Rating: 
Summary: A Charming, Engaging, and First Rate Book
Review: Sara Nelson's wonderful first book was given to me at Christmas by my brother-in-law. You know, the one who always gives you the bad ties, REALLY bad ties. I have to say I was surprised he even knew I was a reader. (He has gone up several notches in my estimation since then.)I have already nominated Ms. Nelson's delightful memoir as something my book club should read this spring. We're planning to read it for our March meeting. It is a cascade of wonderful reading ideas and titles, all within a comforting journey of her story about what reading means to, and what it does for, those of us who engross ourselves in books. But this is not just some kind of listless grouping of what to read and why. It is a tremendously engaging story about the fabric of Ms. Nelson's life. She is refreshingly honest about herself, as well as about her reading likes and dislikes, and how, in the end, about how the books she read found her, rather than the other way around. That part was magical for me. While I know that this book will appeal to those of us who read, I also know it will be a fun book for those who don't normally read. That's why I've already bought it for friends. As a guy, I have to admit I was more or less completely seduced by the narrative. Ms. Nelson comes across as, well, an interesting, very attractive, and provocative woman. (Thankfully I wasn't reading this with my wife, and didn't have to explain that to her.) I can see that a female reader might think they had just met a great new friend after finishing this book. I know I did.
Rating:
Summary: A delight!
Review: I'm so glad somebody finally said what reviewers never say about books: that we're all influenced by reviews, and other people's opinions and hype. Sara Nelson has written a book that tells the truth -- whether you want to hear it or not. And that, to my mind, is pretty great.
Rating: 
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: I've never written a review for Amazon before but this book has driven me to it. I approached So Many Books expecting so much more. Ms. Nelson's breezy takes on literature and life are facile at best. Her discussion of stopping a book before you have finished reading it resonated deeply with me while I read this; although greatly tempted, I was actually curious to see how much more she could annoy me (a lot) during the remainder of the book. When I read her bio on the jacket, I should have realized that this was more for Glamour magazine readers and less for true readaholics. It seems to me that she is a full-time book reviewer, and therefore a book a week should hardly be a challenge; yet there's an underlying whine about such an onerous task. By the end of the book I was only wondering why her seemingly long-suffering husband is still in the picture (it can't be because of her sense of humor).
Rating: 
Summary: goes down easy, not very filling--amusing but thin
Review: I would guess that how one reacts to this book would depend on one's expectations for it. I don't know why, but I came to the book expecting a lot more than I got--a more full reading feast rather a few quick-to-down appetizers (a small number tasty, most just familiar, and some downright bland). For that reason, I was pretty disappointed. I suppose had I known she was a columnist I might have adjusted my expectations.
If you like breezy books with short self-contained chapters and you like reading about reading (as somewhat opposed to reading about books), then you'd probably enjoy this book. Her observations about readers and reading are solidly accurate, but I wouldn't call them particularly insightful or original. All readers already know of the various aspects she brings up, such as the fear inherent in recommending a book to a close friend or that point in your reading life when you finally realize you don't have to actually finish every book you start (non-readers might consider it the same as that point when you realize you can leave a half-full pitcher of beer on a table and simply leave), and many readers have perhaps read about these same things in more eloquent and full form. But for those that haven't, her points, if not deep or new or memorable, are presented amusingly and amiably enough and just about any reader will certainly nod his or her head in recognition many times. I personally prefer more in-depth, thoughtful discussions such as An Open Book, The Child that Books Built, Great Books and the like, books that are more reflective than observational.
The tone of the book is light-hearted throughout and as mentioned, generally amusing. Stylistically, it reads pretty plainly and simply--I was never really moved or surprised by her language, somewhat of a fault I think in a book on the "passion" of reading.
As for her discussion of the books themselves, as I've already said, they are pretty minimalistic. She takes some easy predictable shots (Tuesdays with Morrie or Bridges of Madison County) and some more courageous ones (Empire Falls). I found myself nodding in agreement with some and shaking my head at others, though not with a lot of feeling since there wasn't a lot to react to.
Recommended as a first book about books, a light and quick stepping-stone into more substantive (and I don't mean academic) books about reading. I'd also guess it holds up better read over a lengthy period of time, a chapter or two at a time, rather than in one or two extended readings where the thinness of its prose and discussion might eventually grate.
Rating: 
Summary: Put off by her snobbery...
Review: I read "So Many Books, So Little Time" in one sitting (a 4 hour plane ride) so I certainly give it points for its breezy, page turning quality. For the most part, I share Ms. Nelson's taste in books; only once or twice did I disagree with her reviews, specifically when she said she couldn't get past page 10 of "The Wind Up Bird Chronicle" and when she said "The Hours" was overrated. She offers some interesting insights into the reading process, including theories that location and timing play a strong role in whether you enjoy a book. In many ways, I should have loved this book. But, I was ultimately put off by the author's shallowness and snobbery. She states, apparently without irony, that is is perfectly acceptable to reconsider being friends with someone who doesn't share your taste in certain books. I searched the text for some hyperbole in that rule, but it appears she is serious. Would you really want to be friends with someone who might dump you because you didn't share her love of Phillip
Roth? By her own bizarre logic, I guess I should have stopped reading this book when I read that we didn't share taste in the aforementioned books. But, since I have matured past the age of 12, I continued reading the book. Again without irony, she later thrills at her son's comparing her with Charlotte in "Charlotte's Web" because her son says "it is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer." You must be joking, right? A true friend is someone who dumps you because you don't share a love of Anne Lamott? I'm reminded of a friend of mine who once broke up with a guy because he didn't recycle. I didn't think less of him for it, I thought less of her! That aside, I did enjoy the book. Ms. Nelson understands the relationship between reader and book, and she writes reasonably well. Although I grew to dislike the author, I will still give in 4 stars because others might not be as annoyed by her as I was.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious How Much We Have In Common
Review: It's really ironic how this review came to pass --- I have had this book on my "To Read" pile for almost 6 months. It just kept getting moved down and down the pile - as I bought, received, inherited new books. Then one day - I made it down to the bottom of my "To Read" pile and found this little gem of a book. "So Many Books, So Little Time" by Sara Nelson could have been written by ME! Without a doubt - this is the story of my reading life. I seem to live my life - moving books around my apartment. Moving books into the "Read Now" - "Read Later" - "Read Only When There Is Nothing Good On TV" piles.... and finding little tiny gems when I least expect it. So - if you are looking for a great resource of books you may not have read or heard of yet. I loved this quick and fun book. Give it a shot -- you'll be pleasantly surprised! Cheers!
Rating:
Summary: Great book, Cheesy Title
Review: Even though I thought the title and the cover, for that matter, were a little cheesy I was delighted by what I found inside. Sara Nelson captured the essence of what it is to be a reader. I would recommend this book to anyone that is an avid reader and is looking for recommendations.
Rating:
Summary: Read This--You'll Find You're Not Alone
Review: Sara Nelson's So Many Books, So Little Time is a wonderful book--a must read for booklovers everywhere. Nelson decided to read a book a week for the entire 2002 calendar year and write about it. What she has written is a thoroughly engaging work, delightful to read, if only because all those addicted to reading will find they are not alone. Each week, the book or books she reads (or doesn't read) send her on a reverie about aspects of reading, aspects of life that at times had me thinking "I thought I was the only one who did this/thought this." The little habits of devoted readers are exposed for the world to see. Nelson discusses, or at least refers to, a number of books, most of which a devoted reader will have at least heard of, if not already read. She's got strong opinions, some of which I personally agreed with, even rejoiced in (finally, someone who admits Tuesdays with Morrie is a disappointment), others I did not agree with at all (Empire Falls being hard to get through). Reading this book is a thoroughly enjoyable experience, like sitting down for a long dinner with a fellow booklover and having terrific conversation into the wee hours of the night. If you love to read, if you have piles of books next to your bed that you are going to read "next", if you cannot walk out of a bookstore without at least one purchase for yourself, if you religiously read book reviews and surf around amazon.com's book section, you will love this book. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Useful to new readers only
Review: I see from other reviewers that I am in the minority but I was terribly disappointed by Sara Nelson's book. I thought that it was trite and didn't express anything that I, as a passionate reader myself, didn't already know. This is more for the neophyte who would like to read more. I thought that books such as Nancy Pearl's "Book Lust" and the lovely anthology "Where Books Fall Open" were much, much better and fulfilled what I was looking for: Literary passion and great title recommendations. I expected that this would read much more as a journal of a year of reading but it was more like a series of simple essays, nothing new or unexplored here. I thought it would have been better as a journal or maybe if she had made it a humorous look at her year. Rather it seemed pointless and I was disappointed but clearly others loved it so just know that it is not really a journal when purchasing.
Rating:
Summary: somebody had to do it
Review: This comment is for the people who like to read short comments: it's really hard to find someone who has read more books than you have - maybe more books than anyone has - but who can also talk about them in a down to earth, entertaining and totally nonreadaholic-friendly way. In other words I didn't feel like I was being attacked by an intellectual who is hell-bent on being condescending and patronizing. Sara Nelson is a completely refreshing opposite to that tradition, and a completely welcome one. What a fine book.
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