spanish-language indie titles. Some of the qualities that they want in reviewers include: experience, a keen eye, and an ability to write about a 350-word review in two weeks’ time.

To apply, simply send your resume and writing samples! You can find out more about this opportunity here .

2. Reedsy Discovery

💸 Pay: Tip basis

A powerhouse in the world of indie books, Reedsy Discovery gives book reviewers the chance to read the latest self-published books before anyone else. You can browse through hundreds of new stories before picking one that piques your interest. And if you’ve built up a brand as a book reviewer on Reedsy Discovery, you can liaise with authors who contact you directly for a review.

Its application process is pretty simple: just complete this form to be selected as a book reviewer. Once you’re accepted, you can start looking through the shelves and reading immediately. One more thing: book reviewers can get tips for their book reviews. Readers can send $1, $3, or $5 as a token of appreciation (which, let’s be honest, all book reviewers deserve more of).

If this system intrigues you, you can “discover” more about how it works on this page .

3. Any Subject Books

Any Subject Books is a full-suite self-publishing service. More importantly for you, it hires book reviewers on a book-by-book basis to help them review new books.

They’re big on in-depth, honest, and objective reviews. No fluff here! They’re also happy to give you books in your preferred genres, so if you’re a voracious reader of war fiction, you won’t typically be asked to read the latest paranormal romance hit (or vice versa).

Sadly, Any Subject Books is not currently open to book reviewer applications, but check back again — this could change at any time.

4. BookBrowse

BookBrowse reviews both adult fiction and nonfiction, and some books for young adults. The site focuses on books that are not only enjoyable to read, with great characters and storylines, but that also leave the reader knowing something about the world they did not before. Reviewers also write a "beyond the book" article for each book they review.

5. Online Book Club

💸 Pay: $5 to $60

Online Book Club’s FAQ begins with a warning for all aspiring book reviewers: “First of all, this is not some crazy online get-rich-quick scheme. You won't get rich and you won't be able to leave your day job.”

That daunting reminder aside, Online Book Club’s setup is pretty reasonable, not to mention straightforward. You’ll get a free copy of the book and you’ll get paid for your review of that book. Moreover, it’s one of the few sites that’s transparent about their payment rates (anywhere between $5 to $60). To begin the sign-up process, simply submit your email here .

6. U.S. Review of Books

U.S. Review of Books is a nation-wide organization that reviews books of all kinds and publishes those reviews in a popular monthly newsletter. The way that it works for a book reviewer is simple: when a book title is posted, reviewers can request to read it and get assigned.

A typical review for U.S. Review of Books is anywhere between 250 and 300 words. They are looking particularly for informed opinions and professionalism in reviews, along with succinctness. To apply, submit a resume, sample work, and two professional references via email. But we’d recommend that you check out some previous examples of their book reviews here to first get a better sense of what they’re looking for.

7. Women’s Review of Books

💸 Pay: $100 per review

Women’s Review of Books is a long-running, highly-respected print publication that’s a part of Wellesley Centers for Women. This feminist magazine has been published for 36 years and is looking for more book reviewers to join their force.

If you plan on writing reviews for Women’s Review of Books , you should be aware that its reviews are published “in the service of action and consciousness.” Most of its writers are also academics, journalists, or book reviewers with some years of experience behind them. If you meet these qualifications and are accepted, you’ll be compensated $100 per review.

To pitch then a review, send them an email with a quick proposal. For more details, click here .

8. eBookFairs

eBookFairs primarily helps authors grow their author platforms, but it also has a Paid Book Reader program where readers can earn money by, you guessed it, reviewing the books listed on their site.

Note that they do have clear instructions on what qualifies as a review, so do read their guidelines carefully before applying to make sure you can meet them. For instance, the review must be at least 250 words, you must allow at least 3 days between reviews submitted, and it must provide helpful feedback for the author. There are also a limited number of paid reader positions available.

💸 Pay: Variable

If you’re a freelancer, you’re probably already familiar with Upwork! One of the biggest marketplaces for freelancers, Upwork has fingers in every industry’s pie. So it won’t be a surprise to learn that people who are looking for freelance book reviewers regularly post listings on its marketplace.

Because each job caters to an individual client, the requirements and qualifications will differ. It might be a one-time project, or the gig might turn into a long-running collaboration with the client. Generally, the listing will specify the book’s genre, so you’ll know what you’re getting before you agree to collaborate with the client on the other end.

To begin, you’ll need to sign up as a freelancer on Upwork. Find out more information on Upwork’s FAQ page!

10. Moody Press

💸 Pay: Free ARCs

Moody Press is a nonprofit publishing house of Christian titles and Bible study resources. If this is your niche, you’ll definitely be interested in Moody Press’ Blogger Review Program! As part of the program, you’ll get free copies of book published by Moody Press.

Like some of the other programs on this list, you won’t get paid for your review, but you will get a free book. Moody Press also asks you to write your honest review within 60 days of reading it. To get a feel for it, try joining the MP Newsroom Bloggers Facebook group , where you can directly interact with existing members of the program.

11. New Pages

💸 Pay: Variable 

Not interested in writing anything longer than 300 words? Are quick flash book reviews more your pace? If so, becoming a NewPages reviewer might be just your speed. NewPages.com is an Internet portal to small presses, independent publishers and bookstores, and literary magazines. More importantly, they’re looking for short book reviews (generally between 100 and 200 words) on any recent literary magazine or book that you’ve read.

If you’re already a fan of books from small presses or unknown magazines, even better: that’s exactly the kind of reviewer NewPages wants to work with. If you’d like to look through some of their past book reviews to see if your style matches, check out their book review archive here .

12. Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly is an online magazine focused on international book publishing and all that that entails. More pertinently, it regularly reviews both traditionally published and self-published books, which means that it does occasionally have a call for book reviewers. As of right now, it’s closed to applications — but if you check its Jobs page every once in a while, you might see an opening again.

13. Tyndale Blog Network

Tyndale Blog Network runs a program called My Reader Rewards Club, which is based on an innovative rewards system. If you join as a member, you can earn points for certain actions that you take on the site (for instance, inviting a friend to the program and sharing a direct link to MyReaderRewardsClub.com on Facebook each fetches you 10 points).

Writing a review for a Tyndale or NavPress book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble gets you 10 points, with a maximum limit of 50 points in 30 days. In turn, you can use your accumulated points to receive more books off of Tyndale’s shelves. If this sounds like something that may be up your alley, check out their FAQ here.

14. Booklist Publications

💸 Pay: $12.50 to $15 per review

Booklist is the American Library Association’s highly respected review journal for librarians. Luckily for freelance writers, Booklist assigns freelance book reviews that vary from blog posts for The Booklist Reader to published book review in Booklist magazine.

As the site itself suggests, it’s important that you’re familiar with Booklist Publication’s outlets (which include Booklist magazine, the quarterly Book Links , and The Booklist Reader blog) and its writing style. Reviews are generally very short (no longer than 175 words) and professionally written. You can discover more of its guidelines here — and an archive of previous Booklist reviews here .

To apply, contact a relevant Booklist editor and be prepared to submit a few of your past writing samples.

15. Instaread

💸 Pay: $100 per summary

Not interested in writing critical takes on the books that you read? Then Instaread might be for you. Instaread has an open call for book summaries, which recap “the key insights of new and classic nonfiction.”

Each summary should be around 1000 to 1500 words, which makes it a fair bit lengthier than your average flash book review. However, Instaread will compensate you heartily for it: as of 2019, Instaread pays $100 for each summary that you write. You can peruse Instaread’s recommended Style Guide on this page , or download Instaread from your App Store to get a better feel for the app.

16. NetGalley

If you’ve dreamt about becoming an influencer in the book reviewing community, you may want to give NetGalley a look. Put simply, NetGalley is a service that connects book reviewers to publishers and authors. Librarians, bloggers, booksellers, media professionals, and educators can all sign up to NetGalley to read books before they’re published.

How it works is pretty simple. Publishers put digital review copies out on NetGalley for perusal, where NetGalley’s members can request to read, review, and recommend them. It’s a win-win for both publisher and reviewer: the publisher is able to find enthusiastic readers to provide an honest review for their books, and the reviewer gets access to a vast catalog of books.

The cherry on top is that NetGalley membership is 100% free! Simply use this form to sign up. And if you’d like more information, you can dip into their FAQ here .

17. getAbstract

Are you an avid reader of nonfiction books? getAbstract is a site that summarizes 18,000+ nonfiction books into 10-minute bites. Their Career Opportunities page often includes listings for writers. At the time of this post’s writing, getAbstract is looking for science and technology writers who can sum up the latest magazine articles and books. They pay on a freelance basis, so apply through their website to get further details.

18. Writerful Books

💸 Pay: $10 to $50

Writerful Books is an author services company that provides everything from beta reading to (you guessed it) book reviewing. As such, they’re always on the lookout for book reviewers with fresh and compelling voices.  

One of the benefits of this gig is that you can review any book that you want for them (although they prefer contemporary award-winning American, Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, and New Zealand authors). Getting a regularly paid gig with Writerful Books isn’t a guarantee, but if you regularly publish quality reviews for them, they may contact you. 

To apply, you’ll have to be able to provide previous book review samples. Here’s the job listing if you’re curious to learn more about this role.

If you're an avid reader,  sign up to Reedsy Discovery  for access to the freshest new reads — or  apply as a reviewer  to give us  your  hot takes!

Continue reading

More posts from across the blog.

45 Best History Books of All Time

If the mere mention of ‘history books’ is enough to conjure up memories of fighting back yawns in your middle school classroom, then chances are you haven’t been looking in the right places. But fear not — this list is here to bring you some of the most well-researched, entert...

50 Best Self-Help Books of All Time

Want to better yourself, but don't know where to start? Our list of 50 titles is sure to give you the guiding hand you need to start improving your life today.

The 75 Best Manga of All Time

From fantasy adventure to autobiographical comics to historical fiction to, yes, superheroes and monsters, this list of the best manga has stories for readers of every genre and age.

Heard about Reedsy Discovery?

Trust real people, not robots, to give you book recommendations.

Or sign up with an

Or sign up with your social account

• Submit your book
• Reviewer directory

Want to be a book reviewer?

Review new books and start building your portfolio.

Get Paid to Review Books: 5 Book Review Jobs Sites That Pay Reviewers

• Views: 15,454
• Leave a comment

Writing book reviews is one of the best ways to get paid to read books online.

As a book reviewer, you’re tasked with reading and reviewing books, which in return can earn you a paycheck.

This blog post will show you five of the top-paying book review sites where you can submit your pitches and get hired for book review jobs.

To review books effectively, having a good education is important. EduBirdie can help you improve your skills and knowledge, making you better at reviewing books.

Book review jobs sites that pay reviewers

So, if you want to get paid to review books online , here is a list of five websites that you can explore to find book review jobs:

1) The US Review of Books

The US Review of Books has fair terms for reviewers, and the pay is usually between $25 and $75. To be accepted you’ll need to submit your resume, samples, and references. You’ll also be asked to do a sample review.

The site doesn’t have tough guidelines, the reviews can be half summary, half commentary. Most of the reviews requested will be around 300 words and you can expect to earn $25 for each. For longer reviews that are around $600 the pay can be as high as $75

The first review you will do will be treated as an application and you are compensated nonetheless, whether you’re hired eventually or not.

The pay might not seem much especially when you factor in the hours it will take you to read a book. However, if you are a faster reader, you can easily lock in $250-$750 doing 10 reviews a month.

Another added benefit of writing reviews for The US Review of Books is that you will be listed in its directory of reviewers that you can use as social proof and also get a backlink to your site.

The site pays via PayPal. US Review of Books encourages readers and authors alike to visit their website.

2) Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews isn’t transparent with their rates but some people claim that it’s usually $50 per review.

The media company has been in existence since 1933, so it is a legitimate company. That said, the reviews from Glassdoor seem to suggest that the editors will ask you to change your review if it’s negative, thus interfering with your work ethics as a book reviewer.

The reviews are around 350 words long with 2 weeks turnaround time. If you still want to apply, simply head over to this page and contact an editor.

3) OnlineBookClub

Though a popular book review website, many people do not recommend OnlineBookClub because of its tough and demanding guidelines with extremely low pay.

While they claim to pay up to $60 per review, most reviewers earn their lowest rates, which is actually $5 per review.

Reviews are easily rejected and can affect your review score. When you join, your score will be below 35, meaning that you will be bagging home $0 per review as they only begin to pay beyond the 35-point mark.

There are no clear guidelines on improving your score apart from the fact that you will have to engage in a forum and give shoutouts on social media. The editors aren’t as responsive either.

4) Booklist Publications

Booklist Publications is a book review website whose pay is not as appealing. Booklist pays $15 per review and only upon publication. This means that even if your review is accepted, you might have to wait a while

For published reviews, you will get one line credit and you can also be listed as a reviewer on their directory page.

To get started, you will need to fill in an application form answering basic questions and if you are fit the team will get back to you.

5) Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books is a publication of Wellesley Centers for Women, a part of Wellesley College, and reportedly pays $100 per review.

The publication specifically reviews books about women or written by women.

They expect their reviewers to have journalistic, academic, or strong book review backgrounds.

So if you believe that you can develop thought-provoking reviews you can start pitching your idea to them.

They pay on a review basis. To get started, send in a review pitch proposal about the book you want to review, its publication date, and your angle to the editors. You can find contact details on this page.

You will be paid upon review publication and you also get 12 months of subscription to their monthly issues.

You can also find more writing guidelines in this document . Make sure you adhere to them when writing the reviews.

Ready to begin your book reviewer job?

Book reviewing is a lucrative yet demanding career.

However, if it’s something you love doing and have a passion for writing, then book reviewing can be another source of income for you.

If this isn’t the case, I would advise you to look for other ways to earn money online such as freelance services, info products, or affiliate marketing.

No products found.

Last update on 2024-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Guestposting on The PennyMatters has since been discontinued. Do not contact us on the same.

• Make Money Online
• February 21, 2024

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts selected for you...

How to make money online as an artist in 17 different ways, how to make $50 fast daily in 2024 (19 proven ways), 1000+ instagram categories updated list of 2024, how to make $1000 fast (21 proven ways), is cardcash legit … and should you use it, 13 best apps for odd jobs to make $100 weekly in 2024.

• Writing Jobs
• Short Tasks
• Academic Jobs
• Affiliate Marketing
• Online Selling
• News & Tips

How to Make Money Writing Book Reviews: 9 Websites that Pay

• by Michelle
• November 1, 2020

As an avid reader, you may be thinking of how to use your hobby and passion for books to make money. You can use your critiquing skills to make money writing book reviews that can help other readers get a detailed insight into a book. You don’t have to be a professional writer to earn money with your passion for books.

There are many opportunities available for freelance reviewers to earn a side income while doing the thing they love. There’s a whole new marketplace for book readers and writers. You can easily turn your hobby into a profession in a matter of clicks.

List of websites that Pay for writing Book Reviews

Online book club.

Online Book Club is a free reading site that has been on the internet for over 10 years. It has a large reading community from all over the world. This platform is also a great opportunity for reviewers to earn some side income.

For your first review, the Online Book Club will give you a book to review for free after which you will be able to get a reviewing opportunity with a small fee. As a reviewer, you have to write a professional review that covers all aspects of the book, including mentioning the right audience for the book. You are not expected to only write a positive review. Remember, if you don’t like the book, you can mention that in the review and then rate it accordingly.

Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine that has gained a good reputation for its quality reviews. It is a great place for book reviewers to publish their content on an authentic and respectable forum.

Currently, Kirkus media is looking for book reviewers who can write professional reviews on English and Spanish books for Kirkus Indie, which is a section for self-published books.

Reviews should be 350 words long and due two weeks after the book is assigned. There are no charges for the books, they are completely free. You can write reviews for both print media and soft media books as well as paperbacks.

The US Review

The US book review is a popular book review publication that is known for its quality reviews. The online publication offers the opportunity for freelance writers to earn by writing book reviews for unpublished books. If you want to apply for this job, you can send your resume, along with writing samples and two professional recommendations either through email or regular mail.

The US Review website lists the books for reviews. From there reviewers can select the books to review by mentioning their preferences on the list. The books are then assigned in order of reviewer request. Once the book is sent, you are expected to write a review in 2-3 weeks.

New Pages is a site that provides online news, information, and guides to literary magazines. The website offers the opportunity for freelance writers to earn by writing flash reviews. You only have to write 100-200 words, although you can write up to the limit of 300 words. Reviewers can give their honest opinions on any of the latest books, magazines, or individual writings they have read recently.

Booklist Online

Booklist is an American journal that publishes book reviews and has helped thousands of librarians in selecting the right books. The company has other products such as Booklist magazine and Booklist reader. They offer opportunities to write book reviews for Booklist magazine and Booklist reader.

Your review should follow the guidelines provided by them. Reviews are generally around 175 words, however, if the book is an outstanding one, you may write a review of up to 200 to 225 words. Once you send in your submission to Booklist, it will be reviewed and if accepted, it will be edited by the editors before being published.

Writerful Books

Writerful Books is an editorial company that assists authors in securing a publishing deal through book editing and manuscript assessments.

Currently, the company is offering freelance job opportunities for book reviewers. They are recruiting a panel of experts to review contemporary books from American, Australian, British, Irish, Canadian, and New Zealand authors. Once you become a trusted reviewer at Writerful books, you can get an offer for earning opportunity.

Reedsy is a website that has everything about books and writing. It publishes book reviews of many unpublished books and you can become a part of this thriving community. Hundreds of authors submit their books for reviewing. Not only you will get a chance to write reviews but also get those books for free.

Reedsy doesn’t directly pay reviewers for their work. Reviewers get paid by the readers who are reading your book reviews and enjoying them.

Get Abstract

Get Abstract is a website that provides summaries for all kinds of books. It offers summaries on a variety of books including academic books and journals. The website is offering opportunities for reviewers to join their teams in Switzerland and the US. To be a part of this team, you can send your resume to the email listed on their website.

Book Browse

Book Browse is a website that publishes reviews of some of the best books out in the reading world. They also publish reviews for adult fiction and nonfiction as well as books for young adults. As a freelancer, you can apply for the reviewer position at Book Browse and become a part of their community.

You can write a review on monthly basis and get a small payment for it. As an expert in the USA, you can get a paperback for review. But if you reside outside of the USA, you can get an ebook to review.

As a book lover there are other kinds of earning opportunities available as well. For instance, you can sell your old books online and make money from that!

LIKED IT? Subscribe and Get instant Email updates about our new Guides

Email Address

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from WebEmployed

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Free printable Mother's Day questionnaire 💐!

How To Get Paid To Read Books (Plus 5 Legit Companies That Pay for Reviews)

Turn the dream into reality!

If you’ve ever dreamed of a world where someone would pay you to read books, we’ve got good news! There are multiple ways to get paid to read books, whether you make a career out of it or just do it to pick up some extra cash. In fact, these options can be the perfect choice for teachers looking to change careers or those who need to make a little money on the side . Here’s how to live the dream.

Can you really get paid to read books?

Short answer: Yes, you can! Longer answer: You can make money, but you may not be able to make a living. If you’re looking to get paid to read books as a career, you’ll probably need to pursue jobs in publishing, which can be hard to come by. Expect to earn a related degree and work your way up from the very bottom. Penguin Random House has much more information about how to get into publishing here.

It’s much easier to get paid to read books if you’re willing to do some smaller jobs instead. Many companies will pay you to write book reviews, though only small amounts at first. Plus, there are other gigs, like audiobook narrator or book translator, which you might be able to pick up on an as-needed basis.

One note: Many people dream of becoming librarians because they can’t imagine anything better than spending their days surrounded by books. And while there are many rewards to becoming a librarian, getting paid to read isn’t usually one of them. This varies, of course, depending on your position. But in general, how much time does the average librarian spend reading on the job?

“The answer is zero,” shares one former librarian. “Unless you count reading spine labels as you’re shelving.” So if you’re looking to make money just for reading, take a look at one of the jobs below instead.

What types of jobs are available for avid readers?

Lorenzo Cafaro via Pixabay

Whether you’re looking for a career or a side gig, here’s what you’ll want to know about some of the most common reading jobs.

Book Reviewer

Pay range: $5–$50 per review for beginners

This is one of the easiest ways to get paid to read books. There are a variety of companies that will pay you for your thoughtful reviews, though the per-job pay isn’t amazing. If you’re a prolific reader, though, this can be a nice way to pick up some extra money regularly. Check out our list of companies that pay for reviews below.

If you’re an accomplished reviewer, you might consider pitching your reviews to bigger outlets, like newspapers, magazines, or websites. You could receive hundreds of dollars for your reviews—if they’re published. Learn how to pitch an article to a magazine here.

Publishing Acquisitions Editor

Pay range: $47,000–$85,000 per year

Not all jobs in publishing actually require a lot of reading, but acquisitions editors definitely spend their days turning pages. Their main job is to read manuscripts from authors (solicited or unsolicited) and make recommendations about which of them to publish. These jobs aren’t necessarily glamorous, but they’re a bookworm’s dream. And as you might imagine, they can be very hard to land. Find out more about becoming an acquisitions editor here.

Publishing Copy Editor/Proofreader

Pay range: $41,000–$96,000 per year

If you’ve got an eye for detail, these could be the jobs for you. Copy editors work with a book while it’s still in progress, reviewing for consistency, errors, continuity, factuality, and legal liability. They help authors make changes as needed throughout the editing process.

Proofreaders review a final copy of a manuscript before it goes to press. A proofreader compares the edited manuscript with the proof copy, word for word. They catch any last spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, and fix any awkward word or page breaks. Discover the differences between copy editors and proofreaders here .

Audiobook Narrator

Pay range: $10–$500 per finished hour

Audiobooks are very popular, and those with strong voice-acting skills can make good money by recording them. Some narrators even do their own recording, editing, and more. For fiction books, the process often involves multiple narrators, with a regular audition process. You may work at home if you have the right equipment, or you may need to come into a recording studio.

Note that audiobook narrators are usually paid per “finished hour,” which refers to the length of the audio files you record. For an 18-hour audiobook, you may spend double that or more in preparation, rehearsal, and recording, so figure your salary accordingly. Want to get started working in audiobook narration? Look into ACX, Audible’s audiobook creation marketplace.

Literary Translator

Pay range: $22,000–$100,000 per year

Many books are translated into multiple languages and sold around the globe. If you’ve got strong world language skills, you could make money by translating those books for publishers or authors.

This job involves more than just word-for-word translation, since many words and phrases don’t have direct cognates. Translators have to use their knowledge of language to ensure the translated book retains the same tone as the original, making it a real art form. See tips on becoming a literary translator here.

Companies That Pay You to Read and Review Books

Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

You won’t make a bundle writing book reviews for any of these companies, but it can be a steady way to earn some much-needed extra cash. Some require experience and an application process, while others are easier to get in on. Here are the details.

Pay rate: Not specified

BookBrowse asks that applicants have some experience in writing the types of reviews they’re looking for. Their website says reviewers write about one review a month for “a byline and modest payment.” See if BookBrowse is a good fit for you here.

Pay rate: $15 per review (~150 words)

Libraries depend on publications like Booklist to help them choose new additions to their shelves. The pay is low, but the reviews are also quite short and you’ll receive a byline credit. Learn more about writing for Booklist here.

Kirkus Reviews

Pay rate: $50 per review (~350 words)

Kirkus hires reviewers for Kirkus Indie, the book review magazine’s section dedicated to self-published authors. If you’re interested, find out more here.

Online Book Club

Pay rate: $5–$60 per review

For the first review, OnlineBookClub.org gives you the book for free. After that, you’re eligible for paid opportunities (which also include free books). Learn how the process works and apply to be a reviewer here.

Publishers Weekly

Pay rate: $25 per review (~200 words)

This publishing powerhouse looks for reviewers who can handle books across a wide array of subjects, from cookbooks to psychology, romance to sci-fi. Submit an application via their website to be considered for review gigs.

Do you know of other ways to get paid to read books? Come share your thoughts and ask for advice in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, 38 companies that hire former teachers in 2023 ..

You Might Also Like

55 Flexible and Lucrative Side Jobs for Teachers Who Want To Make Extra Money

Because we can all use some extra cash now and then. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

The 18 best ways to make money by reading, from submitting book reviews for cash to narrating audiobooks

• Zulie Rane earns six figures as a freelance content creator.
• She always wanted to earn money from reading books, but said the best way to do that doesn't exist.
• Rane said one of the funnest ways to make money by reading books is to create a social media page.

When I was younger, it was always my dream to become a professional reader. I wanted my entire day job to be reading books, thinking critically about what was good, what was bad, and what I would change, and then sharing my thoughts with other people. I really expected this to be a full-time job.

Unfortunately, there's no book-reading degree. You can't get a nine-to-five job as a professional book reader. (At least not yet.) But it is possible to make money by reading books online and offline. I've got 18 ways listed right here. Some of these are pretty typical, and some of these are a little more unconventional, but all of these will result in you earning money from reading books. 

I've separated these into four different categories of ways to make money from reading books: social media, jobs, review sites, and others. 

Make money reading books for social media

One of the most standard and fun ways to make money by reading books is to create a social media profile where you gain a reputation for reading books, having interesting thoughts, and influencing others to read or not read particular books.

All you need to get started is a way to post. You don't even need to buy books at first – use a library card or a Hoopla account to read books for free.

Here are a few of the best ways to make money by reading books using social media.

1. Post your video thoughts on BookTok (and BookTube, and BookStagram)

TikTok gets a bad rap, but it's actually boosting literacy rates in America. I personally have read plenty of BookTok books that I loved, including The Hating Game, anything by Emily Henry, and The Song of Achilles, to name a few. 

The good news is that BookTok is one of the best ways to make money by reading books. 

Here's how it works. This process is similar to any of the video-format book reviews.

First, create an account. Make it clear that it's about book reviews. Explain what genre of books you like.

Then, start reviewing books. This requires a bit of thought - how can you make your videos stand out? How can you gain a reputation as a thoughtful, trustworthy Bookfluencer? 

After that, join the creator fund whenever you're eligible. In 2021, Cait Jacobs went on the record to state that TikTok's creator fund only nets you 2 to 4 cents per 1,000 views, so you'd need between 25,000 to 50,000 views to earn just a dollar. 

However, sponsorships are also a lucrative and potential source of income.

Create the video once, then cross-post it on all three video channels to get the most bang for your buck. It may take some time, but you can earn money by reading books this way.

2. Write your review on a blog to earn money by reading books

What better way to make money by reading than penning an homage to the book with the written word? Blogs are a great way to make money by reading books. It's a less demanding schedule than video content, so you can post once or twice a week as you read and review books, and slowly gain an audience that way.

Whack ads on that bad boy and you're good to go. It may take a while to start gaining traction, but if you truly love books, you're reading them anyway, just post your reviews on your own website instead of (or in addition to) Goodreads.

3. Post about books on Medium

Medium has a royalty payment scheme. The way it works is when a paying Medium member reads your post, you earn a small portion of their monthly membership fee. More views = more money.

Post your book reviews on a publication like Books Are Our Superpower and make money by reading books that way.

This is a really great way to do it because it's simple. You don't need to do any SEO to get money from ad views. You don't even need to host your own website. Just post your thoughts, get 100 followers, and start making money by reading books and posting your thoughts.

4. Podcast it, baby

Podcasts work similarly to BookTok or Bookstagram to make money by reading books, except instead of recording both voice and face, it's just your voice.

Grab a cohost or DIY. Share your latest thoughts on the books you read. Earn money through sponsorships.

Right now, most podcasts don't earn money through anything by ads, but if your podcast grows bigger, you can leverage your audience to get Patreon support, sell bonus content, or get some kind of exclusive deal with a podcasting company.

5. Use affiliate links

Affiliate links kind of pervade all these methods, but they're big enough that I'm giving them their own category as one of the best ways to make money by reading books.

Here's how you can make money reading books by using affiliate links.

First, join an affiliate program like Bookshop.org (my personal fave). 

Then, read a book.

Find the book on Bookshop.org.

Make a recommendation to a friend, on your blog, podcast, social media post, or newsletter.

When someone buys that book thanks to your recommendation, you earn 10% of the sale. 

That's it! It's highly scalable – you can make a few bucks right away with just a single sale, and then as your platform grows, you'll earn more and more. 

Freelance or jobs

What if you don't want to get a whole new social media profile? What if you want to be paid today, not in three months when the first ad revenue trickles in, or your first sponsor comes through?

Consider a career pivot or a side hustle. Freelance gigs or actual jobs are some of the best ways to make money by reading books. Pros: money right away. Cons: not as much control over the books you read.

Here are your options. I've included both full-time, 9-5 career options as well as more casual pay-as-you-go gigs to make money by reading books.

6. Narrate audiobooks

Who amongst us has never heard the dulcet tones of an audiobook reader? Nobody. (My personal fave? Moira Quirk's rendition of  Gideon the Ninth .)

The good news is that if you're in possession of a dulcet tone of your own, you are in high demand as an audiobook narrator. You can make money reading books aloud. Fun fact: Audiobooks are becoming more and more popular. Over the last 10 years, the proportion of U.S. adults who have read an audiobook has doubled . No wonder you can get paid to read books for Audible.

Here are two programs where you can upload a few samples, get contracts, and get paid for reading books (or narrating them). 

With ACX , which is Amazon's/Audible's program, you can choose a royalty share or a per-finished-hour rate. Rates typically go for around $250 PFH or more. Amazon – read books for money.

Findaway Voices is a similar program. The rates are similar. You can sign up, upload samples, and get picked based on your accent or liveliness. One thing I prefer about Findaway Voices versus ACX is that FV helps authors get books into libraries. Not only do I love libraries, but this also helps you get extra money. 

I recommend you do both.

7. Indulge your grammar nerd and become an editor

This is both a career option and a freelance option. Depending on how much education you have, you can either apply for full-time editing jobs or just post your gig on a platform like Upwork or Fiverr.

(I've talked about whether Fiverr is good for beginners here if you want to read more.)

Related stories

Editing can be both grammatical pickups, but also more structural or developmental editing. This is a great way to get paid to read books because it'll actually strengthen your craft, too.

8. Become a literary agent

This is a career option. It's a very romantic way to make money by reading books if you ask me. It's your job to pick out the finest, overlooked manuscripts, read them, and make them shine. Behind every single one of your favorite books is a literary agent who believed in it long before you did.

If you don't have the right qualifications, I recommend you start with an internship. Start networking heavily, because your job is knowing the right people. Understand the publishing process inside and out. Then get paid for reading books, even if they're unpublished. 

TCK Publishing has a good guide on how to get started. 

9. Translate books

Know more than one language? Amazing news – you can get paid to read books in English, Spanish, or any other language and translating them. I love reading books in Spanish, German, and English, so I'm very grateful to the translators who help share works in other languages with me. 

Alternatively, you can also proofread books in another language. Places like FlexJobs , Fiverr , Upwork , Babelcube , and Ulatus are good places to look for these kinds of jobs. 

This can be a career or just a gig, depending on your passion for the job. 

10. Proofread books

This can be a full-time career, but more commonly it's a side hustle. I think it's one of the best ways to make money reading books because, by the time a proofreader comes aboard, the book is typically more polished and ready for publishing. Editors have to deal with the raw material, but proofreaders are just looking for small errors. 

You need a critical eye and an active grammar checker in your head at all times, but it's possible to make money reading books this way. 

11. Design book covers

This one's a curveball! Do you have good design instincts? Maybe you're even a graphic designer? Then this is one of the best ways to make money by reading books for you.

You'll get to read books, think about how you'd convey the main vibe, design a book cover, and get paid.

You can go in both directions here – either go freelance or apply for in-house jobs as a book cover designer. Either will result in a great way to make money by reading books.

Again, this is later on in the process so you'll get to read an almost ready-for-publish book. I also consider this to be a big deal for the author. Your cover will be one of the most influential factors in the book's success.

Submit reviews

Onto method three: submitting reviews for cash. This is probably the simplest method since it involves just three steps: you read a book, you pen your thoughts, and you submit to one of the five platforms I'm about to suggest to you. Boom, you've made money by reading books. This is probably the fastest way to get paid $200 to read books.

You probably already know typical places like Kirkus Reviews pay for reading books, so here are five more unheard-of five platforms I think are best to make money by reading books. 

12. Booklist

Can you write 150 to 175 words about why you liked or didn't like a book? You need to be able to describe the plot and suggest an ideal audience. If so, Booklist may be for you. Here are some examples.

These pay $15 each. You don't need a library degree, just a familiarity with books and libraries to apply.

13. The US Review of Books

This is more of a freelance position that you can tackle later on in your career as a paid book reader. You'll need to contact the editor with a resume, sample work, and at least two professional references. 

They ask that your review be 250-300 words long, with a summary as well as additional insights from the book. Check out examples here . The reviews are paid, but they don't say exactly how much.

Reedsy operates a little differently. Rather than paying you for reviews, you get paid for reading books when you earn a tip. Basically, you write a review, post it on the site, and wait. If a reader loves your review, they may tip you $1, $3, or $5. 

15. Bookbrowse

Bookbrowse is another great place to submit reviews. They promise a "modest payment," and normally assign one review per month to their reviewers. They also ask that you come armed to your application having read some sample reviews and with a few quality samples of at least 300 words yourself. 

16. Online Book Club

For your first review, you won't actually earn any cash – you'll just be sent a free book. Not so bad, right? 

But after your first sample book, you'll be eligible for paid book review opportunities. You can earn anywhere between $5 to $60 per book review. 

You don't have to apply – just enter your email address and sign up. I was able to sign up and nab a free book within about a minute. After that, you have to confirm the download within an hour and submit a review within 14 days. 

Miscellaneous ways of making money by reading books

These two are still great, but they didn't fit neatly into the other categories of the best ways to make money by reading books. Hence, they get their own category.

17. Create a paid book club

For this one, you just need friends (or a social circle). Pick a book, create some buzz, request a small payment for organizing, and set up a book club.

I pay $5/month for membership to my local book club, and I consider it money well spent. Once a month, I get an evening with pals, talking about a book. I didn't have to organize it at all. The organizer, Alice, earns between $25-75 a month depending on how many folks come.

This won't make you rich, but it is a great way to make money reading books because you'll get to read books you actually love and are excited to read. Plus, you get to hang out with friends.

18. Join apps that pay you to read

Booksta claims to let you "get paid to read." Sounds promising! This was the only "read and earn money" app I could find. 

The way it works is you read a book, take a quiz on Booksta, and then earn Booksta coins based on your score. 

Booksta coins are valued at $5/coin. There's some confusion on the site about whether the coin is actually transferable to real USD, or whether it's simply a guess for what that coin will be worth once it's all "on a Blockchain platform as a currency."  

I'm leery whenever I see the word "Blockchain," but don't let my suspicions hold you back!

The best way to make money by reading books doesn't exist yet

In my dreams, there is a future utopia. In that future, I read the books I want comfortably, and earn a living wage by doing so. However, we are not yet in that utopia. Today, the main best ways to make money by reading books are:

Posting content on social media

Getting freelance gigs editing, designing, or proofreading

Submitting reviews to paid platforms

A few other rogue options like starting a paid book club or trying out novelty apps

Maybe one day my utopia will exist. Until then, I hope this article helps you find the best ways to make money by reading books.

Zulie Rane is a freelance content creator who writes and blogs.

• Main content

How to Make Money as a Book Reviewer: A Beginner’s Guide

• Post author: Michael Diasz Kirindage
• Post last modified: October 10, 2023
• Post category: Make Money

If you love reading books and sharing your opinions, you might be interested in learning how to make money as a book reviewer.

Book reviewers are people who read books and write their honest feedback, analysis, and recommendations. They can work for publishers, magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, or even create their own platforms.

Book reviewers can earn money by getting paid for their reviews, receiving free books from authors or publishers, or monetizing their own websites or blogs.

But how do you become a book reviewer? What are the best platforms to find book review opportunities? How do you write engaging and informative book reviews that attract readers and clients? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We will show you how to make money as a book reviewer in 9 easy steps.

Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Audience

To kickstart your journey as a book reviewer, let’s begin with something fun and essential – discovering your niche and audience.

First, think about the books that truly light up your world. What genres, topics, or styles do you find yourself drawn to? Those are the ones you’ll want to explore as a reviewer.

Next up, ponder who would be as enthusiastic about your reviews as you are about the books. Who are your potential readers? Knowing this will guide you to the perfect platforms and opportunities.

For instance, if you’re head over heels for romance novels, consider platforms like romance-focused blogs, magazines, or podcasts. Your reviews could be like heartfelt chats with friends, sprinkled with your personal touch.

On the flip side, if nonfiction is your cup of tea—be it history, biography, or self-help—aim for platforms like academic journals, newspapers, or online courses. Here, a more formal and objective tone, along with some facts and quotes, would shine.

By identifying your niche and audience, you’re laying the foundation for a delightful reviewing adventure. So, get ready to share your bookish passions and insights with the world!

Step 2: Read Widely and Critically

First things first, let’s talk about reading widely. This means diving into a diverse sea of books, authors, and genres. Don’t limit yourself! Explore the vast literary world out there.

But it doesn’t stop there. You also need to read critically. This means taking a closer look at the books you pick up and forming your own unique opinions about them.

Why is this so crucial, you ask? Well, reading widely and critically is like a gym workout for your reviewing abilities. You’ll learn to compare and contrast different books, spot their strengths and weaknesses, and judge their overall quality and impact.

And guess what? It’s not just about getting better at reviewing; it’s also about finding your own voice and style as a reviewer. Your fresh perspective will offer readers something truly special.

To nail this step, here are some tips:

• Read books that align with your niche and target audience, but don’t be afraid to venture beyond your comfort zone.
• Mix it up! Dive into both the latest bestsellers and timeless classics.
• Balance your reading list with well-loved, acclaimed books and those that stir up debate or fly under the radar.
• Approach your reading with an open heart and mind, but also put on your detective hat when needed.
• Sometimes, read purely for enjoyment, and other times, read with a magnifying glass in hand for deep analysis.

Step 3: Write Regularly and Practice

Here’s the deal: Consistency is key. You want to produce book reviews on a regular basis. This builds up your portfolio and your reputation as a reviewer.

But don’t just stop there! Writing practice is your trusty sidekick. It’s how you sharpen your writing skills through feedback and revision.

So, why is this step so crucial? Well, it’s your chance to shine and show the world what you’re made of! You can proudly display your work to potential clients and readers, proving your abilities and expertise. And guess what? Your writing style and tone will only get better, as will your clarity and creativity.

Here are some tips to master this step:

• Review every book you read, even if you don’t plan to publish your thoughts.
• Mix it up! Try different formats and lengths for your reviews, from blog posts and articles to essays and even tweets.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with various styles and tones. Go from formal to informal, positive to critical, descriptive to analytical—it’s all fair game.
• Tailor your reviews to different audiences and purposes. Whether it’s an academic crowd or the general public, your writing should hit the mark.
• Give your reviews structure, like an intro, a summary, analysis, evaluation, and a sweet conclusion.
• Lastly, get some friendly input! Seek feedback and revision help from friends, family, mentors, or editors. They can provide valuable insights.

Step 4: Create a Blog or Website

Your blog or website is your online stage, where you can publish your book reviews and showcase your fantastic work.

But why is this so crucial, you ask? Well, it’s your ticket to establishing your presence and brand as a book reviewer in the digital realm. You’ll have the freedom to customize it to fit your unique niche and audience. Plus, you can interact with your readers through comments and social media, building a vibrant community.

Here are some tips to kickstart your blog or website:

• Begin by picking a domain name and hosting service that align with your niche and audience. Make it memorable and relevant.
• Choose a theme and design that’s not just appealing but also professional. First impressions matter!
• Opt for a content management system or platform that’s user-friendly and convenient. You want to focus on reviewing books, not wrestling with technology.
• Your niche and audience should be specific and targeted. Know exactly who you’re speaking to, and tailor your content accordingly.
• When it comes to names and logos, go for catchy and memorable. You want people to remember you in a heartbeat.

Step 5: Join Book Review Platforms and Communities

This step is like joining a club where you can find incredible book review opportunities and even get paid for your passion.

Why is this so crucial, you might wonder? Well, these platforms and communities open up a world of possibilities. You’ll have access to a diverse range of books, genres, and clients. Plus, you’ll be able to connect with fellow book reviewers, learning from their experiences and gaining valuable support and advice.

Here’s your roadmap:

• Start by doing some research. Look into different book review platforms and communities like Reedsy Discovery , Kirkus Reviews , Online Book Club , NetGalley , Goodreads , and more. Compare what they offer.
• Once you’ve identified the platforms and communities that align with your niche and audience, go ahead and register. Create a profile that showcases your unique style and expertise. Follow their guidelines and rules diligently. It’s all about playing by the book (pun intended)!
• Keep an eye out for book review opportunities that match your interests and skills.
• Don’t just be a passive member. Engage in book review discussions and activities. This is where you can grow your knowledge and refine your reviewing skills.

Step 6: Write Engaging and Informative Book Reviews

This step is where the real magic happens. Engaging reviews capture readers’ attention and hold it, while informative ones provide the valuable information they seek.

Why is this step so crucial, you wonder? Well, it’s all about satisfying your readers and clients. Your goal is to deliver top-notch book reviews that meet their expectations and provide them with the insights they crave. Plus, it’s your chance to solidify your credibility and authority as a book reviewer.

Here’s your roadmap to success:

• Start with a catchy title that sums up your main point or opinion about the book. It’s like the headline of a great story.
• Craft an enticing introduction that grabs your readers’ attention. You can use a question, a quote, a statistic, or an anecdote to hook them in. Think of it as your literary bait.
• Provide a concise summary that offers an overview of the book’s key elements like plot, characters, setting, and themes. Think of it as the appetizer before the main course.
• Dive into a critical analysis where you evaluate the book’s strengths and weaknesses, such as writing style, literary devices, originality, and accuracy. This is the meat of your review.
• Share your personal evaluation. Express your likes and dislikes, give recommendations, and offer a rating if you wish. This is where your unique voice shines.
• Wrap it up with a compelling conclusion that summarizes your main points or opinion about the book. Think of it as the grand finale.
• Always maintain clarity and coherence in your writing, following the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You’re crafting a masterpiece, after all.

Step 7: Promote Your Book Reviews

You’re making fantastic progress on your journey to becoming a standout book reviewer! Now, let’s tackle the seventh step: promoting your book reviews.

Promotion is the secret sauce that helps you reach more readers and clients, grow your audience, and boost your income as a book reviewer. It’s all about getting the word out there and increasing your visibility and recognition.

So, here’s your roadmap to successful promotion:

• Embrace the power of social media. Share your book reviews on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. These are like megaphones for your work.
• Join online forums or groups relevant to your niche. Places like Reddit , Quora , and Goodreads can be gold mines for engaging with potential readers and clients.
• Collaborate with other content creators. Share your reviews on email newsletters or podcasts that align with your niche or audience. It’s a win-win for exposure.
• Don’t forget the authors and publishers of the books you review. Reach out to them and share your reviews. They might appreciate your insights and help spread the word.
• Connect with fellow bloggers or websites in your niche or audience. Cross-promotion can introduce your reviews to new audiences.

Step 8: Monetize Your Book Reviews

Monetization is where your passion meets your paycheck. It’s all about earning money from your hard work and diversifying your income sources as a book reviewer.

Why is this step so crucial? Well, it’s your chance to turn your love for books into a profitable venture. By monetizing your reviews, you can generate income from various sources tied to your work and increase your earning potential.

Roadmap to monetize Your Book Reviews

• Offer paid or sponsored book reviews. Charge fees to clients who want you to review and promote their books. It’s a win-win for both you and the authors.
• Explore guest or freelance reviewing opportunities. Other blogs or websites might be willing to pay for your high-quality book reviews. It’s a great way to showcase your expertise.
• Consider offering custom or personalized book reviews. Readers who have specific book requests or genres in mind might be willing to pay for your tailored insights.
• Dive into affiliate marketing. Earn commissions by promoting products or services related to the books you review. Share your recommendations and earn a slice of the pie.
• Don’t underestimate the power of reader support. Accept donations or tips from readers who appreciate and want to encourage your work. Gratitude can go a long way.

Step 9: Improve Your Book Reviews

Improvement is a lifelong journey, and it’s how you evolve and grow as a book reviewer. It’s about learning from feedback and mistakes, updating your skills, and staying at the top of your game.

Why is this step crucial? Well, it’s what sets apart great reviewers from the rest. By constantly fine-tuning your craft, you can produce high-quality book reviews that truly resonate with your readers and clients. Plus, you’ll be well-equipped to adapt to the ever-changing trends and demands of the book industry.

Here’s your roadmap to continuous improvement:

• Actively seek feedback from your readers and clients. Pay attention to comments, ratings, reviews, and testimonials. Feedback is your compass for growth.
• Respond to feedback in a gracious manner. Whether it’s a thank you, an acknowledgment, an answer, or an apology, engage with your audience. It builds trust and rapport.
• Implement the valuable feedback you receive. Be open to corrections, edits, revisions, and improvements. It’s how you refine your work.
• Learn from feedback by analyzing it, reflecting on it, and applying the lessons you’ve gained. Every comment is an opportunity to enhance your skills.
• Keep your knowledge and skills fresh. Read books, articles, blogs, listen to podcasts, and take relevant courses to stay informed and educated. Knowledge is your foundation.
• Stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving book industry. Follow news, trends, events, and innovations. Being informed keeps your reviews relevant.

Book reviewing is a fun and rewarding way to make money as a book lover. By following the 9 steps in this blog post, you can become a successful book reviewer in no time.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. Happy reading and writing!

Michael Diasz Kirindage

You might also like.

How to Make Money With AI Generated Content 2023

How to Make Money on Discord (15+ Proven Ways) 2023

How to Make Money with Amazon Affiliate Program in 2023: Definitive Guide

How to make money from a book review blog

BY READERS DIGEST

7th Jan 2022 Life

Books are wonderful. They transport us to different places, even new worlds, and there are always readers out there looking for the next big thing.

That’s why book review blogs are always in demand. Although it might not be the highest paid blogging niche, many book reviewers are still making it work. So, if you dream about starting a book blog, don’t let money hold you back.

There are many ways to monetise a blog. Some turn to affiliate marketing, others are simply content with receiving free books from publishers to review. No matter what your goals are, there are a few things to consider when starting and running a book review blog.

1 Find your niche

In the context of book blogs, niche is your genre. If you are an avid fantasy reader, it doesn’t work if you tailor your blog for crime readers and vice versa. Finding a niche and owning that niche makes it easier to market your blog. That starts with thinking about your interests. Maybe you have a broad taste and want to reflect that on your book review blog, or perhaps you are geeky about something specific, like horror or classic science fiction? Once you know what books you will be writing about, you can get started with a great business name . Something that encapsulates your blog.

2 Develop a strong brand

Another aspect, which is closely linked to your niche, is branding. You might think that is only for companies and advertisers, but writers need branding too. It’s your way of showing your readers who you are and what you stand for. Good branding evokes feelings and sets expectations. It gives people an immediate sense of what’s on offer when visiting your blog. Finding a motivational podcast can be a great source of inspiration when you develop your brand, as it’s good to learn from others.

3 Write authoritative content in a unique voice

Being a real voice within a field requires knowledge, passion and grit. Get into the habit of following the latest news about people’s reading habits, trends and new releases. This starts with being curious. Get to know what readers turned to in the pandemic , or how the book industry is faring overall. All this is useful knowledge if you are to write blog posts on a regular basis. Reach out to other bloggers, publishers and writers to make connections and, in time, you will be flooded with free books.

4 Advertising and affiliate marketing

Making money from a blog requires a large readership. Once you have that, it’s easier to find sources of income, especially within advertising. One of the simplest ways to make money from a website or blog is to place pay-per-click ads on your site. This could for example be in one of your blog posts. Others choose pop-up ads or product reviews. For a book reviewer it makes sense to focus on book-related products. While this can be smaller companies, it can also be affiliate links to Amazon. It all depends on how much money you hope to make.

Get Paid To Write Reviews: 14 Top Sites

Get paid to write reviews by reading our guide with all the top sites for you to check out. Earn money and home and increase your skills today!

Before you purchase products or download apps, do you read the reviews? Most consumers do. A study published by Qualtrics showed that 93 percent of customers read online reviews before buying a product. Product reviews are important to people’s purchasing decisions, and review sites are everywhere.

Companies know that they will make more money if their products have positive reviews, so they’re willing to pay people to write product reviews for money. If you are wondering how to get paid to write reviews and blog articles, try applying to these sites for review writing jobs .

1. Writers Work

2. get paid to write reviews for amazon, 3. get reviewed, 4. crowdtap, 6. listverse, 7. capterra, 8. usertesting, 9. gartner peer insights, 10. harris poll online, 11. g2 crowd, 12. review stream, 13. inboxdollars, 14. swagbucks, final word on where to get paid to write reviews, is it illegal to write fake reviews, where can i write music reviews, how do you make money by giving reviews.

Writers Work connects writers with companies looking for freelancers. With thousands of jobs available, it’s an ideal place for new and experienced freelancer writers to find work. The site has built great relationships with many established companies requiring writing , from general content to blogging to copywriting and reviews; endless opportunities exist. The average earnings on the freelance site are anything from $20 – $65 per hour, making it a lucrative option for writers to get involved in.

Writers Work contains freelance writing opportunities for writers who want to start their career

Many freelancers earn commissions from Amazon by writing product reviews. Amazon pays reviewers who successfully try a product and refer it to new customers. This process is a type of influencer work called affiliate marketing, which can be used through the Amazon Associates program. Whenever a customer uses your affiliate link, you’ll receive a small commission on the sale.

For example, if you were to try a product and then post about it on your blog or social media with an affiliate link, your viewers might then buy the Amazon product, which means you earn a commission. There are many different niches for bloggers to choose from, like food, fashion, beauty, tech, and entertainment.

If you want to write product reviews for money, one of the best places to look is Get Reviewed . The website will pay you cash for sponsored reviews and blog posts. If you want to participate in this program, you need to have a self-hosted website with a strong domain authority of at least 20 or above. To elevate your domain authority, focus on a specific niche.

Then, convince others to provide links that point back to your website. This will position your site as an authority in the field.

If you want to get paid to write a review on this site, submit your blog for consideration. After your blog is accepted, you will display your blog on the marketplace. Then, advertisers can view your blog and order a product review from you. If someone places an order for a review from your website, you will receive an email notification.

Based on the email request, you can either accept or reject their review request. You also negotiate the price of your review with the client. Once you and the client agree on a deadline and rate for the job, you’ll write the review and get paid! Typically, you get paid 14 days after the article has been completed. The site pays a paid reviewer by PayPal.

If you want a fun way to review products from your phone, check out CrowdTap . You can access the program through your smartphone. Then, you can look at their “daily missions,” which products they would like you to review that day. If you review their products, you will be rewarded for leaving a high-quality review.

You get paid in a variety of ways. For example, some companies will reward you with product samples. Other companies will reward you with gift cards. You may also be given merchandise rewards you can redeem at certain brands and establishments.

This is one of the top review apps out there. There are other ways you can earn points as well. For example, you can complete daily polls, fill out surveys, and share your reviews on social media channels. You can get additional points if you share your reviews on your blog.

Another review site you may want to check out is called Ciao . This is a review site based in the UK, but it is open to the international community, including non-English speakers. They have various products listed on the website, some of which are Amazon products.

The website also has a rotating category of focus or high-authority products. These are products that they need reviews for, so they’re willing to pay extra money for writers. The payment for each review varies, but it is directly tied to the amount of traffic that a specific review generates.

You don’t have to make much money to request a payout. As long as you have a balance of five pounds or more, or about $6, you can request to be paid. It might be challenging to generate a lot of traffic with your first review, but you can make significant money online once you get a lot of practice.

If you are more of a long-form paid reviewer, check out ListVerse . This website will pay you money to make a “top 10” list. Often called “listicles,” this is an opportunity to get creative. You have a lot of control over the products you decide to review, and you can make several recommendations in a single article.

You may want to write a paragraph or two on each item before moving forward. After your list has been published, you get paid through PayPal.

Next, you may want to check out Capterra as well. If you have looked for reviews of specific products, including software programs, you have probably come across Capterra. You can also get paid to write reviews for them. Typically, you need to use the product before you write the review, which may require additional work; however, you can also get paid more for each review.

On Capterra, you get paid approximately $10 for each review that is accepted. Because they are one of the largest players in the industry, they vet all of their reviews closely to ensure they meet their requirements. You need to verify your identity using LinkedIn, and you might get asked to send screenshots of the software or product you want to review before they let you write the review. For this reason, they pay more money for each review.

If you are someone who enjoys testing websites and applications, you may want to take a look at a website called UserTesting . During the review process, you need to make a 20-minute video. Then, you’ll be paid $10 for each review you give. Try this website if you would rather talk about a product or service instead of writing about it.

If the platform can download the necessary recording software, you can record it using any device you want. This could include a desktop computer, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet. You will also need to record yourself testing the app or website in real-time. Companies will pay a lot for people who record themselves using their products or services.

Therefore, this could be one of the most lucrative ways for you to make money through product reviews.

Another website that will pay you a lot of money for each review is called Gartner. Gartner is a leading technology and software review company. The goal is to help users make educated decisions on the products they use. Even though you can only write ten reviews annually, the company pays you approximately $25 for each successful review.

Caveat: Gartner closely vets every review before it is published to ensure it provides customers with real insights into the product. The more details you can give about your experience, the greater the chance your review gets accepted. You need to know a lot before you write your first review on this platform. So, check out Gartner’s FAQ page to figure out how to take advantage of this opportunity.

You might also want to consider Harris Poll Online . They are one of the oldest research firms in the industry, and they have a sterling reputation. Most of the surveys and reviews you complete for Harris will focus on their current marketing campaigns.

For example, you might be asked to watch a series of marketing videos a company produces. Then, you’ll be asked to share your opinion. You might also be asked to recommend improving their marketing videos to better speak to someone like yourself.

Every time you complete a survey for this company, you’ll be given points to redeem for gift cards. You might also be given a bonus award if you win the raffle. You get an entry into the raffle with every survey or review you complete.

G2 Crowd is a crowdsourcing platform for reviews. The amount of money you can make on this platform can vary widely depending on what you review. The average review pays between $5 and $15, but you could earn up to $25 per review if you review specific types of software. The website has hundreds of thousands of reviews, so it is one of the most popular review websites on the internet.

Similar to other software review websites, there are strict requirements you need to follow to make sure your review is accepted. You’ll also have to verify your identity by tying your LinkedIn account to your review.

Review Stream will allow you to make money by reviewing just about every product. Furthermore, if a user likes your review, you could get paid a bonus. If you get a vote of confidence from a user, this indicates that the person found your review useful.

Even though you can write a review on just about anything, you can look at what is currently trending on social media. Generally, ReviewStream will pay more money for products and services that have become popular. Furthermore, if you write a review that matches the publishing guidelines of the platform, they might pay you more money. These reviews are also more likely to be deemed useful by users.

InboxDollars has an excellent reputation for paying users to take surveys, shop online, and read email newsletters to assess them for clarity and effectiveness. You can get paid to write product reviews and collect rewards easily on this platform.

InboxDollars partners with top research organizations that are looking for feedback and input from the public. All you need to do is sign up and give your opinions on surveys, and you’ll be paid cash when you’ve completed your task.

Swagbucks is one of the most popular loyalty and consumer rewards platforms online. It’s free to join, and members receive gift cards or cash for the everyday activities they complete online. Tasks include web searching, playing games, watching videos, and shopping online. You can also scan your receipts for cash back, making it easy to earn extra cash without completing hundreds of surveys.

If you’re interested in answering surveys and giving reviews for cash, Swagbucks also pays users to take surveys on topics like personal finance, favorite foods, vacations, and more. Swagbucks has already paid its members over 5 million dollars, solidifying it as one of the most reliable online paid review platforms.

These are some useful review sites to apply to if you want to write product reviews, book reviews, and more. Writing legit reviews is also a great way to get free products, as lots of companies will send you new products and samples to write about on a review website. You can also combine writing reviews with other proven methods that will help you get paid to write .

These sites are a good side-hustle choice before applying to the best affiliate marketing programs and publishing review content on your website.

FAQs About How to Get Paid To Write Reviews

Section 5 of the FTC Act 15 U.S. Code 45 makes fake testimonials illegal in the United States. It can also dent your customer’s trust in your business. It should be noted that a man was jailed after posting fake reviews on TripAdvisor.

Many music writers start their careers by launching their blogs. However, several magazines and websites accept freelance reviews. Two Story Melody gives a list of sites that accept music reviews.

There are several ways to make money by giving reviews, depending on the platform or industry you are involved in. Here are a few methods: 1. Sponsored reviews 2. Affiliate marketing 3. Paid survey sites 4. Blogging or YouTube channels 5. Paid review websites

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

View all posts

10 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Write Reviews (Movies, Restaurants, and More)

Our readers always come first.

The content on DollarSprout includes links to our advertising partners. When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer — whether it’s downloading an app, opening an account, or some other action — we may earn a commission from that advertiser, at no extra cost to you.

Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers. Compensation from our partners may impact what products we cover and where they appear on the site, but does not have any impact on the objectivity of our reviews or advice.

Some companies will pay their customers to leave candid feedback about their products, while others provide free product samples in exchange for reviews. If you want to make extra money, getting paid to write reviews can be a great way to do it.

• Side Hustles

Our mission at DollarSprout is to help readers improve their financial lives, and we regularly partner with companies that share that same vision. If a purchase or signup is made through one of our Partners’ links, we may receive compensation for the referral. Learn more here .

When you’re shopping online, do you look at the reviews left by other customers to determine if you’re getting a good product?

Or maybe you like leaving reviews to help future customers.

But reviews aren’t just for other consumers. Companies take your feedback seriously and use customer feedback to improve their products. Some will even pay their customers to leave candid feedback about their products, while others provide free product samples in exchange for reviews.

If you want to make a few extra dollars writing reviews for money — be it for movies, restaurants, or something else entirely — this list of resources is a great way to accomplish exactly that. 

10 Places to Write Reviews for Money

It can be difficult to convince a company to pay you directly for reviews. Most companies who choose to do so generally work through an intermediary. There are plenty of websites and services that you can sign up for if you want to get paid to write reviews.

1. LifePoints

LifePoints is a website that pays users to complete surveys. Some of these surveys will be about the products that you’ve bought. Others will be about more general topics.

For each survey that you complete, you’ll earn LifePoints. Some surveys will ask you for demographic information and may disqualify you if enough responses from your demographic have been received. If this happens, you’ll still earn a few LifePoints for your time.

Most surveys take about fifteen minutes to finish, but some are much shorter or much longer. Usually, longer surveys will offer more LifePoints.

You can redeem LifePoints for rewards. Redemption options include gift cards, charitable donations, and cash deposits to your PayPal account.

Related: LifePoints Review: Should You Become a Free Member?

2. InboxDollars

InboxDollars pays its customer for a variety of tasks, including:

• Taking paid surveys
• Watching videos
• Playing games
• Shopping online
• Reading emails

Opportunities to complete surveys and other tasks are emailed directly to you. You’ll earn cash rather than points, and InboxDollars has paid its customers more than $56 million since 2000.

Related: InboxDollars Review: Is it Legit, and How Much Can You Earn?

3. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is another survey-taking site that pays you to share your opinions with companies. The site has paid out more than $30 million to its 7 million members.

Each survey you take rewards you with points. You can redeem points for cash through PayPal, sweepstakes entries, or charitable donations, letting you choose how you want to be rewarded.

4. Start a Review Blog

If you don’t want to deal with another website’s requirements to get paid for reviews, consider starting your own review blog. While it can be difficult, especially in the beginning, it’s a good strategy for making money writing reviews.

Websites like Wirecutter have grown to have millions of readers each month because of their high-quality reviews. With a review website, you can make money with advertising or by working with a service like Amazon Affiliates that allows you to earn a commission when someone makes a purchase based on your review.

Related: How to Start a Profitable Blog (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

5. UserTesting

UserTesting connects tech companies to regular people who want to help them test their websites and apps.

Companies will provide you with a link to their site or app and a set of tasks they’d like you to accomplish. An online retailer, for example, might ask you to go through the process of buying a shirt.

To start an assignment, you’ll need a microphone. While you’re going through your tasks, UserTesting will record your screen and anything you say. You should speak your thoughts clearly and out loud so that the people reviewing your recordings can understand your thought process and update the website accordingly.

You’ll be paid $10 through PayPal for every 20-minute recording you complete.

6. Review Stream

At Review Stream , you’re paid based on what other consumers think about your reviews. This means that it pays to be completely candid and to provide as much detail as possible.

You can review almost anything on the site — products, movies, and books are all fair game. If Review Stream accepts your submitted review, you’ll earn a small payment. Once your review is posted, other users can vote on whether the review is helpful or not. You’ll earn ten cents per helpful vote that you receive. You can also earn ten cents for each answer you provide to other consumers’ questions.

Payment is made through PayPal. The minimum balance to cash out varies based on how much you made for the first review you sold in each payment cycle. The minimum will be ten times the value of the first review you sold, with a minimum of $100. So, if your first review sold for $2 or $10, the minimum is $100. If it sold for $16, the minimum is $160.

Related: 11 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books In Your Spare Time

7. YouTube BrandConnect

YouTube BrandConnect is an invite-only service that connects YouTube creators to brands that want to show their products to a wider audience.

This service is relatively hands-off, connecting you to companies to pitch, but you get to decide how you want to feature products and you can set your own rates. Once you sign up for the service, you’ll be able to see all of the sponsors looking to work with YouTubers. The site advertises nearly 500 companies that pay people to advertise their goods and services .

In exchange for connecting you with brands, YouTube BrandConnect takes a 10% service fee. There are no sign-up or other fees, so you only pay the fees when you get paid. YouTube BrandConnect pays through PayPal or check.

8. Influence Central

Influence Central is another site that connects influencers to brands who want to showcase their products to consumers. You’ll get paid to write reviews and post them directly on your blog, website, or social media accounts.

The pay for each review varies. Some companies will pay you more than others, but this can be a good way to leverage your influence and provide honest reviews to your followers.

If you want to get paid to test products , Tryazon is the website for you. After you sign up, you’ll be able to view a list of available TryaBox and Party opportunities.

For a TryaBox opportunity , a company will send you a single product or item for you to test. If you apply for a Party and Tryazon selects your application, the company will send a box filled with products, party favors, and the like, free of charge. You can host a party with friends, family, and colleagues and everyone gets the chance to try the product.

Once you’re done, your free to share your feedback with the manufacturer, post about the party on your blog or social media, and tell your friends about the things you tried.

10. Write Reviews for Clients

To find possible clients, you can do an online search for websites that focus on product and service reviews. Then, pitch your review writing services to them directly. You will need to have a portfolio and a drive to pitch multiple clients before landing your first gig. Make sure your final submissions to clients are amazing, because it may lead to steady work writing more reviews in the future.

Related: 18 Legit Online Jobs for College Students

Can You Get Paid to Write Reviews for Google and Amazon?

Google and Amazon are two of the most trusted websites on the internet when it comes to reviews. That means that companies are willing to do a lot to make sure their Amazon and Google reviews are good.

You can get paid to write reviews on these websites. However, although providing compensation for a review is allowed, providing compensation with the requirement that you leave a good review violates both websites’ Terms of Service. So if this type of opportunity is presented to you, make sure you think about whether or not you should take it.

For example, your local pizza shop is welcome to give you a free slice when you show that you left a review, but it can’t require that you leave a five-star review on Google. It has to extend the offer to anyone who leaves a review.

3 Tips to Make the Most with Paid Reviews

The truth is that you won’t make a huge amount of money for writing reviews, but it can be a good way to add some extra cash to your wallet. Here are the best ways to make money writing reviews.

Do it in your spare time.

Turn some of your unproductive spare time into productive time by writing reviews. If you commute by bus or train, write a review or two on each trip. After work, rather than focusing on a Netflix show you’ve seen a dozen times, put it on in the background while you write a review.

Because most reviews are short and easy to write, they’re a great way to fill small chunks of time.

Review things you already use.

You’re most familiar with products that you use on a regular basis, so start by reviewing those items.  Your familiarity with them, especially if you’re a long-term user of a specific product, will help you make high-quality reviews that other consumers can use.

Write high-quality reviews.

To make sure your reviews are approved by the company paying you and appreciated by other consumers, take the time to make the reviews as good as they can be. That means checking your spelling and grammar, including photos, and providing specific details about each product.

Are Paid Review Sites Worth Your Time?

Paid review sites are a good way to earn extra cash, but they won’t give you a full-time work from home income.

The best sites will pay a reasonable wage. For example, UserTesting can pay as much as $30 an hour, but you won’t be able to fill a full workweek with the available opportunities. You’re more likely to earn $5 – $10 an hour when writing reviews.

When getting paid to write reviews, be on the lookout for online scams . The most common scams are websites that force you to pay a fee before you can view opportunities to get paid. The companies organizing these opportunities should be earning a commission from the companies that provide the products or surveys, so if you find a company asking reviewers to pay a fee, walk away. That is a major red flag that something is not legit.

You Can Get Paid to Write More Than Reviews

Writing reviews online might be good for pocket money, but you won’t earn a full-time income from it. However, reviews aren’t the only way to make money from online writing.

If you enjoy writing, you may want to try to pick up freelance writing gigs. It can be a good way to earn some money in your spare time and to hone your writing skills. Some clients will pay hundreds of dollars for a single article and many people make a full-time living from freelance writing.

Even people who don’t write can earn a great income online by working as virtual assistants, editors, transcriptionists, or artists. The internet makes it easy to work with and get paid by people across the globe. It’s up to you to showcase your skills and find the people who need your services.

You May Also Like

19 Best Places to Find Small Task or Micro Jobs

5 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Watch Ads

12 Legit Ways to Make Money Watching Videos

12 High-Paying Companies Offering Website Testing Jobs

15 Legitimate Places to Participate in Paid Research Studies

20 Best Money Making Apps for Earning On the Go

Book Reviews

Recent book reviews.

Using her faith as fuel, the author lays bare her soul in this raw and incredibly vulnerable chronicle of hope and fear. Rooted in scripture, the work and the themes presented within it are universal, depicting the human struggle to balance all aspects of their lives without losing themselves. For Ripley, a blessing in the form of baby Bryce is rife with obstacles, such as her child’s congenital heart disease (CHD), spearheaded by a faulty heart valve. The author’s unyielding tenacity, come what may, to ensure that Bryce is able to lead a quality life is something to truly marvel at. ... (read more)

• Adventure The Long Walk by Joseph N. Padilla
• Assault on a Culture by Charles E. Adams Jr. - RECOMMENDED
• Back to Somalia by Glenn A. Bell
• Becoming Brave Together by Jessica Patay with 22 contributing writers - RECOMMENDED
• Beyond Mere Belief by Greg Van Arsdale
• Box and My Trouble Getting It, The by Bruce Tryon - RECOMMENDED
• Bureau of Undead Investigation, The by Connor Mackay - RECOMMENDED
• Christian Science: Its Encounter with Lesbian/Gay America (2nd Edition) by Bruce Stores
• Colors of Your Skin by Jaleesa Cox
• Coming 2 America by Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi
• Darque Side, The by Steve Burkart
• Desperadoes of Gallows Gulch, The by Clay Houston Shivers - RECOMMENDED
• Disaster for Sale by F. David Rinehart - RECOMMENDED
• Ebony Embellished by Bernard Otto
• Elmer and Virginia by John Odell - RECOMMENDED
• Eolande by J. Barrett
• Eye of the Tiger, The by John Fulce
• Fascination, The by Bob Renterson - RECOMMENDED
• Foul Territory by Christopher Morlock
• Free Will, Do You Have It? by Albertus Kral - RECOMMENDED
• Ghost Writer by Robert Wesley Clement
• Gods Posts by Russell Harper
• Goodbye Cuba by JJ Harrigan - RECOMMENDED
• How I Got Off That Tree Limb by Dr. Gregory Harris
• How to Understand and Talk Like a Jamaican by Anthony McLaughlin - RECOMMENDED
• I Could Have Been One by Donald Wm. Jeffries - RECOMMENDED
• In Awe of It All by Sherry Dee Lady - RECOMMENDED
• Journey to the Prize by Karl Peterson - RECOMMENDED
• Kyd's Game by Marc Rosenberg - RECOMMENDED
• Leaning Tower, The by Charles McNeill
• Legacy by Chris Morehouse
• Love, Literally by J.T. Tierney - RECOMMENDED
• My Cemetery Friends by Vincent J. Tomeo - RECOMMENDED
• New Way to Hope, A by William Stephenson, Ph.D. - RECOMMENDED
• Obedience Rather Than Sacrifice by Cinda M. Carter
• Of Whom Fortune Favors by J. Scot Witty
• Old Cape Map, The by Barbara Eppich Struna - RECOMMENDED
• Pathway to Glory by Edmund Schiavoni
• Plan to Profit by Chuck Miller
• Revenge I Will Have by Marlene Morgan - RECOMMENDED
• Rogue Wave by Robert Wesley Clement
• Roosevelt to Roosevelt by Stan Haynes - RECOMMENDED
• Ruminations by James Garrison - RECOMMENDED
• Shadow in the Ward by Ari Gray
• Shahrazad's Gift by Gretchen McCullough
• Should I Go Back by Janeen Golightly - RECOMMENDED
• Silent Witness Mystery, The by Dorian Rockwood - RECOMMENDED
• Sleeping with a Wall Street Banker by Marlene Morgan - RECOMMENDED
• Springtime in Summerfield by Dianne H. Lundy
• Stepping Stones for the Heart by Ann Paulson - RECOMMENDED
• Taken with a Dark Desire by Dennis Scheel
• Trail of Blood, The by A.K. Nairn
• Tree Pose by Susan Rogers and John Roosen - RECOMMENDED
• Two Dreams & Other Tales by G.S. Treakle - RECOMMENDED
• Unfortunate Destiny of our Planet, The by Lennart Wingardh
• Usefulness of Hippopotamus, The by Vincent J. Tomeo
• War We Almost Lost, The by Arthur A. Edwards
• We Came In Like The Wind by Andrea Fahselt
• What the Three As One Revealed to Me by Phyllis Ames-Bey
• When I Was a Boy by Jerry Thomas Caplinger
• Woodlawn Giants by Robert Ross Williams
• Your Unique Consciousness by Dr. Anthony J. Emmett

Read the US Review of Books Previous Edition

back to top

Featured Book Reviews

Designed success.

Writer Miller focuses on small businesses, specifically those that deal in remodeling and building trades, to demonstrate the need and the method for creating a comprehensive corporate plan. Any small business may struggle to survive. However, with a structured, all-encompassing proposition and the step-by-step processes that accompany its development, chances for success will greatly expand. ... (read more)

Transporting audiences into a riveting espionage thriller, Bornstein pushes the limits of science and technology to create a potentially cataclysmic outcome that is as plot-centric as it is character-driven. Loyalties are tested regularly, revealing the fortitude of the main characters and their determination to achieve their goals at all costs. Not your typical thriller, the narrative is tied to one’s roots, family, and being wronged in a way that can’t easily be forgiven. ... (read more)

Cast of Characters

The relationships between instructors working in a dysfunctional sociology department at a fictional Florida university in the late 1980s are realistically explored in this novella by educator McNeill. While many workplaces, whether in government, the private for-profit sector, or even non-profit organizations, have these ego-driven, ideological clashes that create a hostile environment for some employees but provide unfair advantages to others, this story reveals the particular problems that arise in academic settings, and in this case, with dramatic, destructive results. The drama is also a cautionary tale determined by various departmental cliques that disregard the warning signs of trouble ahead for not only department faculty but for the entire university and the outside community as well. ... (read more)

Juhani Murros made an unexpected discovery during his visits to art galleries when he worked for an organization in Ho Chi Minh City in 1990. A small still life in an unobtrusive gallery commanded the Finnish physician’s attention. “It was an unpretentious oil painting, yet its dark, mysterious colors and the emotional tension of its disciplined composition set it apart.” Thus began a long journey of discovering the art and life of Van Den, a frugal and kind Buddhist of mixed Chinese and Vietnamese ancestry who studied in Paris for less than two years during 1950-52, a volatile period during the first French Indochina War. ... (read more)

Clear Philosophy

The free will debate has raged for over 2,000 years. Do individuals have control over their own actions and decisions, or are these actions and decisions predetermined by the gods, logic, nature or nurture, or many other forms of determinism? In this new work by Kral, he takes the reader on an intellectual journey that attempts to provide an alternative to the free will question. Upon initial inspection, the question, at its heart, seems to imply either a yes or no with explanations while excluding other answers. However, Kral manages to create a compelling third option, which posits that the question itself is flawed. He argues that “will” cannot be considered free or not free. His reasoning breaks down what the word means in the context of this question, and his results lead him to create an additional theory about the source of human behavior. which he has titled procirclism. ... (read more)

Lyrical & Vivid

In the summer of 1956, eleven-year-old (soon to be twelve) Lily Grainger describes her family’s annual summer vacation at their undeveloped property on the shore of a salt pond on Cape Cod. As this coming-of-age novel progresses, it mirrors the Beaufort scale of wind velocities that mark each chapter heading with increasing speeds and potential damages, an apt reminder of the increasing tension in Lily’s parents’ marriage and the marriage of her forceful Uncle George and delicate Aunt Fanny. Lily describes this crescendo of life-changing events in the prologue: “All summer the storm gathered and gathered, took its breath from every direction we thought we knew, and lashed us into spindrift.” Interestingly, the summer of 1956 is meaningful historically as the shipwreck of the Andrea Doria happened nearby on a July evening. ... (read more)

By the Word

When the COVID-19 virus shuts down the Boston theater scene, Hallie, a theater set designer, loses her job, boyfriend, and apartment. Her friend, Maria, offers a lifeline when she invites Hallie to move in with her and her husband, Mike. Maria’s friend Lisa invites Maria, Mike, and Hallie to come to their vacation home on the Cape for an extended stay away from the horrors of the virus. The very wealthy Lisa and Paul also invite a friend, Quinn. As everyone settles in for a relaxing first night, it is obvious that Hallie and Quinn are very compatible. ... (read more)

Author Paulson recounts her visions, conversations, travels, and training with the one she calls Jeshua—Jesus—and some of his followers in this touchingly transcendent memoir. Her connection with the etheric realm began in October 1999 when she found herself involved in incidents of “cross channeling.” During these times she would speak truth, and others would listen and take her words seriously. However, she could never remember what she had said. She began to read books based on such experiences and point to a connection in mind and heart to higher realities. Still, she would not have said she was special or overly religious at the time. ... (read more)

Triump & Tragedy

Odell, a television video editor and faculty emeritus at the City College of San Francisco, compiled his father and mother’s love letters from 1939–1944 in this award-winning epistolatory memoir of their love affair, engagement, and early marriage. Set against the dramatic backdrop of World War II, the letters shine a light upon the strength, determination, and resilience of the youngest members of the Greatest Generation, many of whom were lost in the seas, skies, and battlefields of the European and Pacific theaters of war. In this case, the author’s father and mother wrote quite often to one another—every few days, just as they did when pursuing their educations before the war. They steadfastly proclaimed their love in each letter, commenting upon their daily activities and planning for their future after the war, giving readers a concrete, vivid look at early 1940s life and culture during the European air war and on the American homefront. ... (read more)

Myths & Magic

Prince Khael Stratton is a mystic who seeks to deepen his knowledge of such arts to help those in need. Following a mission, he reports to the city of Cambridge—ruled over by his brother—and has a close encounter with a pickpocket who steals his signet ring. Alongside his bodyguard, Grant, the prince manages to track down the young woman, Vixen, who suffers from a foggy memory while demonstrating a great talent for skills associated with assassins. Prince Khael finds it an odd happenstance in a time when a terrorist group known as the Chelevkori are making active attempts to eliminate the royal family for a perceived wrongdoing by his grandfather, Loren, and it is further compounded by reports that tyrannical rule has seized the city of Skemmelsham over which he rules. Prince Khael forges a contract with Vixen, and with Grant, they go on a journey to liberate the city. ... (read more)

Transformation

Fred counts on his dad when his inability to keep a job and keep his weight in check causes conflict with his mom and sister. When Fred’s dad dies and his sister (his primary income buffer) moves away, Fred and his mom are on their own until Fred’s wrestling champion girlfriend, Mary Ellen, arrives, giving Fred the boost he needs to defend himself, literally and figuratively. ... (read more)

Encouragement

Author Harris recalls the incidents and inspirations that he has encountered on his life’s path in this engaging autobiography. His inner aspirations were evident from his early school days when he demonstrated abilities in graphic arts and was encouraged to use his creativity, writing a play in fifth grade. His Christian upbringing led him to organize a revival meeting at his church, and it was there, in 1982, that a preacher urged him to “Get off that limb,” explaining that one can’t make apple pie until one picks the apple from the tree, a lesson that Harris has carried with him ever since. ... (read more)

The Journey

Author Jeffries recalls his personal history, expanding it to a broad vision of his nation and the world. Born during World War II, he recognized early on that men in his parents’ “Greatest Generation” were spurred by the trauma that all warfare can evoke and, therefore, strove to achieve more once they returned home, building new neighborhoods and aiming for meaningful employment. Similarly, American women who had contributed industrial efforts to the nation’s defense, symbolized by the popular image of “Rosie the Riveter,” resolved to be conscientious wives and parents while also starting to seek outside employment. The postwar years thus wrought numerous upswings in ordinary American life. Meanwhile, citizens of central Europe, where whole cities had been obliterated, were still grappling with extremely challenging aftermaths. One ominous signal was the burgeoning of Russian communism and its concomitant movements of socialism and similar, politically far-left movements. ... (read more)

Author Stephenson recounts his many experiences in counseling those who were nearing death, revealing a deeper understanding of such suffering and the ways that hope can be found. His human-scale vignettes of those he assisted open with young Anthony, suffering from cancer, who liked to draw. His artistic innovations would later lead to a memorable gathering of friends and family, including the author, with Anthony leading everyone in song. Kathy, a deeply discouraged young woman, was asked by Stephenson to interview fellow patients, which gave her “a reason to get up every day.” ... (read more)

Artful & Entertaining

Gavin DiMasi has a terrible childhood of being tormented by his twin brother and their father. But when his parents and brother die, DiMasi is the last man standing to deal with all of the family's dirty laundry. Not only were his father and brother cruel, but they also left a mob mess to mop up. DiMasi's wife tries to save him from his memories and the mob while simultaneously working to protect herself and their child from being sucked into his dark world. Readers learn from DiMasi and his wife's dialogues with their counselor, Dr. Pederson, and are reminded of the slow road to recovery. Pederson says, "If Gavin’s life were fiction, his behavior would self-correct after one explanation. But words can’t rewire the neurological damage from his lifetime of traumatic assaults." ... (read more)

John Darque, or “Chadeaux,” as his friends call him, is the leader of a top-secret organization inside the United States. Only a select few know of its true existence. While he is visiting the grave of a murdered friend and partner, Casper, at the Arlington National Cemetery, a bomb explodes. This incident happens after a U.S. Border Patrol Agent is found dead with the words “Chadeaux” carved into his body. Darque and his team, which includes the love of his life, Penny Miller, soon find that Iran and China are working together to not only get rid of the intelligence agent but bring the United States to its knees. The mission for Darque becomes personal—not because of the bounty on his head, but because he may finally have the chance to come face-to-face with Casper’s killer. ... (read more)

Joneb works on Captain Milroy's spaceship. Most of the crew members are related to the Captain. Joneb likes it there and wishes to become part of this family. He is taken by Captain Milroy's niece, Rojas. One day, they dock at the Durban Outpost in the Danube solar system, and the Captain orders Joneb to go to the general cargo office to get a box. Unfortunately, an explosion destroys the cargo bay at the outpost. Somehow, Joneb makes it out alive with the box. The Captain finds it suspicious that it took Joneb hours to return to the ship. However, they find evidence that he did not cause the explosion. Consequently, Joneb is cleared of any wrongdoing and restored to his duties. The Captain trusts Joneb's reliability and assigns him to assist with their upcoming mission. ... (read more)

Everyman Rising

It is 1967, and Paul Stevens works as an assistant controller at a large company in New York. Paul has two young sons and is expecting another with his wife, Elaine. Like many people in this life, Paul is experiencing Thoreau’s quiet desperation. On a routine train trip to his office, Paul overhears two men discussing a promising new stock. When Paul unexpectedly comes into money left to him by his aunt, he dumps almost all of it into this stock, much to the chagrin of his wife. This awakens Paul’s greed, and he begins to pursue a risky move to take over the company for which he works, even breaking the law in the attempt. When everything crashes down on Paul, he and his wife separate, and Paul wallows in alcohol and self-pity.

Schiavoni has a background in finance, and his experience is shown in his writing. The situations his characters go through feel distinctly real and honest. His writing is professional, and the book is focused and easy to read. The overall theme of his novel is the classic fall from grace, and the work can be read as an extended parable against greed. The protagonist is a bit of an everyman, a feature that enables the reader to identify at least on some level with him. The book has a happy ending even if it is easily won. Readers who are interested in redemption stories and enjoy seeing their main character return from failure to the status quo will find this title to their liking. ... (read more)

Criminal Masterminds

This third book in the Yoga Mat Mysteries series begins on a light, meditative note, then spins away into the dark motifs of a mystery/ghost story/thriller mashup with a twist of romance. Ric Peters and Elaina Williams return in this tale, determined to relax and enjoy a holiday in Tasmania when ghosts from their personal pasts and the island’s collective past upend their plans for serenity. Elaina becomes a target of revenge for Ric’s past blunder in Indonesia that results in tragic loss of life, haunting Ric and threatening to destroy the couple’s budding relationship. ... (read more)

Find Christ

Timothy is the older brother of Jobe. Jobe is blinded in an accident, and his brother and father, Mark, rescue him. Guilt-ridden, Timothy begins a sojourn, which he at first believes will be brief and fairly easy to accomplish. The journey is significantly more complex than the young man anticipates. It takes many years and involves multiple tribulations as Timothy ultimately seeks out Jesus. When Timothy returns to his home, he discovers many changes—including his family's apparent dispersal. Of what use were those years on the quest? The answer to this eventually becomes clear. ... (read more)

Writer and poet Carter delves deeply into a religious tenet that has always attracted her, which is based upon the words of Samuel in the Holy Bible that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” This concept crystalized for her as various incidents revealed its essential truth. When she moved to the home of her new husband, its décor was not what she preferred, but she decided to conform to his wishes, avoiding changes and thanking God for the opportunity to obey. Later, circumstances allowed her to redecorate, confirming her sense that her obedience had been rewarded. Interspersed with her poems are recollections of phases of her life in which the “obedience” perspective takes a firmer hold. ... (read more)

Who Really Wins?

Success as the best revenge is a theme running through the stories in this collection. In the first and longest story, Black academics work to secure private funding for a Black history museum. Subsequent tales in the book feature a wide range of characters and situations. For example, a man’s choreographed murder gains financial freedom for his family. A nurse schedules surgery on her abuser. A rich senior gifts his care facility the technology that many fellow residents helped build but can’t afford. A woman gets the child she desires from the man she didn’t think she preferred. A Muslim man inherits a dog, although his love for the animal once ostracized him. A soldier leaves his wealth to the lesser of two evils. An ex-prisoner supplies the secret to his girlfriend’s dream restaurant. A motorized scooter ride turns into a story to tell the rider’s granddaughter. ... (read more)

Discovering

In the later years of her life, Agnes Ndungwa Akinyemi assembled much of her family and recounted her life story to them, sharing the surprising details and points of interest of where she, and by association, they had all come from. After her passing, her husband recollected that story here in this book, detailing the journey of a fifteen-year-old girl from a small village in Kangundo, Kenya, entering the United States on her own without family or an established support system to continue her education. Her journey would open doors that could only be unlocked by taking such a bold step. It was not by accident that this opportunity came up but through her hard work, as she was chosen for this new American program by the Kenyan government based on her performance in school up to this point. ... (read more)

Master Storyteller

In the small town of Flagler Beach, Florida, Wayne Garrett, a Flagler Beach local, lives a contented, comfortable life with his wife and three daughters. A postman for the town, his happy-go-lucky spirit extends to all he encounters. Wayne loves his job delivering mail to residents. He and his wife, Becky, the manager of a souvenir shop along Highway A1A, meet each day for a mid-morning coffee. They walk on the beach at night together or with their daughters. The family’s quiet life is idyllic. ... (read more)

The Spirits

Things aren’t going well for Ryan Trussell. His mother regrets his birth while chain-smoking throughout the day and ignoring any domestic needs. Meanwhile, his father comes home from work to several whiskeys and the solitude of the basement. At his new school, his math teacher immediately identifies him as a troublemaker, even though Ryan is a good student who prefers books to buffoonery. The only bright spot comes in the form of a girl he meets at the public library who likes books and the paranormal, much like Ryan. Ryan‘s best friend, his journal, keeps his secrets. However, even that changes as the two spirits that inhabit the house begin taking a keen interest in his family, and one of them communicates with Ryan through the journal. Both ghosts have experienced a violent death in the house, and they seek release. Small-town secrets, both past and present, will threaten those in Ryan’s circle. ... (read more)

Wicked Money

Sergey is a Russian gangster unafraid of taking out anyone perceived as an annoyance to him or his business. Hans is a family man from South Africa who is often called away to travel on business, except his business is death. Joe Scattini is an investment banker who is fending off attempts to have his financial division sold off. David Kettner is a banker engaged in money laundering who has opted to abscond with money that is the property of organized crime. As Joe fights to keep his division, he keeps large losses off the balance sheet and browbeats subordinates into compliance. David has fled the country with his girlfriend, and Hans is traversing the globe and silencing problematic witnesses for men like Sergey. Each day brings more danger. ... (read more)

Strains of Twain

Tomeo’s collection of short, whimsical verses was written as a balm against the trying times through which we have been living. His verses cover the gamut of human experience and are foremost linked thematically in their wit and attempt to make light of the human condition. There is the poem quoted above about art coming alive in a museum paralleled with one covering the rambunctious food left in the fridge. Another expands the colloquial wisdom shared with children about the effects of consuming a watermelon seed. At times, Tomeo tones down the humor and adds a little more tenderness and connectedness. For example, he closes the title poem by speaking of the hippopotamus, “Paving a route, creating streams, roads for other animals to navigate their way.” It is a nice allusion to his wish for humor to help us navigate our own way. ... (read more)

Reading the Stones

Poet Tomeo creates an emotive panorama as he walks within and contemplates a place where lives and deaths are recalled and commemorated: a graveyard. In this case, it is the Mount Saint Mary Cemetery in Flushing, New York. Of particular significance to him are the soldiers who gave their lives in service to their country. It is to them that Tomeo dedicates this work, naming them as they are listed on a stone memorial in Corona, Queens, New York. ... (read more)

An eruption has occurred at Sicily’s Mount Etna, and the destruction unleashed in its wake has been catastrophic. US government officials are concerned about a similar eruption at the Yellowstone caldera. Dr. Thomas “TJ” Jackson has been brought in to work with a team in preventing an even larger disaster. In a presentation to scientists and military officials, TJ raises concerns about how water depletion is fueling the instability of the caldera. He posits a plan to start pumping in water gradually to maintain the status quo and keep Yellowstone from blowing sky-high. However, the forces of government bureaucracy seek to undercut his plan. Despite some pushback, some agree with TJ and want to assist. One of his backers is disaster expert Catherine Craft. The pair will need to act quickly while avoiding menacing figures who will kill to thwart their plan. ... (read more)

Get Inspired

This book is a series of essays lovingly crafted by the author, documenting the lessons she has learned in her impressive lifetime. The selections are organized into sections that exemplify the actions of a full, well-lived life: communicating, participating, integrating, radiating, anticipating, appreciating, and celebrating. She shares stories from her childhood, such as an interaction with a neighbor who related a plant slowly blossoming to celebrating ourselves and our unique gifts in our own time. She also offers pithy bits of wisdom she has gained through her adult experiences, including different ways the COVID lockdown affected her life and relationships. Sprinkled in are reflections on books she has read or programs she has watched, as well as musings on aspects of life from friendships to family relationships to spending time outdoors. ... (read more)

This beguiling mystery covers approximately 125 years of families, pirates, poverty, treasure maps, and altruistic as well as criminal acts that take place on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The author tells the tale of an eccentric older man with a mysterious past who, in the early part of the twentieth century, gives treasure maps to two young girls. Shortly afterward, the man dies in a house fire. One of the girls hides some of the information in her father's home. Through the years, the story of the treasure—a small portion of which has been uncovered by the girls—as well as myths about the property and uncertainties about the land's ownership inspire curiosity, amateur treasure hunting, alliances among eccentric neighbors, life-threatening situations, and murder. ... (read more)

Culture & Language

Recognizing that many people in the U.S. enjoy the way Jamaicans speak due to the “unique accent,” as well as the often-experienced misunderstanding due to both pronunciation and word usage, the author of this guide was inspired to produce this work to assist non-natives with the Jamaican dialect. Drawn from a set of daily conversation examples and questions commonly asked by visitors to the Caribbean island, selected vocabulary, phrases, questions, and answers are presented, first in English and then accompanied by the Jamaican equivalent. Dialogues range from dining out, shopping, entertainment, and everyday business and social situations. Finally, a brief but colorful and informative history of Jamaica rounds out the monograph. ... (read more)

Curious People

This collection of stories, with a nod to The Arabian Nights , is set in Egypt and deals with a group of Americans, most of whom are writers or work at a university. There is a story about a displaced costume designer working on a lavish celebration while trying too hard to please everyone. The most grounded person she talks to is an elderly woman who snuck away from her tour group. In another, a professor takes a stand against pollution by having his students dump a ton of contaminated fish on the university's front steps. Some of the stories have touches of magic realism, while others border on the absurd. A common theme is the callousness and cluelessness of the Americans to the plight and humanity of the people sharing their world. ... (read more)

Divine Life

The author’s book takes readers from consciousness to the subconscious and the unconscious, with all the permutations between the levels. It examines topics such as reincarnation, ESP (extra-sensory perception), the soul, meditation, near-death experiences, and the chakras while also looking at some of the experts in the field. Combining research with the author’s own personal experiences, Emmett’s work is written from the perspective of someone who has lived the life of the divine. He describes the work he did with Sai Baba [an Indian guru], particularly at his ashram, and the enlightening experience he goes through and continues to go through with his divine connection. His book reveals much of his teachings. Focusing on the mind-body connection provides an especially important glance into one’s healing, as does the focus on divine love. ... (read more)

Truth Seekers

Jake Logan, an investment banker from New York, has been living in London for the past three years. One night, he meets Alice Francis, a lawyer. Sparks fly, and they soon begin a romantic relationship. Things are going very well, but Alice senses that Jake is hiding something about his past relationship. She eventually finds out that his ex-fiancé, Jessica Brooks, has been stalking him and that Jake stood her up at the altar. Jessica never got over it, and her shadow looms over Jake and Alice's relationship. To make things more complicated, Alice discovers she is pregnant and shares the news with Jake. Though shocked, he proposes to do things right by her, and she accepts. Unfortunately, as the reality of becoming a father hits Jake, he grows more distant from Alice. Jake's attitude will ultimately lead to devastating consequences. ... (read more)

Jealousy & Obession

Jake Logan is devastated when he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Jessica Brooks, has stabbed his former fiancée, Alice, to death. Meanwhile, Jessica has fled to Paris under a fake name, but Jake eventually discovers that she is mentally ill and has connections to terrorists. Alice's family blames Jake for her death because they read a letter she wrote to him before she died, which revealed Jessica's troubled past. During Alice's funeral, there is an explosion that was meant to kill Jake. With the help of his former Navy SEAL colleagues, Jake investigates Jessica's connections to the terrorists and strives to stop them from carrying out any dangerous plans they have in mind. ... (read more)

Hide From God

Caring & courage.

In this inspiring story of love, faith, and a life well-lived, Fulce shares the powerful testimony of his dearly departed wife, Yolanda (Mendez) Fulce. He tells of love-at-first-sight high school sweethearts whose endearing romance of movies, dances, and drag car races laid the foundation for a marriage that spanned half a century. Fulce’s account of starting a family amid financial challenges highlights the stark contrast between his cynicism and Yolanda’s faith during the early years of their marriage. But Yolanda’s quiet yet persistent prayers for her husband’s salvation were answered. Together, they shared a life of adventure—raising a family, owning a comic book store, meeting famous athletes and celebrities, and traveling. Wherever God planted them, they ministered. Yolanda’s compassion led her to open their home to anyone in need. Her love for children enabled them to build multiple successful youth ministries. ... (read more)

Review Text ... (read more)

First Chapter Reviews

First Chapter Review archive

Home  •  Book Reviews  •  Hoffer Award  •  Submit  •  FAQ  •  Connect

Staff  •  Become a Reseller  •  Writers' Resources  •  Site Map

Proud Member of...

Connect with the US Review of Books...

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Say More review: Jen Psaki on Biden, Trump and how to make your point

White House press secretary turned MSNBC host offers advice, a little dish and barbed critiques of Republican predecessors

J en Psaki left the Biden White House after 16 months as press secretary. Saturday Night Live never savaged her, though Kate McKinnon played her. By that and other measures, Psaki compares favorably to Sean Spicer and Sarah Sanders, her predecessors from the years of Trump. A veteran of the Obama West Wing, before that a competitive collegiate swimmer, Psaki had the president’s ear and spoke with knowing authority.

Her press briefings were not cauldrons of rancor. Her tussles with Peter Doocey, the Fox News White House correspondent, never neared the boiling point. They played nice.

Unlike Karine Jean-Pierre, her successor, Psaki didn’t have to share the White House podium with John Kirby, spokesperson for the national security council and a retired rear admiral. Psaki was a force in her own right.

Now a host at MSNBC, Psaki is out with her first book. It mixes political vignettes with tips on navigating life’s competing demands, including how to dodge – and throw – sharp elbows. As a political memoir, it does its share of score-settling. But, true to its subtitle, Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World, Psaki’s book is not a tell-all, terribly newsy or an audition for a slot in a second Biden administration, if there is one.

To be expected, Psaki is critical of Donald Trump and his minions, but injects subtlety too. She wields a scalpel, lacerating Spicer and his former boss. She frames criticisms as career advice, not frontal assault.

“Shouldn’t [Spicer] have rejected the job offer, if he were truly credible?” she asks of the Republican official who had first go at speaking for Trump, perhaps the most thankless task yet invented in politics.

Great question. We all know the answer. As the anti-Trump operative Rick Wilson put it, everything Trump touches dies. Only Ivanka is safe and even then … who knows.

“While Sean may not have been acting entirely on his own behalf when he was giving his press briefings,” Psaki writes, “he was the one who suffered as a result.”

True. If Melissa McCarthy plays you in an SNL cold open , as she did Spicer, lampooning your loud parroting of your boss’s absurd lies … you’re screwed.

Then again, Spicer was kind of lucky. Banished from the Trumpian kingdom early on, he never suffered a January 6-related indictment. Eventually, he expressed regret for beclowning himself over the inauguration in 2017.

Back on Psaki’s own side of the aisle, Say More is no hagiography of Joe Biden . Psaki is aware of the president’s capacity for empathy but also mindful of his tendency to bring the story back to his own losses, most recently including that of Beau Biden, his late son who served in Iraq.

In summer 2021, amid the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a suicide bomb at Kabul airport left 13 US soldiers and 170 Afghans dead. Three days later, American bodies arrived at Dover air force base in Delaware, Biden’s home state. The president and the first lady, Jill Biden, attended. Things did not work out as planned.

Psaki conveys how Biden was stunned into silence when told that family members of dead Americans were complaining he had spent too much time talking about Beau, alleging he was insufficiently focused on the deaths of their own children.

“I paused for the president to respond,” Psaki writes. “The silence that followed was a bit too long. I worried for a moment that our connection had been lost.”

Biden finally responded, but did so “in a softer voice than usual”.

“I thought I was helping them. Hearing about how other people went through loss always helps me,” Biden said.

Again he paused: “Thanks for telling me. Anything else?”

after newsletter promotion

Psaki also tweaks Chuck Schumer , now Senate majority leader, and John Kerry, Barack Obama’s second secretary of state and until March a member of Biden’s administration as his climate envoy.

Once upon a time, the Affordable Care Act was unpopular, viewed by many as another welfare scheme. Against the backdrop of the Great Recession, a stock market crash and the mortgage crisis, Obamacare cost the Democrats both chambers of Congress.

“There were those … who suggested that we shouldn’t do anything other than the economy,” Obama later acknowledged to Jonathan Cohn of the Huffington Post.

One of those “outsiders” was Schumer. The New Yorker grasped the political consequences of going all in on healthcare amid a meltdown in jobs and housing. Political prescience, however, isn’t always welcomed, let alone rewarded. Recalling how the White House rejected Schumer’s suggestion that Obama’s final State of the Union address contain a pitch for student loan relief, Psaki seems to delight in the outcome.

“I was telling [Obama] he needed to decide whether he wanted this to be his State of the Union speech, or Senator Schumer’s,” she recalls. “I delivered my thoughts calmly. My argument tapped into my knowledge of how the media would cover the speech. The president eventually agreed. Sorry, Senator Schumer.”

Psaki also recalls a gaffe made by Kerry in 2014. Responding to a question, he intimated that if conflict broke out between Japan and China, the US would use military force – a stance at odds with the stated American position.

“That was a huge mistake,’” chided David Wade, a longtime Kerry aide. Kerry didn’t yell back. Instead, he gave Psaki and Wade the green light to contact the White House and distance itself from his comments. In that moment, Psaki learned that being effective in her job meant delivering quick feedback, at times.

“Advising someone is not the same as appeasing them,” she writes.

The Biden administration has been relatively leak-free. Nothing approaching Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury or Team of Vipers by Cliff Sims, an early memoir by a Trump administration official, has appeared. Whether this matters come election day remains, of course, to be seen.

Say More is published in the US by Simon & Schuster

• Biden administration
• US politics
• US press and publishing
• Donald Trump
• Sean Spicer

Most viewed

• Business & Money

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Return this item for free

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Follow the author

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better Paperback – August 20, 2023

Purchase options and add-ons

• Print length 538 pages
• Language English
• Publication date August 20, 2023
• Dimensions 6 x 1.35 x 9 inches
• ISBN-13 979-8988666318
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may deliver to you quickly

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CG8985FR
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Timestamp Press (August 20, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 538 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8988666318
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.72 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.35 x 9 inches
• #2 in Digital Currencies
• #2 in Money & Monetary Policy (Books)
• #3 in Banks & Banking (Books)

Videos for this product

Click to play video

Customer Review: Arrived damaged, and poorly printed

About the author

Lyn Alden is an independent investment and macroeconomic analyst that provides research for retail and institutional investors at lynalden.com. With a background that blends engineering and finance, she specializes in analysis of energy systems and monetary systems. In addition to her research publications, Lyn also serves on the board of directors for Swan.com and is an advisor to the venture capital firm ego death capital.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Advertisement

From a Dead Dog to a Made-Up Meeting: Takeaways From Kristi Noem’s Book

After a rough start to the rollout of her memoir, the South Dakota governor has continued to defend shooting her dog and to deflect on a false story about meeting Kim Jong-un.

• Share full article

By Chris Cameron

• May 7, 2024

In one sense, Kristi Noem has had a wildly successful rollout of her new book: America can’t stop talking about it.

But all the chatter is not for the reasons Ms. Noem, the conservative governor of South Dakota, might have expected when she finished “No Going Back,” a memoir that recounts her political career. The book appears aimed at raising her profile as a MAGA loyalist while former President Donald J. Trump weighs his choices for running mate . Just a month ago, Ms. Noem had been widely seen as a contender.

Instead of talking up her conservative bona fides, however, Ms. Noem has spent the last week on national television defending a grisly account in the book in which she shoots her dog in a gravel pit. The killing of the dog, a 14-month-old wire-haired pointer named Cricket, has drawn bipartisan criticism and scrutiny.

The book, published on Tuesday, includes a number of other noteworthy details, some of which Ms. Noem has discussed in recent interviews. Here are five takeaways.

Noem has a lot of criticism for other Republicans.

Ms. Noem’s account of her time in office — first as South Dakota’s sole House representative and then as governor — includes many stories that broadly criticize Republicans for their electoral failures, while also targeting figures who have drawn the ire of Mr. Trump.

She describes a phone conversation she had with Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who dropped out of the Republican presidential primary race in March, claiming that Ms. Haley had threatened her because they were both prominent Republican women. Chaney Denton, a spokeswoman for Ms. Haley, has said Ms. Noem’s account of the conversation was inaccurate, and “just plain weird.”

Ms. Noem also blames Ronna McDaniel, the former chairwoman of the Republican National Committee , for the poor performance of Republican candidates in the 2022 midterms, and criticizes her for not supporting Mr. Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen — though Ms. Noem herself writes in that section that “Trump lost in 2020.”

“We got lazy, and no one was held accountable,” she says, adding that Mr. Trump was wrongly blamed for Republicans’ underperforming. She also called out the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans, though she says she has hope for 2024 and is “willing to help.”

Ms. Noem devotes a section of the book to RINOs — Republicans in Name Only — a favorite pejorative of Mr. Trump that he has deployed against critics within the party.

“In many ways, these political creatures are worse than some donkeys,” Ms. Noem wrote, referring to Democrats in that section as “donkeys.”

But Ms. Noem also takes a swipe at some Republicans on the far right in her party, saying that they have contributed to recent election losses.

“Losing sucks. But Republicans happen to be great at it,” she writes in one section, adding: “Candidates talk like crazy people, make wild claims, and offer big promises. And they lose. Of course, there are some crazy candidates, but I’m not talking about them. This is about good folks who choose the wide path of bomb throwing and parroting whatever’s on social media, as opposed to speaking rationally and humbly offering solutions.”

Noem says shooting her dog was a “difficult” choice, and suggests one of President Biden’s dogs should be put down, too.

Ms. Noem has repeatedly defended her decision to kill her dog , Cricket, and her politically baffling choice to include the anecdote in her memoir.

In the book, she describes an incident where Cricket killed a neighbor’s chickens and says the dog tried to bite Ms. Noem as she sought to restrain her. After taking Cricket home and shooting her, Ms. Noem writes, “I realized another unpleasant job needed to be done. Walking back up to the yard, I spotted our billy goat.”

The goat, Ms. Noem writes, “was nasty and mean,” smelled terrible and often chased her children around. So she dragged him out to the gravel pit, too — but didn’t kill him with the first shot, and had to go back to her truck for more ammunition to finish the job.

In an interview with Sean Hannity last week, Ms. Noem said she had included the story in the book to illustrate the “tough, challenging decisions that I’ve had to make throughout my life.”

In an interview on “Face the Nation” on CBS on Sunday, Ms. Noem called attention to another part of the book in which she suggested that one of President Biden’s dogs, a bite-prone German shepherd named Commander, should also be put down.

In a section of the memoir discussing what Ms. Noem would do on her first day in office as president, she wrote that “the first thing I’d do is make sure Joe Biden’s dog was nowhere on the grounds (‘Commander, say hello to Cricket for me’).” Ms. Noem made a similar suggestion in her interview on Sunday.

“You’re saying he should be shot?” asked the CBS host Margaret Brennan.

“That what’s the president should be accountable to,” Ms. Noem replied.

The print edition of the book includes a false anecdote about Noem meeting Kim Jong-un.

Ms. Noem writes in the memoir that she met with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, while serving on the House Armed Services Committee.

“I had the chance to travel to many countries to meet with world leaders — some who wanted our help, and some who didn’t,” she writes. “I remember when I met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. I’m sure he underestimated me, having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants (I’d been a children’s pastor, after all). Dealing with foreign leaders takes resolve, preparation, and determination.”

This was an error, according to Ian Fury, the chief of communications for Ms. Noem. Ms. Noem has said in later interviews that she takes “responsibility for the change,” but has not explained why the anecdote was included or whom she could have been referring to, if not Mr. Kim. She has also pushed back when the false anecdote has been characterized as a mistake.

“This is an anecdote that I asked to have removed, because I think it’s appropriate at this point in time,” Ms. Noem said in her interview on “Face the Nation.” “But I’m not going to talk to you about those personal meetings that I have had with world leaders.”

Noem gives a glowing portrait of Trump, and alludes to her future aspirations.

Ms. Noem heaps praise on the former president in her memoir, describing him as “a breaker and a builder,” writing, “He was relentlessly attacked for personal failures — and fictional ones — but stayed in the race and never wavered.”

She also reminds readers that she defended Mr. Trump in a speech the day after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, “regardless of the fact that what unfolded on January 6 was undeniably ugly.”

At one point, she also says that Mr. Trump, “in some funny ways,” is similar to her young granddaughter.

“I see similarities between Trump and my granddaughter, Miss Addie (that’s what I call her),” Ms. Noem writes. “She’s almost three years old and, in my unbiased view, one of the most brilliant human beings I’ve ever met (tied for first place with my grandson, of course!)”

But while Ms. Noem may be angling for a place at Mr. Trump’s side as his running mate, she insists in the memoir that if she is picked, it should not be because she’s a woman.

“I’m often asked by the national media if I think Donald Trump should pick a woman to be vice president,” Ms. Noem writes. “My answer is always about choosing the best people for the job.”

The final chapter of the book focuses not on any vice-presidential aspirations, but rather on what she would do on “Day 1” if elected president herself. It begins with a quote from Mr. Trump saying in December that if elected as president, he wouldn’t be a dictator, “except for Day 1.”

Along with putting federal property up for sale and convening a bipartisan working group on immigration, Ms. Noem writes, she would invite the Obamas and Bidens over to the White House for a screening of “The Grey,” a Liam Neeson film about battling wolves that she describes earlier in the book as among her favorites.

Noem offers a somewhat exaggerated account of protests outside the White House in 2020.

In the book’s introduction, Ms. Noem writes that a chaotic protest outside Mr. Trump’s 2020 nomination for re-election , held at the White House in August, was a pivotal moment for her — and inspired her to “live a life of significance — no matter where that commitment took me.” She wrote of a Washington under siege.

“We could hear explosions and screams in the distance,” she wrote. “On the other side of the fence, sounds of shouting and chaos. I smelled what we guessed was tear gas. We were trapped.”

But her account of a “massive and, at times, violent protest” doesn’t align with contemporaneous reports.

There was a significant demonstration outside the White House during Mr. Trump’s renominating event — one that tried to disrupt his acceptance speech by making noise . Reports from the time described the demonstration as “generally peaceful” and “significantly smaller” than the demonstrations that were forcibly dispersed by Mr. Trump earlier in the spring . There is also no evidence that tear gas was deployed that night.

Chris Cameron covers politics for The Times, focusing on breaking news and the 2024 campaign. More about Chris Cameron

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

President Biden’s economic adviser said lawmakers should sharply raise taxes on corporations and the rich  when tax cuts signed in law by former President Trump expire next year.

A partisan battle in Ohio has stalled an effort by state lawmakers to ensure that President Biden is on the ballot  in the state this November, teeing up what could be an expensive and protracted legal battle ahead of this year’s election.

Donald Trump told a group of oil executives and lobbyists that they should donate $1 billion to his presidential campaign  because, if elected, he would roll back environmental rules that he said hampered their industry.

Mexico Prepares for a Trump Win:  Behind the scenes, the Mexican government is talking to people close  to the Trump campaign about proposals such as a threat of a “universal tariff” on imported goods, and working to resolve trade disagreements before the U.S. election.

R.F.K. Jr. Signature Gatherers:  More than half a dozen New York City residents described encounters with people seeking  their signature who did not make clear that their aim was to place the independent 2024 candidate on the ballot.

Sensing Shift on Abortion:  Are Latinas — once considered too religious or too socially conservative to support abortion rights — changing their views on the issue? Democrats are optimistic .

A Wild Card in Texas:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, expects to be on the ballot in Texas. His addition could lend a hand to the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat Senator Ted Cruz .

John James Audubon was flawed. Should he get credit for his good work?

A new book, ‘The Birds That Audubon Missed’ by Kenn Kaufman, delves into the controversies dividing the birding world

For better and worse, the name Audubon has become almost synonymous with birds. The reason, of course, is John James Audubon, whose “Birds of America” project, published from 1827 to 1838, catalogued more than 400 birds in life-size prints. The works captured the avian world in a breadth and detail never before seen, turning its French American creator into a celebrated naturalist.

In recent years, questions have been raised about Audubon’s legacy, starting with the ethics of his work — the Audubon Society has conceded that he “most certainly committed” plagiarism and academic fraud. He also was an enslaver and a critic of emancipation, and sent stolen human remains to an anthropologist who used them to study racial differences.

Given this complicated biography — ably explored by naturalist Kenn Kaufman in his new book, “ The Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness ” — should Audubon still get “credit for the good work he did, while acknowledging all that was wrong?” Kaufman asks.

Many conservation organizations are asking that question too and arriving at dissonant conclusions about whether to keep the Audubon name. Similar controversy surrounds the names of birds themselves. The American Ornithological Society, which standardizes the English-language common names of birds in the Americas, recently announced that eponymous names (those that include the name of a person) will gradually be phased out in favor of descriptive names, thus putting an end to a practice particularly prevalent in the era of settler expansion. For instance, Scott’s oriole was named in 1854 after Gen. Winfield Scott, who had nothing to do with ornithology but plenty to do with the Trail of Tears, the genocidal forced relocation of Native Americans over which he presided.

Kaufman informs these debates by going to the heart of that era. His book is a must-read for birders curious about so much that lies hidden behind the names in our pastime; it illuminates the personalities, rivalries and shortcomings of the men (no women) of European ancestry (no others need apply) who set out to outdo one another and make a name for themselves by finding and naming birds — and why some birds were overlooked in the process.

In telling these tales, Kaufman sometimes meanders. He quickly settles on Audubon as his main focus, but he has a slight tendency to go down rabbit holes. For instance, he delves into the theory that Audubon was in fact “the Lost Dauphin,” a son of Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI of France, who may have — or if this theory is correct, may not have — died in prison during the French Revolution. Audubon did not claim this title, but Kaufman nonetheless spends several pages wondering if it might be, a digression that some readers may find intriguing but others may see as extraneous.

But this is just a quibble in a book that brings together such a vast amount of information and presents it in such an engaging way. “The Birds That Audubon Missed” isn’t a dry history; it’s as alive as the birds it describes, thanks to the personal aspect Kaufman weaves into the narrative. In addition to offering his own birding adventures as a living-color counterpoint to the past, Kaufman, best known for his field guides and other books such as “ A Season on the Wind ” (2019), scatters illustrations through the text — some are by Audubon and some are by Kaufman, who boldly attempts to create new paintings in the style of Audubon. The effort highlights just how much Kaufman longs to feel something of what these naturalists of yesteryear experienced. That is where “The Birds That Audubon Missed” excels; the real beauty of the book is expressed in its subtitle, in the moments when Kaufman gives in to that longing for discovery and whispers of desire:

“When I watch a flock of sandpipers lift off from a coastal lagoon and climb into the sky, it lifts my soul — not only because of the beauty of their flight, but also because I know they might not touch down for a thousand miles. Scientific knowledge of the migrations of these birds, based on years of research, doesn’t take away from the sense of magic; it makes it stronger.”

A little later, in a passage where he describes curlews as “children of the wind,” you can almost feel yourself carried aloft with these large, dramatic shorebirds as they crisscross the globe in their seasonal wanderings. These musings culminate in a fitting conclusion: that the era of great discovery never ends if all discovery is personal. One’s own revelatory experiences in the natural world are what truly matter.

The fundamental — and unavoidable — problem with “The Birds That Audubon Missed” lies in its “great white men” focus. Kaufman acknowledges from the outset, and mentions occasionally throughout, that this is a particular brand of history stemming from a time that minimized, ignored and discounted anything that didn’t originate from an extremely narrow band of humanity. Indeed, that constitutes one of the criticisms of eponymous bird names. White explorers took credit for “discovering” birds that may have been well known to Indigenous people and then slapped some White friends’ or patrons’ names on them; some of these names we blithely continue to use.

“Our perceptions are shaped by the names and definitions we apply to things,” Kaufman notes of birds that were misunderstood because they’d been labeled and pigeonholed (pun intended) incorrectly; what’s true biologically is even more so culturally. A book exploring the Indigenous knowledge of our avifauna — one that, say, gave primacy to the Choctaw biskinik and its place in that culture, rather than defaulting to the English name of that woodpecker, the yellow-bellied sapsucker — would be welcome. But that’s another book, one that with history’s focus on the dominant narrative might be exceedingly difficult to put together.

Kaufman does an admirable job of exploring the history that’s before us. He didn’t set out to render a verdict on the naming controversies, but he does answer his own question: If we can move beyond hagiography, we can at least acknowledge what Audubon did, for good and ill. And if, as some claim, losing the names means erasing history, then Kaufman’s book is one way to cure this alleged amnesia.

Christian Cooper is the author of “Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World” and host of the National Geographic TV show “Extraordinary Birder.”

The Birds That Audubon Missed

Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness

By Kenn Kaufman

Avid Reader. 384 pp. $32.50

More from Book World

Love everything about books? Make sure to subscribe to our Book Club newsletter , where Ron Charles guides you through the literary news of the week.

Check out our coverage of this year’s Pulitzer winners: Jayne Anne Phillips won the fiction prize for her novel “ Night Watch .” The nonfiction prize went to Nathan Thrall, for “ A Day in the Life of Abed Salama .” Cristina Rivera Garza received the memoir prize for “ Liliana’s Invincible Summer .” And Jonathan Eig received the biography prize for his “ King: A Life .”

Best books of 2023: See our picks for the 10 best books of 2023 or dive into the staff picks that Book World writers and editors treasured in 2023. Check out the complete lists of 50 notable works for fiction and the top 50 nonfiction books of last year.

Find your favorite genre: Three new memoirs tell stories of struggle and resilience, while five recent historical novels offer a window into other times. Audiobooks more your thing? We’ve got you covered there, too . If you’re looking for what’s new, we have a list of our most anticipated books of 2024 . And here are 10 noteworthy new titles that you might want to consider picking up this April.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Books | The Book Club: “Wandering Stars” and more short…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Food & Drink
• TV Listings

Things To Do

Books | the book club: “wandering stars” and more short reviews from readers, two books earn 3 1/2 stars out of 4.

“Wandering Stars,” by Tommy Orange (Alfred A. Knopf, 2024)

This sequel to Orange’s earlier novel, “There There” (a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2019), “Wandering Stars” is divided into 2 sections (“Before” and “Aftermath”). This division is not only chronological but also stylistic. “Before” opens with the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864 and relates the history of a single Native American family into the 20th century. The characters’ individual experiences of displacement and cultural repression also represent Native American history writ large. Orange  employs a sort of linguistic shape-shifting in this section, with individual words of multiple meanings repeated over and over.  And I had to read some passages over and over to appreciate the subtlety of his intent.  “Before” presents a somewhat mystical space, guiding the reader to feel how earlier Native American generations were so differently connected to their world and spiritual beliefs than their European conquerors.

In contrast, “Aftermath,” set in present-day Oakland, Calif., uses a lot of dialogue to move the story more crisply forward.  Several of the characters in “Aftermath” wrestle with what it means to be Native American and their longing for the lost stories and traditional ways of past generations intensifies over successive generations. But the sad through line connecting the 2 sections is substance abuse and addiction, starting with alcohol, peyote and laudanum in the 19th century and landing with heroin and opioids in contemporary Oakland. How the characters cope throughout this novel is uniquely individual, but simultaneously universal. — 3 1/2 stars out of 4; Kathleen Lance, Denver

“Fourteen Days,” by Margaret Atwood, et. al.  (Harper, 2024)

During the COVID lockdown, New Yorkers sharing an apartment building gather nightly on the roof to share stories. Written by 36 different renowned authors — including Margaret Atwood, Celeste Ng, Tommy Orange and John Grisham — this book of tales is unified by careful scaffolding into a surprisingly cohesive novel. The stories told are compelling, diverse, and varied in genre — and puzzling out who wrote what (not revealed until the end) makes for intriguing reading. — 3 1/2 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker

“Wool,” by Hugh Howey (Broad Reach Publishing, 2012)

The author self-published a post-apocalyptic novel and made history, at least among struggling writers, by becoming a best-seller. He completed four novellas in the series, then obtained a publishing contract. The action of this compelling sci-fi thriller takes place in a silo, a 144-floor underground community of humans. The air above ground is toxic after an unknown catastrophe. Those who attempt to go out and others being punished for misdeeds are “cleansed.” Juliette, a new mayor, attempts to rectify the many social and personal problems of the society but seems doomed to failure. Her battle to survive herself, as well as save the remnants of civilization, leads readers to question the value of our way of life. — 3 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver, bonniemccune.com

“The Hunter,” by Tana French (Viking, 2024)

If you enjoyed “The Searcher,” you will welcome dropping back into our hero Cal Hooper’s life as a retired ex-cop, ex-pat now living a quiet life in a small Irish village. Unexpected events put a quick end to the quietness of that life. A well-paced, compelling mystery with lots of local color and a touch of humor. — 3 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.

• Report an Error
• Submit a News Tip

More in Books

Books | New Sara Paretsky novel and more mysteries to solve this month

Books | The Book Club: “The Berry Pickers” and more short reviews from readers

Colorado News | Readers Take Denver cancels 2025 conference after attendees decry “Fyre Festival of books”

Books | The Book Club: “Absolution” and more short reviews from readers

‘The Book of Clarence’s Religious Comedy Isn’t Just for Non-Believers

Commentary, not mockery, is the goal.

The Big Picture

• The Book of Clarence is a unique biblical dramedy with three differing interpretations of the Messiah.
• The film explores knowledge vs. belief, not mockery, cleverly challenging faith and encouraging questioning.
• The movie offers nuanced commentary on religion, acceptance, and redemption, making it a thoughtful examination of faith.

The Book of Clarence is the kind of movie you don’t know you want to see until you see it. A film about a man pretending to be a false prophet for his own personal gain in the age of Jesus isn't exactly driving people into the theaters. However, The Book of Clarence isn’t so much a religious movie as it is a movie about religion, and this is the key reason it works as not only entertainment but commentary. It’s probably not a film you’ll be seeing with your worship group - there’s a little too much weed, opium, and false idol worship for that - but it’s definitely not a mockery of faith or religion. In fact, if anything, it’s an homage to some of the great films about Christianity, such as 1956’s The Ten Commandments , 1965’s The Greatest Story Ever Told , and 1959’s Ben-Hur . Which makes sense, as director Jeymes Samuel cited these movies as inspiration in an interview with Deadline .

The Book of Clarence

Struggling to find a better life, Clarence is captivated by the power of the rising Messiah and soon risks everything to carve a path to a divine existence.

What Is ‘The Book of Clarence’ About?

The Book of Clarence is a biblical dramedy that takes place in 33 A.D. and follows Clarence ( LaKeith Stanfield ), a man from Jerusalem. In debt to a terrible loan shark, caring for his ailing mother, and constantly finding himself in trouble, he is down on his luck and looking for a way to repay his debts. After losing a chariot race to Mary Magdalene ( Teyana Taylor ) that would have awarded him enough to pay his loans, he finds himself in an opium den and while smoking, he comes up with a grand idea: he’ll become a “Messiah,” like Jesus Christ ( Nicholas Pinnock ).

To do this, Clarence first approaches the Twelve Apostles, one of whom is his twin brother Thomas (also played by Stanfield). The Apostles mock him, claiming that he is a nonbeliever and that he’s being insincere, and say that to become an apostle, he has to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ and perform an amazing feat to prove himself. Judas ( Michael Ward ) suggests that Clarence free a group of gladiator slaves to earn a place as the thirteenth Apostle, which Clarence takes to heart. He manages to win a gladiatorial battle against the most brutal warrior, Barabbas ( Omar Sy ) and earns the warrior his freedom. From there, Clarence sets out on a path of preaching and “miracles” as the Romans become more suspicious of him.

The film is set up in three acts, or “books”: “The 13th Apostle,” “The New Messiah,” and “The Crucifixion.” They focus on their respective parts of the story, and each has one major event that demonstrates Clarence’s rise and fall as a messiah. Throughout these acts, we also meet two other key players: Jesus Christ and the beggar Benjamin ( Benedict Cumberbatch ), each of whom represents an idea of the messiah alongside Clarence.

The Three Messiahs of ‘The Book of Clarence’ Make a Comparison Instead of a Mockery

By using three versions of the Messiah - Jesus himself, Clarence, and Benjamin - The Book of Clarence is able to compare three interpretations of Christianity, exploring some of the issues that may arise when looking at the Bible through a historical lens and that arise from interpretation in general. Clarence provides the perspective of knowledge over belief, and this is the field many agnostic and atheist individuals approach religion from. While Clarence may seem dismissive or rude in the questions he asks and the statements he makes, what he’s truly looking for is answers. He offers the counterpoint to the believers around him by making his miracles happen through trickery and know-how and preaching about knowing instead of simply believing.

However, Clarence is also in the category of the nonbeliever who hates God. His relationship with his brother, Thomas, is extremely strained because Thomas left home to become an apostle. Clarence feels like Thomas abandoned their family - and even uses the Bible’s teachings against him, saying that Thomas has broken the commandment of honor thy father and thy mother - and claims that Thomas is following a man who could be a fraud. This particular relationship mirrors the anger and helplessness people often describe feeling in times of crisis, where many claim they lost their belief or came to hate God.

LaKeith Stanfield the Mike Tyson of Acting? RJ Cyler Thinks So

On the other hand, we have Jesus himself. Throughout most of the film, we don’t see Jesus’ face. During any miracles or acts of savior we see, his face is covered with a hood. When we do see Jesus’ face, we see a man closer to what anthropologists and scientists believe Jesus might have looked like . Throughout the film, characters witness his power, but mostly without seeing him, which points to him as the symbol of belief . A good example is the scene where Mary Magdalene is being stoned. Elijah ( RJ Cyler ) rushes to shield her from the rocks, but suddenly the rocks all stop in midair and fall to the ground. Jesus has arrived, and he tells those throwing stones that they aren’t without sin - let he who is without sin cast the first stone - and helps Mary, healing her wounds as Elijah watches. At that moment, Elijah believes. This Messiah is the closest to the biblical Jesus. He is wholly benevolent, humble, gracious, and kind, even to the nonbeliever.

Finally, we have Benjamin, a beggar given a new life when Jesus gives him the ability to multiply coins. Once he is cleaned up, we see that he is a white, blue-eyed man with long brown-blond hair, not unlike the typical depiction of Jesus seen in paintings. With his newfound ability, he showers people in the streets with money until Roman soldiers capture him. Benjamin represents the interpretation of a Messiah. It’s said that Jesus could be anyone, even a beggar on the street, and that’s exactly what Benjamin is. He has the most well-known appearance of Jesus, and is openly generous with his new wealth, and finds himself crucified for it. Benjamin is an example of the misconceptions and misinterpretations of Jesus.

By taking this three-pronged approach, The Book of Clarence moves away from mockery and into commentary about how Clarence and Jesus - knowledge and belief, the two branches that seem to constantly be at war - run together and interact with each other, yet are often overshadowed by the majority interpretation of events. If Clarence is the devil’s advocate, explaining how miracles can be done with trickery and representing how the events of the Bible very well could have been the misinterpretation of its writers, and Jesus is the idea of belief and biblical accuracy, Benjamin is the representation of what people want to believe. The simplest story, the one that may not be true but isn’t to be questioned, the one that everyone accepts.

‘The Book of Clarence’ Isn’t Blasphemy, It’s a Collaboration of Ideas

This kind of commentary on Christianity, though, is more often than not met with a lot of scrutiny. After all, Clarence is pretending to be Jesus. That’s literally blasphemy by definition! It's a mockery of faith. Except, it really isn’t. Clarence never claims to be the son of God; he just says he’s going to be a Messiah. He does this for money and power and finds himself along the way as he uses his new wealth and notoriety to free the rest of the gladiators. By the end of the film, Clarence even becomes a believer, having combined his philosophy of knowing with his new faith. He’s not supposed to be a false idol. He’s supposed to be a marriage of seeing and believing, the idea that these two philosophies don’t have to be entirely separate.

In addition, the film is one of the most accurate depictions of Jesus I’ve ever seen, but in appearance and ideology. Pinnock was excellent in the role; he is humble and carries a quiet strength and gentleness that can be hard to nail. There’s never a point when Jesus appears “impressive” or where he grows angry at what Clarence is doing. He is completely full of love and grace for humanity. The film often makes Jesus feel like a secondary character at times, which is probably a smart choice for the story this film is telling. Jesus is unassuming, but he’s supposed to be everywhere in the words and hearts of believers, and that’s how the movie portrays him. We aren’t supposed to see him, and he doesn’t have to denounce Clarence; he just is . The film isn’t about the journey to being a believer necessarily. It’s about how nonbelievers can still be good people, and Jesus cares for them just the same as he would a follower.

That’s why Clarence is never portrayed as a threat to faith in the film. He’s a challenge , but not a threat , and the film encourages his challenge. Why shouldn’t you ask questions, or try to find the logic? That doesn’t make you a heretic. It makes you human, because humans are naturally curious, and throughout history, we’ve always made up stories about the unknown or to explain the things we don’t understand. Ultimately, these themes of acceptance, redemption, knowledge, and belief are what make The Book of Clarence a movie about religion instead of a religious movie, and give the film a comedic, yet surprisingly nuanced examination of religion and the way people - both of and without faith - view it.

The Book of Clarence is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

Watch on Netflix