The Polysyllabic Spree -- Dewey's review

Cross-posted at my blog. This was one of Athena's books.

This book really reminded me of a blog. Nick Hornby, an author whose fiction I enjoy, had a column in The Believer, called "Stuff I've Been Reading." The Polysyllabic Spree ia collection of those columns. There's a list for each month of what books he bought, which books he read (not always the same as what he bought), excerpts from books, and his musings about the books and the reading life.

There's a sequel, Housekeeping vs. The Dirt, more collected columns.

Someone put a list of all the books Hornby bought and read September 2003 to August 2004 at Wikipedia. Thanks, list-happy person!

I recommend this book for people who liked So Many Books, So Little Time and Book Lust. For me, the most interesting thing about the book was reading Hornby's comments on books I've read. I'm sure that for some people, reading this book would make the ol' wishlist grow, but I mostly skimmed when he talked about books I haven't read.

Although I liked the book, I think that rather than buying Housekeeping Vs. The Dirt, I'll just read Hornby's columns.

The Polysyllabic Spree

The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

I want to have Nick Hornby over for dinner! I loved this book!

I had the same kind of kindred spirit reaction that I did to 84 Charing Cross Road. I'd assumed I'd like it, as I've liked his books, and I was right. This is what I'd hoped So Many Books, So Little Time would be like. It seemed to be more about the books, somehow, even when he was talking about what had happened in his life, SMBSLT seemed like the other way around. He discussed the books he'd bought, the ones he'd read (often not the same ones at all) and how some books led to others - an author's work might lead to a biography of that author, or vice versa. But he did it a a funny (so funny!), approachable way. I was impressed that he'll read just about anything, from biographies of sports heroes to the letters of Anton Chekhov, with lots of novels in between.

My favourite sentence was: "...after a lifetime of reading, I can officially confirm that readers' writers beat writers' writers every time." Right on, brother!

What I learned about Athena: The she has great taste in authors and a great sense of humour! Thanks so much for recommending it - I can't wait to read the next one, Housekeeping vs the Dirt!

(As always, my full, ramling review is here.)

The Polysyllabic Spree

The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

143 pages

Rating: 4/5

It was Athena who picked The Polysyllabic Spree as a book that describes her. She's right when she says that this is not your average collection of book reviews. The book is a collection of monthly essays that Nick writes every month for The Believer magazine. Every month Nick starts out by telling the reader what books he's bought and which one he ended up reading. I'm the same way. I buy, trade, or check out books every month, but a lot of them I don't get to. I don't feel guilty about it. Sooner or later, I'll probably read them.

Nick Hornby writes like he talks and you end up feeling like you're having a conversation with a new friend instead of reading a book. He has such a passion for books and life. Becoming a father again or being an avid soccer fan doesn't stop him from reading, but he shows us that reading isn't everything. It's close, but you still need a life. The Polysyllabic Spree is a short read that will give you many book recommendations and have you wanting to subscribe to The Believer magazine.

Book One Read - Thanks Athena!

I just finished reading The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby that was nominated by Athena. I absolutely loved it and have put up a review here

Thanks lots Athena, I liked your list in general having read Peter Pan and Anna Karenina previosuly and enjoyed them both. I need to see if I can find your original post saying why you picked this book. If you didn't say please let me know so I can learn why you put it on your list.

***Edited to add review***

Rating : 5/5
Reason for reading : Something About Me Challenge and he is my favourite author

This is the first of two books (I got the American versions as it has only just been published in the UK in one edition but I couldn't wait that long!) by Nick Hornby which collect his essays from an American magazine called "The Believer". He keeps track every month of the books he has bought as well as those he has read. There are mini reviews within his essays as well as some excerpts from books he has read that month along the way.

What can I say, I LOVED this book! It's perfect for me, it's a book about books by one of my all time favourite authors so what's not to love?!? I love his writing style, very funny and insightful. It was interesting to learn a little more about his life in general. I knew one of his sons was autistic (I only found out recently though through buying another book he has edited "Speaking with the Angels") and that he is part of an organisation in the UK called Treehouse related to this, but it was intersting to hear his take on the books on autism out there and little details of his son.

The other good things about this book was I got some great recommendations on books for me as well as a book I want to buy my dad's wife for her birthday on a week or two. He also gave great validation for buying so many books, he confesses to not listing all the books he buys as some months it's an obscene number! He includes a great quote from Gabriel Zaid's "So Many Books":"the truely cultured are capable of owning thousands of unread books without losing their composure or their desire for more."

I can't wait to read the next one. Thanks Athena for giving me a push towards getting around to reading this!