University Library > Guides > Featured Resources > Book Reviews

Looking for Book Reviews

Book Reviews


Has a friend recommended a "good book" to read? Maybe you heard about one on the Oprah Winfrey show? Well, now you want to find out more about the book before delving into into it, so what do you do? Look for book reviews!

Most book reviews are written within one year of the publication date of the book being reviewed. It is important to keep these dates in mind when looking for reviews. For reviews written in or after 1983, begin with an online index. For reviews written before 1983, begin with a print index.

Online Sources for Book Reviews

For all of the databases listed below, except for New York Times Book Review, a search for the title of the book in quotes AND review* will find book reviews (if there are any in the database). If the title of the book begins with an article, leave the article off.  Here are some sample keyword searches:

"toughest indian in the world" and review*

"tale of two cities" and review*

Some of databases have special search limits for finding reviews, so you may want to look for those. Use the Find It button to look for the fulltext of reviews not available in the database being searched.

To look for reviews in the New York Times Book Review, you must first register and sign in. Registration is free and provides the search capabilities, and some full text. To search, type the title of the book in quotes in the textbox on the top of the display. Select one of the two date ranges (NYT Since 1996, or NYT 1851-1995). Click on the Search button. Some recent reviews will be available online. Older reviews published after 1896 may be read in microfilm, which is held on the first floor of the library.

Print Sources for Book Reviews

Click on a title to view locations in Andersen Library.

For assistance, contact a reference librarian at (262) 472-1032, by email or chat or in person at the Library's Reference Desk.

Last Revised: MS - 2/23/2010