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Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books (Unpacking My Library)
by
Leah Price
As words and stories are increasingly disseminated through digital means, the significance of the book as object—whether pristine collectible or battered relic—is growing as well. Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books spotlights the personal libraries of thirteen favorite novelists who share their collections with readers. Stunning photographs provide full views of
...moreHardcover, 201 pages
Published
November 29th 2011
by Yale University Press
(first published November 28th 2011)
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This is a very good idea for a book. I would say that it could only be done once, but I notice in my most perfunctory search of the title that there is at least another. UNPACKING MY LIBRARY heralds the shelves of books that writers collect. The thriteen writers featured here, talk about their reading tastes and discoveries. Then, their personal reading spaces and the collections of books they are reading, have read, or want to read, are depicted photographically. Unless the writers are in a gro...more
This was a book with a fascinating premise and unusual illustrations. Price interviews thirteen writers (most were unfamiliar to me) and discusses their book collections and the insight to people that their bookshelves provide. The photos of each author's bookshelves add an interesting dimension to the overall impact. Price encourages the reader to consider the question, "What does your book collection tell people about you and your past?
"What seems unlikely to change is our curiousity about wha...more
"What seems unlikely to change is our curiousity about wha...more
2 likes · like · see review
May 18, 2012
Chris Wolak
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Bibliophiles who like pictures.
Shelves:
books-that-celebrate-books
Unpacking My Library is a collection of interviews on the bookish habits of thirteen contemporary writers, accompanied by pictures of their libraries. It's a small book, perfect gift size, about 5 3/4 inches high by 8 inches in wide, and 201 pages.
In her introduction Price writes that as a teenaged babysitter, when the parents left the house she went straight for the books—snooping in various places people keep/hide books before eventually making it to the official living room shelves. She offer...more
In her introduction Price writes that as a teenaged babysitter, when the parents left the house she went straight for the books—snooping in various places people keep/hide books before eventually making it to the official living room shelves. She offer...more
A tour through the libraries of some authors, as well as a chance to read their thoughts on owning books.
It's just fun to hear folks who are part of the literary world discussing books as physical objects. Some of them have their books in order, and some don't. Some own many books they haven't read, others try to read most of the books they own. Some believe e-readers are aesthetically lacking (though convenient). At least two brought up the thought of what we'd do in case of apocalypse and loss...more
It's just fun to hear folks who are part of the literary world discussing books as physical objects. Some of them have their books in order, and some don't. Some own many books they haven't read, others try to read most of the books they own. Some believe e-readers are aesthetically lacking (though convenient). At least two brought up the thought of what we'd do in case of apocalypse and loss...more
We read books for different reasons: for pleasure, to learn, to go somewhere else and return home again. But there are other books we own for the pure joy of owning them—photography, art, vintage cars, collectibles. We spend time with these books when we want to relax and let our mind rest—they are companion books.
If you love buying, collecting, reading and keeping books as much as I do, you will enjoy a great little book I recently discovered. “Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books,” ed...more
If you love buying, collecting, reading and keeping books as much as I do, you will enjoy a great little book I recently discovered. “Unpacking My Library: Writers and Their Books,” ed...more
Fun! Photos and interviews with a range of writers about their libraries and personal history and relationship with books. And each gives a "top 10" from their collection.
All of the writers profiled are thoughtful and engaging except for Jonathan Lethem, who still seems to have the adolescent urge to prove how unique, unusual, clever, and "different" he is. Time to grow up, Jonathan.
But the others are worth several looks. Some things I learned: they write in their books. Mostly, they have troubl...more
All of the writers profiled are thoughtful and engaging except for Jonathan Lethem, who still seems to have the adolescent urge to prove how unique, unusual, clever, and "different" he is. Time to grow up, Jonathan.
But the others are worth several looks. Some things I learned: they write in their books. Mostly, they have troubl...more
This is an interesting little book. My only real issue is the writers they chose to interview. Other than Alison Bechdel, the others were mostly literary fiction or critics of the stuffy variety. As more of a genre reader as I am, I found it difficult to care for what they offered. Having said though, the book is an easy read. You get a look into the books, their shelves, and the ways these folks think about books, how they relate to books. That part I did find interesting. The photography is ve...more
2 likes · like · see review
A book about books: normally my kinda thing, but I have a few criticisms.
First, if one is to showcase a writer's bookshelves, one should be damned sure to take photographs that are in-focus. Many photos, particularly, but not exclusively, the wide shots of full wall shelves, are grainy or blurry, distracting the viewer from the fact that books can be beautiful objet d'art.
Next, each author is asked a series of questions, and as the reader I assumed the writer then WROTE their replies. Save one (...more
First, if one is to showcase a writer's bookshelves, one should be damned sure to take photographs that are in-focus. Many photos, particularly, but not exclusively, the wide shots of full wall shelves, are grainy or blurry, distracting the viewer from the fact that books can be beautiful objet d'art.
Next, each author is asked a series of questions, and as the reader I assumed the writer then WROTE their replies. Save one (...more
I'm one of those people who can't help but peruse somebody else's book shelves whenever I get invited to their house. I definitely believe that you can tell a lot about somebody from their book collection (or lack thereof). So I was anxious to see what this little book had to offer.
It depicts 14 author's book collections/shelves in their homes. On several occasions we get a two-for-one shot as the authors happen to be a couple. Each section includes an interview that asks such questions as "How...more
It depicts 14 author's book collections/shelves in their homes. On several occasions we get a two-for-one shot as the authors happen to be a couple. Each section includes an interview that asks such questions as "How...more
Yale could put out dozens of these books and I would never get sick of them. The combination of reading about how writers feel about their books alongside the shelf-envy + voyeuristic wonder of getting to see both wide scale and close-up photographs of shelves is almost too much to bear. I gleefully discovered the Junot Diaz owns a copy of the first book in this series, and also several volumes of the Oxford English dictionary that remain in their shrink wrapping. Gary Shteyngart refuses to keep...more
What does Alison Bechdel’s library look like? How did Junot Diaz catalogue his books? Where did Gary Shteyngart get his shelving? Leah Price has artfully photographed the personal libraries of thirteen of our favorite novelists, supplementing the beautiful images with an interview with each author and a list (readers LOVE lists!) of their top ten favorite titles. Along the way the writers remind us of the value of the book as an object that is to be revered, respected and loved. Other writers in...more
1 like · like · see review
This is an interesting read. Thirteen writers take us into their libraries and give a gander at the books on their shelves. The writer selections range from the famous (Steven Pinker and Philip Pullman) to a Pulitzer winner (Junot Diaz) to the obscure (Alison Bechdel and Edmund White). With a series of questions, we learn what makes these writers tick, how they organize their books, and whether they get rid of old books. Each writer has also selected ten recommendations.
If you're a writer and ha...more
If you're a writer and ha...more
Has gorgeous photos of libraries. Authors list their 10 favorite books. Some make interesting comments about their favorite books/literary tastes/how to maintain a library/shelving, and the like. For example, Lev Grossman calls libraries "maps of the brain" They reveal "a person's interests and preoccupations and memories," giving you "a powerful sense of who they are" and also "who they've been." He bemoans that e-books leave no map. When you turn them off, "All that's left behind is a chunk of...more
Sep 30, 2012
Nat
added it
What's most surprising about looking at shelf after shelf of books in people's homes is how uniform the collections are. Even idiosyncratic stuff seems to crop up multiple times (I spotted Lionel Trilling's The Moral Obligation to be Intelligent and Michael Lewis's Liar's Poker on a couple different shelves, for example). I suspect everyone has a copy of Louis Menand's Metaphysical Club, even if it isn't pictured.
My library is currently on a ship somewhere between San Francisco and Reading (UK)...more
My library is currently on a ship somewhere between San Francisco and Reading (UK)...more
I really like this premise and think it could become a series of volumes, with more authors interviewed and they libraries photographed. It was interesting to see the different levels of order and disorder in the libraries- the different levels of use and respect. I think there were some real gems of juxtaposition where Sopranos Seasons and Queer comics are next to books considered classic must-reads. The photographs are colorful and felt very intimate. My own Bibliomania felt justified and the...more
I was going to give this two stars - it was okay - but it got bumped up to three for the photography, which is excellent.
Of the thirteen writers included, I've only heard of three (nobody's fault but my own). The interviews are interesting but I would have preferred to have 'heard' more from them or, better still, to have had a wider range and number of writers.
The photographs allow browsing their shelves which adds an extra dimension of interest but not enough to keep me engaged.
I was left with...more
Of the thirteen writers included, I've only heard of three (nobody's fault but my own). The interviews are interesting but I would have preferred to have 'heard' more from them or, better still, to have had a wider range and number of writers.
The photographs allow browsing their shelves which adds an extra dimension of interest but not enough to keep me engaged.
I was left with...more
What a wonderful book! I read it in one sitting (most of the pages are pictures), then afterwards I had a some fun looking closely at the books on the selected author's shelves to see what I we had in common. The book has 10 authors, each with a short interview and pictures of their book shelves. I fell in absolute love/envy with Rebecca Goldstein and Steven Pinker's "library". Each author lists their top ten books with a picture of all ten covers. Honestly if Price put a book just like this pro...more
The book lover as voyeur. For those of us who judge people by what's on their shelves, this book is an indulgence. Leah Price interviews a number of famous authors, asking important questions like "How do you arrange your books?" or "What book would you save from a fire?" Idiotic, yes, but it's all for fun. Even better are the photographs of the authors' shelves, and the lists of their top 10.
If I could only choose one person's collection, it would be Alison Bechdel's – characteristically quirky...more
If I could only choose one person's collection, it would be Alison Bechdel's – characteristically quirky...more
Pro: It was fun to see different author's awesome home libraries.
Con: I disagree with the entire sentiment of the book (that you can tell a lot about a person by what books they own). Trying to figure a person out from any of their possessions is pointless and misleading.
Take me for example: I try to be minimalistic and don't buy very many things; once every two months I go through my things and donate what isn't needed and/or fun; I get all my books from the library. If you were to look at my...more
Con: I disagree with the entire sentiment of the book (that you can tell a lot about a person by what books they own). Trying to figure a person out from any of their possessions is pointless and misleading.
Take me for example: I try to be minimalistic and don't buy very many things; once every two months I go through my things and donate what isn't needed and/or fun; I get all my books from the library. If you were to look at my...more
Jul 31, 2012
Nisah Haron
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all booklovers
Shelves:
books-on-books
Peluang meninjau apa yang ada di dalam perpustakaan penulis lain, akan menimbulkan rasa kagum atau mungkin cemburu. Di dalam buku ini, ada 13 orang penulis yang berkongsi imej foto perpustakaan masing-masing. Bukan soal sama ada pengarang ini dikenali atau tidak, yang penting ialah sesuatu yang sinonim antara pengarang dengan buku-bukunya. Setiap pengarang ada buku yang menjadi kegemaran dan inspirasinya. Lebih lusuh sesebuah buku, lebih banyaklah kenangan dan manfaat yang telah dialir keluar ke...more
1 like · like · see review
This is a glorious little hard copy book to hold and read. It must be held and viewed to appreciate. Price describes visually with pictures of their actual libraries in their homes 13 famous (although i didnn't know most of them) authors. Then she lists the books of each and talks about what their reading materials can tell us about the person. The book outside looks just like a snapshot of books on a shelf. I am, like many others, ready to completely go digital.
Kris got me this book for Christmas. I saw an article about this book online and it included some excerpts from the book and some photos of the writers' libraries. I didn't realize the article was about a book, so I was thrilled to get this as a present. I get to see even more libraries and even more writers talking about books.
I wish the book was longer. I really think they could have found plenty of writers to show off and talk about their libraries.
I wish the book was longer. I really think they could have found plenty of writers to show off and talk about their libraries.
Good premise but a poor follow through. Too many of the interviewees are academic/critic types. For me, the book would have worked better if the editor had interviewed a wider range of people, possibly including a couple of "just plain folks". Another coulda/shoulda/woulda been better book.
(I added the third star for the photographs, which are generally nicely done.)
(I added the third star for the photographs, which are generally nicely done.)
Great idea... enjoyable to look through. The authors were too similar... all reside in high acadamia, not enough variation or genre authors. Most seemed to reject any faith (except Stephen Carter). Picked up some similarities in their Top Tens and added some books to my "to-read" list: To the Lighthouse, The Unstrung Harp, Middlemarch, Mrs. Dalloway, The Once and Future King, Emma, Portrait of a Lady, and Tin Tin.
This book is a delightful short read. Price interviews 13 authors about their libraries and how each author feels about books versus electronic books, about lending books, about discarding books, about annotating and marking books, etc. The range of personalities will make the reader smile.
Feb 26, 2012
Michelle
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Bookworms
Shelves:
adult-nonfiction,
ppl
Interesting concept. I would love to see the libraries of writers that I am more familiar with. The folks in this book are extremely established and classy writers, don't get me wrong...I don't feel like I read a lot of writers that draw on Chekov and Blake for inspiration. Very cool book though.
I didn't expect to like this book so much. But photos of books and bookshelves, and authors talking about books and bookshelves...love. It makes me want to rearrange my shelves and read more. All of the interviews were great. I especially love the interview with Alison Bechdel.
Great book siting on the new arrivals shelf just waiting for me to look at it. I'm not much on gossip but if I do have that sort of interest, then this filled it. What books do people own? What ones do they read? Which 10 would they recommend?
I don't know why but I am always interested in other people's bookshelves and what they are reading or have read. This book kept me peering at the featured author's pictured bookshelves for hours. I was truly engaged and enjoyed every moment!
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Leah Price is an American literary critic who specializes in the British novel and in the history of the book. She is Professor of English Literature at Harvard University, where at the age of 31 she became the first female assistant professor ever to be promoted to tenure.
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“I certainly couldn't have survived my childhood without books. All that deprivation and pain--abuse, broken home, a runaway sister, a brother with cancer--the books allowed me to withstand. They sustained me. I read still, prolifically, with great passion, but never like I read in those days: in those days it was life and death. ~ Junot Diaz, author of 2008 Pulitizer Prize novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao”
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7 people liked it
“A self without a shelf remains cryptic; a home without books naked.”
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4 people liked it
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Feb 27, 2012 08:24pm