What do we love more than books? Books about books, of course! If you feel the same way, you’re going to love this roundup of recently published books about (in)famous writers, the act of writing, bookstores, bookshelves and more things that make the hearts of bibliophiles go pitter-patter.
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LITERARY ROGUES
By Andrew Shaffer
(Harper • $14.99)
Rock stars weren’t the first to mix art and vice. Sex, drugs, decadence, discontent, scandal and lots and lots of alcohol—the guys and gals included in this book managed to write some of literature’s greatest masterpieces while engaging in all sorts of misbehavior. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker, Hunter S. Thompson, Norman Mailer and James Frey are profiled in this fun, fascinating, raucous history.
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MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF
By Thessaly La Force (editor)
and Jane Mount (art)
(Little, Brown • $24.99)
Ever wanted to peek at the bookshelves of your favorite writers? David Sedaris, Maira Kalman, James Patterson, Jennifer Egan, Dave Eggers, Jonathan Letham and many others share their favorite books—ones that they most enjoyed reading or that inspired them to become writers—which are delightfully illustrated, making it the perfect addition to display on any book lover’s coffee table. (This isn’t the first time we’ve raved about this one—click here to see more.)
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SORTED BOOKS
By Nina Katchadourian
(Chronicle • $22.95)
Speaking of books on shelves . . . in this one, artist Nina Katchadourian has cleverly created poetry-like narratives by photographing groupings of books and letting their spines do the talking. Here’s an example: “Sketches From a Hunter’s Album/Rivers and Mountains/Antlers in the Treetops/Running Dog/Some Trees/Vanishing Animals.” Another one: “How to Write/Very Bad Poetry/Keep Watching the Sky/Unlock/The Origin of the World.” The result is whimsical, uniquely creative fun.
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JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS LOVER
By Lauren Leto
(Harper • $14.99)
Navigating the literary world can be difficult—whether you’re discussing the latest bestseller with your book club or Infinite Jest with someone you just met at a cocktail party. With chapters called “How to Fake It” (that is, intelligently discuss a book you haven’t read), “Stereotyping People by Favorite Author” and “Ten Rules for Bookstore Hookups,” this hilarious guide to the passionate and peculiar world of book culture is at once snarky and reverential—and thoroughly entertaining.
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WHY WE WRITE
Edited by Meredith Maran
(Plume • $16)
You’ve already seen what’s on their shelves. Now get ready to be enraptured by firsthand accounts from 20 great authors on why they became—and continue to be—writers. Meg Wolitzer, Jane Smiley, Sebastian Junger, Ann Patchett and Michael Lewis are just a few of those who share not only the whys, but also the whens, the wheres and the whats of writing—along with words of advice and encouragement for aspiring writers. A couple of sample tidbits: Isabel Allende always begins writing a new book on January 8, and Mary Karr discarded 2,000 pages of work while writing Lit.
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HOW LITERATURE SAVED MY LIFE
By David Shields
(Knopf • $25.95)
“Mad genius,” “brainy,” “super smart,” “stunningly intelligent”—reviewers just can’t seem to praise David Shields’ latest book enough. Both a probing memoir and an examination of the importance of literature to a man who considers it as essential to life as food and water, How Literature Saved My Life is an original, intimate, energetic and fascinating exploration of self-discovery and the future of literature. (Read a review of Shields’ previous book, The Thing About Life Is That One Day You’ll Be Dead.)
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ONE FOR THE BOOKS
By Joe Queenan
(Viking • $24.95)
Prolific journalist Joe Queenan also muses on the important role that books play in his life—though in a much less heady and existential way than David Shields. After a lifetime of devouring between 10 and 30 books at any given time, Queenan employs his trademark wit while sharing his eccentric reading habits—many of which will be familiar to fellow avid readers. You may not agree with everything he says—he’s critical of book clubs and independent bookstores—but you will be impressed by—and likely relate to—his deeply instilled passion for books.
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WEIRD THINGS CUSTOMERS SAY IN BOOKSTORES
By Jen Campbell
(Overlook • $17.95)
So, the title of this one does a pretty good job of describing the book. Some examples of the wacky and just plain unintelligent things people have asked bookstore clerks include: “I’ve forgotten my glasses . . . can you read me the first chapter?” “Did Anne Frank ever write a sequel?” “Do you have any books by Jane Eyre?” Featuring fun and quirky illustrations, this one’s guaranteed to amuse and would make the perfect gift for book lovers.
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BOOKSHELF
By Alex Johnson
(Thames & Hudson • $24.95)
Bibliophiles l-o-v-e looking at photos of books. This book features a visual feast of cool, innovative, completely unique spaces—designed by artists, engineers and regular folk—for storing and displaying libraries of all sizes. There are invisible bookshelves, round bookshelves, animal-shaped bookshelves, and there’s even a cool reading chair/bookshelf combo. This one’s bound to elicit some “oooh”s and “aaah”s.
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What say you, readers? Which of these books about books are you most excited to get your hands on?
I would heartily recommend adding The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch to your list of books about books and bookstores. A very entertaining read if your love old book stores.
How about a “If you liked this book, try this book” section?
I would add The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Wonderful tale. Also Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and his follow up book of The Angel’s Game.
Read all 3 of these books and LOVED them all!!! Totally agree with your recommendation!
I love the Bookpage and all of its cousins. Wait eagerly each month for the new issue to come in. In fact, I spend so much time reading about books (in publications like Bookpage) I have a huge list of books I would like to read and even more limited time to read them. This subject, books about books, is one of my favorite. Thanks for your time in gathering this info.
Another great book about bookstores is My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop. Short chapters about unique bookstores.
I can’t wait to get my hands on WHY WE WRITE and WEIRD THINGS CUSTOMERS SAY IN BOOKSTORES. The latter made me laugh just reading the blurb.
I must mention these two books again…….. The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch most definitely should have been on this list. My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read, and Shop… Edited by Ronald Rice & Booksellers Across America should have been on this list & I don’t know how it was missed. I just finished this book & I loved it……. I could reread it right now but I’m not but certainly will in the future! I am looking forward to exploring the books on this list!!! Happy Reading!!!
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