I define myself as a book lover, I can’t imagine life without a book by my side. I don’t just read how to-books about art and crafts (the kind that I mostly review on my blog Studio iHanna) but also novels, biographies, fantasy, YA, classics, fact books, kid’s lit, and more.

I use books as entertainment and for relaxation, but also as a tool to do research and learning new stuff. Shortly said, I love books. I wish you all could embrace book reading, but I know it’s not for everyone. Although I so hope that you at least now and then will give some books a try. Try reading a book you’ve been recommended, even though you might not (yet) define yourself as a book lover! It might just change your (reading) life…

Anyway, you probably already knew that reading is good for you. If you’re anything like me, and you already are a book reader, I think you’ll enjoy Anne Bogel’s new book titled I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life.

My entire review: https://www.ihanna.nu/blog/2018/10/id-rather-be-reading-delights-and-dilemmas-of-the-reading-life/

I adore Ann Bogel. She has such a knack for identifying and describing the ways in which books you might not seem to have anything in common actually do and how a reader who enjoyed 1 book could enjoy a completely different book they would never have thought of. After listening to her podcast regularly, I was thrilled to get a copy of this book about reading life written by Modern Mrs. Darcy herself. But I think this high opinion of her led to high expectations that she couldn't possibly measure up to in her writing. The book is fine, I finished it. If you want someone who understands all of the things unique to a book nerd life that non-book nerd people just don't understand, you'll probably like it. It measures up to how the summary describes it, it just couldn't measure up to the idea I had in my head about what a book by Anne Bogel would be.

What a lovely, lovely book. The most accurate review I can give is that reading Anne Bogel's collection of essays on "the delights and dilemmas of the reading life" is pretty much just as wonderful as sitting down with a good, fellow-bookworm friend, and discussing books over a toasty cup of coffee. So, if you're ever missing some good bookish discussion with an old friend, I highly recommend grabbing this book and settling into a comfy chair (it needs to be comfy because you won't want to get up until you've read through all of the essays).
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Through her blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and her podcast @whatshouldireadnext, Anne Bogel has taken my life-long love of reading and turned it into, frankly, an obsession - over reading, books, and the literary lifestyle... And I couldn't be more grateful about it.

I know I always loved to read. I know books and reading them are very important to me. Bogel has helped me understand why. She looks at the personal nature of reading, how it shapes us, what we bring to the experience, why we choose the books we do, why we connect with some so powerfully. I rejoice that I even had the rewarding experience of owning a bookstore for decades. My major complaint was that I sold many more books than I could read.

Books are opportunities beckoning us, Bogel says. (83/1580). Like her, I could go places, be someone else, experience different cultures – all from my reading chair. Like her, I believe in bibliotherapy. Give me a good book and I am happy in my world.

I had never thought about being book bossy, giving someone a book I thought they should like or I thought should make them feel better. Yikes. I've done that. But we are individuals. Just because the book meant so much to me does not mean it will have anything like the same effect on you.

I really appreciate her essays on how reading shapes us into the people we are today. I would not be who I am today nor think the way I do without having read the books I have. I agreed with her essay that identified reading as a solitary act and a favorite introvert-coping strategy (yes!) but was dismayed just a bit when she said reading was a social act (well, I am in a reading group). (1362/1580)

Missing from the book was anything about book reviewing. Publishers frequently rely on communities of public relation companies and volunteer book reviewers. Where I used to recommend books over a counter, now I do it through blogging book reviews. Also, Bogel writes as a print book reader, with book shelves and stacks of books. What about the world of ebooks?

My favorite quote from the book: “Your house is a disaster because a clean house is a sign of a misspent life, and you spend yours reading.” (662/1580)

I recommend this book to readers, to book people. You know who you are. You're the one who can't pass up a good book about reading books.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.