Books about Books (Read a book that celebrates books)
Read a fiction or nonfiction book that celebrates the wonder of books. Hmm, a bit meta perhaps?! Whether historical, futuristic, or contemporary perspective, the following titles shine a spotlight on the beautiful and life-changing thing we call The Book.
Fiction
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This uber-popular story is described by The Washington Post as, “A feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits.” Who doesn’t need a little lifting these days? Imagine a magical library with infinite books, including the one that describes your current life as well as the life you might have lived. This is Matt Haig and “what if” speculative fiction at its best.
Book / eBook / Audio eBook
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr has done it again! He has created a huge, fantastical literary fiction novel interweaving different time periods, settings, and characters – all centered around the reading experience and the stewardship of Earth. Dedicated to “the librarians then, now, and in the future” this is a book to cherish. (Said the librarian.)
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Contemporary fiction set in London describing the power of books to heal. A chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge a bond between an elderly widower and a lonely teenager. Told from both perspectives, the author explores difficult topics such as mental illness, grief, abandonment, self-doubt – and the benefits of community and reading.
Read between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
This playful contemporary romance is about a Manhattan bookstore owner who is ready to fall in love with her favorite lesbian romance author. Or is she? With a mistaken identity twist and a wintry backdrop this new book from award-winning author Rachel Lacey is the perfect title to charm your heart.
Nonfiction
The Gilded Page by Mary Wellesley
Take a look at some books back in history. Way back. Get some new information on old manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and Chaucer and many you’ve never heard of before. Origins include the stories of grinders, binders, and scribes.
Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
A funny yet moving tribute to the classic and contemporary books that shaped the life of librarian Annie Spence. Acknowledging that some books change our lives while others…let’s just say it…disappoint us – she ponders the obvious question: Why? For any book lover, these fun insights will help you think of your old favorites in a new way.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
For true crime fans and history buffs, this heavily researched book tracks the clues surrounding the devastating fire in the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986. Detailing the past history of the library as well as introducing readers to a colorful cast of characters, author Susan Orlean weaves a mesmerizing story.
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer
If that title doesn’t grab you, how about the tag line from to publisher: “To save precious centuries-old Arabic texts from Al Qaeda, a band of librarians in Timbuktu pulls off a brazen heist worthy of Ocean’s Eleven.” Superhero librarians anyone? This book proves that truth is sometimes more exciting than fiction!
