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Available
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Series
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Publication
McSweeney's (2008), 200 pages
Description
With an affectionate introduction by Sarah Vowell, this is the third and final collection of columns by celebrated novelist Nick Hornby from "The Believer" magazine. Hornby's monthly reading diary discusses cultural artifacts the way they actually exist in people's lives, and his notes on books--highbrow and otherwise--are accessible and hilarious.
User reviews
LibraryThing member CBJames
Shakespeare Wrote for Money is the third collection of the columns Mr. Hornby wrote for Believer magazine about the books he read each month. This is the column that almost got me to subscribe to Believer; a popular author with eclectic reading tastes, writing about the books he's reading every
Shakespeare Wrote for Money, the final collection, covers Mr. Hornby's reading from August 2006 to September 2008 and includes September 2006 when Mr. Hornby read not a single book, due to his obsession with watching the World Cup. It's nice to know that even a devoted reader takes a month off now and then.
Each entry begins with a list of the books Mr. Hornby read that month along side a list of the books he bought. The lists never match. Book bloggers tend to love lists of books and I freely admit that these added greatly to my own enjoyment of Shakespeare Wrote for Money. (What is it about list of books that we all like so much? Are we really closeted librarians?) The articles/chapters are breezily written and tend to wonder off on whatever tangents Mr. Hornby's reading suggest, though never in an uninteresting way. One month he reads several books about East Germany's police force the Stasi and a couple on mental illness, while in another he discovers the world of Young Adult fiction. He claims that his editors, whom he calls the Polyphonic Spree, won't allow him to write bad reviews so he ends up recommending almost everything he reads. (This does have the side effect of adding titles to ones TBR list. Consider yourself warned.)
Though not as eclectic as I am, since he freely admits his complete lack of interest in fantasy and science fiction, Mr. Hornby reads a wide range of material. His reviews cover non-fiction, some popular, some more serious, and fiction ranging from literature in translation, to graphic novels, to classics, to Young Adult fiction, to best sellers. There is something for almost everyone in Shakespeare Wrote for Money. (Except, of course, people who read only fantasy and science fiction.)
While Mr. Hornby is a successful author, he reads more like an everyman. You won't find an esoteric critique of literature in these columns, but you will find an honest and open reflection on what one man's reading experience was like. When something moves him in an embarrassing way, he admits it. When something begins to bore him, he admits that as well. At least, as much as his editors who do not like negative reviews will allow. He does not recommend books that are good for you or that should be read, but books that he enjoyed reading. A useful distinction that makes Shakespeare Wrote for Money a useful and entertaining read.
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month--sounds like the perfect thing for every incurable biblioholic to me. Shakespeare Wrote for Money, the final collection, covers Mr. Hornby's reading from August 2006 to September 2008 and includes September 2006 when Mr. Hornby read not a single book, due to his obsession with watching the World Cup. It's nice to know that even a devoted reader takes a month off now and then.
Each entry begins with a list of the books Mr. Hornby read that month along side a list of the books he bought. The lists never match. Book bloggers tend to love lists of books and I freely admit that these added greatly to my own enjoyment of Shakespeare Wrote for Money. (What is it about list of books that we all like so much? Are we really closeted librarians?) The articles/chapters are breezily written and tend to wonder off on whatever tangents Mr. Hornby's reading suggest, though never in an uninteresting way. One month he reads several books about East Germany's police force the Stasi and a couple on mental illness, while in another he discovers the world of Young Adult fiction. He claims that his editors, whom he calls the Polyphonic Spree, won't allow him to write bad reviews so he ends up recommending almost everything he reads. (This does have the side effect of adding titles to ones TBR list. Consider yourself warned.)
Though not as eclectic as I am, since he freely admits his complete lack of interest in fantasy and science fiction, Mr. Hornby reads a wide range of material. His reviews cover non-fiction, some popular, some more serious, and fiction ranging from literature in translation, to graphic novels, to classics, to Young Adult fiction, to best sellers. There is something for almost everyone in Shakespeare Wrote for Money. (Except, of course, people who read only fantasy and science fiction.)
While Mr. Hornby is a successful author, he reads more like an everyman. You won't find an esoteric critique of literature in these columns, but you will find an honest and open reflection on what one man's reading experience was like. When something moves him in an embarrassing way, he admits it. When something begins to bore him, he admits that as well. At least, as much as his editors who do not like negative reviews will allow. He does not recommend books that are good for you or that should be read, but books that he enjoyed reading. A useful distinction that makes Shakespeare Wrote for Money a useful and entertaining read.
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LibraryThing member bell7
The last in his collection of article written for The Believer, Shakespeare Wrote for Money is just as funny as the first two. The dates on the articles are from August 2006 to September 2008, and include a wide range of books read from YA titles to a biography of Shakespeare.
I love getting the
I love getting the
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perspective of someone that's intelligent and interesting and humorous and feels like a real reader telling a friend what they liked or didn't like about the books they've read lately. That's the main reason these books appeal to me. Even when I'm not all that interested in the books he's talking about, I enjoy reading about his experiences as a reader instead of reading a more objective, professional review that tells me lots about a book but little about someone's experience reading it. Show Less
LibraryThing member Girl_Detective
Hornby is a clever, funny, likable guy, and reading his columns was like having a good chat about books with a friend who has far-reaching interests. He mentions books he's read and didn't like, but only names names when he has good things to say. One of my favorite parts of these essays was when
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he "discovered" young-adult fiction after he wrote a book for young adults. He was nicely abashed at all the good books he hadn't known existed, and now championed. I would definitely read the previous collections of this column, and am sad that it's no longer going on. At least I got to be in on the end, however belatedly. Show Less
LibraryThing member whitreidtan
I should preface this review by admitting that I am totally in love with Nick Hornby. I have never met the man, or even seen him in a picture (unless the stylized guy on the covers of the three collections of The Believer essays is him) but I have a raging crush on him anyway and it's all because
This is the third in the collection of essays Hornby wrote for The Believer magazine, following The Polysyllabic Spree and Housekeeping Versus the Dirt. They all start off with a list of books he's bought and books he's read that month. The lists never match up, which is true for most reading addicts I know and is endearing as get out to this addict, who loves to know she is not alone. Then the essays range over the books he's read that month, sometimes touching on their connections to life and other times entertaining digressions from the world of books entirely. As per magazine policy, he only discusses books he's enjoyed but occasionally mentions, without identifying features, books he's set aside as unreadable. The essays read like a conversation you might have with Hornby while walking down a street together, easy and comfortable, smart and engaging. This is truly a wonderful book for other book lovers, and especially those of us who take some measure of enjoyment from writing about what we've read. Unfortunately, this is the last of the collections of this type as Hornby has left the magazine to spend more time with his family. A sad event for his readers although probably a happy one for his family (darn them anyway). Highly recommended.
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of books like this one.This is the third in the collection of essays Hornby wrote for The Believer magazine, following The Polysyllabic Spree and Housekeeping Versus the Dirt. They all start off with a list of books he's bought and books he's read that month. The lists never match up, which is true for most reading addicts I know and is endearing as get out to this addict, who loves to know she is not alone. Then the essays range over the books he's read that month, sometimes touching on their connections to life and other times entertaining digressions from the world of books entirely. As per magazine policy, he only discusses books he's enjoyed but occasionally mentions, without identifying features, books he's set aside as unreadable. The essays read like a conversation you might have with Hornby while walking down a street together, easy and comfortable, smart and engaging. This is truly a wonderful book for other book lovers, and especially those of us who take some measure of enjoyment from writing about what we've read. Unfortunately, this is the last of the collections of this type as Hornby has left the magazine to spend more time with his family. A sad event for his readers although probably a happy one for his family (darn them anyway). Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member SethAndrew
A collection from the Believer magazine, Hornby's article's are about books he has read during the course of the month. The article's are humorously written, while offering an account of the numerous books Hornby is able to consume in a months time. I enjoyed the collection and even got a few good
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recomendations from his reviews. If you are a fan of Hornby's fiction, then you should enjoy his book reviews as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member TerryWeyna
I was terribly disappointed to read that this is the last volume of Hornby's collected Believer columns we will see; he is now devoting his time to other projects. His column, about what he bought and what he read and what he didn't read, never failed to amuse me. I've got books on my shelves that
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I wouldn't have bought and read but for Hornby's recommendations, and some of them I've loved and some of them I've hated, but that's how recommendations work. The best part is that Hornby is someone who loves books, all kinds of books, from young adult science fiction books to heavy, serious classics. One of these days I really must try one of his novels. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rhinoa
Nick Hornby's final collection of his columns from The Believe magazine (published in America). It still tracks "Stuff he has been reading" as well as what he has bought. This collection is a little different as one month he does no reading and another he looks at films rather than books. Among the
It is narrated with the usual dry wit and pokes fun at the Polysyllabic Spree who run The Believer and as usual I got some interesting recommendations for me and to pass on to other people. Probably the most interesting thing is that the columns are from around the time he published Slam, his first young adult book. At the time he hadn't read any young adult books and during book tours he was introduced to his first ones like Skelling and Holes. I find it interesting that he dipped into a genre of writing that he didn't really know much about and hadn't researched. It's great that he liked the authors he found though and helped spread the word to the reading snobs that may have subscribed to the magazine and missed an outstanding genre.
I am sad that this was the final collection, despite all the football discussions (boo Arsenel!). I look forward to reading his latest novel, Juliet Naked and hope he writes more soon.
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films he watched was Juno and I am so glad he loved it or we may have had to part ways.It is narrated with the usual dry wit and pokes fun at the Polysyllabic Spree who run The Believer and as usual I got some interesting recommendations for me and to pass on to other people. Probably the most interesting thing is that the columns are from around the time he published Slam, his first young adult book. At the time he hadn't read any young adult books and during book tours he was introduced to his first ones like Skelling and Holes. I find it interesting that he dipped into a genre of writing that he didn't really know much about and hadn't researched. It's great that he liked the authors he found though and helped spread the word to the reading snobs that may have subscribed to the magazine and missed an outstanding genre.
I am sad that this was the final collection, despite all the football discussions (boo Arsenel!). I look forward to reading his latest novel, Juliet Naked and hope he writes more soon.
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LibraryThing member debnance
Shakespeare Wrote for Money is a collection of Hornsby's last columns for the Believer magazine. I'm glad he's given up on these. I must say I liked his earlier columns, but his river of reading has seemed to dry up and lose its charm, so to speak.
LibraryThing member BenjaminHahn
This is the third collection of Nick Hornby's book review column that was featured in Believer Magazine. This was mainly a fairly quick read since I have already read all the columns collected in this book. I am sad that the column is being discontinued but writing a monthly column like this could
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be time consuming for an author like Nick Hornby, especially when I would rather him be writing books instead of reading a ton and then telling us about them. Don't get me wrong, it was great reading his reviews and to be honest it occasionally effected my opinion of an author or book. His reviews were unique in that he was very candid with his reasons for not reading a book and the column lacked the dullness often associated with drab book reviews. He wasn't afraid to drift off into T.V. or film or just admit that he hadn't read anything for a while because the world cup was on. Now I just need to get the first two collections of reviews, and hope that Believer finds something equally interesting to put in its place. Show Less
LibraryThing member sturlington
This is the third and final collection of Nick Hornby’s column in The Believer magazine about what he is reading. While I didn’t think these essays were as good as the previous two volumes, there were several laugh-out-loud moments. Hornby reads many books I would never consider picking up, but
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he also suggests intriguing books I might not have discovered otherwise. I am sad that his always entertaining column has come to an end. Show Less
LibraryThing member TCWriter
The third in a series of books aggregating Nick Hornby's "What I bought this month/What I read this month" columns for The Believer magazine, this showcases Hornby's typically witty, insightful and engrossing critical writing.
I have not read most of the titles he reviews (which consist of a mix of
It's too late for me, but you should save yourselves while you still can. Or just read Hornby's critical columns, which are by turns funny, warm, personal and incisive.
I have not read most of the titles he reviews (which consist of a mix of
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fiction and nonfiction, classics and contemporary), though the danger here is clear: Your to-read list will grow. It's too late for me, but you should save yourselves while you still can. Or just read Hornby's critical columns, which are by turns funny, warm, personal and incisive.
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LibraryThing member harrietbrown
A completely delightful anthology of reviews from Nick Hornby's articles for "Believer" magazine from 2006-2008. Hornby has a wonderful sense of humor and these informative essays will keep you interested as you read about Nick Hornby's adventures in reading, and in one month, movie watching.
LibraryThing member periwinklejane
I love these collections of what Nick Hornby read. He cracks me up because he can put his finger on so many little weird quirks a lot of people share, but he doesn't press too hard. Plus, book recommendations! I picked up Skellig based on his description.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
For years Nick Hornby (author of High Fidelity) has written a column for Believer Magazine about the books he is currently reading. In the hands of another author the column could have been condescending or intimidating, but Hornby’s casual style and honest approach made it fun.
This isn’t my
Hornby has always been a vocal advocate for reading being fun, not work. That enthusiasm comes through in his writing and I can’t help feeling a bit more passionate about it myself after reading one of his columns.
“I now see that dismissing YA books because you’re not a young adult is a little bit like refusing to watch thrillers on the grounds that you’re not a policeman or a dangerous criminal, and as a consequence, I’ve discovered a previously ignored room at the back of the bookstore that’s filled with masterpieces I’ve never heard of.”
Each chapter represents one month’s column and begins with a list of “Books Bought” and “Books Read” that month. This collection contains his first “What are you watching” column too. It was a fun deviation from the norm to read about shows or movies he was enjoying.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re new to these columns I would recommend starting with The Polysyllabic Spree. It’s the first collection and my personal favorite. If you already love them then this one is a must for you!
“Yes, it’s the job of artists to force us to stare at the horror until we are on the verge of passing out. But it’s also the job of artists to offer warmth and hope and maybe even an escape from lives that can occasionally seem unendurably drab.”
“There have always been relentless and empty-headed self-promoters, although in the good old days we used to ignore them, rather than give them their own reality show.”
“Maybe the best thing to do with favorite films and books is to leave them be: to achieve such an exalted position means that they entered your life at exactly the right time, and precisely the right place, and those conditions can never be re-created.”
This isn’t my
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favorite collection of the columns. I think he comes off as a bit more jaded and frustrated with the editorial staff at Believer here. But there are still some wonderful gems about his love of reading. I also discovered a few books that I immediately added to my TBR. Hornby and I don’t have the same taste in books, but at this point I’m pretty sure I know where our tastes overlap. Hornby has always been a vocal advocate for reading being fun, not work. That enthusiasm comes through in his writing and I can’t help feeling a bit more passionate about it myself after reading one of his columns.
“I now see that dismissing YA books because you’re not a young adult is a little bit like refusing to watch thrillers on the grounds that you’re not a policeman or a dangerous criminal, and as a consequence, I’ve discovered a previously ignored room at the back of the bookstore that’s filled with masterpieces I’ve never heard of.”
Each chapter represents one month’s column and begins with a list of “Books Bought” and “Books Read” that month. This collection contains his first “What are you watching” column too. It was a fun deviation from the norm to read about shows or movies he was enjoying.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re new to these columns I would recommend starting with The Polysyllabic Spree. It’s the first collection and my personal favorite. If you already love them then this one is a must for you!
“Yes, it’s the job of artists to force us to stare at the horror until we are on the verge of passing out. But it’s also the job of artists to offer warmth and hope and maybe even an escape from lives that can occasionally seem unendurably drab.”
“There have always been relentless and empty-headed self-promoters, although in the good old days we used to ignore them, rather than give them their own reality show.”
“Maybe the best thing to do with favorite films and books is to leave them be: to achieve such an exalted position means that they entered your life at exactly the right time, and precisely the right place, and those conditions can never be re-created.”
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LibraryThing member murderbydeath
I'd been in the mood for a book about books and started reading The World Between Two Covers, but it's turning out to be more a thesis of, than ode to, reading, so I switched to a sure thing and picked up Nick Hornby's third collection of columns from the Believer magazine.
Shakespeare Wrote for
I still highly recommend it and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the fourth collection; perhaps after his self-imposed hiatus he'll be back in top form.
Shakespeare Wrote for
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Money covers two years, from 2006-2008, and purports to be the last one, as Hornby left the Believer after his September 2008 column. As it turns out the leave was temporary, as I already own his fourth collection, but this one does seem to lack the enthusiasm that over-flowed from the first two books. It was still highly entertaining and thought-provoking, but there was a hint, in comparison, of a going through the motions.I still highly recommend it and thoroughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the fourth collection; perhaps after his self-imposed hiatus he'll be back in top form.
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LibraryThing member eenee
I love books about books and reading. Nick Hornby has a sweet and funny way of talking about books and life- perfect reading for fiction nerds.
LibraryThing member Lindsayg
Everything this man writes entertains me. This is the third and final compilation of his column "Stuff I've Been Reading" in which he lists the books he buys each month and the books he actually reads. In comparing the lists he talks, not only about the books, but about the process of being a
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reader: how he chooses books and what they have to do with his own life. I particularly enjoyed this collection because after having written a young adult novel and attended an ALA conference Hornby "discovered" young adult fiction. He says it was if he'd suddenly found a whole room in the book store he didn't know about with all these amazing titles in it. At one point he decides he might only read Alex Award winners from now on, (a yearly award presented to adult novels that will also appeal to teens) suggesting the award could be re-named "The excellent AND NOT BORING award". I'm sorry there won't be any more of these books, I've loved this whole series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Fiddleback_
Always fascinating reading his readings.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
200 p.; 5.4 inches
ISBN
1934781290 / 9781934781296