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thebookmagpie's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent read about books and the place they take in our lives, but it was slightly spoiled by a poorly-researched chapter about ebooks. Alongside factual mistakes I take a bit of exception to the fact that the accessibility advantages of audiobooks were enumerated but that this wasn't given any consideration with respect to ebooks. As someone who reads digitally a lot due to chronic pain and fatigue, it felt like Mole hadn't actually thought terribly deeply about this; also, I happened to read this book physically and the poor quality of the print in the book also happened to remind me of the advantages of an ereader!
snow_phie's review
3.0
A delightful book about the history of books. As an avid reader and a fan of history, this was the perfect combo. The pace is uneven at times, not helped by the fact that some literary references were lost on me, but I would glady read it again regardless.
I liked that it offered a whistle stop tour of the Book through the ages: the chained books of Herefordshire Cathedral, the use of book knives, or the role the book played in popularising more recent technologies.
But what I loved most is how it made me reflect on books as objects - what they mean to me, and how they help me relate to others. It made me think of those rare few books that I've hugged or that I keep reading, year after year, and why I keep reading to find more.
I liked that it offered a whistle stop tour of the Book through the ages: the chained books of Herefordshire Cathedral, the use of book knives, or the role the book played in popularising more recent technologies.
But what I loved most is how it made me reflect on books as objects - what they mean to me, and how they help me relate to others. It made me think of those rare few books that I've hugged or that I keep reading, year after year, and why I keep reading to find more.
piedwarbler's review
3.0
A potted history of the book. Some of it seems so obvious as to need no explanation, however, some if it is very interesting. I loved the chapter about Van Gogh and the painting ‘Still Life with Bible’. I wasn’t aware of that painting but I do love paintings of people reading or of books.
sakisreads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
This book called out to me when I was picking up a different book from the shelves; I knew it was meant to be 🥹
I don’t think non-fiction-esque books like this are for me right now, hence it’s slightly lowered rating, but I do love the thought process. Books really aren’t just containers of words or objects; they can be conversation starters and enders/sensory experiences/status symbols and so on and so forth.
This book has inspired me to go to Edinburgh too; it’s always appealed to me, but being the UNESCO ‘bookish’ town sounds brilliant 🥰
3 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨
portybelle's review
5.0
Now what book-lover can resist a book all about books and which promises to unlock some of their secrets? Not this one anyway! Unusually, this book isn't actually about reading but focuses on concepts such as how physical books have developed over time, what the books we choose to keep on our bookshelves say about us (who among us doesn't like a look at other people's bookshelves?), how books are viewed in cultural terms and what the future may hold for books in the digital age. There was so much I enjoyed in this book and I'm just going to pick out a few parts to give you a flavour.
The author talks about the way a physical book imprints on your memory contrasted with ebooks. This is so true. When I came to write up my thoughts, I could easily visualise whereabouts in the book I had read certain passages - near the beginning, left hand page, near the top etc. Reading an ebook (and I do also love my Kindle) does not give that same reading experience, it does not imprint on the memory in the same way.
The author spoke about the way books connect people but can also separate them. This isn't just about the way reading a book cuts you off from people. As he points out: "Don't try snuggling up to your partner in bed when he or she is just getting to the last pages of a murder mystery. Not even the most ardent lover is more interesting that finding out whodunnit." When I read on the bus, as well as actually wanting to read, it is also a sign that I don't want someone to talk me, a physical barrier. But then there are book groups, growing in number, which bring people together to share their thoughts on a particular book, the reading of which has of course been an individual activity.
I was fascinated to read about what could be regarded as the first book groups. When books were an expensive luxury in the 19th century, and indeed many people were still illiterate, people came together to share the books they had bought. One copy could be purchased through shared funds and then passed around many people. Benjamin Franklin helped set up a group like this in the late 18th century. His group evolved into a public library and where would we be without our wonderful public libraries offering access to countless books to everyone, regardless of means?
Alexander McCall Smith has described the book as ‘A real treasure trove for book lovers’ and I would definitely agree. If you are looking for a gift for the bibliophile in your life, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book. One final thought I'd like to leave you with is this. When you look at your own bookshelves and think about why you have kept these particular books, the memories they bring back of where you were when you read them, what was happening in your life or what feelings they evoked, I am sure you will agree with the author who says, "Every volume is a remembrance of things past."
The author talks about the way a physical book imprints on your memory contrasted with ebooks. This is so true. When I came to write up my thoughts, I could easily visualise whereabouts in the book I had read certain passages - near the beginning, left hand page, near the top etc. Reading an ebook (and I do also love my Kindle) does not give that same reading experience, it does not imprint on the memory in the same way.
The author spoke about the way books connect people but can also separate them. This isn't just about the way reading a book cuts you off from people. As he points out: "Don't try snuggling up to your partner in bed when he or she is just getting to the last pages of a murder mystery. Not even the most ardent lover is more interesting that finding out whodunnit." When I read on the bus, as well as actually wanting to read, it is also a sign that I don't want someone to talk me, a physical barrier. But then there are book groups, growing in number, which bring people together to share their thoughts on a particular book, the reading of which has of course been an individual activity.
I was fascinated to read about what could be regarded as the first book groups. When books were an expensive luxury in the 19th century, and indeed many people were still illiterate, people came together to share the books they had bought. One copy could be purchased through shared funds and then passed around many people. Benjamin Franklin helped set up a group like this in the late 18th century. His group evolved into a public library and where would we be without our wonderful public libraries offering access to countless books to everyone, regardless of means?
Alexander McCall Smith has described the book as ‘A real treasure trove for book lovers’ and I would definitely agree. If you are looking for a gift for the bibliophile in your life, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book. One final thought I'd like to leave you with is this. When you look at your own bookshelves and think about why you have kept these particular books, the memories they bring back of where you were when you read them, what was happening in your life or what feelings they evoked, I am sure you will agree with the author who says, "Every volume is a remembrance of things past."
thealena's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0