emason1121's review
5.0
This is a book that inspires fondness- not for the books and the authors who reviewed them, but for the love of books and the feelings they inspire. Readers will think of their own adventures as the reviewers describe where they were, how they felt- physically and emotionally- and how their thinking changed (or didn't). What a lovely thing to revisit a book, especially one that made a person love to read in the first place.
everydayreading's review
A bookclub read. Not a favorite (also, I felt completely dumb that I'd heard of none of the writers and only about 3 of the 17 books those writers wrote about).
pattydsf's review
3.0
“At fourteen, I read quickly, furiously compulsively. I went through five, six novels a week or suffered from withdrawal.” Arthur Krystal in his essay, “Kid Roberts and Me.
This collection of essays edited by Anne Fadiman had been one of those books that caught my eye every time I saw it. I just knew there would be at least one essay that would speak to me as a reader. Even though I used to scoff at rereading, I knew these writers were readers and we would be able to relate to one another.
In the last few years, I have stopped sneering at rereading. I will never be able to read everything I want to read and that is part of what stopped me from revisiting old book friends from my past. So now, I periodically find a book to revisit. Most of this I do using audiobooks, but that is just how it has worked out. So when Fadiman’s book hit my radar again, I made it a priority.
I was right; I have a lot in common with these essayists. Krystal reminded me of my youthful compulsive reading. Allegra Goodman reminded me of those books that I may have encountered when I was too young for them – but I enjoyed them all the same. And when Evelyn Toynton wrote about her infatuation with England, I was right there with her.
Most of these authors wrote about book I had not read. That did not matter. What they are writing about is what reading a particular book did to change their lives. I find that information fascinating and it made me think about my reading what it did for me. I am grateful for the time I got to spend with these 17 authors while they were reminiscing.
Books that have changed me:
Are Women Human?
Being Mortal
Between the World and Me
Citizen: An American Lyric
The Color Purple
A Hidden Wholeness
Men Explain Things to Me
This collection of essays edited by Anne Fadiman had been one of those books that caught my eye every time I saw it. I just knew there would be at least one essay that would speak to me as a reader. Even though I used to scoff at rereading, I knew these writers were readers and we would be able to relate to one another.
In the last few years, I have stopped sneering at rereading. I will never be able to read everything I want to read and that is part of what stopped me from revisiting old book friends from my past. So now, I periodically find a book to revisit. Most of this I do using audiobooks, but that is just how it has worked out. So when Fadiman’s book hit my radar again, I made it a priority.
I was right; I have a lot in common with these essayists. Krystal reminded me of my youthful compulsive reading. Allegra Goodman reminded me of those books that I may have encountered when I was too young for them – but I enjoyed them all the same. And when Evelyn Toynton wrote about her infatuation with England, I was right there with her.
Most of these authors wrote about book I had not read. That did not matter. What they are writing about is what reading a particular book did to change their lives. I find that information fascinating and it made me think about my reading what it did for me. I am grateful for the time I got to spend with these 17 authors while they were reminiscing.
Books that have changed me:
Are Women Human?
Being Mortal
Between the World and Me
Citizen: An American Lyric
The Color Purple
A Hidden Wholeness
Men Explain Things to Me
trin's review
3.0
A collection of essays in which various authors and essayists discuss rereading their favorite works, from [book: The Charterhouse of Parma] to the back of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I haven't read most of the works discussed in this book, so while I enjoyed all of the essays, some of them lost some resonance for me. I actually thought Fadiman's introduction, in which she discusses reading [book: The Horse and His Boy] with her son was one of the most effective, perhaps because I feel a personal connection to any discussion about disenchantment with Narnia, but also because she emphasizes the difference between reading and rereading more strongly and concretely than many of the other essays.
All in all, this was an enjoyable collection, but unlike Fadiman's solo effort, the fantastic [book: Ex Libris], one I'm glad I got from the library instead of purchasing; in other words, most likely not a book I will be rereading.
All in all, this was an enjoyable collection, but unlike Fadiman's solo effort, the fantastic [book: Ex Libris], one I'm glad I got from the library instead of purchasing; in other words, most likely not a book I will be rereading.
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