Rating: Summary: Fair Review: I love books about books. I purchased this one on a whim. Although I like the comedic aspect of this book, it really did not fulfill my need to read about the love of books.I would definitely consider this more of a humour book than any kind of serious look at the love of books. Good for a laugh though.
Rating: Summary: I see that I have company Review: I used to think that I was the only one whose huge library caused her spouse to threaten divorce. Who went on book-buying binges and had to make elaborate plans to smuggle her purchases past the suspicious eyes of her loved ones. Who could never, in a normal lifespan, reading 24 hours a day, possibly read every book in her library. Who, when forced into the light of the day and into a mall, headed immediately for the bookstore (not necessarily LIKING the kind of bookstores available in a mall, but deciding it was preferable to 'Kitchen Kaboodle' or 'Eddie Bauer'). Who, as a struggling 22-year-old, had $10 to her name and decided to spend $9.50 on books and $.50 on beef jerky. I see that my disease has a name. SO WHAT? I don't want to be cured. My madness makes me happy! Happy, damn yer eyes, and though this Puritan country treats happiness with suspicion, I will continue on my book-bingeing way until I'm dead. And if Heaven is whatever you imagine it to be--I imagine it to be an endless library full of thick tomes, leather chairs, purring cats and crackling fireplaces--I will spend eternity in my paradise, laughing the last laugh!
Rating: Summary: Book Is Descriptive, Not Analytical Review: I was disappointed with this book. I was hoping for a psychological analysis about why biblioholics need to consume books in excess, why they buy books when they already have hundreds, maybe thousands, of unread books at home. Instead, Raabe's text is more descriptive - describing different types of readers and buyers, various forms of bibliomania, ingenious ways to sneak books into the house, etc. On the plus side, this book is exceptionally well-written, entertaining and humorous. Just don't expect any real answers.
Rating: Summary: A let-down Review: I was very excited about this book. I thought it would talk all about stuff important to readers, like reading more than one book at once, etc. Instead, it is more like a gag gift. It actually has a chapter on people who eat books! It left me disappointed. If you want a book about readers, for readers, about reading-oriented issues, not weird trivia, try Sara Nelson's "So Many Books, So Little Time."
Rating: Summary: Wonderful fun for all book-lovers. Review: If you're seriously contemplating getting rid of the furniture so you have more room for books, or if every employee of every book store in town knows you by name, dash out and get Biblioholism! This wonderful book often had me laughing so hard that the bookshelves shook. Why anyone might consider that owning thousands of books could constitute an addiction is, of course, beyond me, but if you think you might have this dangerous bug, set aside some time to enjoy Tom Raabe's creation.
Rating: Summary: Utterly Funny!! Review: This book is hilarious. It is very funny. The author knows exactly what the love of books is all about. It is filled with interesting trivia about booklovers everywhere and in all time periods. Guaranteed to make you realize how much you love books. Why, it will point your attention to certain things you do so unconsciously, which are trademarks of a true biblioholic.
Rating: Summary: If the most valuble thing you own is books...Read this one! Review: This book is not for the novice. Not only is it for book owners, but also for friends and love ones who cannot comprehend why someone would want to own hundreds, even thousands of books. This book is funny and true-to-life, and offers sage advice to book owners on how to deal with their passion. I knew my fiance and I were compatible when his booklist rivaled mine, AND did not include too many duplicates for when the time comes when we will eventually combine our collections. Wedding gifts...well...books are always nice!
Rating: Summary: May develop a hernia from laughter Review: This is a lovely book and a must for bibliomaniacs, bibliophiles, biblioholics. Individuals who have seriously contemplated utilizing a pile of books as a chair or an end table to be more space-accommodating to their books must read this. You'll chortle, chuckle and guffaw throughout.
Rating: Summary: My Name Is Xrysostom and I am a Biblioholic Review: This is the first book I recommend to friends who already have "too many books" (as if that were possible!). While humorous, Raabe's book also gives historical insight into people who make most current avid collectors pale by comparison. And he shows the range of reasons why people acquire volumes, whether to boost one's social standing, to admire, to eat, or even to read. Amazingly, while I've lent my copy several times, it's always come back (maybe the chapter about sticky-fingered borrowers tweaks consciences).
Rating: Summary: Yawn...you won`t be addicted to this! Review: WHAT I LIKED: Mostly the humour lists: - On moving when you have a lot of books; - The Biblioholic's test (how big is your problem); - The discovery index (I knew the author when..); - On reading in restaurants; - Latin explanations of literary taste: "De gustibus non est disputandum" -- Everyone to their own non-disputable tastes; and, - Ten commandments for the Book Handler WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The book starts out with a light-hearted look at those who feel an overwhelming urge to buy books: "biblioholics" and it is obvious Raabe began the book with a humourous approach. By the end, however, he had convinced himself that it was a serious issue and it is embarassing to read him spouting in one breath about the "seriousness" as if he is writing a doctoral thesis, and then in the next breath, making fun of it, as he nudges the reader with his elbow and winks. Either approach could work, but bouncing between one and the other wears out really fast; this would have been better as a collection of small articles for a small newspaper, and in dire need of an editor. But even in a series of newspaper articles, I suspect the reader would tire of the subject matter very quickly -- the metaphor is dragged out far past its prime. OVERALL RATING: A well-researched book full of interesting facts about age-old biblioholics and their little anecdotes, but the choice to trying to both treat it as a real disease and make fun of it loses the reader quickly: 2.0 lilypads out of 5.0, buoyed slightly by the humour lists.
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