How Long Does It Take to Write a Book Review?

Book reviews are essential tools for readers and writers alike. Whether you’re a casual reader, a literature student, a blogger, or an aspiring book critic, writing a book review helps to solidify your thoughts and contribute to a larger literary conversation. But one common question arises: How long does it actually take to write a book review?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might expect—it depends on various factors, including the book’s length and complexity, your reading speed, writing experience, and how in-depth the review needs to be. In this post, we’ll break it down step-by-step, analyze the timelines, and offer tips to help you write effective reviews faster and better.

📖 What is a Book Review?

Before we get into the time breakdown, let’s clarify what a book review is.

A book review is a critical evaluation of a book, typically between 300 to 1,000 words. It includes a brief summary, an assessment of the book’s strengths and weaknesses, the reviewer’s opinion, and sometimes a recommendation. Reviews can be casual and personal (like on Goodreads or Amazon) or academic and formal (like in journals, newspapers, or literary blogs).

⏳ Average Time to Write a Book Review

So, how long does it take from the moment you open the book to the time you hit “publish” on your review? Here’s a general timeline:

Stage	Time Estimate
Reading the Book	5 – 20 hours (or more)
Taking Notes	1 – 2 hours
Drafting the Review	1 – 3 hours
Editing & Proofreading	30 minutes – 1 hour
Final Touches (formatting, SEO, publishing)	30 minutes – 1 hour

Total Time: 8 – 27+ hours

Let’s explore each stage in detail.

📚 1. Reading the Book (5–20 Hours+)

Naturally, the biggest chunk of time goes into reading the book. Depending on your reading speed and the book’s length:

• Novels (300–400 pages): 6–10 hours
• Shorter books (under 200 pages): 3–5 hours
• Academic books or dense texts: 15–25 hours

If you’re writing a review for a book you’ve already read before, it may only require a quick skim or re-reading selected passages, which can cut down time drastically.

Tip:

• Use sticky notes, a journal, or reading apps (like Kindle’s notes feature) to record thoughts as you read. This saves hours later.

📝 2. Taking Notes & Outlining (1–2 Hours)

After reading, you’ll need time to gather your thoughts. This includes:

• Summarizing key plot points or arguments
• Noting themes, writing style, tone
• Highlighting quotes
• Forming your opinion

This step often determines the quality of your review. A strong outline helps avoid writer’s block and streamlines the writing process.

Tip:

• Create a simple outline:
  • Introduction (book info + initial thoughts)
  • Summary
  • Analysis (themes, characters, writing style)
  • Strengths and weaknesses
  • Personal reflection or recommendation

✍️ 3. Drafting the Review (1–3 Hours)

Writing the actual review is a different kind of task—it requires creativity, clarity, and critical thinking. Your writing speed and comfort with expressing your opinion will affect how long this takes.

Breakdown by Review Type:

• Short Casual Review (300–500 words): ~45 minutes to 1 hour
• In-depth Blog Post (800–1300 words): ~2 to 3 hours
• Academic Critique (1500+ words): 4+ hours

Tip:

• Start with the part you’re most confident about. For some, it’s the summary. For others, it’s the analysis or conclusion.

🔍 4. Editing and Proofreading (30 minutes – 1 Hour)

Editing is often overlooked but vital. You need to check for:

• Grammar and spelling errors
• Logical flow
• Tone and clarity
• Repetitions or vague statements

Reading aloud or using tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, or even a beta reader can help polish your review.

🧰 5. Final Touches (30 minutes – 1 Hour)

Once your draft is ready, the final step is:

• Formatting it for your platform (WordPress, Medium, Goodreads)
• Adding SEO keywords (for blog reviews)
• Inserting images (e.g., book cover)
• Crafting a meta-description or tagline
• Publishing or scheduling the post

If you’re posting on Amazon or Goodreads, this step is quicker. But for bloggers or YouTubers, it could involve more backend work.

🧠 What Affects the Time It Takes?

✅ Book Length and Complexity:

A poetry book may take a couple of hours. A historical epic or scientific treatise? Days.

✅ Reader Experience:

Seasoned reviewers have a sharper eye and can synthesize insights faster than beginners.

✅ Writing Fluency:

Are you a practiced writer or do you agonize over every word? Your writing confidence significantly changes the pace.

✅ Platform Expectations:

• Goodreads or Amazon: shorter, more spontaneous reviews
• Blogs or YouTube: in-depth, edited, and well-structured reviews

✅ Purpose of the Review:

• For fun? It can be casual and quick.
• For school, publication, or as an influencer? Expect to invest more time.

💡 Tips to Write Faster & Better Reviews

1. Keep a Reading Journal – Jot down quotes, character thoughts, and key moments as you read.
2. Use Templates – Create a book review template to follow every time.
3. Set a Timer – Try “Pomodoro technique” (25 min work + 5 min break) to stay focused.
4. Don’t Overthink – Reviews are opinions. Be honest and concise.
5. Batch Your Tasks – If you’re reviewing multiple books, do similar steps (like editing) all at once for efficiency.

🧭 Real Examples: How Long It Takes for Different Reviewers

📚 Jane (Casual Goodreads Reviewer)

• Reads 3–4 hours per book
• Writes 300-word reviews in 30 minutes
• Total time: ~4 hours

✍️ Alex (Book Blogger)

• Reads a book in 8–10 hours
• Writes detailed 1200-word reviews in 2 hours
• Edits, formats, and posts
• Total time: ~12–15 hours

🎓 Sam (Literature Student)

• Deep reading + note-taking: 20+ hours
• Academic critique: 1500+ words
• Total time: ~25–30 hours

📈 Is It Worth the Time?

Absolutely! Writing book reviews:

• Enhances your critical thinking
• Helps retain what you’ve read
• Builds your online presence or portfolio
• Encourages others to read
• Contributes to literary culture

Even short reviews can impact authors and publishers—and might get you free ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) or sponsorships if you grow your platform.

✨ Final Thoughts

So, how long does it take to write a book review?
The realistic range is anywhere from 2 hours for a quick review to 30+ hours for a detailed critique. The key is to balance quality with your goals.

Whether you’re doing it for personal growth, academic study, or professional influence, every review adds value. And like any writing skill, the more you do it, the faster (and better) you’ll get.