lesbiangrandpa's review against another edition

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5.0

Lovely profiles on ridiculously wealthy humans. Irene Silvagni’s story was my favorite. Loved getting to see so many libraries. My kinda emotional travel.

ylvasorli's review against another edition

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5.0

LOVE LOVE LOVE

kiki_chaser's review against another edition

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informative inspiring relaxing

4.0

The libraries and collections featured in this werre truly beautiful. I would love to see this book redone with an inclusion of Asian curators and collectors. 

balletbookworm's review against another edition

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4.0

A gorgeously edited and assembled book of drool-worthy pictures of personal libraries of artists, writers, and editors (the only photographs I did not like were the ones of Karl Ove Knausgaard’s multiple overflowing cups/ashtrays of cigarette butts, yeccchhh, gag-inducing). Aspirational book collecting at its best. Shout-out to all those books stacked everywhere other than shelves.

georgilvsbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

So many quotes and sayings I have written down from this book! It was utterly amazing.

It felt like one HUGE hug.

As soon as I finished this book, I began to arrange all of my books and shelves! That’s what this book does to you, you want to organise, categorise, smell…. The list is endless.

A book I would gladly love to own and take pride on my shelves. (I read this from my local library)

allmadhere106's review against another edition

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3.0

This volume features a collection of home libraries from around the world, with intimate interviews with the owners. There are also small tidbits about other book-related topics throughout, including libraries, special collections, etc. Readers will enjoy peaking into the homes and lives of those who have fabulous collections. Books lovers will feel vindicated in their collections, and they will enjoy the different means of organization and philosophies.

However, while the author notes that "This book is not about unattainable libraries... it's about the power of books to tell stories," all collections featured are from people who have the means (financial and space-wise) to grand collections. There are many authors, publishers, artists, architects, etc. listed here, but no discussion of the common person with their common collections. The book can be seen as beautiful personal library goals, but they are also unrealistic for most readers.

For: book lovers and photography/home decor fans.

Possible red flags: no representation of the Everyman.

rmcintosh_'s review against another edition

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informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

5.0

meredith_w's review against another edition

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relaxing slow-paced

4.0

Pictures of and stories about other people's book collections??  Yes, please!!

mfrontz's review against another edition

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The perfect coffee table book.

plaidpladd's review against another edition

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2.0

The title of this book led me to believe it would be pictures of the way different people organize their books in their home, and maybe I could get some tips for my own collection. Really, this is a book of photos of incredibly wealthy people's book collections. Interesting for what it is, but really disappointing to me considering my expectations.