Monday, December 23, 2019

Book Reviews | Books About Reading

Recently I've enjoyed a couple of books about one of my favorite hobbies - reading!

  

I'd Rather Be Reading is about "The Delights and Dilemmas of The Reading Life." The author, Anne Bogel, hosts the What Should I Read Next podcast and owns The Modern Mrs. Darcy website. This small, easy-to-read book covers a variety of topics like confessing your literary sins (the books you should have read), books that make you cry, books from others (what it says about you and them), gifts you give, how to organize your bookshelves (in a way that works for you, it's a hobby!), books that have shaped you, the ones you reread, and tracking books you read. A very nice read!

I saw How To Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas C. Foster at our local Barnes & Noble and was intrigued. The chapters [with wonderful titles like "Every Trip Is A Quest (Except When It's Not)" and "When In Doubt, It's From Shakespeare..." "...Or The Bible"] address various symbols and themes and contexts found in books (and movies). Professor Foster shares what these items mean (or might mean), although he also asserts that a story should stand on its own first, even if the reader doesn't recognize the symbolism, etc. This was a very interesting and entertaining read that ends with the admonition to enjoy reading, whatever you're reading.

Have you read either of these books? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

3 comments:

  1. I've never read either book, but I'm pretty sure the second one is on a shelf here somewhere. I'm also pretty sure I'd enjoy both of them! Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have seen both books before, but have not read either. I have a few books in our library about books, but I have not read any of them either. Hubby did read one. I guess I just thought a library should have books about books?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't read either of these, but I follow MMD so perhaps I should read hers!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's like a ray of sunshine in my day!
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