Scan barcode
A review by brontherun
My Ideal Bookshelf by Thessaly La Force, Thomas Keller, Nancy Pearl, Miranda July, Michael Chabon, Dave Eggers, Chuck Klosterman, Jonathan Lethem, Alice Waters, James Franco, Alex Ross, Patti Smith, David Chang, Maira Kalman, David Sedaris, Nico Muhly, Jennifer Egan, Thurston Moore, George Saunders, Rosanne Cash
4.0
Having this book nearby is like living in walking distance to a good gallery or used bookstore - you will return to it again and again to browse, visually consume, and be inspired. The art by Jane Mount is well done and almost whimsical at times. The collections and explanations of those choices by artists, chefs, writers, designers and others are endlessly fascinating.
Every time you open the book to a different individual and their ideal bookshelf, it feels like stepping into a person's home and getting the opportunity to peak into the books that are an integral part of who they are. Personal. Intimate. Just as in browsing a new acquaintance's bookshelf when you first visit their home, you find old favorites you have in common, new authors you had not encountered, and a visual feast of book covers and bindings.
The commentary of each shelf creator is fascinating, and there are many good observations on life, art, reading and writing. In discussing reading his ideal bookshelf, Jonathan Lethem opines, "It's like taking a long walk with a friend who's got a lot to say. There's no cumulative purpose to it - it's just an excellent way to waste your life." Sigh. Heart warms. Yes! While some explanations are serious and philosophical, others are ironic and comical. Perhaps my favorite quote was from Ayelet Waldman: "I became a writer because I failed at being a stay-at-home mother." Priceless. This peak into such a broad swath of personal bookshelves reminds us that books have power over us collectively, as well as individually. It may be worth a few inches on your own over-crowded shelf.
Every time you open the book to a different individual and their ideal bookshelf, it feels like stepping into a person's home and getting the opportunity to peak into the books that are an integral part of who they are. Personal. Intimate. Just as in browsing a new acquaintance's bookshelf when you first visit their home, you find old favorites you have in common, new authors you had not encountered, and a visual feast of book covers and bindings.
The commentary of each shelf creator is fascinating, and there are many good observations on life, art, reading and writing. In discussing reading his ideal bookshelf, Jonathan Lethem opines, "It's like taking a long walk with a friend who's got a lot to say. There's no cumulative purpose to it - it's just an excellent way to waste your life." Sigh. Heart warms. Yes! While some explanations are serious and philosophical, others are ironic and comical. Perhaps my favorite quote was from Ayelet Waldman: "I became a writer because I failed at being a stay-at-home mother." Priceless. This peak into such a broad swath of personal bookshelves reminds us that books have power over us collectively, as well as individually. It may be worth a few inches on your own over-crowded shelf.