Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Little, Brown US (2012), Hardcover, 272 pages
Description
"The books that we choose to keep-let alone read-can say a lot about who we are and how we see ourselves. In THE IDEAL BOOKSHELF, dozens of leading cultural figures share the books that matter to them most-books that define their dreams and ambitions and in many cases helped them find their way in the world. With colorful and endearingly hand-rendered images of book spines by Jane Mount, and first-person commentary from all the contributors, this is a perfect gift for avid readers, writers, and all who have known the influence of a great book"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member Copperskye
Contributers (authors, actors, designers, chefs, photographers, journalists, film makers, architects – a nice mix) were asked what books would make up their ideal bookshelf – books they’d read again or had changed their life or one that they loved or had made them cry - and this is the
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beautiful result. Each participant speaks as to why they chose the books they did, and then the facing page is a charming illustration by Jane Mount of the spines of those books. Anyone who enjoys looking at their host’s book case or can’t help turning their head sideways at any bookshelf they pass, will love this book. Getting to know people through their books isn’t new but it is interesting to see what titles some cultural icons find to be important to them. There is a short bio in the back which helps identify some of the people I was unfamiliar with. It’s an interesting, eclectic mix of creative personalities and the books that are a part of their lives. Perfectly delightful and would make a great gift for any book lover. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatyBee
This is a beautiful book to pick up anytime, to have on a coffee table, to just own! It's perfect for anyone who loves to read or talk about favorite books or believes in the strong impact a book can have on a person's life. The artwork is very appealing and the contributors are interesting.
LibraryThing member joyce.adams.50
This book is about the effect our favorite books can have on our life and shareing them with others. It is so interesting peeking into other people's lives thru the books they read. Great illustrations too. I also found out I have read many of the books that others have read and enjoyed hearing
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what they thought of those same books. AMUT READ! Show Less
LibraryThing member alienhard
File under Coffee Table Books for Lit Geeks. My one complaint is the choice of celebrities: most seem to be culled from the author's friends at Harvard, while the non-literary types include a heavy dose of '90s-era rockers and chefs. I guess it would have been nice to see more variety in those
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picked. That said, I love the concept, the drawings, and through reading it, I was introduced to several great books (hello, Jesus' Son!) In all, thumbs up. Show Less
LibraryThing member Silvernfire
I had a hard time getting into this book. I think it was because I'd never heard of most of the contributors, and wasn't that interested in most of the ones I was familiar with. Still, it was a cool idea for a book, I picked up a great quote about creativity, and some of the answers were
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insightful, interesting, fascinating, etc. Show Less
LibraryThing member jMitty
Beautifully illustrated with mostly thoughtful, funny, at times puzzling reviews from authors, designers, artists, musicians and book lovers -all. Enjoyed it...
LibraryThing member MartinBodek
What a marvelous idea, and what an endeavor it must have been to bring the idea to fruition. Much kudos for the obvious effort undertaken. The book delivers on its promise, to gain insight into the thought processes of the highly creative. I feel cheated by a single failure though: Malcolm
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Gladwell's shelf was filled with books that were research for his latest book project. He was not properly instructed, and I gleaned nothing from his shelf. One thing is clear though: I must read Lolita, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Middlemarch. I'm on it. Show Less
LibraryThing member mirikayla
I was surprised by how few of these people I knew (and by how many of them were chefs... It seemed to be a disproportionately large number, but maybe that's just me). Some of the stories were great, but mostly I loved looking at the shelves themselves, and the way the titles were painted. I love
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fonts, and seeing them painted instead of printed added another element of beauty to them. Show Less
LibraryThing member BethEtter
This is an amazing book I happened upon on the display at the library. The authors asked famous musicians, artists, chefs, etc to choose what books they would have on their all-time-must-have book shelf. The choices are amazing. I got to the middle of the book before I found one that I own. Does
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that mean I have horrible taste or they do? Each blurb about the books is accompanied by a beautiful watercolor painting of the books on the shelf. It's a must see (must own?) for a book lover. Show Less
LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
I usually read this kind of book to get recommendations about new-to-me authors and books which sound interesting. The premise here is that the author asked prominent people in their fields (primarily the arts I think), what books they have or would like to have on their shelf. There is a painting
The paintings are lovely. However, the books for the most part consist of books relating to the individual's profession (i.e. graphic design, architecture, etc.) and/or books that are familiar to us all, including classics like Jane Eyre. I was mightily disappointed.
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of that shelf and a brief discussion of the books and their owners.The paintings are lovely. However, the books for the most part consist of books relating to the individual's profession (i.e. graphic design, architecture, etc.) and/or books that are familiar to us all, including classics like Jane Eyre. I was mightily disappointed.
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LibraryThing member SESchend
Fascinating read about what books make people tick and/or inspire them. Broad range of interesting interviewees led to many more books for the to-read pile
LibraryThing member deldevries
Interviews about meaningful books and artistic rendering of covers on a shelf. Easy to pick up and find interesting details.
LibraryThing member poppycock77
I skimmed through this book, because of the way it's designed. It's filled with one page sections written by well-known artists, designers, writers, etc. about their favorite books. On the opposite page is an illustration of their favorite books stacked up in various positions. While reading it, it
I plan on revisiting this book again when I'm looking for new books read. On this first go round, I kept goodreads open and added books to my "to read" list as I went.
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gives you a sense that you're perusing their bookshelves to see what they've got...something I do in every home I visit. I plan on revisiting this book again when I'm looking for new books read. On this first go round, I kept goodreads open and added books to my "to read" list as I went.
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LibraryThing member mpultroon
What's not to love about a book like this? Nothing reveals a soul like being able to spy on someone's book shelves. Better yet if they provide a summary of their choices. Simple concept beautifully executed.
LibraryThing member LibroLindsay
Having an obsession for staring at people's bookshelves, I found this collection thoroughly gratifying. This is a really cool mix of authors, artists, musicians, designers, doctors, chefs, and more giving a nod to some of their favorite books (and what books and writing mean to them) with an
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accompanying illustration of the bookshelf by Jane Mount. My only wish is that there were discussions of all the books displayed...I found some collections particularly intriguing and would have loved to read just why each book made it onto the shelf. (And I've totally got to photocopy the sample shelf at the back of the book so I can make my own bookshelf!) Show Less
Language
Physical description
272 p.
ISBN
0316200905 / 9780316200905
Local notes
Dozens of leading cultural figures share the books that matter to them most-books that define their dreams and ambitions and in many cases helped them find their way in the world. With colorful and endearingly hand-rendered images of book spines by Jane Mount.