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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Utterly charming. Fadiman is witty and self-deprecating, all in the name of sharing her bibliomania with others. I consumed this book over a period of time, snacking on chapters (essays rather) while I waited in line, or casually over breakfast. Any free and unhurried moment.
Individually satisfying, together completely rewarding, this book of essays I think can be read and enjoyed by any and all bibliophiles, especially those who like books on books (and she includes such a section at the end for your convenience! Here is an author who simply wants to share the joy!)
Individually satisfying, together completely rewarding, this book of essays I think can be read and enjoyed by any and all bibliophiles, especially those who like books on books (and she includes such a section at the end for your convenience! Here is an author who simply wants to share the joy!)
For a book lover, these stories are honey. 10/10 would recommend.
My husband and I have been together for ten years and still have not really merged our books. Anne Fadiman understands why.
While a bit elitist and involving nonbinary erasure (both products of when they were written/published--the 90s), these essays do make poignant efforts to describe the life of an avid (if not obsessed) reader in their own words. It's less a book about books than a book about one person's reading life, more in line with The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby, which I really enjoy reading about. Fadiman sometimes uses form to make her point--like adding errors to the title of an essay about proofreading, or using footnotes to describe where a quote/idea came from in an essay about plagiarism. A collection of clever essays!
I definitely related to the part about compulsive copyediting, though I don't really take the extra step to point out these errors to someone else unless they've asked me to...
I definitely related to the part about compulsive copyediting, though I don't really take the extra step to point out these errors to someone else unless they've asked me to...
A nice little collection of essays on books and reading and those who enjoy them. It is the kind of book you want to read in bed, or maybe sit in a nice, comfy armchair with a cup of your favorite hot brew. If you like reading books about reading, or you enjoy reading light essays, this is a good book for you.
Lovely light-hearted book about books. I dare you to read the chapter "Never do That to a Book" and not cringe.
Fadiman's descriptions of herself and her reading could have been descriptions of me; it was hilarious to read her spot-on characterizations of voracious readers and how ridiculous they can be at times. And, I hope, how fascinating. I highly recommend all my readerly friends check this one out. :)