I love books. I don’t think that needs any explanation, because if you’re reading this, you love books too. No doubt, kindred spirits we. One of my largest collections is even Books About Books, which confuses some folks– but not you loyal reader. I’ve noticed a trend too in my reading and collecting too– I’m really interested in other people’s books. I guess it’s that constant search for the next thing that will blow my mind. That obscure author, that forgotten book that needs a champion. And I like knowing there are people much like me, or at least what I imagine myself to be, out there.
That’s why I love books like At Home With Books, and The Library at Night by Alberto Manuel, and others besides. It’s also why I love the Legacy Library project at LibraryThing.com. Being able to virtually browse shelves that usually no longer exist is akin to reading a book. It’s like strolling in the mind of someone else for a moment, especially when we can know what the owner thought of the book– or what they wanted us to believe they thought of the book. If that makes sense.
So, I recently discovered Stacked Up: Writers Show off their Shelves, which is exactly what it sounds like. Short interviews with writers and some of their books. Just wonderful, though a bit too NYCentric to be truly invigorating. I just don’t get that worked up over THE BIG DEAL that is NYC. Give me space, keep your crowds! But, NYC is where a LOT of writers live, so I can’t be too cranky about it. Hopefully the Stacked Up folks will one day be able to get off the little island and out into the real world. Anyway, go enjoy these things Book Folk– you’re not alone.
I think I am going to look for copies of those two books by Mr. Manuel. Thank you for this intriguing post!
Thanks for the nice write up about our show, Stacked Up! We are an independent production, so we are shooting close to home … for now, but we expect to be branching out in the very near future. (We'd love to go cross country and interview a writer in each state.) More to come. — Jennifer from the Stacked Up TV Team.
My favorite book about books: USED AND RARE by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone. I'm going to assume you've read it. I reread it all the time. There's just something about their love and interaction with books and book people that I find fascinating.
I am definitely going to check on Stacked Up!