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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
It's a basic book recommendation book, but with some really well thought out and original thoughts and insights.
An intriguing approach that I just couldn’t discard until i had read every page. Bibliotherapy or, better said, novel-therapy.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Like an encyclopedia of ailments where each entry directs you to a book (or books) that can 'cure' your ills. I checked out a handful of these cure-alls but from the 3 that I've sampled they were all DNFs. *shrugs*
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was insightful, in many ways, and humorous. Furthermore, I found it to be very inspirational in terms of choosing reading material. I often find myself wondering what to read next, and too often I end up with a familiar author or familiar genre, and I want something new, but don't really know what it should be. So, sometimes it's nice to be introduced to a vast selection of books, with an introduction without too many spoilers. My to-read list grew with at least thirty books in the process of reading this one book, and I really can't wait to get started. And, fortunately, if the prospect of having too many books you want to read is stressful to you, as it is to me sometimes, there is a cure for that too.
Right about now, someone might be wondering why I gave it four stars rather than five. Well....Disregarding the issue of taste (I missed a few books and authors in there), I found the authors to be moralising at times. Mostly it was not too pronounced, but when considering divorce and ending up with Mr/Mrs wrong, I was given the strong impresssion, that they considered it right to try everything to make it work before 'allowing' yourself to leave - and I can certainly think of many cases (domestic violence for one) where you should just leave straight away...if any such reason is needed at all. We might discuss whether a quick divorce isn't preferable if you realise you ended up with the wrong person, but that is a discussion for another time and place. There are other instances of moralising, and they did subtract from my enjoyment of the book, hence only four stars. I still recommend the book, though, for its inspirational qualities, and sense of humour.
Right about now, someone might be wondering why I gave it four stars rather than five. Well....Disregarding the issue of taste (I missed a few books and authors in there), I found the authors to be moralising at times. Mostly it was not too pronounced, but when considering divorce and ending up with Mr/Mrs wrong, I was given the strong impresssion, that they considered it right to try everything to make it work before 'allowing' yourself to leave - and I can certainly think of many cases (domestic violence for one) where you should just leave straight away...if any such reason is needed at all. We might discuss whether a quick divorce isn't preferable if you realise you ended up with the wrong person, but that is a discussion for another time and place. There are other instances of moralising, and they did subtract from my enjoyment of the book, hence only four stars. I still recommend the book, though, for its inspirational qualities, and sense of humour.
It's more like a book to reference rather than to read straight through.
The idea of a book curing your ills feels far fetched, I know. Don't think of novels as a magic elixir or cure all but as a way to examine a problem from a different point of view. Conquer Flying, Fear of by reading [a:Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|1020792|Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1330853515p2/1020792.jpg]'s [b:Night Flight|8842|Night Flight|Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1165765583s/8842.jpg|2210616] - see how much worse it can be? That turbulence was nothing! Feeling lonely? The gang at 28 Barbary Lane in [b:Tales of the City|16255|Tales of the City (Tales of the City, #1)|Armistead Maupin|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1283651432s/16255.jpg|815206] will take you in as one of their own.
This book can be read equally well straight through or as the mood strikes you. Even if you aren't suffering from the particular ailment you will still find interesting recommendations to add to your TBR.
The selection of novels covers a wide swath of literary history, from classics to more contemporary works and everything inbetween. I was pleased to see that there were a decent number of books in translation that go beyond the usual Murakami and Russian greats. I especially liked the ten best lists, including the best books for each decade of your life (from teens through 100+), the best novels for when you have a cold, and the best audiobooks for road rage. Genres are hit and miss - fantasy and sci fi are lovingly covered while horror, thrillers, mystery and romance fall by the wayside. Le sigh.
The introductions to each book go me interested in titles but I became annoyed when Berthoud and Elderkin give away major plot points and spoilers. I get that they are eager to say why the book is such a good cure for xyz ailment, but I'd rather they said "trust us" more often. I found myself skimming when they talked about titles already on my TBR just to make sure nothing was ruined for me.
As the authors point out novels are not a substitute for sound medical advice. But when you're coping with a problem, be it mental or physical (or metaphysical), sometimes a well-chosen book is just the thing you need.
This book can be read equally well straight through or as the mood strikes you. Even if you aren't suffering from the particular ailment you will still find interesting recommendations to add to your TBR.
The selection of novels covers a wide swath of literary history, from classics to more contemporary works and everything inbetween. I was pleased to see that there were a decent number of books in translation that go beyond the usual Murakami and Russian greats. I especially liked the ten best lists, including the best books for each decade of your life (from teens through 100+), the best novels for when you have a cold, and the best audiobooks for road rage. Genres are hit and miss - fantasy and sci fi are lovingly covered while horror, thrillers, mystery and romance fall by the wayside. Le sigh.
The introductions to each book go me interested in titles but I became annoyed when Berthoud and Elderkin give away major plot points and spoilers. I get that they are eager to say why the book is such a good cure for xyz ailment, but I'd rather they said "trust us" more often. I found myself skimming when they talked about titles already on my TBR just to make sure nothing was ruined for me.
As the authors point out novels are not a substitute for sound medical advice. But when you're coping with a problem, be it mental or physical (or metaphysical), sometimes a well-chosen book is just the thing you need.
Great, fun little read to dip in and out of. Some great sounding books recommended inside, most of which I haven't read and am desperate to start now! Only downside is that it does spoiler a lot of the books, but that's not something that really bothers me.
This is a book that had been waiting patiently in my TBR list and I had been waiting for the right moment to start reading. I wanted to be focused, my mind concentrated, because the concept of the book- a combination of feelings and daily problems and the way they are depicted in various novels- was so interesting and unique. However, when that moment came, I discovered that this was a self-help book (or an attempt to create one) and an overall disappointing read.
What I liked was the snippets of advice and tips on how to improve various 'reading' problems, such as lack of space, having trouble to locate one of your books or keeping a steady reading pace. These are scattered among the entries and I really enjoyed them. They offered a few interesting information and solutions.
Unfortunately, the list of the things I liked ends here. There were many issues I had problems with and the common denominator was the writing. The way the book is written is less than adequate for such a difficult, demanding concept.
First of all, it's not very wise to provide a summary of each book along with its ending. I mean, if we come to think of it, it's almost idiotic. The authors make suggestions to us as to which book we should read and the conclusion of the majority of the novels is made clear. Now, I'm not one to get panicked by spoilers. Far from it. I have been spoiled quite a few times and yet my interest remained undiminished, but here, with this book and the aim it tries to accomplish, it doesn't seem like a successful choice.
The way the entries are organised is rather messed-up. For example, there are entries with no book suggestions, leading you back to a similar ''ailment''. The writing itself is not satisfying at all. The way the authors summarize a number of books is below average, as if they're writing for teenagers who are just starting their way in the world of Literature. Their summary for Graves' I, Claudius is cringe-worthy. Not to mention the phrase ''Literature is fond of its lunatics''. and their rather insulting comments about poverty and choice in the entry of The Great Gatsby. In my opinion, the writers' attempt to sound humorous and smart failed. They succeeded in appearing rude, condescending and full of self-centered pats on their own shoulders.
The writers' advice is rather tasteless and tactless. Not good. I found them to be void, irrelevant, as if they come from one of those women's magazines. This is not the language of a book which wants to be taken seriously. Yet again, it may be that this was not the writers'purpose.
The premise was interesting and imaginative, but apart from a tiny few good moments, the execution left a lot to be desired and the writing was so average. It quickly became a ''self-help'' book and this is a genre I loathe. What confuses me is that I can't really tell what the writers aimed for. However, I know that I didn't enjoy it, only proceeded through the pages like a chore and this is never a good sign. For me, this is probably the worst book-about-books I've read and the first to make me think that there are too many letters in the alphabet...
What I liked was the snippets of advice and tips on how to improve various 'reading' problems, such as lack of space, having trouble to locate one of your books or keeping a steady reading pace. These are scattered among the entries and I really enjoyed them. They offered a few interesting information and solutions.
Unfortunately, the list of the things I liked ends here. There were many issues I had problems with and the common denominator was the writing. The way the book is written is less than adequate for such a difficult, demanding concept.
First of all, it's not very wise to provide a summary of each book along with its ending. I mean, if we come to think of it, it's almost idiotic. The authors make suggestions to us as to which book we should read and the conclusion of the majority of the novels is made clear. Now, I'm not one to get panicked by spoilers. Far from it. I have been spoiled quite a few times and yet my interest remained undiminished, but here, with this book and the aim it tries to accomplish, it doesn't seem like a successful choice.
The way the entries are organised is rather messed-up. For example, there are entries with no book suggestions, leading you back to a similar ''ailment''. The writing itself is not satisfying at all. The way the authors summarize a number of books is below average, as if they're writing for teenagers who are just starting their way in the world of Literature. Their summary for Graves' I, Claudius is cringe-worthy. Not to mention the phrase ''Literature is fond of its lunatics''. and their rather insulting comments about poverty and choice in the entry of The Great Gatsby. In my opinion, the writers' attempt to sound humorous and smart failed. They succeeded in appearing rude, condescending and full of self-centered pats on their own shoulders.
The writers' advice is rather tasteless and tactless. Not good. I found them to be void, irrelevant, as if they come from one of those women's magazines. This is not the language of a book which wants to be taken seriously. Yet again, it may be that this was not the writers'purpose.
The premise was interesting and imaginative, but apart from a tiny few good moments, the execution left a lot to be desired and the writing was so average. It quickly became a ''self-help'' book and this is a genre I loathe. What confuses me is that I can't really tell what the writers aimed for. However, I know that I didn't enjoy it, only proceeded through the pages like a chore and this is never a good sign. For me, this is probably the worst book-about-books I've read and the first to make me think that there are too many letters in the alphabet...