Books for Booklovers (Or The Joy of Text)

Selected fiction and nonfiction about bibliophiles, bibliomaniacs and bibliopoles available at The Evanston Public Library.

Birkerts, Sven. Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age.1994. (028 Birke.S)

In this controversial book, Birkerts does not believe the miracles of the electronic age hold much promise for the future. Technology is a bad thing and civilization is surely doomed. Despite his conclusion, his essays on how the nature and process of reading changes in an electronic environment are thought provoking.

Bloom, Harold. Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages.1994. (809 Bloom.H)

Renowned critic Bloom decries multiculturalism, feminism, new historicism and other "isms" in his analysis and defense of the core classics; those recognized masterpieces of western literature which have been taught in universities and have endured for generations. Elitist and proud of it, he believes great works should be judged on the basis of their aesthetic genius rather than on their political correctness.

Bratman, Fred and Scott Lewis. Reader's Companion: A Book Lover's Guide to the Most Important Books in Every Field of Knowledge, as Chosen by the Experts. 1994. (028 Bratm.F)

If you are looking for inspiration or curious as to what a wide range of "scholars, artists, scientists, politicians, novelists, and business leaders" consider the best, this guide offers over 1600 books annotated by "the experts".

Burns, Eric. Joy of Books: Confessions of a Lifelong Reader. 1995. (028.9 Burns.E)

Writer, lecturer and former TV news correspondent, Burns presents an informal history of books and reading full of anecdotes which celebrates the joy of reading.

Davies, Robertson. The Merry Heart: Reflections on Reading and Writing and the World of Books. 1997, (814.54 Davie.R)

The magical ability of the writer to enchant his reader is a recurrent theme in this fine collection of lectures and articles, spanning 1988 to 1993, from a wise master on one of his favorite topics.

Denby, David. Great Books: My Adventures with Homer, Rousseau, Woolf, and Other Indestructible Writers of the Western World.1996. (909.09812 Denby.D)

Upon his wife's suggestion that he return to school to reread and rethink the core literary classics, movie critic Denby returned to his alma mater, Columbia, to retake courses he took long ago. In this notable book, he observes and interacts with the younger students and remarks on the different styles of his teachers. Most importantly he finds at the age of 48 new meaning in the western canon.

Furman, Laura and Elinore Standard, editors. Bookworms: Great Writers and Readers Celebrate Reading.1996. (820.9 Bookwor)

This joyous anthology comprises celebrations of reading long and short from many great authors.

Goldstone, Lawrence and Nancy. Used and Rare: Travels in the Book World.1997. (002.075 Golds.L)

This successful book collecting couple offers a fascinating introduction to the world of collecting used and rare books as they travel from New York to Massachusetts, forever learning and dealing.

Green, Jonathon. Chasing the Sun: Dictionary Makers and the Dictionaries They Made. 1996. (413.028 Green.J)

Lexicographer Green has compiled everything you could ever want to know about dictionaries and then some in this vast and thorough if scholarly encyclopedic work. Word nuts will go gaga (adj: crazy, foolish, marked by wild enthusiasm)!

Hellenga, Robert. Sixteen Pleasures. 1994. (Fiction Helle.R)

Margot is a young book conservator who travels to Florence to help restore books damaged by the Arno flood. She begins a love affair with a charming older art expert who finds her a job at a convent library. There she finds an extremely rare book of Renaissance erotica hidden in a prayer book. If only she could sell the book, the money could help save the convent library. This sensuous and suspenseful novel is full of great details on book conservation and art restoration, perfect for booklovers.

Kelly, Kevin H., editor. Books that Shaped Successful People. 1995. (028.9 Books)

While in college as an English major, Kelly wrote many famous and influential people to find out what books they recommended. The letters and photos he received make up the bulk of this book. What's fun is to look up people you like and those you don't for insight into their personalities.

Lamb, Brian. Booknotes. 1997. (810.9 Lamb.B)

TV host Lamb has selected some of the best moments of his long-running program Booknotes in this wonderful collection highlighting some of our finest authors on writing, reading, and the power of ideas.

Manguel, Alberto. History of Reading. 1996. (028.9 Mangu.A)

Manguel, who as a teenager in Buenos Aires would sometimes read to blind Jorge Luis Borges, muses on how, why and what we read in this absorbing often personal exploration over 6000 years of book reading history.

Perez-Reverte, Arturo. Club Dumas. 1996. (Fiction Perez.A)

After a wealthy publisher is found hanged alongside a manuscript of Alexander Dumas' The Three Musketeers, a ruthless rare-book hunter named Lucas Corso agrees to authenticate the manuscript then finds himself on a wild hunt from Spain to Portugal and Paris. The many details on the rare book business in this clever mystery will undoubtedly delight booklovers.

Phelan, Lane. New Book Lover's Guide to Chicagoland: Including Southern Wisconsin. 1996. (658.809 Phale.L 1996; also Reference copy)

Almost 700 book businesses--"new, used, specialty, antiquarian, museums, colleges"--are described and arranged by region.

Pool, Daniel. Dickens' Fur Coat and Charlotte's Unanswered Letters. 1997. (823.809 Pool.D)

Many rich and amusing tales on the history of writing, publishing and bookselling in the Victorian age. Pool follows the success of his What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew ABR-6468 (823.7 Pool.D) with literary characters who come alive.

Rostenberg, Leona and Madeleine Stern. Old Books, Rare Friends: Two Literary Sleuths and Their Shared Passion. 1997. (B Roste.L Roste.L)

This is an autobiography of two octogenarian writers who as friends have long shared an antiquarian book dealership. Devoted to books from an early age, they met as college students, and started their business in the Rostenberg's family home. The uncommon experiences and discoveries which lead to their legend will fascinate booklovers.

Schwartz, Lynne Sharon. Ruined by Reading: a Life in Books. 1996. (028.9 Schwa.L)

Novelist Schwartz recalls being hooked for life at an early age. She began reading what was available in her parent's Brooklyn apartment, then quickly moved on. In this wonderful essay/memoir she muses on her lifelong experience in enlightenment.

Seebohm, Caroline. At Home with Books. 1995. (028.9 Seebo.C)

See how the rich and famous include books in the interior design of their homes. This big, beautiful and exquisitely photographed book makes for great browsing. Careful not to drool!

Wagner, Patricia Jean. Bloomsbury Review BookLover's Guide: A Collection of Tips, Techniques, Anecdotes, Controversies & Suggestions for the Home Library. 1996. (027.1 Wagne.P)

There is a wealth of information and advice in this comprehensive guide aimed at the average booklover who wants to know how to organize and care for a home library. The author's playful if folksy approach succeeds in making this information entertaining, and good lists of resources throughout make this guide especially valuable.

Compiled by Susan Robertson
Reader’s Services Department
July 1997