Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be hosting today's stop on Publication Day
From the cover..
In an age when we can google the answer to everything, Will Schwalbe has always believed that the answer to everything can actually be found in a book, if we just slow down enough to find out and then take the time to think about it and share with others. Books for Living is a wide ranging exploration of what books can teach us in the modern age.
Books covered include these classics :
David Copperfield
Rebecca
Stuart Little
The Importance of Living
Giovanni’s Room
Bird by Bird
The Girl On The Train
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| Two Roads 12th January 2017 |
My thoughts about the book..
A book about books is always really fascinating for an avid reader. There is something almost voyeuristic about gaining access into the inner most thoughts of a bibliophile. Wondering just what books have influenced and encouraged others to read is a deeply satisfying process.
In Books for Living the author shares his thoughts very eloquently about the books which have influenced his thoughts and by using anecdotal stories he shares just how important reading has been to him in his life thus far. He includes an extensive and far reaching book list and more than once I found myself reaching for a pen to scribble down a note, or an idea, or even the name of an unfamiliar author.
Of course, like many readers given a list of books, ever curious, I immediately turned at first to those stories I was familiar with just to see what the author made of some of my favourites, which include, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. I was heartened to learn that he found much in them to ponder and enjoy. But then I was equally just as fascinated by the author's inclusion of Reading Lolita in Tehran which couldn't be more different from his thoughts about Stuart Little. But then, that's the beauty of sharing a love of stories, there is something for everyone.
I think that the real joy of Books for Living is that you can open the book at any place at whim and find something precious and profound within its pages. It is a book to treasure and to keep, it's a book for a rainy afternoon, or a summer in the garden.
There is a thought that sometimes a book comes into your life at just the right time. The author puts it much more eloquently than I ever could:
"Every now and then the universe tells you what book you need to read ; it does this by placing the name of that book and author in front of you in various contexts, until you can't help but take note. You ignore book recommendations from the universe at your peril".
I think that Books for Living is one such book and with its engaging celebration of the love of reading, I am sure that this will appeal to readers everywhere.
Best Read With..one of those sharing buckets of fried chicken and a side order of cola...
About the Author
Will Schwalbe has worked in publishing for many years.
He is the author of the international bestseller, The End of Your Life Book Club and co-author (with David Shipley) of Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better.
He has also worked in digital media, and was the founder of Cookstr.com. As a journalist he wrote for the New York Times and the South China Morning Post.
He lives in New York City.
My thanks to the publishers for their invitation to be part of this blog tour and for this generous giveaway opportunity
Find out more about the book by clicking here
** Good Luck **
A great mix of books, Jo, I would love to read this. Interested to see Girl on the Train included and what the author says about it!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy..of course, you must enter. Good luck ...!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. I love books about books too.
ReplyDeleteHi Short Book and Scribes - I agree "books about books" are fascinating !!
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