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14th out of 30 books
—
7 voters
Read This!: Handpicked Favorites from America's Indie Bookstores
by
Hans Weyandt ,
Ann Patchett
�There is no greater joy for a bookseller than introducing a reader to a book they will love for the rest of their lives. Those of us in this business are, after all, matchmakers at heart. So consider this little book you now hold in your hands a sort of catalog of matchmakers.”—Ann Patchett
"If I were still a bookseller, I'd be thrilled to share this wealth with my custome...more
"If I were still a bookseller, I'd be thrilled to share this wealth with my custome...more
Paperback, 200 pages
Published
August 21st 2012
by Coffee House Press
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Booksellers across the country list their top 100 books. While the lists are impressive (Megan Sullivan at the Harvard Square Bookstore has a list that could match mine perfectly), there is no organization or methodology to the titles. This is why we need - librarians!
Rather, try Nick Rennison's Bloomsbury Good Reading Guide: Discover your next great read.
It's brill!
Rather, try Nick Rennison's Bloomsbury Good Reading Guide: Discover your next great read.
It's brill!
This book came to me at a very valuable time, a time when I'm exhausted by trying to read the murky crystal ball that is the future of publishing and bookselling while awaiting what could be a huge game changing election depending on how the votes go. I've gotten lost in the fear of it all. But this book, this tiny little book, has reminded me of just how lucky I am, because my job is to read, talk about and sell books. This book reminded me that this is my CAREER--it's not just a job. And it's...more
I was disappointed in this book. I love to read about books and other people's book lists almost as much as I love reading books I've chosen. What I find boring and somewhat disingenuous is book lists made up almost entirely of classics or difficult to read books people believe make them sound well-read. Everyone knows about the classics, as well as everyone knows those books that are nearly impossible to read, yet some book snob constantly mentions as his or her favorite book of all time. I'm n...more
I liked the idea of this book. Owners of independent bookstores across the country were interviewed to compile lists of their favorite reads. However, the author doesn't provide any type of summary for most of the books listed. I doubt I'll research the plots to hundreds of different novels to decide whether or not I may want to read a given book.
Each list is prefaced with some information about the bookstore and the way the owner/representative of the bookstore finds his/her own books to read....more
Each list is prefaced with some information about the bookstore and the way the owner/representative of the bookstore finds his/her own books to read....more
People who love books and love lists will like this collection of lists very much. Book highlights many of the most successful independent book stores in the country. Each entry contains a brief discussion of how they choose books and/or why certain books are considered great enough to recommend to their customers. This is the art of handselling. The lists are pretty varied with some titles overlapping. Only critique is that some really good authors are left out completely which is a shame. Ther...more
I love hearing about books people love. I love lists of books people love. I love checklists. Booksellers from Indie bookstores around the U.S. list their top 50 books and YOU can check off the ones you've read too. My own check marks were pretty sparse, although there are a bunch on my to-read list. It's funny, though, there were some lists that I started down and I would quickly realize that I don't have common tastes with this person, and others were just the opposite. The most recommended bo...more
"Over imbibed on books" according to Stefan Moorehead, Buyer and Manager of Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago, I careen through this little book like a lush at happy hour. We had to buy two copies of it for $12 each at our local independent bookstore (alas not included), one for each of us to annotate and check off and order from. All of you need a copy unless, per chance, you know exactly what to read next or your To Read List has a cap. Many familiar authors are here but so are lots you don't kn...more
I appreciated the great lengths this editor went to in order to collect opinions from booksellers in large cities or small towns. There were some obvious picks (i.e. Middlemarch, To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, Lolita, Faulkner, Hemingway, etc.), and some not-so-obvious recommendations. The booksellers list 50 must-read titles and provide interesting blurbs for their absolute favorites. This is a must for book club members or those who need to shake up their reading list.
I have a lot of books to think about. This is an accumulation of independent book store owners 50 favorite books. And the variety was immense, though many were on several lists. I did notice that through the interviews most were liberal. I'm a conservative and would love to own a book store. Are there conservative book store owners, or was this a very selective bunch? I like to support independent bookstores, but when I ask for a book by certain people I'm told they don't carry that garbage. I w...more
The morning was chilly with frost on the churchyard next door. I let the cat in and made a pot of coffee and got back in bed with "Read This!: Handpicked Favorites from America's Indie Bookstores." What a wonderful way to spend
a couple hours on a Saturday morning. I just met dozens of Booksellers, read about their Indie bookstores and relished in their lists of book recommendations. For the sheer enjoyment I gave #ReadThis! Five stars. Pure and simple!
a couple hours on a Saturday morning. I just met dozens of Booksellers, read about their Indie bookstores and relished in their lists of book recommendations. For the sheer enjoyment I gave #ReadThis! Five stars. Pure and simple!
I really enjoyed going through these lists! My to-read stacks weren't exactly dwindling, but how can I say no to potentially awesome books?! I thought the book store profiles were a nice touch, as well. Independent book sellers contribute so much to their communities, and it's great to see them get some well-deserved recognition.
This is a small book featuring various independent bookstores around the United States. Unbridled Bookstore in the Lakeview area in Illinois is one I have been in. It also features their top fifty favorite books, most of which I have not read and some I have not even heard of. Intersting reading though.
Awesome! I completely enjoyed reading about the bookstores and the lists they compiled of their favorites. I have read many, and thought of reading many others, and had never considered a few of the remaining titles. You're sure to find something to add to your reading list!
This is a book of book lists, with a few specific titles featured and commented on here and there. It was dizzying, and it felt very much written for an in-club I don't belong to. That said, several of my latest and most excellent reads were culled from these pages.
Holy moly rocky! After going through the recommended lists from so many savvy readers, I have a list that may take me the rest of my life--if I live to be about 220! I love seeing what others are reading and liking and not-liking. Awesome book.
With one exception most of the choices looked like the NYT best books of the year lists for the last decade or so. I was hoping see more eclectic lists and find out about some below the radar books but these were lists any reader could come up with.
This is a quick read and definitely worth a browse if, like I do, you like lists, book recommendations, and bookstores. I have culled a small but interesting-looking list of "to be checked out" books from my time with this one.
Yes, it's a book of lists, but it's also a must-consult reference for everyone who still enjoys spending hours at a time browsing through a good, independent bookstore.
Plus, Paul Ingram (Prairie Lights) and Matthew Lage (Iowa Book) represent Iowa City well.
Plus, Paul Ingram (Prairie Lights) and Matthew Lage (Iowa Book) represent Iowa City well.
A book to buy, rather than to check out from the library...there's a short section on each bookstore, and then some Q&A from the store owners. But the best part is the lists for all my fellow list-lovers out there.
Charming little collection of booklists from book buyers and owners of independent bookstores. Not necessarily cookie-cutter lists; there are many opportunities to find a new book you may not have heard of.
I enjoyed hearing from the booksellers, their passion for what they do and why. The word professional came to mind. They are truly that, in every sense of the word. I think that if there were a book that is quintessentially in the spirit of GoodReads, this would be that book.
I didn't read this but perused. I will definitely use this as a reference for when library patrons ask me what they should read next instead of looking like a deer in headlights.
LOVED this book because it was like being in a room filled with fellow bibliophiles.
HATED this book because my "to read" list just quadrupled in size. :-)
HATED this book because my "to read" list just quadrupled in size. :-)
A quick book about books. How can you go wrong?
lots to think about and more to try and read
Sep 18, 2012
Gingerkat
added it
Cute lil book -- I cadged a few titles...
A great book, even though it's added more to my "want to read " list than before! Dangerous!
Rich food for those who love to read--every page is a wealth of options, well-presented. My to-be-read list is aways pretty healthy, but thanks to this book it's now downright huge.
I found this book very interesting and helpful to add a few books to my reading list.
very nice: Provides exactly what its title promises
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