Author: Grant Snider
Publisher: Abrams ComicArts
Genre: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, Humor
Source: Library
My Review:
I had not heard of Grant Snider before this book. Once I saw this cover I HAD to read this book. I love that it is a hardcover book and that it has that little square cut out where the guy's face is. It just adds to the fun.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. I also appreciated that the comics are in color. This book is divided into sections based on the "I confess" page, which is a creative way of doing the table of contents.
My husband started reading a few pages in this book and declared that he had to have it. He felt that it was written for me. This book puts me in mind of Book Love by Debbie Tung, which I LOVED. However, I feel that my husband is right. While this book is full of sarcasm and wit (which I love), I wasn't quite getting it in this book. There was some making fun of popular sayings and rephrasing them. I did get a few giggles out of the book, but I didn't love it. I wanted to but it wasn't quite for me.
I do think it's a book that all book lovers will enjoy to a certain extent. Maybe guys will enjoy it more than ladies or maybe I was having an off day, anything is possible.
★★★/5
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
A look at the culture and fanaticism of book lovers, from beloved New York Times illustrator Grant Snider
It’s no secret, but we are judged by our bookshelves. We learn to read
at an early age, and as we grow older we shed our beloved books for new
ones. But some of us surround ourselves with books. We collect them,
decorate with them, are inspired by them, and treat our books as sacred
objects. In this lighthearted collection of one- and two-page comics,
writer-artist Grant Snider explores bookishness in all its forms, and
the love of writing and reading, building on the beloved literary comics
featured on his website, Incidental Comics. With a striking package
including a die-cut cover, I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf is the perfect gift for bookworms of all ages.
It does look like a fun book. Maybe you are on to something about guys enjoying the humor more than ladies...
ReplyDeleteGretchen, it is a fun book, just more geared toward guys, I think.
DeleteI'll have to see if my library has a copy of this one. (Because I do sometimes judge people by the books they do, or do not, read.)
ReplyDeleteLark, it's hard not to, right?!
DeleteBooks about books can be hit or miss for me. But, I'm glad you enjoyed this overall.
ReplyDeleteMy bookshelves are half the size they used to be, as I'm downsizing. More than half of my books have been given away, sigh! What does that say about me?
ReplyDeleteHarvee, It says you are doing what you have to do and only keeping your favorites :)
DeleteI read this book as soon as it came out because I always enjoy Grand Snider's comics on the social website. I am not male but I absolutely loved it. But, like you I also loved Debbie Tung's Book Love.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I absolutey Judge You by Your Bookshelf. Not about the content but about the fact whether you have one or not.
However, if this is not for you, it's not for you. There are plenty of other cartoons around like this.
Marianne, I had not heard of him but would read his comics. I also would judge by whether someone has a bookshelf or not. It is hard to understand why so many people don't like to read!
DeleteDefinitely. I get it if someone lends all his book from a library, especially if they don't have the money or space but I know plenty of people who never even look into a book. Everyone who comes to our house always say "you have SO many books". Yes.
DeleteI got this book from the library and I liked it so much that I got a Kindle copy of it!
ReplyDeleteDeb, that's awesome.
DeleteI borrowed this from the library, and it was a lot of fun. I'm debating getting myself a copy... and maybe one for my sister, too.
ReplyDeleteI borrowed this one from the library too. My husband wants to own a copy as well :)
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