An entertaining read for all bibilophiles

This is my first book about books. All chapters include insightful observations and candid suggestions about reading life of bibilophiles.
The book starts with the definition of a great book and how it is so entirely subjective. Reader himself is an important part of reading process.

There is a delightful chapter covering confessions of readers about celebrated literary works that they haven't read. Or how some readers are not able to appreciate the fuss about a book as famous as the great Gatsby or the pride and prejudice. The author assures readers that they are not alone and there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about it.

She illustrates examples of how right book at the right time can be so useful. It need not be planned but sometimes it is a coincidence and that makes it even more special.

Then there is the habit of readers to call authors by their first name once they have become really familiar with their work. The author is absolutely unaware about the existence of such readers who exercise the right to call them by their first name as if they are lifelong friends!

She nicely speaks about how not to be book-bossy! "When I am book bossy, i am trying to be helpful, knowledgeable, loving and smart. But what I am doing is making judgements."

She also says how author's acknowledgement at the end of a book is helpful in better appreciation of the story and we should avoid skipping it.

Then there is the discussion about the joy of finding a book-twin (a fellow bibilophile) and how this can increase joy of both the readers once they understand each other's priorities.

She beautifully explains how rereading a good book can bring more joy even though now you know the plot and characters. The analogy given is so apt. It is the difference from glimpsing a stranger's funeral procession from afar and participating in a loved one's up close. When we reread a book we understand how live has woken us up for the passages that went over our head previously.

There is an interesting chapter about how different readers have different ways to recording their reading lives.

I am listing some insights from the book that I really liked -

A good book when we return to it will always have something new to say. It is not the same book and we are not the same reader.

C S Lewis said friendship is born when one man says to another, " what! You too? I thought I was the only one"

It's not easy to earn a reader's tears, but if an author writes well enough to earn mine, I'm in.

If my real life reminds me of something I read in a book, then I am reading well and probably I am living well too.

Shakespeare said the eyes are the windows to the soul. But we readers know one's bookshelves reveals just as much.

Overall, highly recommended for avid readers as they will be able to relate so much with all the observations. Also, the audiobook is less than 150 minutes long. So you can complete it in a single day.

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