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cawilliams29's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Cathy Rentzenbrink writes beautifully about reading. This is the first non-fiction I've read in a long time and after this book I feel sucked back into the genre.
It's so clear how important reading is to Rentzenbrink as she writes illuminating the impact books have had on her as a person, the comfort they provided in dark times and the bridge they build to connect us to eachother.
I loved the funny, insightful and at times, heartbreaking way the book takes us through so many different seasons of a life, relationships and loss and how being a reader can be a lifeline through it all.
I especially connected to the chapters on Rentzenbrinks' early career as a bookseller, as I began working at an Indie bookseller a couple months ago. I sat nodding and laughing at all the bookselling terms and stories, connecting in a way I never could have before this job!
What a beautifully crafted piece of writing, I feel that I learned and if possible my appreciation of reading grew!
It's so clear how important reading is to Rentzenbrink as she writes illuminating the impact books have had on her as a person, the comfort they provided in dark times and the bridge they build to connect us to eachother.
I loved the funny, insightful and at times, heartbreaking way the book takes us through so many different seasons of a life, relationships and loss and how being a reader can be a lifeline through it all.
I especially connected to the chapters on Rentzenbrinks' early career as a bookseller, as I began working at an Indie bookseller a couple months ago. I sat nodding and laughing at all the bookselling terms and stories, connecting in a way I never could have before this job!
What a beautifully crafted piece of writing, I feel that I learned and if possible my appreciation of reading grew!
happyknitter2020's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
One of the best books have ever read...a book about hundreds of books to keep alongside you throughout life challenges. Will read the books referenced & keep this beautiful book close throughout my own life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Child death, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
georgia59's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Finishing this book was like coming up for air having been immersed in the author's very bookish life. Felt a bit suffocated by the end.
almondcookies's review against another edition
4.0
The first quarter of this book is very slow, but overall, Cathy Rentzenbrink does a wonderful job of telling us the story of how books have been her rock throughout all the ups and downs of her life.
There are so many wonderful points made in this book: how certain books are considered "high brow" or "low brow" (and how it's all nonsense), why fiction is just as important as non fiction, and how books can save you in those dark hours. Cathy beautifully articulates what it means to be a reader, how books can expand our lives, and the different roles they played during different times throughout hers.
I highly recommend this to all readers (if you're on this website, I suppose that means literally everyone reading this review). Not only will you be able to relate to Cathy's feelings, you'll also be adding a long list of her recommended books to your tbr.
Every book holds a memory. When you hold a book in your hands, you access not only the contents of that book, but the fragments of the previous selves that you were when you read it.
----
Bookclub buddy read with Emma and dear god am I excited for this one!!!
There are so many wonderful points made in this book: how certain books are considered "high brow" or "low brow" (and how it's all nonsense), why fiction is just as important as non fiction, and how books can save you in those dark hours. Cathy beautifully articulates what it means to be a reader, how books can expand our lives, and the different roles they played during different times throughout hers.
I highly recommend this to all readers (if you're on this website, I suppose that means literally everyone reading this review). Not only will you be able to relate to Cathy's feelings, you'll also be adding a long list of her recommended books to your tbr.
Every book holds a memory. When you hold a book in your hands, you access not only the contents of that book, but the fragments of the previous selves that you were when you read it.
----
Bookclub buddy read with Emma and dear god am I excited for this one!!!
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook of this and the author was the narrator which I thought was done very well.
Her joy of books and reading in her life is clear from this book and I loved the recommendations she gave based on the chapter topics.
Really recommend this - a stunning read
Her joy of books and reading in her life is clear from this book and I loved the recommendations she gave based on the chapter topics.
Really recommend this - a stunning read
lucita_knjige's review against another edition
1.0
Such an interesting idea yet so boring. DNF at 50%
elektra_lucia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Looooove this and all my love to Cathy Rentzenbrink and her lovely mind and recommendations. What a ride, had no idea how much this was also a (fantastic) memoir when I randomly picked it up from the library (purely based on title and cover haha)🫶🫶
Other recs if you loved this book:
- I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
- Boys and Girls Forever by Alison Lurie
- Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
- Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman
Other recs if you loved this book:
- I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
- Boys and Girls Forever by Alison Lurie
- Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
- Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Alcoholism
gingersquirrel's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
I just loves the way she writes. So eloquent, yet grounded. Her words elevate the mundane and especially capture the immersive and transporting joy of reading.