Comments on: Ex Libris, Anne Fadiman

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:15:21 +0000

When I acquire a pocket paperback with a creased spine, I straightaway get out my contact paper and cover it, to protect it from further damage. I feel extremely satisfied every time I do this.

Poor you about your fountain pen! My sister one time gave me this set of colored pens in my Christmas stocking, and they were the most amazing pens ever. The ink flow was exactly right, and they were in pretty colors, and I used them for everything – poems, stories, Arabic homework, my commonplace book, everything. Only I’ve never been able to find those exact pens again. If I ever saw them in a shop, I’d buy ten sets.

By: Rose City Reader

Rose City Reader — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:51:52 +0000

I just read this book and posted my review on Rose City Reader.

Your review is terrific. If you would like me to list it on mine, please leave a comment on mine with a link and I will add it. I don’t like to add a link without asking first, but I prefer a comment on mine to let me know because I forget to come back and look. 🙂

I am definitely a “courtly” book lover. Like you, I could not understand the other point of view. I even cringe when I see a pocket paperback with a creased spine.

As for pens . . . her essay about her favorite pen irked me because I used to have a favorite fountain pen and it went kaput. I’ve tried for the last 20 years to fix or replace it, with no luck. So her essay inspired nothing but pen envy in me.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:39:43 +0000

I know, my handwriting is terrible. I was trying to clean up my room yesterday and came across a letter I had written in high school, and I just couldn’t believe how nice my handwriting was back then! So tidy and organized!

I think there might be a good side to not marrying libraries. There’s this bit in When Harry Met Sally, when Harry says, “Do me a favor, for your own good, put your name in your books right now before they get mixed up and you don’t know whose is whose.” Completely freaked me out! I never used to write my name in my books, and now I ALWAYS do. I expect when I get engaged, I’ll go on a rampage through all my books making sure my name’s in all of them. (Paranoid.)

By: rebeccareid

rebeccareid — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:48:54 +0000

I really enjoyed this a few years ago! I don’t remember the favorite pen story, but I’m not much of a pen person; I type more than I write, so my handwriting just keeps getting worse. I remember her story about marrying libraries together and I liked that. My husband didn’t have much of a library (he doesn’t like to collect books) so I was disappointed I couldn’t marry our books together 🙁

By: jennysbooks

jennysbooks — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:59:08 +0000

Jeane – That does make sense. I am actually not the hugest fan of Nick Hornby ever. I enjoy reading his books once – for some reason I was convinced I was going to enjoy his books about books.

Andi – I enjoyed it a lot. I always advocate interlibrary loans, but I never do them at my public library either – hope you enjoy it now that you can get it!

By: Andi

Andi — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:37 +0000

I just joined a new library system and added this book to my wishlist. I’ve wanted to read it forever, but my former library didn’t own a copy and I was too lazy to interlibrary loan a copy! Ha! I read the first of Hornby’s two, and while I enjoyed it, I felt a distinct sense of detachment because I hadn’t read a majority of the titles he was writing about. I guess I sort of lost interest. Anyway, very much looking forward to Fadiman’s stuff! Thanks for a great review!

By: Jeane

Jeane — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:32:48 +0000

The writing style is quite different- not as musing, jumps topics quicker, and he tends to talk a lot about British literature (and sports) which I’m not as familiar with. I don’t know, really, Fadiman just felt more- friendly. And conversational. Hornby is conversational too, but not the kind of conversation I picture myself having (if that makes sense). I guess I’m just feeling a little low about it because I was so excited to get ahold of his third book-column compliation and then couldn’t get into it. I actually had to set it aside to try again later (and I loved the first two!)

By: jennysbooks

jennysbooks — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:53:46 +0000

Hm, interesting – that’s nice, given that I can’t get hold of Nick Hornby’s books right now, but unfortunate for the day when I do get hold of them. Are his books less readable because they focus more on specific books, and it’s not as interesting if you haven’t read those books? Or is his writing just less engaging?

By: Jeane

Jeane — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:46:39 +0000

I do get attached to certain copies of books, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a favorite pen. At least, not since I quit drawing so much. I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a bit more accessible (I mean readable) than Nick Hornby.