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febeleest's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
3.75*
Audioboek op Storytel.
Een beetje te lang en niet alle autheurs zijn even interessant. Maar het concept is wel heel leuk. Fijn dat er ook autheurs met een andere achtergrond bijzaten. Het was erg motiverend en inspirerend om mensen hun levenswijsheid en verhaal tot succes te horen. Daarnaast ben ik er ook van weggestapt met een hele lijst nieuwe boekrecomendaties.
Audioboek op Storytel.
Een beetje te lang en niet alle autheurs zijn even interessant. Maar het concept is wel heel leuk. Fijn dat er ook autheurs met een andere achtergrond bijzaten. Het was erg motiverend en inspirerend om mensen hun levenswijsheid en verhaal tot succes te horen. Daarnaast ben ik er ook van weggestapt met een hele lijst nieuwe boekrecomendaties.
atsundarsingh's review against another edition
Just got tired of it. Kinda better as a coffee table book, not for binging.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
During the course of reading this book, which is a book-lover's dream - a set of interviews with famous American authors about what inspires them, I walked away with more book recommendations than I can count. I also got a front seat into these author's minds and their influences.
A few common noteworthy points after reading these interviews -
1. Almost all authors are voracious readers. But, of course!
2. Most authors started reading from a very young age, devouring almost everything in sight.
3. Most authors cited their Mom or parents as a reason for their reading habit. This makes so much sense, at least from my personal experience - I am a reader coz as a child, I have seen my Mom only read if she was not cooking.
I was more interested in reading the non-American storytellers these authors were interested in, and I got plenty of that too, from this book.
A few common noteworthy points after reading these interviews -
1. Almost all authors are voracious readers. But, of course!
2. Most authors started reading from a very young age, devouring almost everything in sight.
3. Most authors cited their Mom or parents as a reason for their reading habit. This makes so much sense, at least from my personal experience - I am a reader coz as a child, I have seen my Mom only read if she was not cooking.
I was more interested in reading the non-American storytellers these authors were interested in, and I got plenty of that too, from this book.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
3.0
At first I did not enjoy the interview format. Later in my reading, it became more conversational. The Tartt interview by email was the worst. The couple interview with Chabon and Waldman was the best. Wouldn't it be so great to be in a relationship where you can discuss reading so fluidly? Odd there were other couples that were not interviewed together, but separately. A summary or epilogue would have been useful. Many if the authors mentioned the same books being read and enjoyed. I added to my to-read list. Many if these authors I had not read.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting read, comprised of various conversations that the two editors had with authors about what books made an impact on their writing.
erinjandacreative's review against another edition
5.0
I borrowed this audiobook from my online library, and I initially felt thrown off at the sometimes awkward pauses of the recordings. I think going into the audiobook I thought I would be listening to the raw interview recordings, like in a podcast style. But that style may not have worked very well in the final book and audiobook formats. I eventually got used to the pace of the recordings, which I’m guessing were done after the actual interviews. The awkward pauses between speakers (or narrators rather) grew on me after awhile, and I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook. I honestly can’t imagine how I would have read this book any other way. I was delighted at the end of the audiobook that excerpts from two interviews were included in their raw form. I especially liked that in both interviews a pet of the author was scolded for doing something naughty. That made me laugh! I really enjoyed hearing about some of the books that influenced or shaped these contemporary authors. I definitely added quite a few books onto my Want to Read List. I also like that I was introduced to so many living authors. I definitely want to read some of their books and stories as well.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
As a librarian, when I see the name “Nancy Pearl” my eyes shift to its context; when I hear her name, I tilt toward the conversation. She is known as the Rockstar Librarian and is well-respected for her book knowledge and reader’s advisory skill.
So, when I saw that she joined with a colleague and new friend to write a book about the books that inspire authors, I was immediately drawn to it. It is indeed a fangirl/fanboy experience. Nancy & Jeff’s enthusiasm for the authors and the books they love seeps through each page. The advice that the featured authors offer seems handy and encouraging for aspiring writers.
However, I did not read the whole book. I read the intro, scanned many chapters, examined the lists at the end of each interview, and only read one interview in its entirety: Michael Chabon & Ayelet Waldman. Why only one? Well, firstly, I am not a writer nor do I any longer aspire to be one. Secondly, Chabon & Waldman are the only ones in the book who I have personally read and could feel like I heard their voices as they spoke.
I can see how this book will encourage and inspire others – and completely engulf the fans of the authors featured. In fact, when I finished reading/scanning, my first thought was “Now, if the authors featured were all young adult authors, say Sabaa Tahir, Stephanie Garber, Laini Taylor, Brigid Kemmerer, Adam Silvera, Mark Oshiro, … well, that book I would read cover to cover.” Anyone familiar with the authors listed will undoubtedly enjoy the interviews – and do be prepared for your TBR to grow because those authors? They are voracious readers!
10/24/20: Since I did not read the entire book, I did not include read-dates on Goodreads so it would not count to my annual GR reading goal.
So, when I saw that she joined with a colleague and new friend to write a book about the books that inspire authors, I was immediately drawn to it. It is indeed a fangirl/fanboy experience. Nancy & Jeff’s enthusiasm for the authors and the books they love seeps through each page. The advice that the featured authors offer seems handy and encouraging for aspiring writers.
However, I did not read the whole book. I read the intro, scanned many chapters, examined the lists at the end of each interview, and only read one interview in its entirety: Michael Chabon & Ayelet Waldman. Why only one? Well, firstly, I am not a writer nor do I any longer aspire to be one. Secondly, Chabon & Waldman are the only ones in the book who I have personally read and could feel like I heard their voices as they spoke.
I can see how this book will encourage and inspire others – and completely engulf the fans of the authors featured. In fact, when I finished reading/scanning, my first thought was “Now, if the authors featured were all young adult authors, say Sabaa Tahir, Stephanie Garber, Laini Taylor, Brigid Kemmerer, Adam Silvera, Mark Oshiro, … well, that book I would read cover to cover.” Anyone familiar with the authors listed will undoubtedly enjoy the interviews – and do be prepared for your TBR to grow because those authors? They are voracious readers!
10/24/20: Since I did not read the entire book, I did not include read-dates on Goodreads so it would not count to my annual GR reading goal.