Title: The Book that Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books that Matter Most to Them
Author: Roxanne J. Coady and Joy Johannessen, editors
First Published: 2006
No. of Pages: 178
Synopsis (from B&N): With the goal of promoting literacy (and with proceeds going to the Read to Grow Foundation), here are 71 spirited testaments to the transformative power of reading from 71 distinguished contributors.
Books change lives, and if you have any doubts on that score, you need only dip into this joyous celebration of reading by 71 people who have distinguished themselves in various fields, from sports, to cooking, to journalism and the arts. In brief and lively essays, the contributors— wrestlers, actors, singers, monks, Nobel Prize winners, chefs, politicians, writers—tell about the single book that changed the way they see themselves and the world around them.
Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction
Comments and Critique: Many of the essays contained in this book are quite good, either involving books that I have read and agree are wonderful or I have not read and want to (including a few that I had not previously had on my TBR list, thanks editors!). I enjoy reading why a particular book matters so much to someone, especially if it's one from childhood. The only critique I have of this collection is the self-centeredness of some of the essays. Obviously, given the topic, the writers were supposed to write about themselves somewhat, but it would have been better if they had stuck to writing about books that changed them and didn't feel the need to tie it in to their own books -- it came across as needless self-promotion.
Oh, and as long as I'm at it, some of the books that have changed my life include the Nancy Drew series, To Kill a Mockingbird, the essays of Robert Fulghum, Gone with the Wind, Pride & Prejudice, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume (that book was the 1st time I ever heard of the Nazis and their atrocities), The Chamber by John Grisham (I became anti-death penalty overnight), I could go on and on and on...
Challenges: 999 (Dewey Decimal); Dewey's Books; Dewey Decimal (000 Generalities)
Author: Roxanne J. Coady and Joy Johannessen, editors
First Published: 2006
No. of Pages: 178
Synopsis (from B&N): With the goal of promoting literacy (and with proceeds going to the Read to Grow Foundation), here are 71 spirited testaments to the transformative power of reading from 71 distinguished contributors.
Books change lives, and if you have any doubts on that score, you need only dip into this joyous celebration of reading by 71 people who have distinguished themselves in various fields, from sports, to cooking, to journalism and the arts. In brief and lively essays, the contributors— wrestlers, actors, singers, monks, Nobel Prize winners, chefs, politicians, writers—tell about the single book that changed the way they see themselves and the world around them.
Fiction or Nonfiction: Nonfiction
Comments and Critique: Many of the essays contained in this book are quite good, either involving books that I have read and agree are wonderful or I have not read and want to (including a few that I had not previously had on my TBR list, thanks editors!). I enjoy reading why a particular book matters so much to someone, especially if it's one from childhood. The only critique I have of this collection is the self-centeredness of some of the essays. Obviously, given the topic, the writers were supposed to write about themselves somewhat, but it would have been better if they had stuck to writing about books that changed them and didn't feel the need to tie it in to their own books -- it came across as needless self-promotion.
Oh, and as long as I'm at it, some of the books that have changed my life include the Nancy Drew series, To Kill a Mockingbird, the essays of Robert Fulghum, Gone with the Wind, Pride & Prejudice, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume (that book was the 1st time I ever heard of the Nazis and their atrocities), The Chamber by John Grisham (I became anti-death penalty overnight), I could go on and on and on...
Challenges: 999 (Dewey Decimal); Dewey's Books; Dewey Decimal (000 Generalities)
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