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freudian_slip's review
3.0
Pretty much what one would expect: some good essays, some not-so-good, some hidden gems to discover, and some reinforcing what we already love. A good palate cleanser between books.
bookwormjimmy's review
3.0
A great collection of short interviews on what book changed each person's life. More like 3 1/2 stars.
The entries are short that you can read them during commercial breaks while watching tv, or as a quick break while cooking, or in the middle of any number of daily tasks we do. You'll find celebrities and authors and chefs who are quite well known, as well as others you may or may not know. But who cares? It's about the books, is it not?
I enjoyed reading about the various stories that changed each person's life. For others, they preferred to be a little more unique in their response. Regardless, there were many that I found that I could relate to…other people who's experiences I found similarities in. And that's what I loved about the book.
The entries are short that you can read them during commercial breaks while watching tv, or as a quick break while cooking, or in the middle of any number of daily tasks we do. You'll find celebrities and authors and chefs who are quite well known, as well as others you may or may not know. But who cares? It's about the books, is it not?
I enjoyed reading about the various stories that changed each person's life. For others, they preferred to be a little more unique in their response. Regardless, there were many that I found that I could relate to…other people who's experiences I found similarities in. And that's what I loved about the book.
melissaschultz's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading a few of these every night before going to sleep. Some were better/more interesting than others. I didn’t know the majority of the people describing the books that were meaningful to them, and I think I would have rated this book higher if I’d had more familiarity with the “remarkable people.” Somehow the reflections seemed to be more interesting when I had some other background to the person’s life—even when their insights weren’t particularly remarkable.
senid's review
5.0
I love books and books about books. This book is filled with essays about how books or a specific book have touched people's lives. I like to read a couple a night. You may find some new books to read, or you may just be reminded of the different ways reading can touch us.
stormirdgz's review
5.0
I’ve read many books about books this year, and I thought that maybe it was a niche genre that just wasn’t for me because all were disappointing and not anything I felt was worth spending money on. This one though? I’m buying a copy of as soon as possible. I cried. Multiple times. Because of a books about books. Hearing from so many people both known and unknown to me about the books that changed their lives felt very personal. I learnt about their families, their struggles, their fears and anxieties. All in the context of knowing how a book played a huge role in their life. I was reminded on each page of how much I love reading and why.
eksexton's review
5.0
Books about books are my favorite genre, especially when I come out of it with about 85 new recommendations. My "to read" list is about 1,000 books long so I don't actually need any more of those.
Anyways! I loved all the various insights into a love of books and reading from 100 very different people. There were a few I could relate to and others that I literally noted with just a big old "?" - Fay Weldon you don't keep, love, and cherish every physical book you've ever read!? And Jess Walter's essay on One Hundred Years of Solitude: this essay was the one that hit me in the gut and had me in tears, a true piece of writing that speaks to exactly what I love about books and stories.
I would estimate that almost half of these essays touched on a love of reading taught and encouraged by parents and/or the public library, so I guess I have a lot to thank my mom for. I am currently teaching English in Thailand, a decision I made in part to determine how I could incorporate a love of the English language, reading, and writing into a career, but so far (and with some major encouraging by the essay's of all these incredible people), I'm learning this isn't quite it. But all the reading I'm getting to do along the way might be bringing me closer to an answer.
A thank you to Bethanne Patrick and all 100 contributors, I can pick out a few books that definitely affected my life, and I think I will look back and this will have become one of them. And it will be sitting in a prized spot on my many shelves of novels, biographies, anthologies, and other shining literary treasures.
Anyways! I loved all the various insights into a love of books and reading from 100 very different people. There were a few I could relate to and others that I literally noted with just a big old "?" - Fay Weldon you don't keep, love, and cherish every physical book you've ever read!? And Jess Walter's essay on One Hundred Years of Solitude: this essay was the one that hit me in the gut and had me in tears, a true piece of writing that speaks to exactly what I love about books and stories.
I would estimate that almost half of these essays touched on a love of reading taught and encouraged by parents and/or the public library, so I guess I have a lot to thank my mom for. I am currently teaching English in Thailand, a decision I made in part to determine how I could incorporate a love of the English language, reading, and writing into a career, but so far (and with some major encouraging by the essay's of all these incredible people), I'm learning this isn't quite it. But all the reading I'm getting to do along the way might be bringing me closer to an answer.
A thank you to Bethanne Patrick and all 100 contributors, I can pick out a few books that definitely affected my life, and I think I will look back and this will have become one of them. And it will be sitting in a prized spot on my many shelves of novels, biographies, anthologies, and other shining literary treasures.
mclent's review
3.0
It's fascinating to read what amounts to an expanded list of transformative books read by famous and quasi-famous people. That said, I failed some test since my own life never turned on a dime from a single book like Ulysses or Plato's Republic, whereas seminal books for me were things like Lord of the Rings or A Separate Peace. In any case, I did find a few titles to check out.
erino4dad6's review
4.0
Loved seeing the different books that people love. Gave me a list of new books to read. Also made me think about how I would answer this question.
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