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ateague73's review against another edition
5.0
I have read this book 7 times over the last 10 or 12 years. It is comfort reading to me. I love books about books.
Sara Nelson is currently the editorial director at Amazon. She's been the book editor at Oprah Magazine, and before that, she was the editor-in-chief at Publisher's Weekly. Basically, she has made a career out of reading books. What a life!
This book is her memoir about the year she decided to read a book a week and write about it. It's not a book of reviews. It's more like a book about how reading and life intersect. About how she chose her books and how the right book seemed to be waiting for her at just the right time.
I love reading about her life in New York City. I'm pretty sure if I moved to New York, I would end up a recluse, too afraid to leave my apartment. But I like reading about her riding in taxis and meeting friends in cool cafes and lunching in expensive restaurants. Tres Chic!
Sara Nelson is currently the editorial director at Amazon. She's been the book editor at Oprah Magazine, and before that, she was the editor-in-chief at Publisher's Weekly. Basically, she has made a career out of reading books. What a life!
This book is her memoir about the year she decided to read a book a week and write about it. It's not a book of reviews. It's more like a book about how reading and life intersect. About how she chose her books and how the right book seemed to be waiting for her at just the right time.
I love reading about her life in New York City. I'm pretty sure if I moved to New York, I would end up a recluse, too afraid to leave my apartment. But I like reading about her riding in taxis and meeting friends in cool cafes and lunching in expensive restaurants. Tres Chic!
thehlb's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't so much a book about other books as it is a book about the process of reading. As such, I related to many of the author's musings, including what induces a person to choose a book, or choosing friends based on what they like to read.
I had to read this with my laptop next to me to look up many of the books she mentions. Overall, I do not think I have the same reading taste/interest as this author.
The book was written nearly a decade ago, but somehow manages to feel dated. Maybe because it was immediately post 9/11 and pre-housing crisis, or perhaps because she extols the virtues of James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" which looks silly now post the big Oprah debacle.
If it were a movie I would definitely call it a renter.
I had to read this with my laptop next to me to look up many of the books she mentions. Overall, I do not think I have the same reading taste/interest as this author.
The book was written nearly a decade ago, but somehow manages to feel dated. Maybe because it was immediately post 9/11 and pre-housing crisis, or perhaps because she extols the virtues of James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" which looks silly now post the big Oprah debacle.
If it were a movie I would definitely call it a renter.
dontmissythesereads's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book because it mentioned some great literature, but the author also told stories of how each book related to her life. She says that sometimes you don't pick the books, they pick you.
Sent to a bookcrosser
Sent to a bookcrosser
eandrews80's review against another edition
4.0
I've been into books about reading lately, and I liked this one much better than Schwartz's Ruined By Reading. It's very insightful and meaningful, of course, but it's also incredibly funny. Sara Nelson sets out to read a book a week for an entire year and write about each one. It's less a book list than a series of essays about how we choose the books we read, why we choose them, and how books and our lives overlap sometimes.
fantuan1986's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't finish the book!! So little time indeed, better to put down this one
bellbo's review against another edition
3.0
A book about reading. It was a good read with a lot of personal stories from the author. HOWEVER I wasn't interested in the majority of the books she was reading during her journey.
upward_not_northward's review against another edition
2.0
Not holding my attention and reads like a high schooler's diary. Got to page 56 and am calling it quits.
vhp's review against another edition
1.0
started going downhill about page 51, th65, then 70, then 80 and at April 15th, pages 86-87, I stopped. I'm glad I did, because thumbing through it the topics get worse. Not worth the money I spent on it.
kedawen's review against another edition
3.0
Several times as I was reading this book I thought "she gets it!" (channeling Frank from You've Got Mail) and its always nice to "meet" someone who loves reading as much as I do. Other than that, I didn't connect with a lot of her book choices, but it was fun to read her reactions to them. Maybe I should write this sort of book? My choices for the year would look a lot different... :)
zelma's review against another edition
5.0
A book about reading - right up my alley. Nelson plans to read one book per week for a year, reflection on why she chose each book and how they fit into the events of her life. The end result is less diary and more rumination on why we read and how our lives affect our choices. Though there is plenty book talk and lists as well. Nelson is quite funny and introspective; I just loved this one. 1/1/11