# book-review

This skill generates a long-form book review by connecting the book's core ideas to your Readwise library. Use it when you want a review that goes beyond one book and draws on your entire reading history.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 589 installs · ★ 325
- Author: readwiseio
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/readwiseio/readwise-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/book-review/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-06-19
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/book-review

## What it does

The skill works in stages: it pulls highlights for your target book from Readwise, extracts atomic claims from them, searches your library for related material—supporting evidence, counterarguments, parallel examples—then synthesizes everything into a structured review with three layers: what the book argues, where you agree or disagree, and what new patterns emerge when you connect it to everything else you've read.

It integrates with Readwise through MCP tools if available in your environment, or falls back to `readwise` CLI commands. It looks for a `reader_persona.md` file in your working directory to shape the review's framing and voice if one exists. It warns if the book has fewer than 10 highlights but lets you proceed anyway.

The output is analytical, not a chapter summary—a synthesis of the book within your reading context. It requires active Readwise access with saved highlights; without that, the skill cannot run.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add readwiseio/readwise-skills --skill book-review -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/book-review/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/book-review/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add readwiseio/readwise-skills --skill book-review -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/book-review/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add readwiseio/readwise-skills --skill book-review -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/book-review/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install readwiseio/readwise-skills book-review
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/book-review/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add readwiseio/readwise-skills --skill book-review -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/readwiseio/readwise-skills --path skills/book-review
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/book-review/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add readwiseio/readwise-skills --skill book-review -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/readwiseio/readwise-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/book-review/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- Write a book review that goes beyond plot summary and immediate impressions
- Connect one book's ideas to everything else you have read
- Find contradictions and supporting examples across your own library
- Build a substantive critique of a book with concrete arguments from related sources

## Example prompts
- /book-review Merchant Kings
- /book-review 7 Powers
- Write a review of that book on digital payment systems I highlighted in Readwise

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From the same set: [readwiseio/readwise-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/readwiseio/readwise-skills.md) — 11 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md