I am not a book reviewer — never write them and only on rare occasions read them. I think my reluctance to embrace the book review genre is that, for the most part, the reviewers seem too interested in impressing the reader with their skill at word manipulation and incisive analytical skills.
Yet, in thinking about this book, it occurred to me that the type of book review I could learn from would be the same style I use when trying to understand software, or a website, or, God forbid, a government bulletin. I immediately go first to the FAQs where I can learn quickly, skip the parts I'm not interested in, and connect with questions that are important to me and asked by someone at my level of knowledge without me sounding stupid by asking the very same question.
Also, I feel smarter when I read FAQs that I do when I read something with "______ For Dummies" in its title.
So, here is my book review on "How to Buy a Love of Reading," a first novel by Tanya Egan Gibson, written in the form of FAQs with a little humor thrown in.
Isn't this a book for teenagers?
There is a difference between the prepositions "for" and "about." I suggest any dictionary published since 1823 for clarification. This is a grownup book about teenagers, a number of whom are smarter than you or I on our best day.
Is this one of those books that has a lot of cultural and literary references and fancy words I won't understand and will make me feel stupid? (I had to put Moby Dick down after 33 pages.)
The answer to the first part of your question is "yes," and I bet that didn't stop you from enjoying "Jurassic Park." Also, using several clever devices, Ms. Gibson gives you the meaning of some of these words and references in such a way that your self-esteem is not at jeopardy, even if it should be.
How long is the book?
I assure you, when you are finished you will wish it were longer.
Will it enhance my social reputation to be seen reading this book in the right places?
If by right places you mean Tony's Corner Bar & Grill, no.
In all seriousness, as a writer I read with pen poised to underline. I return later and harvest intriguing examples of plot devices, character descriptions and metaphors, the forms and formats of which I may one day transform or use catalytically in some future writing exercise. It's a good way to experiment with other forms and to short circuit any surfacing symptoms of writer's block.
With "How to Buy a Love of Reading" I downed my pen on page 60. Constant underlining interfered too much with my love of reading this story.
I really liked this story and how my understanding of the characters developed. Not only is this book intriguing and exciting, it's much cheaper than buying a big mansion on Long Island to understand that culture.
Normal book reviews are on the Amazon page. Ignore the Publisher's Weekly guy who gets kudos for venom.
Disclaimer: I know Tanya. She and I and some other very lucky people shared a wonderful writing teacher prior to her untimely death — Stephanie Moore, a light gone ... and , no, I do not get a rake-off if you buy via the above link.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this book. Check out the story on Amazon.
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Comments: 48
You've done a great job of piquing my curiosity. I like the book title as well.
That certainly was a different kind of book review:) Interesting that you would read a book from a writer's standpoint instead of just reading it.
Thanks, Kay. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Rose, I do just read it but when some device or metaphor catches my eye, I just underline it and read on. There were just too many fun lines in this book.
Thanks for the heads up. It sounds unusual - and intriguing. I'll look for it.
Thanks, Richard. It pushes a few envelopes.
John, I can tell by the way you wrote this review that you're a clever guy who thinks differently.
Takes one to ....
Congratulations Tanya! How wonderful to have not only finished writing a book but having seen it published. Kudos to you my dear!
John, I'm glad you gave me a lesson on prepostions. This sounds like a fun 'grown up' book on teens. I'll be checking it out. Anything that get you to put down your pen and pulls YOU into the story has got to be good. :-)
I DO write book reviews, and I can authoritatively say...
This is a great way to quicky get at the nature of a book. It contained useful inofrmation on how well you liked the book and why. I still don't know what the book is about though!
You certainly stirred my interest.
Perhaps you should have told us a bit about the story rather than refer us to amazon.com for that. Publishers Weekly, Amazon's first review of this book, says the book is awful.
I wanna know what "inofrmation" is...
Thanks, Sia.
(Haven't forgotten I owe you a piece. This weekend.)
" I still don't know what the book is about though!"
I know Chris, that's the part I hate for some reason. Probably synopsis paralysis.
Amazon reviews do have all that.
Thanks, Madame Donna.
Elzabeth, I guess you are right. I hate PW reviews, although Judi Fennel, another writer
here on Gather, just got a good PW review for"In Over Her Head."
Jean, "inofrmation" is information mispelled.
Sorry, that's all I got — low caffeine day.
Hey, the cover looks like her website. That's cool!
I got a nasty PW review in the ABNA contest. I prolly shouldn't admit that here. Maybe it was the same reviewer. I think someone urinates in their coffee on a regular basis. And who could blame them?
Thanks John for reviewing this. I've looked at it at Amazon, and I think I will be picking it up. It seems like it would be right up my alley.
Jamie, the site is cool. I love the background "action" and the books opening when you brush by them. Interesting way to provide backstory.
Jamie W. I'm sure you'll like it.
WARNING: Leave yourself come open time near the end. When I go 80 pages from the ending I never wanted to stop reading. Not that it's a thriller/mystery type of book but I was invested enough in the characters I wanted to know how it was going to end.
FAQ: If John P found this book funny enough and enlightening enough to make him want to share it, is it a funny enough book for me?
DEFINITELY, valuing John's opinion when it comes to humor, is a no-brainer. And I happen to have no brain.
I second that. If the ultimate humor writer here was "humorized" by it, it is a must read.
Thanks, Gwen.
You get no argument from me, Robert.
In all fairness, the book has some very funny lines and situations but the story is basically serious.. As the 2000-year old man used to say, Very PssCy-O-logical!
Well, it has to be more entertaining than Mortimer J. Adler's "How to Read a Book".
John, I assure you it is.
I'm intrigued, and I enjoyed your review style immensely!
Thanks, Alison. Hope you enjoy the book. Tell your friends.
Well, I'm certainly intrigued. Love your review style, John!
Thanks, Kim. I think you'd enjoy the book.
I'll have to check it out now
OK, OK, John you've piqued my curiosity. I'll have to check it out. Curious coincidence, I'm writing a paper for school NOW about an issue in teen counseling.
Hope you enjoy it, Sophie.
Yvonne, if anyone needed teen counseling, some of the characters in this book do.
your link did't work in your e-mail, great review, thanks!
I don't need to buy a book to understand the love of reading!!
I love reading already. Te he!
Sounds like a very intriguing book indeed.
I think you'd like it, Angela.
Went to a book beach party for the author today. She asked me to thank everyone for their kind comments.
How come my local library never has the book I most want to read?
I ed up spending my money on eBay and Amazon because my local used bookstore often does not hav my latest author quest and I haste to pay full price at the regular bookstore.
I'll watch for this one now that th county has decided it can afford a library afterall.
Good luck, Anita.
You know you can buy used books on Amazon as well. Some very cheap though it may be a little early as this one was just released.
John, you make everything in your life sound fun and wonderful. This is a delightful gift to your friend.
And I must confess that I laughed aloud at, "I immediately go first to the FAQs where I can learn quickly, skip the parts I'm not interested in, and connect with questions that are important to me and asked by someone at my level of knowledge without me sounding stupid by asking the very same question." Two weeks ago I spent hours haunting the forums of a software company and a web-hosting company, trying to find answers without actually asking any questions. I found everything I needed had been asked before me. I didn't have to look ignorant, though I certainly was.
That sounds like an interesting book!
Thanks, Beth.
Yes, funny as it is, the FAQs philosophy espoused above is pretty much the truth as far as I am concerned.
It is, K D. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I love reading to begin with so I cannot imagine developing that love any further. LOL! There is very little that I will not sit and read...at least in "material in hand" form. Not too big on electronic reading.
In this case, Jerri, developing the "love," is part of the plot.
I did enjoy her style and the story.