Rating: Summary: Just like me! Review: I had the pleasure of meeting Sara Nelson, at the recent Sarasota Book Festival.I'd read about her book the week before the fair, and knew taht I had to check it out. Finally a reader I can relate to. My small apartment looks almost like the cover of her book. Mrs. Nelson was very nice in person, and what was neat, in addition to her funny and charming anecdotes, is the ideas and avenues she opens up by way of her reference to other books she read or meant to read. I also got the impression that Mrs. Nelson is very cool Mom. At least, I hope Charley thinks he has a cool Mom. I am a multi-book reader, also. This is great read for all, especially for fellow book-nuts.
Rating: Summary: Charming, and it is one of the best booklists ever Review: Not a lot happens in this book, but that's not the point. Sara Nelson, veteran editor and book reviewer, makes a resolution to read a book a week for a year. Simple premise. Complex result. Through her choices of which books to read and her reactions to them, both she and her readers learn much about who she is, what makes her tick, and what's important, what moves her. In her own words, she is interested in "matching up the reading experience with the personal one and watching where they intersect - or don't." On the most superficial of levels, this book is a lightweight. But read it carefully, read it for both pleasure and insight. Most of all, if you love books, READ IT.
Rating: Summary: Ah, Someone Who Understands Review: Sara Nelson understands. Not many people in my life do, but she does, even though I've never met her. She understands that not only do book fanatics have to have at least one book in their hands at all times, but that it must be the RIGHT book for the right time. Nelson took on the task of reading one book a week for a year and writing about the experience. She read a little bit of everything: biographies, novels, children's books, classics, and more. The most interesting aspect of SO MANY BOOKS is not the books themselves that Nelson chose, but how she selected them and how they were the right books at the right time. Have you ever put on a CD only to take it out before the first song was finished, knowing that you weren't in the right mood for that particular music/artist? Or hit STOP on a movie that you rented, knowing that you weren't in the proper frame of mind for it? Sara Nelson understands. She also latches onto books that connect in some way with what she's going through at a particular moment. Her chapter on how A MILLION LITTLE PIECES relates to a fight she had with her husband is revealing and priceless. And what can you learn from a kids book like CHARLOTTE'S WEB that you haven't already learned? Give it to your kid and you'll see. SO MANY BOOKS, SO LITTLE TIME reminds those of us who hunger and thirst after not only great books, but great books at the right time, that our quest can be frustrating, funny, sad, exhilarating, exciting, and much more. And after reading this book, you'll realize that you're not alone. Sara Nelson understands. 242 pages
Rating: Summary: A book about reading for people who like to read Review: Sara Nelson has written a book that any number of us might have produced some version of. The author set herself the task of reading a book a week in 2002 and recording her responses to what she read, "matching up the reading experience with the personal one and watching where they intersect--or don't." The result is a collection of thirty-something (not 52, as you might expect) interconnected essays that take Nelson's books of the week as their starting point. Readers will find much to relate to in Nelson's musings on, for example, good first lines or "double-booking" (reading more than one book at a time) or the perils of reading friends' manuscripts. There is also the occasional shock on offer, as when Nelson reveals that some people skip around in the books they read or, quelle horreur, stop reading them altogether before the last page. If it is true, as I think, that people who like to read like to read about reading, then Nelson's pleasant ruminations should appeal.
Rating: Summary: Trying To Control My Reading Life Review: Sara Nelson starts this book discussing the fact that she took a year to chronicle her reading habits and started with the wrong book- it didn't fit the time and the place. I started reading this book and didn't like it- "oh, it's just fluff, I thought, nothing substantial". How wrong I was. Once I realized that like Sara Nelson, I too have a "bifurcated reading brain" I love to read "junk" and I love to read "literature", we were one, she was my friend. Sara Nelson began her reading life at a young age as did I, and she was initiated by her mother, as was I. "Marjorie Morningstar" was one of the first books she read that she could identify with. She was Marjorie- young and Jewish. She moved on to Nora Ephron's "Heartburn". Because Sara is an editor,reporter and reviewer (she does review books on Amazon and reads Amazon reviews before she buys a book), "Heartburn" depicted a world Sara and her friends knew and recognized. She realized that books open your life. Sara Nelson organizes the books she reads during this year according to the events of her life. When she and her husband, Leo have a fierce quarrel,she goes into her study and finds a beloved book, a friend, and immerses her grief into the book. By the time she is finished with the book, she is ready to quietly discuss the quarrel with Leo and put their lives back into place. Sara has won and lost friends according to their likes and dislikes of books. If they cannot see that a certain book has no useful purpose, well, what could she possibly have in common with them. One ex-boyfriend whom she happend to meet years later was taken aghast when the first thing Sara says upon meeting is "Where is my book?" He sheepishly sent the same dog eared book to her a few days later. Sara's year has many twists and turns and each turn is planned with at least two books in mind. What Sara discovers is that the books she has in mind are not what she ends up reading or as the old saying goes "Even if you know what you are doing, you don't" One of Sara's favorite authors is Calvin Trillin. It is right after reading a book on the fashion business that Sara realizes that Trillin's book "Floaters" depicted that world of magazines and publishing better than any other novel she has read. She happens to meet Calvin at a book signing and mentions how much she likes his books, especially "Floaters", and he looks at her strangely- it appears that not many others appreciated that book not even his editors. Discussing the authors that you love and stick with and will even read their not so great novels is part of our life. Sara loved "The Crimson and the Petal" by Faber so much she hoarded the pages- reading a little here and saving it for later- a novel you don't want to end. I understand- that is like my reading life. Sara Nelson's book meant so much more to me at this time of my life, because I am involved with a group of people who read books and review them and then discuss them. We have all shared our great love of books, and the fact that we are spending so much time discussing books and other things that we don't have any time to read books. That is what Sara found, a year of reading was luxurious and wonderful, but she missed some of life, she missed the theatre, museums,her friends, her family. We will never leave our books forever, but we should take some small time way to get back into the life we want to lead. One important lesson- never leave the house without a book, preferably a smaller book without a cover so that you can stuff it into whatever you are carrying. You have to have a book for those times when there is nothing to do- waiting in the dentist office, riding in a car, we need, we yearn to read- we cannot be without a book, NEVER! prisrob
Rating: Summary: Comforting and Fun Review: I really loved this little book. Approaching it, I had my doubts. This trepidation was a result of the fact that I did not read many of the books Ms. Nelson was going to write about in her book, so I feared this story would be a tiring rehash of stories unknown to me. I could get that at any old book review site. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find So Many Books, So Little Time was a complete contradiction of my dreary pre conceived notions. Instead of an elitist laundry list of books unknown to this reader, Nelson delivers an eminently readable and enjoyable literary experience. The best part of this book is the familiarity you soon develop with the author herself. I believe many other readers such as myself will take this personal connection from this book. Throughout the entire book, I found myself saying such things as "I do that too!" or "this sounds just like me!". It is comforting to book fanatics such as myself that there are others out there like us, with the same concerns and quirks. Really, readers are a delicate lot, and we need to know that there are at least a few others out there that are as insane as we are. Ms. Nelson provides this in spades, as she freely admits her addiction but makes it sound so pleasant and acceptable. That's a very nice thing to read about, and the author soon embodies a friendly persona that is just a joy to read. Ms. Nelson uses her private notions to really draw in like-minded people. Her outside stories are also good reading, as she never gets lost in her own obsession and can comfortably tie in her family and career with what she is reading. This is very familiar to people like me, which is one of the reasons I liked the book so much. It is just wonderfully reminiscent of many things readers notice in the world around us. The writing style is light and airy, which is far from derogatory. It is really a perfect length for this type of book, as sometimes memoirs can drag on too long. The short synopses that Ms. Nelson does offer concerning the books she reads are enlightening, and I would wager that many readers follow my lead and mark the books she reads for our own reading lists.
Rating: Summary: Funny and enjoyable Review: This is not the type of book that I usually read, but I enjoyed it immensely. Should be a big hit with bibliophiles. You may never look at your "books" the same again. So sit back in a cozy chair and be prepared to laugh a little! And if your lucky you may find a book in there that you haven't read yet! Enjoy! Debbi
Rating: Summary: A Must Have for "Bookaholics" Review: Wow! I couldn't put this book down! This is not just a book about books, but also about authors, and the pleasures and pains that books can bring. I really liked this book because Mrs. Nelson gives her opinions of the books that she has read, both good and bad, and it also has a lot of suggestions for readers. This is a pretty small book, and a very fast read. I recommend this to anyone who LOVES to read! It would make a great holiday present!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining Review: Well, I spotted this book because the title jumped out at me, it is exactly how I live my life. I am a passionate reader, and although this book was very entertaining, I have to admit I felt like Ms. Nelson felt that I was a reader a little beneath others, because I am one of the readers who read mostly fiction, and mostly "best seller" fiction. I love writers who continue characters, I love mysteries and books that she considers "men's books", like Tom Clancy. I still look forward to Robert Ludlum,because I just can't let go....In other words, I am the book reader and buyer who goes to the book store, or orders from Amazon, and gobbles up the books which a some people consider junk! But that said, I did identify with Ms. Nelson's love of books. I have a book with me all the time and I keep a copy of something, (normally Jane Austen) in the car in case I forget to bring what I am reading at the time. I go through at least 2 books a week, sometime more, I read the reviews on Amazon ( I don't always go by what they say, but I read them!), and I read every book magazine and newspaper book section I can get my hands on. I have hundreds of books I have not read, and hundreds and hundreds more that I have. My husband has to beg me at times to please give some away, we have no more room. So, I too have too many books,and never enough time. But I do want to thank Ms. Nelson for a couple of things. I have started (after turning 45) allowing myself to put down books I don't like. I used to feel the need, ( I guess since I paid for it) to finish it no matter what. I have now decided life is too short. Ms. Nelson reinforced this for me, and has helped with the guilt that still sneaks in once in a while. And second...I have a confession. I too look ahead sometimes. I particularly liked her friend who explained it this way....I look ahead on something I really like, just so I can relax and enjoy the journey. (Those were not her words, but the sentiment). Also, I like the reader friend who reads the end of mysteries first, since he doesn't really like suspense! Anyway I have always thought I was the only one who did that, and I never have been able to confess it! Thank you for bringing my deep secret into the light! So, read this book, I would have given it a five star, if only I didn't feel as if Ms. Nelson and her publishing friends want to sell me their client's books, but don't respect me as a reader!
Rating: Summary: Are Wisdom, Wit, and Knowledge in Style? You Decide! Review: It's not easy being a book nerd. We clutch these cultural anomalies to our chests while our colleagues fumble with cell phones, PDAs, and personal CD players, seeking what it is not clear. How can we tell our fellow humans that within these rectangular packages filled with paper lie the keys to some of life's great mysteries? And that these mysteries can unfold into panoramas of wisdom anywhere. These moments of self-realization can come while waiting in line at a shoe store, in the back of a cab, or on your own chaise lounge at home. This can happen anytime you are glued to your annointed one's pages. Sara Nelson's wonderful new book about a year's worth of reading helps build that bridge between those of us who love to read, and those that don't. She is unprententious, forgiving, and guiding as she shares how books can restore our humanity, entertain us, and give us a place to escape to when we need it. She comes across as being both sassy and classy, an unusual combination in any writer. This work contains a wonderful exploration of a wide variety of fascinating titles and authors. What makes this book so memorable however, is both the way in which it is written, and the manner in which Ms. Nelson weaves her own story into this book-lover's odyssey. Rarely does one find a prose that so nimbly and lightly dances across the pages. One finds oneself cheering her son's first base hit, and feeling the uncertainty that can from time-to-time straddle human relationships. Not only will you be delighted to have read this book. You'll find yourself buying it for your friends, as I did. Whether they read or not.
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