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lizgrim's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this book. In parts it is a trip down memory lane of the books I read as a teenager. There's lots of it which I kept shouting "that's me".... Having a good nosey at what people are reading, always finding where the bookshop is when you visit places, still reading at 3 in the morning because you just can't put a book down.
booksandbabble's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
gemmamilne's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely book to read cooried up on the sofa over the weekend. It's a memoir, with Rentzenbrink's love of reading being the thread running through. She recommends her favourite reads as well as books for all different occasions through life, as well as telling her story of grief, overcoming low self-esteem, the power of reading and books, and 'getting by' in life. It's a nice easy read - one for a chilled Sunday with a cup of tea in tow.
bumsonseats's review against another edition
2.0
Just read the actual books the author writes about.
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Cathy Rentzenbrick wrote the amazing memoir [b:The Last Act of Love|25345142|The Last Act of Love|Cathy Rentzenbrink|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1428830346l/25345142._SY75_.jpg|45084168] about her brother Matty. This is another memoir but it's about her life and her obsession with books. While her family and Matty are part of the story they are not at all the focus. Instead Rentzenbrick talks about her lifelong love of reading alongside her childhood, career and mental health struggles.
Each chapter ends with a description of the books that spoke to her at that time, grouped around themes (novels set in pubs, about love, parenting, favourite series etc). Most are written by English or American writers and only a small proportion of the authors are not white. Nevertheless there is a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, high brow and low brow, classic and modern books.
Rentzenbrick writes as if she's talking to a friend. I enjoyed her life story and I loved the book recommendations which were the perfect blend of "oh yes! I loved that too" and "don't know that one, must make a note of it".
Each chapter ends with a description of the books that spoke to her at that time, grouped around themes (novels set in pubs, about love, parenting, favourite series etc). Most are written by English or American writers and only a small proportion of the authors are not white. Nevertheless there is a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, high brow and low brow, classic and modern books.
Rentzenbrick writes as if she's talking to a friend. I enjoyed her life story and I loved the book recommendations which were the perfect blend of "oh yes! I loved that too" and "don't know that one, must make a note of it".
readingfornow's review against another edition
4.0
“We are all in the gutter, but books allow us to see the stars”
A gorgeous memoir on how books guide and inspire us through life.
A gorgeous memoir on how books guide and inspire us through life.
essjay1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this. Completely in my wheelhouse, a candid and engaging memoir about her life with books.
bjhg5053's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
lizzina's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting reading of the author's life through all the books she has loved and read since she was young. I have enjoyed many passages, sometimes feeling connected to the author for the same love of reading.
It's a book that I would certainly recommend to readers, and I might do a list of all the books that are mentioned.
Note: this was an audiobook. This is not the first time that I listen to an audiobook read by the author, and I did not enjoy it in this sense. This might be a piece of cheeky advice, but if you want your book to be read, give it to an audiobook reader instead of reading it yourself. You will not make it justice reading it yourself. In this specific case then, I have to say the author is clearly not a trained audiobook reader, so I have missed the enthusiasm and the techniques that make an audiobook a good experience.
It's a book that I would certainly recommend to readers, and I might do a list of all the books that are mentioned.
Note: this was an audiobook. This is not the first time that I listen to an audiobook read by the author, and I did not enjoy it in this sense. This might be a piece of cheeky advice, but if you want your book to be read, give it to an audiobook reader instead of reading it yourself. You will not make it justice reading it yourself. In this specific case then, I have to say the author is clearly not a trained audiobook reader, so I have missed the enthusiasm and the techniques that make an audiobook a good experience.