Cyberbooks by Ben Bova
Folks, this is why you stop in random used bookstores whenever you get the chance – Cyberbooks by Ben Bova… for $2!! What a find! I had no idea this book even existed. I absolutely love the cover of this mass paperback that came out in 1990. A quick internet search shows that the hardback came out in 1989 and I have to say that I think the image of the Cyberbook electronic book reader on the paperback beats out the Alex Owens inspired characters on the front of the hardcover (the 1980’s really were rad). Though you better believe I am now on the lookout for that hardcover edition! I have not read this yet, but we have a long weekend here in the U.S. in just a couple of days so this just jumped to the top of my TBR pile. Best I can tell the story revolves […]
‘Why Books Still Matter’ Spurs Us to Action
Books are not staid things and the upcoming Why Books Still Matter looks to show us why. Books are important and, if done well, can spur us to action. I’m very much looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this next Rivertowns Books. First, the book honors Joyce Meskis, who passed away in December 2022. There are many bookstores in the U.S. (though not near enough), and it is rare for a shop to take on ‘national recognition,’ but Meskis’ Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado, turned into one of those stores. It’s such a cool space with a storied history of bookish community. Best I can tell, it was Meskis’ sense of community, action, and love of books that inspired Rivertowns Books to publish Why Books Still Matter, which is a collection of essays addressing things like freedom to read, book bans, bookstores in communities, and all the freedoms assigned […]
The Private Library – Book of the Year 2023
Note: This post is a follow-up post from yesterday’s list of category winners for the Books About Books Book Awards. I am picking The Private Library by Reid Byers as the first-ever Books About Books Book of the Year winner. I feel like I should have set up a drumroll or some sort of fanfare… maybe next year… Anyway, before I made it out of the ancient world, in the first few chapters, I knew that The Private Library was unique and would be a treat for any book lover to read. What made this book my favorite of the year was how accessible it is. From the get-go, two things are obvious: one, Reid Byers has done his research, and two, Reid Byers loves books and having books in the home. The book is filled with dates, old names, historical places, timelines, architectural drawings, and origin stories. But for […]
The Inaugural Books About Books Book Awards
I love a good end-of-the-year book awards list or “best of” feature. They’re great, but they often have many of the same titles on them. It’s rare to find a site or list that has a truly unique take on books, which is a shame. There are sooooo many books published each year that we need more niche lists. Maybe they’re out there, and I’m bad at finding them. But one thing I feel pretty confident about is that there are no “best of” lists solely dedicated to the world of books about books. Well, folks… it’s time to change that… so welcome to the inaugural Books About Books Book Awards. It’s a totally subjective list of books that I hope will pique your interest in the titles enough that you will seek them out. Here are the ground rules I set for myself for this 2023 book awards list: […]
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
James Patterson has a new book coming out on April 8, 2024, titled The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians. It’s one I’m looking forward to reading. There seems to be some competition for the subtitle. I’ve seen it listed as both “Their stories are better than the bestsellers” as well as “True Stories of the Magic of Reading” (which appears on the cover. The book is being published by Little Brown and Company and is slated to come in at 352 pages. The ISBN is 9780316567541. Patterson has also teamed up with Matt Eversmann, who is retired from the Army and has helped co-author some of Patterson’s books. Just reading from the product description, it seems to be a series of interviews or question-and-answer sessions with a group of booksellers and librarians. One of the reviewers, Elaine Petrocelli, President and co-owner of Book Passage (a nationally known indie bookstore in the San Francisco area) says […]
Not every book lover is the same, but I hope everyone can find something here that has them falling in love with books all over again. Please, sit a spell, and let’s celebrate everything that books are. I hope you find something new to read and want to join the conversation on books about books.