review essay about interesting place

Horse lovers will find her on the Writing Horseback blog. She is a BootsnAll Insider for California and has contributed to InsideBayArea, Uptake.com and Write to Travel blogs.  She is a member of Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW), BlogHer , Matador and Travelwriters.com .  She also owns a public relations consulting business.

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10 Comments

Great tips, Nancy!

Thanks, Christy. What are your tips on writing the Perfect Destination Review?

I think you pretty much covered the main points. I like how you pointed out how the first paragraph needs to draw the reader into the story. This point is often overlooked by writers, but it’s definitely worth the time and effort.

Since it is important to me personally, I also include if a place is kid-friendly (and how), and about the disability access. Not everyone wants to know this, but many people do.

Great article!

Great points, Jessie! A lot of folks would also be interested in pet-friendly destinations.

Hi Nancy: I like this post. It is like Travel Writing 101, brief but concise.

As a journalist, I can’t emphasize the need for a nut graf – as it functions like a thesis statement. It keeps your writing focused and tight.

Thanks for tips, especially for 5 Ws.

Great tips and very useful. It sounds pretty much like writing news when providing information. Tricky part is keeping your write up lively and enticing to the readers.

Thanks for the positive feed back everyone!

Thanks for such wonderful tips! I dont have a travel site but I think this could be used in any type of copy. Wonderful post.

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay about a Place

If you’re not sure what exactly a descriptive essay is and how to write one, you’ve come to the right place. I’m Tutor Phil, and in this tutorial I’ll explain how a descriptive essay works and how to write it, step by step.

We’ll write one together, so you’ll have a great example of a descriptive essay.

What Is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is a piece of writing in which the author describes a place, a person, an object, an animal, or a process. The purpose of a descriptive essay is to move the reader to some kind of a revelation, conclusion, or decision about the subject.

It is very important to note that a descriptive essay is not an argumentative essay. You’re not presenting an argument and doing whatever it takes to support it.

In a descriptive essay, your intention should be to describe the subject in such a way that the reader would create her own impression of it. 

At the same time, your essay is not neutral because it is colored by your own perception or experience of the subject. 

In other words, you are implying and suggesting, not blatantly pushing an opinion.

You want to let the reader see, hear, touch, smell, and taste the place you’re describing. And that experience should lead the reader to an appropriate impression or conclusion. 

Writing a Descriptive Essay Is a 6-Step Process

Step 1. choose the subject.

Maybe your instructor has already chosen the subject for you. If not, choose a country, city, or a place within a city or a geographical location that you are familiar with.

Ideally, it is a place that you have been to and have a good memory of it. A descriptive essay about a place should not rely solely on research, in most cases. 

The real value of your essay is that you know that place, and perhaps it has a special meaning for you or evokes feelings that no other place can evoke. 

So, unless you have to write about a specific place where you have never been, choose a location that has a special place in your heart. 

Sometimes, your subject can be a place with which you may have negative associations. But most likely, it is a beloved place that has left an indelible impression on your heart and mind.

Criteria for choosing the place

• Ideally, this place should be dear to your heart
• It is unique. It is unlike any other place you’ve ever been to, in at least one or two important ways
• It has left a strong impression on you
• Perhaps you learned something there
• Perhaps something wonderful happened to you there, such as meeting your soulmate or discovering something about yourself
• Ideally, it has special visual qualities that stand out in contrast to what your audience is probably used to. In other words, being visually striking is a huge plus. 

I’ll give you an example. For me, one particular little spa town in Europe won me over when I first visited it many years ago. Its name is Carlsbad, or Karlovy Vary. The terms are interchangeable. One is of German origin, and the other is native Czech. 

It is located in the western part of Czech Republic, not too far from the German border. It is serene, spectacular, and magical, and I’ll choose it as the subject for our sample descriptive essay. 

By the way, Carlsbad, California was named after Karlovy Vary because of the similar mineral content of the underground waters found in the American cousin city. 

Step 2. Pick an audience

I understand that you’re probably writing this essay to fulfill a requirement for your class. In which case, your audience is your teacher or professor. 

But even if you’re writing for your instructor, you should still have a particular audience in mind because this will help you form ideas and keep your thoughts flowing. 

Knowing your audience will inform your choices of what to include and what to exclude in your descriptive essay because your reader may care about some aspects of this place but not others. 

Criteria for choosing an audience

• Your ideal reader is someone who is most likely to be interested in this place 
• It is someone who is likely to enjoy reading your essay 
• Your ideal audience is also someone who will benefit from reading about this place and derive the most value from it

Let’s come back to our example of Karlovy Vary. As I already mentioned, it is a spa town, which means that its attractiveness lies in its therapeutic qualities. 

I first visited this gem of a town back in 2004 as a result of a real academic and professional burnout. I believe I was still an undergraduate student finishing up my studies, and I also had a stressful job.

I lived in Brooklyn, which is a borough of New York City, and this metropolis is known for its stressful lifestyle. 

New York has all the disadvantages of living in a large city, such as pollution and other stressors that can really suck the life energy out of its dwellers if they are not careful.

I lived in New York for 25 years, and I love this city. I don’t want to come across as totally negative about it. 

But focusing on the negatives about my city in this case will help you see how I am choosing the audience for this essay we’ll be writing together in this tutorial. 

You see, New York City is a direct opposite of Karlovy Vary in several critical ways. 

Establishing a contrast helps define an audience

New York is noisy. Drivers here are notorious for incessant horn honking. And you can hear an ambulance or a police siren probably every 15 minutes or so. 

Conversely, Karlovy Vary is super quiet. Such a crazy hustle and bustle doesn’t exist here, and drivers don’t have a reason to honk the horn all the time. It is also very rare to hear a police or an ambulance siren. 

Air quality in New York is decent for a big city, but it is still relatively polluted . All the millions of cars and trucks produce way too much carbon dioxide. You can actually see the smog from some vantage points. 

The air in Karlovy Vary is virtually pristine. The town is surrounded by hills, and car traffic is not allowed in the city center. 

The landscape in New York is a bit monotonous and often fails to inspire. They don’t call this city “a concrete jungle” for nothing. The overall atmosphere is hardly conducive to a great mood or daily inspiration.

Conversely, Karlovy Vary offers aesthetically pleasing, relaxing, and inspiring architecture and landscape. It’s like entering a spa, only the spa is a whole town. 

Now that we have this contrast, it is easy to see who might be interested in learning more about Karlovy Vary. Our ideal audience is someone who:

• Lives in a big metropolis, such as NYC or another big city
• Can relate to being excessively stressed out 
• Is aware of noise and air pollution
• Would love an escape to relax and renew, even if only by reading an essay.

So, our essay becomes a sort of a virtual or a fantasy escape until an actual trip becomes possible. 

Your audience might have different challenges, needs, and desires. It could be someone who:

• Is nostalgic about their childhood and a place associated with it
• Dreams about a perfect place to live and work
• Plans a retirement location 

Think of these factors when determining your audience. In the meantime, because we’ve already identified our ideal reader – a stressed out urban dweller – we can move on to the next step.

Step 3. Divide the subject into subtopics

No matter what kind of an essay you’re writing, you want to divide the main topic into subtopics. In other words, you want to create some kind of a structure that will consist of parts. 

I use and teach my students to use the technique I call the Power of Three. 

What this means is that instead of having just one big topic, such as one town, we can have three aspects of this town to discuss.

Incidentally, we already talked about three major differences between NYC and Karlovy Vary. These are noise levels, air quality, and landscape. So, perhaps we can use one or more of these aspects of a city as sections of our essay.

We must keep in mind that we’re not writing a comparative essay , although that’s a possibility, too. 

We’re writing a descriptive essay. So, we need to find three aspects of the town that we can discuss one after another to put together a rich and detailed enough picture of this place.

Note that these three aspects correspond to the senses of hearing, smell, and sight. 

Let’s make a preliminary list of such aspects of Karlovy Vary:

• Quietness. Does this aspect present an interesting description opportunity? This will depend on our ability to turn it into an asset. 
• Air quality. This may be too specific. We may want to zoom out a little and discuss more than one natural asset of this city. Some of the others include water quality and the industries associated with it. 
• Landscape. This is the most conspicuous aspect of this city. The first thing you’re struck with is how beautiful this place really is. This one is definitely a winner.

If we go about writing about these three aspects of Karlovy Vary creatively, we will have three nice sections or paragraphs that will form the body of our essay. 

Note that we’ll probably use more than one sensory perception, such as sight or smell, in each section. We’ll simply use one of three senses as a primary focus in each of our three sections. 

It would make sense to begin the discussion of the city by describing it visually. So, this will be our primary focus in the first section.

Then, we can proceed to the sense of hearing. Why? Because our last section will be about air and water. And we should probably leave those for last because we can hear the water before we can taste it. That’s just the way it works in Karlovy Vary.

So, the primary sense perception in our second section will be hearing. And this section won’t be just about how quiet it is. 

In fact, the real contrast between a big city and Karlovy Vary is the quality of the soundscape, not just the simple quietness, although it’s a part of it. So, we’ll focus on all the little sounds that make this place unique. 

Finally, in the third section or paragraph, we’ll talk about the air and the water, which will correspond to the senses of smell and taste, primarily. 

Again, we’ll be using any sense perceptions we feel necessary to make the reader’s experience as real as possible. 

And now we have our place, we know our audience, and we have our three main ideas about this place that we’ll use to structure the essay. 

We can begin writing, and we’ll start with the opening paragraph. 

Step 4. Write the introduction

An introductory paragraph in a descriptive essay offers you a lot of flexibility in how you choose to write it. 

You can start off with a particular example of a sense perception, drop your reader in the middle of a town square, or begin with an abstract concept. 

I would like to suggest an easy and practical way to do it. In the first sentence or two, pull your reader from the outside world into this particular magical place you’ve chosen to write about.

Then, focus on the place you want to describe and say something general about it that would set the context or provide a perspective. 

And finally, set some kind of an expectation for what’s to follow. You can create a sense of mystery, if you like. Remember, this is not an argumentative essay. So, you have more room for creativity.

This is where we begin to put together our descriptive essay example. Let’s write our introductory paragraph.

Descriptive Essay Introduction

“When the city has worn you down, the body is tired, and the soul yearns for a respite, you can count on a little magic gem of a town that will nourish you back to life. The name of the place is Karlovy Vary, and it is nested in the heart of Europe, in Western Bohemia, a region in Czech Republic famous for its spa towns. Its beautiful architecture, therapeutic landscape, clean air, and mineral waters offer the weary a healing adventure and a feast for the senses.”

What have we done in this paragraph? 

We’ve pulled the reader into the world of this small spa town. We first descended in their world of the stressful city, and then we turned their attention to its opposite. We named the town and explained where it is located. 

And finally, we provided a glimpse of what to expect in this descriptive essay about this town. Now, we’re ready to write the body of the essay. 

Step 5. Write the body of the essay

We know our three main sections, which in this case correspond to three sense perceptions. Each section can have more than one paragraph. It all depends on how long your essay has to be. 

If you are writing an essay of about 500-600 words, then a five-paragraph structure will do the job. If you need to write 2000 words or more, then you’ll have three sections instead of just three paragraphs.

And then each section can also be divided into two or three subsections (using the Power of Three, if you like). And each subsection can be a paragraph or more. 

Just remember – the more words you need, the more dividing into subtopics you must do. The key to writing more is dividing one idea into several supporting ideas. And then you simply treat each supporting idea as a tiny essay. 

If you struggle with essay writing in general or need to brush it up, I recommend you read my tutorial on essay writing for beginners . This would be a great place to turn to next.

Now, let’s write out our body paragraphs. Since there’s quite a bit to cover, we’ll probably take two paragraphs per section to get the job done.

Descriptive essay body paragraphs

“When you stay in one of the pretty little hotels in Karlovy Vary, you are likely to be descending the hills towards the hot springs every morning. No matter which part of town you live in, you’ll be greeted with a magnificent sight of little hotels and spas whose architecture has a unifying 19th century style. At the same time, each building has its own character, color, and features. The town is situated on several hills, and the hotels are lined up along about four levels. 

The first level is down by the river Tepla, and these hotels are only a few because most of the downtown is occupied with hot springs colonnades where people gather and drink hot mineral water. The next three levels ascend from the springs, and you can either take the stairs or even use a funicular that will take you to the highest level to the Hotel Imperial. As you exit your hotel in the morning, you are greeted with a sight of a collection of small, three to four story buildings that look like birthday cakes. They are pink, green, blue, red, turquoise, and any color you can imagine. You suddenly realize how this variety of colors and shapes strewn over the hillsides all facing you and the city center makes your head spin and makes you feel like you’ve never felt before. Your healing has begun with landscape therapy.

As you descend the stairs to reach the hot springs, you notice the abundance of oxygen in the air because it has a subtle but distinct smell, a bit like the way air smells right before a rain. Then, as you pass by another hotel, and you’ll pass more than one, a light whiff of toast and fried eggs with bacon hits you, stirring your appetite. It is customary to drink a cup of hot mineral water before you come back to your hotel for breakfast. It is called a drinking cure. 

As you keep walking towards the geyser and the springs that surround it, you notice another astonishing detail. Nobody is in a rush. Nobody has anywhere to be except right here, right now. Travelers with cute little porcelain cups stroll along without a worry in the world, taking in the sights, the smells, and the sounds of the birds chirping and singing all around. Their serenity infects you. You slow down, too. You begin to look, smell, and listen. This town has got you. 

Karlovy Vary is famous for its healing mineral waters that are known to alleviate gastrointestinal issues. These waters really do have magic powers. You have your little sipping cup with you, and when you reach one of the springs, you wait for your turn to fill it up, walk off, and begin sipping. The water has a very subtle smell, but its taste is pretty strong for water. It has very high mineral content and tastes salty. Most people like the taste. Some find it too strong. But one thing is for sure – by the time you’re about half way through with your cup’s content, your digestive juices have begun to stir. 

The hot springs flow out through several fountains, each with its own intricately detailed colonnade. The mineral content of water bursting out of each fountain is identical. But the temperature of the water varies from really hot to mild and comfortable. Your “spa doctor” actually prescribes which fountains to use and how much to drink. Sipping the water out of a special porcelain cup with a built-in straw-like system is a special pleasure of its own. The point is not to rush but to take about 20 minutes to empty the cup. In the meantime, you have a chance to take in the magnificent serenity that surrounds and infuses you. When you’ve drunk your water, it is time to head back to your hotel and eat breakfast. You repeat this routine three times a day for the duration of your stay. By day three, you are serenity itself. By day fourteen, you are a brand new person.”

Step 6. Write the conclusion

A conclusion in a descriptive essay is, like the introduction, more flexible than a conclusion in an argumentative essay.

You can conclude your essay in any way you really want as long as you observe one rule. Just make sure you zoom out and write in more general terms. 

It is not the time to add specific details and examples. This is the time to wrap things up and end on a general note. 

Your conclusion can be very short – only a couple of sentences. But you can take your space and write as much or as little as you feel like. You can always go back and trim it down or beef it up.

Let’s write our conclusion.

Our Conclusion

“Upon reading this, you may feel that this town is described as some sort of a paradise. And in a way, it is, especially if you are traveling from a big city and carrying a load of accumulated stress. But it’s not until you see, touch, smell, hear, and taste it for yourself that this European jewel will become a part of your entire being forever.”

It’s okay to be a little emotional and perhaps to even exaggerate a little in the concluding paragraph. Just notice that this one is more general than any of the body paragraphs. 

It also touches upon or mentions every sense perception evoked in the body of the essay. 

Your Key Takeaways

• A descriptive essay is much more flexible and has a lot fewer rules than an argumentative essay.
• Use the five sense perceptions – sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing – to structure your essay. 
• You don’t have to organize your essay by sense perceptions. You can divide your place into sections and walk the reader through each one. 
• You can even structure your essay as a string of paragraphs that describe one particular walk or route, from beginning to end.
• Our last body paragraph is a description of the process of drinking hot mineral water in Karlovy Vary. It is a perfect example of a description of a process, if you ever want to write that kind of an essay.
• Don’t persuade but subtly suggest. 
• Show, don’t tell, whenever you can. 

A Few Scenic Snapshots of Karlovy Vary’s Charm

I hope this was helpful. Now go ahead and write that descriptive essay about a place!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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17 Interesting Places in Malaysia That You Should Consider Visiting

Categories Destinations , Asia , Kota Kinabalu , Kuala Lumpur , Limbang , Malaysia , Miri , Sabah , Sarawak

Malaysia is one of the popular countries that people put on their bucketlist when it comes to South East Asia. The country is spread over a number of different islands. This means that it has a number of gorgeous beaches that have gained popularity over the years. The tropical forests also have their own allure.

Needless to say, there are a number of interesting places in Malaysia and while we have been there on numerous occasions, we barely scratched the tip of that iceberg.

Since we were looking to inspire and be inspired, we reached out to a number of travel bloggers and compiled this enormous list of interesting places in Malaysia that you should visit.

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.

Interesting Places In Malaysia: Table of Contents

1. bukit fraser.

Bukit Fraser is just one of the interesting places in Malaysia hat should be on your list.

LOCATION: Bukit Fraser (Fraser’s Hill)

GETTING THERE: It’s best to travel by private vehicle either car, motorbike or even mountain bike. You can catch a KTM Komuter train direct from KL but you’ll need to take an hour-long taxi journey from the train station in Kuala Kubu Bharu.

WHERE TO STAY: Stay in one of the traditional British-style hotels like Ye Olde Smokehouse or the centrally-located Puncak Inn.

A few hour’s drive from central Kuala Lumpur is the historic Malaysian hill station of Fraser’s Hill. Sprawled across jungle-clad mountaintops, Fraser’s Hill (also known as Bukit Fraser) is ideally located for a weekend getaway from the city. The scenery and history of Fraser’s Hill make it a fascinating and unusual place to visit in Malaysia.

In the 1920s, the hill station was opened as a retreat for expats from Kuala Lumpur. The fresh and cool temperatures are a huge contrast to the humidity and pollution in the Klang Valley. Today Fraser’s Hill is proud of its colonial roots and has been preserved as a relic of ‘Old England’ hidden deep in the mountains of Malaysia. The quaint village centre looks decidedly British and is home to a clock tower, post office and bungalows.

Bukit Fraser is especially famous for bird spotting, mountain biking and jungle hikes. The cooler weather makes outdoor activities much more inviting. These are just a few of the reasons why it is one of the interesting places in Malaysia.

There are many fun things to do in Fraser’s Hill for visitors of all ages, including families. You can hire a pedalo on the reservoir at Allan’s Water, try horse ride at The Paddock or play a round of mini-golf in the town’s park. The beautiful Jeriau Waterfall is a short (if rather precarious) drive from the village.

Of course, the highlight of any visit to Fraser’s Hill is a traditional ‘English’ cream tea of scones, jam and a pot of tea served on the patio of The Smokehouse overlooking the luscious Malaysian rainforest.

By Kirsty from World For A Girl

2. Cameron Highlands

Cameron highlands is one of the interesting places in Malaysia.

LOCATION: Cameron Highlands

GETTING THERE: The highlands are accessible by road from both coasts of the Malaysian peninsula. In addition to the public buses used by the locals, minivan shuttles also ferry tourists to the Highlands from Kuala Lumpur and from Georgetown on the island of Penang . From either starting point, the journey takes about 4.5 hours.

WHERE TO STAY: TJ Lodge (Budget) or Century Pines Resort (Mid-range)

The Cameron Highlands is a hill station north of Kuala Lumpur that’s full of tea plantations. Temperatures here are refreshingly cool, rarely rising about 25 degrees Celsius.

Tanah Rata is the main town in the Cameron Highlands, but there are a number of smaller settlements as well. And in fact, the Camerons cover an area that’s almost the same size as Singapore.

The main reason to come here is to enjoy the cool weather and the beautiful mountain scenery. Visitors also rave about the delicious food from the local Indian restaurants, all of which serve plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Gunung (Mount) Brinchang is a popular viewpoint from which to admire the mountains and the tea plantations.

It’s the tallest mountain in Malaysia that’s accessible by car, which means you have the choice of hiking up or taking a taxi.

A popular excursion in the Highlands is the ‘Rafflesia Tour’ to see the world’s largest flower in bloom makes it one of the interesting places in Malaysia to add to your list. The Rafflesia only blooms for about one week, so it’s quite hard to find.

It was only discovered near the Cameron Highlands 20 years ago for the first time, and now local villagers track blooming flowers and, when they find one, alert the travel agencies in Tanah Rata. Be prepared to hike through the jungle for an hour or two to reach the blooming rafflesia.

By Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan

Emily says that Ipoh definitely deserves a note in our list of interesting places in Malaysia.

LOCATION:  Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

GETTING THERE:  By train from Kuala Lumpur (3 hours) or by bus from Penang (5 hours).

WHERE TO STAY:  Sekeping Kong Heng is one of the most unique accommodations in all of Malaysia. Set inside a 1920s hostel originally built to cater to theatre performers, it features 32 sparsely decorated rooms. The theme here is definitely ‘industrial chic’, with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, loft spaces, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

If you’re looking for an offbeat destination that still feels like a bit of a hidden gem, Ipoh is one of the most interesting places in Malaysia for foodies and street art lovers. This is largely because there are loads of attractions in Ipoh.

Located in central Perak State, the country’s fourth-largest city is renowned for its hawker markets and old-school cafes.

White coffee, one of Malaysia’s most famous exports, was born in Ipoh, and is served all over the city in tall glasses piled high with ice. It pairs perfectly with Portuguese-style custard tarts, another Ipoh specialty.

Another thing to admire about Ipoh is its street art scene. Alongside a set of wall murals by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic (he was invited to paint Ipoh on the back of his success in Penang), you’ll find thousands of small-scale works by local creatives and community groups. Many of them represent different cultural traditions and festivals.

Wander down pretty Concubine Lane, which is clotted with cafes and  boutique souvenir shops , step inside one of Ipoh’s ornate mosques, and visit some of the British buildings that speak to the area’s colonial past.

Visit a house museum to learn about Ipoh’s history as a tin mining town, then walk the Ipoh Heritage Trail to see more of the city’s most prominent architecture up close. Finish your day with a meal at one of the many hawker markets (order beansprout chicken, a local recipe) before enjoying a nightcap at Tiga, an atmospheric speakeasy bar.

By Emily from Wander-Lush

4. Kinabatangan

The Kinabantangan river is one of the most interesting places in Malaysia because of the wildlife in and around it.

LOCATION:  Kinabatangan

GETTING THERE: Kinabantangan is accessible by road approximately 2 hours south of Sandakan airport.

WHERE TO STAY: Myne Resort , a jungle lodge perched on a bend on the Kinabantangan river. Private lodges come with ensuites and mosquito nets at an affordable price. June is the dry season with hot weather practically guaranteed.

Kinabantangan is the perfect area to explore Malaysian Borneo’s diverse wildlife and to see some orangutans if you’re lucky. Actually, the chances are quite high here at Myne Resort. It’s remoteness, although a particularly bumpy 4×4 ride to get to, makes it right in the heart of the rainforest.

Pigmy elephants regularly wander through the grounds and feed on the riverbanks opposite. Macaques sneak into the communal dining area of the resort looking for a quick snack or to cause some mischief.

A boat ride along the river reveals more sightings; Sun bears, Proboscis monkeys, birds of prey and, the stars of the show, Orangutans. Only found here and in parts of Sumatra these captivating apes are highly endangered and the chance to see them in their natural habitat is a true wonder.

Many fruits are in season in June making it an ideal time to spot feeding wildlife on the river banks. Jungle treks and night walks reveal an up-close look at some more of the locals, bugs of all shapes and sizes, snakes and plenty more cheeky macaques!

By Jo from Lost Wanders

5. Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is one of the interesting places to Malaysia you should add to your list.

LOCATION: Kuala Lumpur

GETTING THERE: Kuala Lumpur is a major city and easy to access. The main and biggest airport is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). KLIA is one of the main airports in Southeast Asia, making the city very accessible to travel to.  The airport is located about 45km from the city centre, which is easily reached by bus, train or taxi.

WHERE TO STAY: Bukit Bintang is known as KL’s shopping and entertainment district and a great place to stay. This district is centrally located, allowing visitors to easily access other parts of the city. CitizenM Kuala Lumpur Bukit Bintang is a budget-friendly hotel located in Bukit Bintang. Guests love this hotel for its’ ambiance and location.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and the largest city in the country. That said it’s known for its iconic towers. The Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. They are great to visit during the day but are amazing to see at night.  

You can go up the 86th floor of the towers to enjoy stunning views and learn more about the history of the towers. You can easily spend a whole day exploring the towers and the area around it. Thankfully, it’s easy to get around on foot so you can go on a shopping session while you’re in the area.

The street food in Kuala Lumpur is not to be missed. Jalan Alor is one of the most popular streets for food in KL.  Kuala Lumpur is a diverse city, and this is reflected in the food. Visitors can get a range of delicious and budget-friendly dishes while also experiencing Malaysian culture. 

There are many options for street food in Kuala Lumpur but Jalan Alor combines delicious food and a great experience. The food is just one part of what makes Kuala Lumpur one of the interesting places in Malaysia.

Make sure to head to Chinatown too – it’s ideal for a quick lunch or for a shopping session. It’s a great spot to buy your souvenirs before you leave Malaysia.

By Melissa from Nomad Life 101

6. Langkawi

Langkawi is a particularly interesting spot on our list of interesting places in Malaysia.

LOCATION: Langkawi

GETTING THERE: You can take a ferry from mainland Malaysia, or Penang. You can also fly in as there is an international airport

WHERE TO STAY: The best area to stay in is Cenang beach, this is where all the bars, restaurants, hotels and nightlife is. It’s also the most touristic part of the island, but luckily, in June, you won’t have to deal with too many crowds.

We knew nothing about Langkawi when we set out to do our Workaway there, but after spending a full month on the island, we fell in love! And June is the perfect time to visit. The high tourist season will be over, and the rainy season will have just started.

Expect clear skies in the morning and throughout the day, though you will get heavy rain for an hour or two, mainly in the late afternoon or at night (some days, it will be both).

Having spent so much time in Langkawi, we can tell you the rain was a welcomed moment in our days, as it would bring the humidity and heat down immediately! And trust us, it gets really hot!

This little island has everything you could look for , from beautiful waterfalls which swell because of the rain, to hopping from beach to beach, plus some fun activities like scuba diving, parasailing, jet skiing and so much more. You must not miss out on the famous mangroves of Langkawi either.

You can get some incredible views of the island by going on the Langkawi Skycab, the world’s longest free span mono-cable car. And if you love shopping, note that Langkawi is a duty-free island!

The restaurants in Langkawi are quite affordable, but you have to stay away from the tourist traps. The best place to eat is still at the nightly market. The market travels around the city, setting up shop in a different location every night. There, you’ll find the very best in local fare.

We loved our time in Langkawi. There were not too many people, the weather was great, and the island had so much to offer. If you’re looking for a mix of adventure and chilling and affordable prices, this is the place for you! So plan your itinerary in Langkawi based on what you enjoy!

By Carine and Derek from We Did It Our Way

I’m so glad the gorgeous Melaka made it to our list of interesting places in Malaysia.

LOCATION: Melaka

GETTING THERE: You can arrive by bus from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. The ride from Singapore takes around 4 hours (including a stop at the border) and the bus from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur takes an additional 4 hours. Book online or at any tourist agency in either place.

WHERE TO STAY: More Vegetarian Tea House and Residence is a gorgeous place to stay in the heart of town with double rooms and delectable food in the period restaurant.

Charming Melaka is one of the prettiest and most atmospheric places in Malaysia, yet it remains a bit of a hidden gem, at least with international tourists. Halfway between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, one of its perks is its location. If you’re travelling from Malaysia to Singapore or vice versa, it’s a great place to stop and break up the journey.

Melaka is a cultural melting point with countless Chinese temples, mosques and Hindu temples to explore. One of the most popular, especially with photographers is Melaka Straits Mosque, also known as the Floating Mosque, just a short drive from the centre of town.

Other things to do in sleepy Melaka include finding colourful street art, wandering atmospheric Jonkers Walk and tucking into authentic Malaysian food at the weekend night market .

Pink Windmill Square, dating back to the Dutch colonial period, is another popular and bustling parts of town to wander and soak up the atmosphere.

By Rose from Where Goes Rose

8. Mulu Caves

As far as natural wonders goes, the Mulu caves ranks high on the list of interesting places in Malaysia you should visit.

LOCATION: Mulu Caves

GETTING THERE: Being remote the easiest way to get there is to fly with MASwings from Kuching or Miri. However, if you are the adventurous type, you can take the two-day hike through the jungle along the Headhunter trail from Limbang.

WHERE TO STAY: To enjoy the stunning jungle surrounds the best place to stay, is the Marriott Mulu Resort . They have a regular shuttle bus that takes guests to and from the National Park. After a long day of exploring the caves and hiking trails, you can relax in the pool or treat yourself with a massage.

If the Marriott is beyond your budget, the park itself has several types of accommodation ranging from individual bungalows to hostel rooms. However, space is more limited, and it’s advisable to book well in advance.

Mulu Caves  are in the middle of the Gunung Mulu National Park, in the north of Sarawak. Hidden away in a remote part of Borneo the caves are one of the earth’s natural wonders which the UNESCO World Heritage site protects.

You can only explore the caves within the National Park through an organised tour. The most popular ones to visit are the Deer and Clearwater Caves. 

The Deer cave has the largest cave passage in the world that is accessible to visitors. Inside the limestone formations are incredible, and the Garden of Eden is one of its unique features. It is also home to millions of bats and the spectacular display at night as they go off to hunt for food is magnificent.

As well as the caves, there are numerous walking trails through the rainforest. Some of these you can explore by yourself guides lead others, such as the tree canopy walk and night walk. 

The diversity of plants and insects within the National Park and the spectacular limestone features within the caves makes this one of the most interesting and unique areas in Malaysia to visit.

By Fiona from Passport and Piano

9. Niah Caves

Second in size only to the Mulu caves, the Niah caves are another interesting place in Malaysia that you should consider visiting.

LOCATION: Niah Caves

GETTING THERE: The easiest way to head to Niah Caves is from the nearest town name Miri. It is a short drive away from the city. You can also drive from Brunei to Niah caves.

WHERE TO STAY: Amigo hotel

Niah caves was one of the most intriguing places that we visited in the Sarawak region of Malaysian Borneo. A short drive away from the oil town of Miri, this natural park should really be on your list of interesting places in Malaysia that you should visit.

The park has a lovely board walk that you can follow as you head into the different caves. The caves were certainly not what I expected. For one thing, the largest cave arched high above and could have housed a whole building in it.

The caves are the spot of an archaeological dig site. In fact, they even found the oldest remains of man were found here. There is a bit of controversy that surrounds the claims though. In fact, if you make it to the end of the trail, you can actually see some really old cave paintings.

You would have to make it through the dark cave first. So make sure that you carry a torch when you embark on this trek.

Penang is one of the interesting places in Malaysia that is frequently visited by tourists.

LOCATION: Penang Island sits off the west coast of Malaysia

GETTING THERE : Getting to Penang is easy with options including bus, train, car, ship, and by air. Penang International airport is 16 km south of George Town.

WHERE TO STAY : The most convenient location to stay is in or around the old area of George Town, where many of the attractions are located.

Coffee Atelier is a boutique mid-range guesthouse centrally located within the old area of George Town, and offers beautiful and well-appointed rooms, with a terrific breakfast, for a reasonable price.

June is a great time to visit Penang as it sits outside of the main tourist season, meaning quieter streets and easier access to the many attractions that Penang has to offer. There are periods of rain, but these tend to be in bursts, so unlikely to interfere with a visit to the island.

Most of Penang’s attractions are based in the capital George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with the island being fairly small, all other locations, such as the beaches of Battu Ferringhi, can be reached easily by car or bus transfer.

The top things to do in Penang include visiting colonial sites such as Fort Cornwallis and Suffolk House, wandering the stunning temples such as Kek Lok Si Temple, walking the streets of George Town seeking out the famous and unique street art, and experiencing some of the ethnic influences by wandering around Little India. Don’t forget the Penang Clan jetties!

A fun ride on the funicular train will take you to the top of Penang Hill with a stunning view of George Town and beyond. More family fun can be had by visiting some of Penang’s many quirky museums such as the Wonderfood Museum, the 3D Trick Art Museum, the Upside Down Museum, and the Ghost Museum, that are fun and, at times, educational.

And, of course, one of the main reasons to visit Penang is the world-class food scene . Some argue Penang’s regional hawker food is the best in Malaysia, with a predominance of dishes based on traditional Chinese, Indian, and Malay cooking styles and flavours. It has some of the best breakfast joints in town.

By Markus from The Roaming Fork

11. Perhentian Islands

The Perhentian islands is one of the interesting places in Malaysia that has been on my bucket list for a very long time.

LOCATION: Perhentian islands

GETTING THERE: The closet gateway to the Perhentian Islands is Kuala Besut.

WHERE TO STAY: Pulau Perhentian Besar

The Perhentian Islands consist of two islands: Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar. The Perhentians are an absolute paradise with one of the most beautiful beaches in Malaysia. They are a real access point to the best diving and snorkelling experience.

Here you can complete very affordable diving courses or relax on heavenly white beaches. One of our favorite beaches is Turtle Beach.

The easiest way  how to get to Perhentian Islands  is to fly to Kota Bharu and then take a taxi to Kuala Besut. You can also take a bus from Kuala Lumpur, which takes around 9 hours.

In Kuala Besut, you need to take a small boat, which takes approximately 30 minutes to get to your hotel in the Perhentian Islands. Make sure to let the boat driver know the name of your hotel so they can let you get off.

Pulau Perhentian Besar is the biggest island in the Perhentian Islands, and that’s why there are more possibilities for accommodation than on Perhentian Kecil. We highly recommend The Barat Perhentian Hotel as it’s next to the beach, has affordable rooms and beautiful surroundings.

Just make sure to book the hotel in advance. The Perhentians are definitely worth a visit and we are sure you will fall in love with them as much as we did. Definitely ranks as one of the interesting places in Malaysia in our books!

By Gigi and Nico from Beach Addicted

12. Port Dickson

Considering visiting some of the interesting places in Malaysia? Then Port Dickson should be on your list.

LOCATION: Port Dickson

GETTING THERE: Easily reached from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, most tourists  travel to Port Dickson  by car. By public transport, it is easier to leave from Singapore as direct coaches from Singapore to Port Dickson are available.

This is slightly trickier in Kuala Lumpur where the most direct way of getting to Port Dickson is by arranging a transfer from the airport. Here, in order to get to Port Dickson by public transport, one will need to catch a bus or train to Seremban and hop on another bus at Terminal One Seremban.

WHERE TO STAY: There is a good range of resorts along the coast of Port Dickson that caters to all types of travelers. For those looking for a more luxurious vibe, the Grand Lexis Dickson would be their best with its combination of hotel block rooms and sea chalets equipped with swimming pools and glass panel bottoms with stunning views of the sea.

For the budget-conscious and family travelers, the Glory Beach Resort offers serviced apartments, a pool, and a beach.

Port Dickson is one of the most interesting places in Malaysia to visit due to its stunning natural attractions, beautiful colonial architecture, and picturesque beaches. Cape Rachado is a favourite among nature lovers who aim to hike up to the limestone peak of Bukit Batu Putih, which boasts of a panoramic view of Port Dickson’s coastline.

For less experienced hikers, taking the verdant jungle trail from Tanjung Tuan, the oldest lighthouse in Malaysia, is recommended. A trail from the peak leads to a hidden bay with granite formations amidst gleaming blue waters, so save it is important to save your energy for this descent.

By Karolina from Lazy Travel Blog

13. Sipadan

If you love diving, Sipadan will probably head to the top of your list of interesting places in Malaysia.

LOCATION : Sipadan Island

GETTING THERE: Sipadan is about 3 hours by plane from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

WHERE TO STAY: Visitors aren’t permitted to stay on Sipadan itself. Visitors have to stay on one of the dive resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Pom Pom, and take day trips to Sipadan Island arranged by the dive operators.

Formed by living corals, the iconic Sipadan Island is home to many species of marine life. Located within a three-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur, it’s one of the best places on the planet to make your scuba diving dreams a reality. Jacques Cousteau, a French oceanographer, researcher, and scientist declared Sipadan to be an “untouched piece of art” and since then, a diving vacation here is on everyone’s bucket list and for good reason.

Having a diverse marine life, Sipadan Island is a mecca for nature enthusiasts, scuba divers and snorkelers. Apart from being the most common diving spot, Barracuda Point regularly features in the world’s top 10 diving spots, bringing up the competition with the famous Great Blue Hole and Richelieu Rock.

There are 12 sought-after dive spots in Sipadan, and the most popular ones are Barracuda Point, Turtle Cave, West Ridge, Hanging Gardens, Lobster Lair, Staghorn Crest, South Point, Coral Gardens, and White Tip Avenue. You need a permit to visit Sipadan, so make sure you apply well in advance.

Only 120 diver’s permits are issued to the 12 surrounding resorts each day. These are the hardest to get. However, there are also non-diver’s permits which are issued on a rotation basis. Book as early as possible and avoid peak seasons. If you did not have a confirmed permit, inquire at all the resorts and don’t trust anybody telling you it’s impossible to find a permit on such short notice.

You can choose between dive centres and even attend a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in Semporna or in Kota Kinabalu City. It is definitely one of the interesting places in Malaysia that you should visit if you love diving!

By Ivan From Mind The Travel

14. Taiping

Taiping is one of the interesting places in Malaysia that you should think of adding to your list.

LOCATION: Taiping

GETTING THERE: The best way to travel to Taiping is via ETS train. Since Taiping does not have any airport, train and bus are the only options left to travel to Taiping. There are not many buses to Taiping and since taking ETS train to Taiping is more comfortable, many prefer ETS train to bus.

WHERE TO STAY: The best places to stay in Taiping are the following – Sojourn Bed & Cafe , Zen Retreat the Havana and The Forest Cabin .

When the media announced that Taiping was tagged as one of the top three sustainable destinations in the world, I was pleasantly surprised. Originally a tin mining town and home to the first post office in Malaysia, Taiping is often a forgotten stop where hordes of travellers would make their way to Ipoh or Penang instead.

It is also the wettest town in Malaysia due to our year-round tropical climate. This interesting little town holds historic gems such as Taiping’s first railway station, the oldest museum, hundred-year-old rain trees and interesting Kopitiam shops steeped in history.

Taking my best travel camera lenses with me, it was easy to capture Taiping’s glorious gardens when the rays of the early morning sun are shining obliquely through their clumps of bamboo. Spending two days in Taiping allows you enough time to enjoy the unhurried pace and take in the little gems of this old, quaint town.

By Pashmina from The Gone Goat

15. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Interesting places in Malaysia? Think about Gaya island.

LOCATION: Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

GETTING THERE: There are numerous boats that take you to this national park from the harbour at Kota Kinabalu.

WHERE TO STAY: Le Meridian Kota Kinabalu has a great waterfront view. If you want to go the budget way then consider Masada Backpackers . It is a quaint hostel in the town.

Tunku Abdul Rahman park is a marine national park which encompasses five islands. These islands are Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug. The gorgeous islands have pristine beaches which attract tourists to their shores. You can easily pick a couple of islands to visit in a day. Gaya island however is set aside and isn’t usually part of the island-hopping packages.

It is lesser visited and is home to the upscale resort named Gayana where they have over water bungalows that have a vibe similar to what you would expect in Maldives or Mauritus making it one of the interesting places in Malaysia you should visit.

MERC or the Marine Ecology Research Centre is located on Gaya island and it is a brilliant place for children and adults alike to learn about marine life. They are doing a lot of good work with restoring the coral reef that surrounds the island.

16. Tioman Island

Tioman island is another one of the interesting places in Malaysia that you should consider.

LOCATION:   Tioman Island  is around 32kms off Malaysia’s East Coast and is part of the Mersing Marine Park. Even though it’s a pretty small island (around 137sq kms) it is the largest of the 64 in the area known as the Pahang territory.

GETTING THERE: Tioman can be reached by bus from either Kuala Lumpur (or elsewhere in Malaysia) or Singapore to Mersing/Tanjung Gemok and then about a 1.5-2 hour ferry trip. From KL catch a bus from Tasik Selatan Bus Terminal and ride for roughly 4-6 hours (overnight is the best option).

From Singapore, catch a coach from the Singapore Flyer and get there in around 2.5 hours including a short breakfast stop and going through 2 customs check points.

WHERE TO STAY: The most luxurious place to stay in Tioman is definitely the rustic chic Japamala Resort by Samadhi. Although not a 5-star hotel, it is by far the only luxe option on the island.

A second choice and probably the most popular is Berjaya Resort which comes complete with tennis courts, swimming pool, 2 restaurants, a spa, a small gym and scuba and snorkel gear rental. It’s also a great option for traveling families.

Tioman Island is a gorgeous rustic island that consists of four kampungs or villages. It’s probably best known for its snorkelling and diving where you can literally step into the water, put your head under and witness a magical world of sea life.

There are fish of all kinds, sea turtles, blacktip reef sharks and blue spotted manta rays. Which makes it one of the most interesting places in Malaysia.

On land, other than Berjaya resort, there is still an old kampung feel, with friendly locals welcoming you with a smile. The vibe is relaxed island style with most of the land untouched and remaining completely covered in jungle.

For this reason, you can see the cheeky macaques almost anywhere and if you go on a guided tour, you can see other exotic animals like Fruit Bats, Black Giant Squirrels, Red Giant Flying Squirrels and Brush Tailed Porcupines.

At its highest Tioman rises 1,038 metres at Mount Kajang which you can climb if you’re fit and active. There are also some beautiful waterfalls. While most of the action (diving and boat tours) happens on the West Coast, the more untouched East Coast is home to the Juara Turtle Project who is helping with conservation efforts to keep the gorgeous greenback turtles thriving.

By Callan from Once In A Lifetime Journey

17. Kota Kinabalu

LOCATION: Kota Kinabalu

WHERE TO STAY: Le Meridian Kota Kinabalu

HOW TO GET THERE: Kota Kinabalu has an airport which connects it to Kuala Lumpur and other smaller airports. This makes it super easy to get to.

Kota Kinabalu is without doubt one of my favorite spots to visit and I rank it as one of the most interesting places in Malaysia for a variety of reasons. First off, it has so many great places to eat that you will find it hard to choose. It also has a variety of cuisines and budgets that you can choose from!

The city is a coastal one and this means snorkeling, diving and so much more. If you want a cozy vacation then I highly recommend heading to Gaya island . Another reason why the city is popular is because of the famous Mount Kinabalu which is a hikers delight. If you don’t want to tackle the peak, you could just wander around the smaller trails at Kinabalu National Park.

Traveling with kids? There are loads of things to do in Kota Kinabalu with children . My favorite is the Low Kawi Wildlife park .

Needless to say, an itinerary in Kota Kinabalu includes fun for the whole family and that is why it is one of the best places in Malaysia to spend a couple of days at.

Have you been to any interesting places in Malaysia that we haven’t added to our list? Let us know in the comments below and we will check them out.

*This post contains Affiliate links

* * The photographs in this post are not the property of Globetrove and have been provided by the individual authors.

Juleen Meets World

Saturday 25th of January 2020

This is a nice list, great for someone who doesn't know where to start in deciding where to go in Malaysia, like me haha

Sunday 26th of January 2020

I found it useful too despite having been there multiple times. I'm really intrigued about the Highlands. It looks like a lovely spot to start.

kariss ainsworth

I'd never thought about Malaysia before but this looks beautiful!

There are some relly cool destinations in your article, I would love to visit the highlands :)

We have direct flights to Malaysia and was wondering what exactly we could do, and your post is definitely a lot of help. Got some great ideas for future trips.

Meghan Emcee

Friday 24th of January 2020

I'm planning a trip there now thanks for sharing this list! I had no idea about some of these!

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Guide: How to write a review essay

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A review essay examines a piece of writing, a film or some other form of art, but it differs from a literary essay in a couple of key ways. A review essay is evaluative . That means that its purpose is to tell the reader whether the work is good or not and whether the work is recommended. Also, unlike a literary essay, a review essay is not written for someone who is already familiar with the work in question. The audience for a review essay is someone who is wondering whether to spend their time and money on the work reviewed. A review essay may contain more plot summary than a literary essay , but it shouldn’t give away any of the major revelations or the ending.

Read Sample Reviews

Reviews are common in journalism, and examples of reviews of everything from movies to video games to computer software and more can be found online. Reading a few reviews of films and books from major publications such as nationally known magazines or large city newspapers can be a good way to get a sense of what is expected in a review essay.

Characteristics of a Good Review Essay

A good review essay will place the work in some sort of context. For example, a good review about a movie that tells the story of traveling circus people would briefly mention other movies about traveling circus people and how this film compares with those others or how it fits into the overall picture of traveling circus people that film has presented over the years. In a literary essay, this might be the whole point of the paper, but in a review essay, it would only be a paragraph or two. The introduction or the paragraph just after the introduction is a good place for this context.

A review essay is somewhat subjective, but it still needs to have standards and examples to demonstrate its points. It needs to give some reasons that the work is good or bad and it needs to support those reasons. This will help the audience to decide whether to follow the reviewer’s advice.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement for a review essay should make an evaluation of the film and explain why the writer has made that evaluation. Here’s an example:

“Sideshow on the Road” is a terrible movie about traveling circus people with poor acting, an implausible plot and a boring, talky script.

The body of the review would then expand on these reasons to convince the reader to avoid the film.

The review itself should use specific examples from the work to illustrate the reviewer’s point. For example, the reviewer has complained about the poor acting in the movie. To illustrate this, the reviewer might describe a scene in which a character learns a loved one has died and seems to have no reaction at all. The boring, talky script might be illustrated by explaining that the characters spend a full ten minutes arguing about whether they took a wrong turn.

Review essays may be formal or informal and may be more or less personal. Depending on the style of the review, “I” may or may not be used. More informal reviews may use humor, sarcasm and personal stories to highlight points about the work in question. Formal reviews should avoid these devices. With tone, it’s important to stay consistent. If a formal tone is chosen, it should be maintained throughout the piece, and the same is true for an informal tone.

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Ielts cue card sample 490 - describe an interesting place in your hometown, describe an interesting place in your hometown..

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How To Write A Descriptive Essay About A Place (Step By Step)

Table of Contents

Descriptive essay about a place

Descriptive essay focus on specific details about an object, a place or an event. It presents an object to the reader using vivid language for the reader to have a mental picture  of what the writer is describing. When composing a detailed essay about a particular place,  the paper needs to present clear descriptions about the location to the reader. Writing an essay about a familiar place gives the writer  an opportunity to present his personal experience and feelings the place invokes in him.

How to start a descriptive essay

Before presenting the beautiful scenery, the author needs to  be observant of the surroundings because the essay would require detailed explanations and the vibrant experiences about the place.  The author needs to identify all the important items that make the place worth describing. A good essay should be based on personal experience whereby the author can easily reflect about his experience.

The first step of developing an essay is to start with a brief introduction, a descriptive introduction would determine whether the reader would want to continue reading the article or not. The author needs to use words that would attract the reader’s attention at the beginning of the essay. An introduction should start with a strong statement, and in the end, the writer needs to present the thesis statement by relating it to what is being described. The thesis statement reveals why the place is important to the author.

A good introduction can start with an anecdote, the author can narrate an interesting story to heighten the reader’s curiosity. A good anecdote sets a good tone for the essay and acts as a transition sentence  from the introduction to the body of the essay. An introductory paragraph needs to mention the name, the exact address, and other exciting things that makes to reader wants to  visit  the location.

How to write main part

The essay body should express  feelings, the taste, the smell, the sights and sounds of the place. The author describes the different aspects of the location for the reader to develop a  mental picture of how the place looks like.  For instance, when describing your grandmother’s home, the body essay describes how beautiful the place looks like, including the lovely trees, her tasty cookies, the most soil around the nearby river,  the dishes clicking in the kitchen and how you feel the about the particles of the wood on the staircase. The author can also talk about the people living nearby and any unique features around the home .

Apart from detailed descriptions, the author needs to reflect about the place and make important connections to it. For instance, the essay needs to highlight why  the place is a  safe haven from everyday stress. The author can also present some of the feeling associated with the location, this will make the readers aware why the place is important to the author.

How to conclude a descriptive essay

The concluding paragraph should rephrase the inspiration of the essay providing detail and personal feelings and also make recommendations for the readers. A good conclusion should describe why the place is significant. Even though the descriptive language used can provoke the reader’s emotion, the audience wants to know why the author spent a lot of time describing the place. Apart from just highlighting the good experience about the place, a good conclusion explains the significance of the essay theme.  The conclusion simply confirms to the audience what was already presented,  but using selected sensory language for the readers to believe that the place is amazing. A good paper should end on a strong note, leaving the audience feeling satisfied in the concluding paragraph. A good descriptive essay should create excitement for its readers.

Outline example

Introduction

• Hook sentence  with detailed descriptions that grabs the reader’s attention
• Brief background  about the  place
• Sensory descriptions of the place.

Body paragraph

• Topic sentence  that  supports the thesis statement
• Describe the place  by the name and the exact location
• Description about the feelings the place invokes
• Provide additional sensory descriptions about the place, including the surrounding areas.
• Opening sentence  justifying why the place is significant
• The facts that support the descriptions using attractive descriptions.
• Explain intensely about the place
• Describe the important details  for the readers
• Present emotional background
• Present the author’s emotional  response based on the place being described.
• Expand  the feelings described in the above paragraphs
• Provide additional  emotional details  using a decisive factor statement
• Restate the feeling of the location.
• Restate the main thesis ideas  described in the paragraphs
• Repeat to the reader why this particular location is important
• Review the major things  that the author vividly recalls
• The feeling and the difference the location makes in the author’s life.

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Blog – Posted on Friday, Mar 29

17 book review examples to help you write the perfect review.

It’s an exciting time to be a book reviewer. Once confined to print newspapers and journals, reviews now dot many corridors of the Internet — forever helping others discover their next great read. That said, every book reviewer will face a familiar panic: how can you do justice to a great book in just a thousand words?

As you know, the best way to learn how to do something is by immersing yourself in it. Luckily, the Internet (i.e. Goodreads and other review sites , in particular) has made book reviews more accessible than ever — which means that there are a lot of book reviews examples out there for you to view!

In this post, we compiled 17 prototypical book review examples in multiple genres to help you figure out how to write the perfect review . If you want to jump straight to the examples, you can skip the next section. Otherwise, let’s first check out what makes up a good review.

Are you interested in becoming a book reviewer? We recommend you check out Reedsy Discovery , where you can earn money for writing reviews — and are guaranteed people will read your reviews! To register as a book reviewer, sign up here.

Pro-tip : But wait! How are you sure if you should become a book reviewer in the first place? If you're on the fence, or curious about your match with a book reviewing career, take our quick quiz:

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What must a book review contain?

Like all works of art, no two book reviews will be identical. But fear not: there are a few guidelines for any aspiring book reviewer to follow. Most book reviews, for instance, are less than 1,500 words long, with the sweet spot hitting somewhere around the 1,000-word mark. (However, this may vary depending on the platform on which you’re writing, as we’ll see later.)

In addition, all reviews share some universal elements, as shown in our book review templates . These include:

• A review will offer a concise plot summary of the book. 
• A book review will offer an evaluation of the work. 
• A book review will offer a recommendation for the audience. 

If these are the basic ingredients that make up a book review, it’s the tone and style with which the book reviewer writes that brings the extra panache. This will differ from platform to platform, of course. A book review on Goodreads, for instance, will be much more informal and personal than a book review on Kirkus Reviews, as it is catering to a different audience. However, at the end of the day, the goal of all book reviews is to give the audience the tools to determine whether or not they’d like to read the book themselves.

Keeping that in mind, let’s proceed to some book review examples to put all of this in action.

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Book review examples for fiction books

Since story is king in the world of fiction, it probably won’t come as any surprise to learn that a book review for a novel will concentrate on how well the story was told .

That said, book reviews in all genres follow the same basic formula that we discussed earlier. In these examples, you’ll be able to see how book reviewers on different platforms expertly intertwine the plot summary and their personal opinions of the book to produce a clear, informative, and concise review.

Note: Some of the book review examples run very long. If a book review is truncated in this post, we’ve indicated by including a […] at the end, but you can always read the entire review if you click on the link provided.

Examples of literary fiction book reviews

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man :

An extremely powerful story of a young Southern Negro, from his late high school days through three years of college to his life in Harlem.

His early training prepared him for a life of humility before white men, but through injustices- large and small, he came to realize that he was an "invisible man". People saw in him only a reflection of their preconceived ideas of what he was, denied his individuality, and ultimately did not see him at all. This theme, which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel, is skillfully handled. The incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. The boy's dismissal from college because of an innocent mistake, his shocked reaction to the anonymity of the North and to Harlem, his nightmare experiences on a one-day job in a paint factory and in the hospital, his lightning success as the Harlem leader of a communistic organization known as the Brotherhood, his involvement in black versus white and black versus black clashes and his disillusion and understanding of his invisibility- all climax naturally in scenes of violence and riot, followed by a retreat which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before, but never with such freshness, intensity and power.

This is Ellison's first novel, but he has complete control of his story and his style. Watch it.

Lyndsey reviews George Orwell’s 1984 on Goodreads:

YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good." Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.

This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.

I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully. […]

The New York Times reviews Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry :

Three-quarters of the way through Lisa Halliday’s debut novel, “Asymmetry,” a British foreign correspondent named Alistair is spending Christmas on a compound outside of Baghdad. His fellow revelers include cameramen, defense contractors, United Nations employees and aid workers. Someone’s mother has FedExed a HoneyBaked ham from Maine; people are smoking by the swimming pool. It is 2003, just days after Saddam Hussein’s capture, and though the mood is optimistic, Alistair is worrying aloud about the ethics of his chosen profession, wondering if reporting on violence doesn’t indirectly abet violence and questioning why he’d rather be in a combat zone than reading a picture book to his son. But every time he returns to London, he begins to “spin out.” He can’t go home. “You observe what people do with their freedom — what they don’t do — and it’s impossible not to judge them for it,” he says.

The line, embedded unceremoniously in the middle of a page-long paragraph, doubles, like so many others in “Asymmetry,” as literary criticism. Halliday’s novel is so strange and startlingly smart that its mere existence seems like commentary on the state of fiction. One finishes “Asymmetry” for the first or second (or like this reader, third) time and is left wondering what other writers are not doing with their freedom — and, like Alistair, judging them for it.

Despite its title, “Asymmetry” comprises two seemingly unrelated sections of equal length, appended by a slim and quietly shocking coda. Halliday’s prose is clean and lean, almost reportorial in the style of W. G. Sebald, and like the murmurings of a shy person at a cocktail party, often comic only in single clauses. It’s a first novel that reads like the work of an author who has published many books over many years. […]

Emily W. Thompson reviews Michael Doane's The Crossing on Reedsy Discovery :

In Doane’s debut novel, a young man embarks on a journey of self-discovery with surprising results.

An unnamed protagonist (The Narrator) is dealing with heartbreak. His love, determined to see the world, sets out for Portland, Oregon. But he’s a small-town boy who hasn’t traveled much. So, the Narrator mourns her loss and hides from life, throwing himself into rehabbing an old motorcycle. Until one day, he takes a leap; he packs his bike and a few belongings and heads out to find the Girl.

Following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac and William Least Heat-Moon, Doane offers a coming of age story about a man finding himself on the backroads of America. Doane’s a gifted writer with fluid prose and insightful observations, using The Narrator’s personal interactions to illuminate the diversity of the United States.

The Narrator initially sticks to the highways, trying to make it to the West Coast as quickly as possible. But a hitchhiker named Duke convinces him to get off the beaten path and enjoy the ride. “There’s not a place that’s like any other,” [39] Dukes contends, and The Narrator realizes he’s right. Suddenly, the trip is about the journey, not just the destination. The Narrator ditches his truck and traverses the deserts and mountains on his bike. He destroys his phone, cutting off ties with his past and living only in the moment.

As he crosses the country, The Narrator connects with several unique personalities whose experiences and views deeply impact his own. Duke, the complicated cowboy and drifter, who opens The Narrator’s eyes to a larger world. Zooey, the waitress in Colorado who opens his heart and reminds him that love can be found in this big world. And Rosie, The Narrator’s sweet landlady in Portland, who helps piece him back together both physically and emotionally.

This supporting cast of characters is excellent. Duke, in particular, is wonderfully nuanced and complicated. He’s a throwback to another time, a man without a cell phone who reads Sartre and sleeps under the stars. Yet he’s also a grifter with a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” attitude that harms those around him. It’s fascinating to watch The Narrator wrestle with Duke’s behavior, trying to determine which to model and which to discard.

Doane creates a relatable protagonist in The Narrator, whose personal growth doesn’t erase his faults. His willingness to hit the road with few resources is admirable, and he’s prescient enough to recognize the jealousy of those who cannot or will not take the leap. His encounters with new foods, places, and people broaden his horizons. Yet his immaturity and selfishness persist. He tells Rosie she’s been a good mother to him but chooses to ignore the continuing concern from his own parents as he effectively disappears from his old life.

Despite his flaws, it’s a pleasure to accompany The Narrator on his physical and emotional journey. The unexpected ending is a fitting denouement to an epic and memorable road trip.

The Book Smugglers review Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls :

I am still dipping my toes into the literally fiction pool, finding what works for me and what doesn’t. Books like The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray are definitely my cup of tea.

Althea and Proctor Cochran had been pillars of their economically disadvantaged community for years – with their local restaurant/small market and their charity drives. Until they are found guilty of fraud for stealing and keeping most of the money they raised and sent to jail. Now disgraced, their entire family is suffering the consequences, specially their twin teenage daughters Baby Vi and Kim.  To complicate matters even more: Kim was actually the one to call the police on her parents after yet another fight with her mother. […]

Examples of children’s and YA fiction book reviews

The Book Hookup reviews Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give :

♥ Quick Thoughts and Rating: 5 stars! I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to tackle the voice of a movement like Black Lives Matter, but I do know that Thomas did it with a finesse only a talented author like herself possibly could. With an unapologetically realistic delivery packed with emotion, The Hate U Give is a crucially important portrayal of the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day. I have no doubt that this book will be met with resistance by some (possibly many) and slapped with a “controversial” label, but if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to walk in a POC’s shoes, then I feel like this is an unflinchingly honest place to start.

In Angie Thomas’s debut novel, Starr Carter bursts on to the YA scene with both heart-wrecking and heartwarming sincerity. This author is definitely one to watch.

♥ Review: The hype around this book has been unquestionable and, admittedly, that made me both eager to get my hands on it and terrified to read it. I mean, what if I was to be the one person that didn’t love it as much as others? (That seems silly now because of how truly mesmerizing THUG was in the most heartbreakingly realistic way.) However, with the relevancy of its summary in regards to the unjust predicaments POC currently face in the US, I knew this one was a must-read, so I was ready to set my fears aside and dive in. That said, I had an altogether more personal, ulterior motive for wanting to read this book. […]

The New York Times reviews Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood :

Alice Crewe (a last name she’s chosen for herself) is a fairy tale legacy: the granddaughter of Althea Proserpine, author of a collection of dark-as-night fairy tales called “Tales From the Hinterland.” The book has a cult following, and though Alice has never met her grandmother, she’s learned a little about her through internet research. She hasn’t read the stories, because her mother, Ella Proserpine, forbids it.

Alice and Ella have moved from place to place in an attempt to avoid the “bad luck” that seems to follow them. Weird things have happened. As a child, Alice was kidnapped by a man who took her on a road trip to find her grandmother; he was stopped by the police before they did so. When at 17 she sees that man again, unchanged despite the years, Alice panics. Then Ella goes missing, and Alice turns to Ellery Finch, a schoolmate who’s an Althea Proserpine superfan, for help in tracking down her mother. Not only has Finch read every fairy tale in the collection, but handily, he remembers them, sharing them with Alice as they journey to the mysterious Hazel Wood, the estate of her now-dead grandmother, where they hope to find Ella.

“The Hazel Wood” starts out strange and gets stranger, in the best way possible. (The fairy stories Finch relays, which Albert includes as their own chapters, are as creepy and evocative as you’d hope.) Albert seamlessly combines contemporary realism with fantasy, blurring the edges in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life convene, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is false, where just about anything can happen, particularly in the pages of a very good book. It’s a captivating debut. […]

James reviews Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight, Moon on Goodreads:

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is one of the books that followers of my blog voted as a must-read for our Children's Book August 2018 Readathon. Come check it out and join the next few weeks!

This picture book was such a delight. I hadn't remembered reading it when I was a child, but it might have been read to me... either way, it was like a whole new experience! It's always so difficult to convince a child to fall asleep at night. I don't have kids, but I do have a 5-month-old puppy who whines for 5 minutes every night when he goes in his cage/crate (hopefully he'll be fully housebroken soon so he can roam around when he wants). I can only imagine! I babysat a lot as a teenager and I have tons of younger cousins, nieces, and nephews, so I've been through it before, too. This was a believable experience, and it really helps show kids how to relax and just let go when it's time to sleep.

The bunny's are adorable. The rhymes are exquisite. I found it pretty fun, but possibly a little dated given many of those things aren't normal routines anymore. But the lessons to take from it are still powerful. Loved it! I want to sample some more books by this fine author and her illustrators.

Publishers Weekly reviews Elizabeth Lilly’s Geraldine :

This funny, thoroughly accomplished debut opens with two words: “I’m moving.” They’re spoken by the title character while she swoons across her family’s ottoman, and because Geraldine is a giraffe, her full-on melancholy mode is quite a spectacle. But while Geraldine may be a drama queen (even her mother says so), it won’t take readers long to warm up to her. The move takes Geraldine from Giraffe City, where everyone is like her, to a new school, where everyone else is human. Suddenly, the former extrovert becomes “That Giraffe Girl,” and all she wants to do is hide, which is pretty much impossible. “Even my voice tries to hide,” she says, in the book’s most poignant moment. “It’s gotten quiet and whispery.” Then she meets Cassie, who, though human, is also an outlier (“I’m that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food”), and things begin to look up.

Lilly’s watercolor-and-ink drawings are as vividly comic and emotionally astute as her writing; just when readers think there are no more ways for Geraldine to contort her long neck, this highly promising talent comes up with something new.

Examples of genre fiction book reviews

Karlyn P reviews Nora Roberts’ Dark Witch , a paranormal romance novel , on Goodreads:

4 stars. Great world-building, weak romance, but still worth the read.

I hesitate to describe this book as a 'romance' novel simply because the book spent little time actually exploring the romance between Iona and Boyle. Sure, there IS a romance in this novel. Sprinkled throughout the book are a few scenes where Iona and Boyle meet, chat, wink at each, flirt some more, sleep together, have a misunderstanding, make up, and then profess their undying love. Very formulaic stuff, and all woven around the more important parts of this book.

The meat of this book is far more focused on the story of the Dark witch and her magically-gifted descendants living in Ireland. Despite being weak on the romance, I really enjoyed it. I think the book is probably better for it, because the romance itself was pretty lackluster stuff.

I absolutely plan to stick with this series as I enjoyed the world building, loved the Ireland setting, and was intrigued by all of the secondary characters. However, If you read Nora Roberts strictly for the romance scenes, this one might disappoint. But if you enjoy a solid background story with some dark magic and prophesies, you might enjoy it as much as I did.

I listened to this one on audio, and felt the narration was excellent.

Emily May reviews R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy Wars , an epic fantasy novel , on Goodreads:

“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”

Holy hell, what did I just read??

➽ A fantasy military school

➽ A rich world based on modern Chinese history

➽ Shamans and gods

➽ Detailed characterization leading to unforgettable characters

➽ Adorable, opium-smoking mentors

That's a basic list, but this book is all of that and SO MUCH MORE. I know 100% that The Poppy War will be one of my best reads of 2018.

Isn't it just so great when you find one of those books that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters, and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat for every horrific, nail-biting moment of it? This is one of those books for me. And I must issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Proceed with caution (or not at all) if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of war, drug use and addiction, genocide, racism, sexism, ableism, self-harm, torture, and rape (off-page but extremely horrific).

Because, despite the fairly innocuous first 200 pages, the title speaks the truth: this is a book about war. All of its horrors and atrocities. It is not sugar-coated, and it is often graphic. The "poppy" aspect refers to opium, which is a big part of this book. It is a fantasy, but the book draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking.

Crime Fiction Lover reviews Jessica Barry’s Freefall , a crime novel:

In some crime novels, the wrongdoing hits you between the eyes from page one. With others it’s a more subtle process, and that’s OK too. So where does Freefall fit into the sliding scale?

In truth, it’s not clear. This is a novel with a thrilling concept at its core. A woman survives plane crash, then runs for her life. However, it is the subtleties at play that will draw you in like a spider beckoning to an unwitting fly.

Like the heroine in Sharon Bolton’s Dead Woman Walking, Allison is lucky to be alive. She was the only passenger in a private plane, belonging to her fiancé, Ben, who was piloting the expensive aircraft, when it came down in woodlands in the Colorado Rockies. Ally is also the only survivor, but rather than sitting back and waiting for rescue, she is soon pulling together items that may help her survive a little longer – first aid kit, energy bars, warm clothes, trainers – before fleeing the scene. If you’re hearing the faint sound of alarm bells ringing, get used to it. There’s much, much more to learn about Ally before this tale is over.

Kirkus Reviews reviews Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One , a science-fiction novel :

Video-game players embrace the quest of a lifetime in a virtual world; screenwriter Cline’s first novel is old wine in new bottles.

The real world, in 2045, is the usual dystopian horror story. So who can blame Wade, our narrator, if he spends most of his time in a virtual world? The 18-year-old, orphaned at 11, has no friends in his vertical trailer park in Oklahoma City, while the OASIS has captivating bells and whistles, and it’s free. Its creator, the legendary billionaire James Halliday, left a curious will. He had devised an elaborate online game, a hunt for a hidden Easter egg. The finder would inherit his estate. Old-fashioned riddles lead to three keys and three gates. Wade, or rather his avatar Parzival, is the first gunter (egg-hunter) to win the Copper Key, first of three.

Halliday was obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s, primarily the arcade games, so the novel is as much retro as futurist. Parzival’s great strength is that he has absorbed all Halliday’s obsessions; he knows by heart three essential movies, crossing the line from geek to freak. His most formidable competitors are the Sixers, contract gunters working for the evil conglomerate IOI, whose goal is to acquire the OASIS. Cline’s narrative is straightforward but loaded with exposition. It takes a while to reach a scene that crackles with excitement: the meeting between Parzival (now world famous as the lead contender) and Sorrento, the head of IOI. The latter tries to recruit Parzival; when he fails, he issues and executes a death threat. Wade’s trailer is demolished, his relatives killed; luckily Wade was not at home. Too bad this is the dramatic high point. Parzival threads his way between more ’80s games and movies to gain the other keys; it’s clever but not exciting. Even a romance with another avatar and the ultimate “epic throwdown” fail to stir the blood.

Too much puzzle-solving, not enough suspense.

Book review examples for non-fiction books

Nonfiction books are generally written to inform readers about a certain topic. As such, the focus of a nonfiction book review will be on the clarity and effectiveness of this communication . In carrying this out, a book review may analyze the author’s source materials and assess the thesis in order to determine whether or not the book meets expectations.

Again, we’ve included abbreviated versions of long reviews here, so feel free to click on the link to read the entire piece!

The Washington Post reviews David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon :

The arc of David Grann’s career reminds one of a software whiz-kid or a latest-thing talk-show host — certainly not an investigative reporter, even if he is one of the best in the business. The newly released movie of his first book, “The Lost City of Z,” is generating all kinds of Oscar talk, and now comes the release of his second book, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” the film rights to which have already been sold for $5 million in what one industry journal called the “biggest and wildest book rights auction in memory.”

Grann deserves the attention. He’s canny about the stories he chases, he’s willing to go anywhere to chase them, and he’s a maestro in his ability to parcel out information at just the right clip: a hint here, a shading of meaning there, a smartly paced buildup of multiple possibilities followed by an inevitable reversal of readerly expectations or, in some cases, by a thrilling and dislocating pull of the entire narrative rug.

All of these strengths are on display in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Around the turn of the 20th century, oil was discovered underneath Osage lands in the Oklahoma Territory, lands that were soon to become part of the state of Oklahoma. Through foresight and legal maneuvering, the Osage found a way to permanently attach that oil to themselves and shield it from the prying hands of white interlopers; this mechanism was known as “headrights,” which forbade the outright sale of oil rights and granted each full member of the tribe — and, supposedly, no one else — a share in the proceeds from any lease arrangement. For a while, the fail-safes did their job, and the Osage got rich — diamond-ring and chauffeured-car and imported-French-fashion rich — following which quite a large group of white men started to work like devils to separate the Osage from their money. And soon enough, and predictably enough, this work involved murder. Here in Jazz Age America’s most isolated of locales, dozens or even hundreds of Osage in possession of great fortunes — and of the potential for even greater fortunes in the future — were dispatched by poison, by gunshot and by dynamite. […]

Stacked Books reviews Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers :

I’ve heard a lot of great things about Malcolm Gladwell’s writing. Friends and co-workers tell me that his subjects are interesting and his writing style is easy to follow without talking down to the reader. I wasn’t disappointed with Outliers. In it, Gladwell tackles the subject of success – how people obtain it and what contributes to extraordinary success as opposed to everyday success.

The thesis – that our success depends much more on circumstances out of our control than any effort we put forth – isn’t exactly revolutionary. Most of us know it to be true. However, I don’t think I’m lying when I say that most of us also believe that we if we just try that much harder and develop our talent that much further, it will be enough to become wildly successful, despite bad or just mediocre beginnings. Not so, says Gladwell.

Most of the evidence Gladwell gives us is anecdotal, which is my favorite kind to read. I can’t really speak to how scientifically valid it is, but it sure makes for engrossing listening. For example, did you know that successful hockey players are almost all born in January, February, or March? Kids born during these months are older than the others kids when they start playing in the youth leagues, which means they’re already better at the game (because they’re bigger). Thus, they get more play time, which means their skill increases at a faster rate, and it compounds as time goes by. Within a few years, they’re much, much better than the kids born just a few months later in the year. Basically, these kids’ birthdates are a huge factor in their success as adults – and it’s nothing they can do anything about. If anyone could make hockey interesting to a Texan who only grudgingly admits the sport even exists, it’s Gladwell. […]

Quill and Quire reviews Rick Prashaw’s Soar, Adam, Soar :

Ten years ago, I read a book called Almost Perfect. The young-adult novel by Brian Katcher won some awards and was held up as a powerful, nuanced portrayal of a young trans person. But the reality did not live up to the book’s billing. Instead, it turned out to be a one-dimensional and highly fetishized portrait of a trans person’s life, one that was nevertheless repeatedly dubbed “realistic” and “affecting” by non-transgender readers possessing only a vague, mass-market understanding of trans experiences.

In the intervening decade, trans narratives have emerged further into the literary spotlight, but those authored by trans people ourselves – and by trans men in particular – have seemed to fall under the shadow of cisgender sensationalized imaginings. Two current Canadian releases – Soar, Adam, Soar and This One Looks Like a Boy – provide a pointed object lesson into why trans-authored work about transgender experiences remains critical.

To be fair, Soar, Adam, Soar isn’t just a story about a trans man. It’s also a story about epilepsy, the medical establishment, and coming of age as seen through a grieving father’s eyes. Adam, Prashaw’s trans son, died unexpectedly at age 22. Woven through the elder Prashaw’s narrative are excerpts from Adam’s social media posts, giving us glimpses into the young man’s interior life as he traverses his late teens and early 20s. […]

Book Geeks reviews Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love :

WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5

SUBJECT: 4/5

CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5

RELEVANCE: 3.5/5

ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 3.5/5

“Eat Pray Love” is so popular that it is almost impossible to not read it. Having felt ashamed many times on my not having read this book, I quietly ordered the book (before I saw the movie) from amazon.in and sat down to read it. I don’t remember what I expected it to be – maybe more like a chick lit thing but it turned out quite different. The book is a real story and is a short journal from the time when its writer went travelling to three different countries in pursuit of three different things – Italy (Pleasure), India (Spirituality), Bali (Balance) and this is what corresponds to the book’s name – EAT (in Italy), PRAY (in India) and LOVE (in Bali, Indonesia). These are also the three Is – ITALY, INDIA, INDONESIA.

Though she had everything a middle-aged American woman can aspire for – MONEY, CAREER, FRIENDS, HUSBAND; Elizabeth was not happy in her life, she wasn’t happy in her marriage. Having suffered a terrible divorce and terrible breakup soon after, Elizabeth was shattered. She didn’t know where to go and what to do – all she knew was that she wanted to run away. So she set out on a weird adventure – she will go to three countries in a year and see if she can find out what she was looking for in life. This book is about that life changing journey that she takes for one whole year. […]

Emily May reviews Michelle Obama’s Becoming on Goodreads:

Look, I'm not a happy crier. I might cry at songs about leaving and missing someone; I might cry at books where things don't work out; I might cry at movies where someone dies. I've just never really understood why people get all choked up over happy, inspirational things. But Michelle Obama's kindness and empathy changed that. This book had me in tears for all the right reasons.

This is not really a book about politics, though political experiences obviously do come into it. It's a shame that some will dismiss this book because of a difference in political opinion, when it is really about a woman's life. About growing up poor and black on the South Side of Chicago; about getting married and struggling to maintain that marriage; about motherhood; about being thrown into an amazing and terrifying position.

I hate words like "inspirational" because they've become so overdone and cheesy, but I just have to say it-- Michelle Obama is an inspiration. I had the privilege of seeing her speak at The Forum in Inglewood, and she is one of the warmest, funniest, smartest, down-to-earth people I have ever seen in this world.

And yes, I know we present what we want the world to see, but I truly do think it's genuine. I think she is someone who really cares about people - especially kids - and wants to give them better lives and opportunities.

She's obviously intelligent, but she also doesn't gussy up her words. She talks straight, with an openness and honesty rarely seen. She's been one of the most powerful women in the world, she's been a graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School, she's had her own successful career, and yet she has remained throughout that same girl - Michelle Robinson - from a working class family in Chicago.

I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading this book.

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Guest Essay

What Sentencing Could Look Like if Trump Is Found Guilty

By Norman L. Eisen

Mr. Eisen is the author of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.”

For all the attention to and debate over the unfolding trial of Donald Trump in Manhattan, there has been surprisingly little of it paid to a key element: its possible outcome and, specifically, the prospect that a former and potentially future president could be sentenced to prison time.

The case — brought by Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, against Mr. Trump — represents the first time in our nation’s history that a former president is a defendant in a criminal trial. As such, it has generated lots of debate about the case’s legal strength and integrity, as well as its potential impact on Mr. Trump’s efforts to win back the White House.

A review of thousands of cases in New York that charged the same felony suggests something striking: If Mr. Trump is found guilty, incarceration is an actual possibility. It’s not certain, of course, but it is plausible.

Jury selection has begun, and it’s not too soon to talk about what the possibility of a sentence, including a prison sentence, would look like for Mr. Trump, for the election and for the country — including what would happen if he is re-elected.

The case focuses on alleged interference in the 2016 election, which consisted of a hush-money payment Michael Cohen, the former president’s fixer at the time, made in 2016 to a porn star, Stormy Daniels, who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump. Mr. Bragg is arguing that the cover-up cheated voters of the chance to fully assess Mr. Trump’s candidacy.

This may be the first criminal trial of a former president in American history, but if convicted, Mr. Trump’s fate is likely to be determined by the same core factors that guide the sentencing of every criminal defendant in New York State Court.

Comparable cases. The first factor is the base line against which judges measure all sentences: how other defendants have been treated for similar offenses. My research encompassed almost 10,000 cases of felony falsifying business records that have been prosecuted across the state of New York since 2015. Over a similar period, the Manhattan D.A. has charged over 400 of these cases . In roughly the first year of Mr. Bragg’s tenure, his team alone filed 166 felony counts for falsifying business records against 34 people or companies.

Contrary to claims that there will be no sentence of incarceration for falsifying business records, when a felony conviction involves serious misconduct, defendants can be sentenced to some prison time. My analysis of the most recent data indicates that approximately one in 10 cases in which the most serious charge at arraignment is falsifying business records in the first degree and in which the court ultimately imposes a sentence, results in a term of imprisonment.

To be clear, these cases generally differ from Mr. Trump’s case in one important respect: They typically involve additional charges besides just falsifying records. That clearly complicates what we might expect if Mr. Trump is convicted.

Nevertheless, there are many previous cases involving falsifying business records along with other charges where the conduct was less serious than is alleged against Mr. Trump and prison time was imposed. For instance, Richard Luthmann was accused of attempting to deceive voters — in his case, impersonating New York political figures on social media in an attempt to influence campaigns. He pleaded guilty to three counts of falsifying business records in the first degree (as well as to other charges). He received a sentence of incarceration on the felony falsification counts (although the sentence was not solely attributable to the plea).

A defendant in another case was accused of stealing in excess of $50,000 from her employer and, like in this case, falsifying one or more invoices as part of the scheme. She was indicted on a single grand larceny charge and ultimately pleaded guilty to one felony count of business record falsification for a false invoice of just under $10,000. She received 364 days in prison.

To be sure, for a typical first-time offender charged only with run-of-the-mill business record falsification, a prison sentence would be unlikely. On the other hand, Mr. Trump is being prosecuted for 34 counts of conduct that might have changed the course of American history.

Seriousness of the crime. Mr. Bragg alleges that Mr. Trump concealed critical information from voters (paying hush money to suppress an extramarital relationship) that could have harmed his campaign, particularly if it came to light after the revelation of another scandal — the “Access Hollywood” tape . If proved, that could be seen not just as unfortunate personal judgment but also, as Justice Juan Merchan has described it, an attempt “to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election.”

History and character. To date, Mr. Trump has been unrepentant about the events alleged in this case. There is every reason to believe that will not change even if he is convicted, and lack of remorse is a negative at sentencing. Justice Merchan’s evaluation of Mr. Trump’s history and character may also be informed by the other judgments against him, including Justice Arthur Engoron’s ruling that Mr. Trump engaged in repeated and persistent business fraud, a jury finding that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll and a related defamation verdict by a second jury.

Justice Merchan may also weigh the fact that Mr. Trump has been repeatedly held in contempt , warned , fined and gagged by state and federal judges. That includes for statements he made that exposed witnesses, individuals in the judicial system and their families to danger. More recently, Mr. Trump made personal attacks on Justice Merchan’s daughter, resulting in an extension of the gag order in the case. He now stands accused of violating it again by commenting on witnesses.

What this all suggests is that a term of imprisonment for Mr. Trump, while far from certain for a former president, is not off the table. If he receives a sentence of incarceration, perhaps the likeliest term is six months, although he could face up to four years, particularly if Mr. Trump chooses to testify, as he said he intends to do , and the judge believes he lied on the stand . Probation is also available, as are more flexible approaches like a sentence of spending every weekend in jail for a year.

We will probably know what the judge will do within 30 to 60 days of the end of the trial, which could run into mid-June. If there is a conviction, that would mean a late summer or early fall sentencing.

Justice Merchan would have to wrestle in the middle of an election year with the potential impact of sentencing a former president and current candidate.

If Mr. Trump is sentenced to a period of incarceration, the reaction of the American public will probably be as polarized as our divided electorate itself. Yet as some polls suggest — with the caveat that we should always be cautious of polls early in the race posing hypothetical questions — many key swing state voters said they would not vote for a felon.

If Mr. Trump is convicted and then loses the presidential election, he will probably be granted bail, pending an appeal, which will take about a year. That means if any appeals are unsuccessful, he will most likely have to serve any sentence starting sometime next year. He will be sequestered with his Secret Service protection; if it is less than a year, probably in Rikers Island. His protective detail will probably be his main company, since Mr. Trump will surely be isolated from other inmates for his safety.

If Mr. Trump wins the presidential election, he can’t pardon himself because it is a state case. He will be likely to order the Justice Department to challenge his sentence, and department opinions have concluded that a sitting president could not be imprisoned, since that would prevent the president from fulfilling the constitutional duties of the office. The courts have never had to address the question, but they could well agree with the Justice Department.

So if Mr. Trump is convicted and sentenced to a period of incarceration, its ultimate significance is probably this: When the American people go to the polls in November, they will be voting on whether Mr. Trump should be held accountable for his original election interference.

What questions do you have about Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial so far?

Please submit them below. Our trial experts will respond to a selection of readers in a future piece.

Norman L. Eisen investigated the 2016 voter deception allegations as counsel for the first impeachment and trial of Donald Trump and is the author of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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