Ruined by Reading: A Life in Books (original 1996; edition 1997)

This is a book that I expected to like more than I ultimately did. It seemed like two books: one book is about reading books and the impact of that reading on one's life, and the other is about the obsessions of a young girl with books like Little Women and The Little Princess. The latter aspect of this book I found interesting as a sociological or psychological statement about young girls but not as a statement about the nature and impact of reading. We all have our obsessions as readers and some, like those of the author, started at a young age. I have read and reread books like Jane Eyre and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland my whole life, but they have changed as I have grown and matured, just as my interest in books has changed.
Ruined by Reading provides an interesting narrative introduction to reading a variety of books. For those, like myself, who enjoy reading books about books that would be recommendation enough. The discussion of the importance of style and the difference between books in which style is preeminent and those that rely on plot and perhaps an exciting character or two is informative. But I cannot say the same about the digressions into details of some books which are of marginal interest or discussions of movie versions of books that the author has not read.
In spite of these aspects of this short book I did enjoy reading about the impact of reading on the author's life even if I found that it was neither ruinous nor enchanting. ( )

A long essay about Ms. Schwartz' life of books. Sometimes interesting, and some great book recommendations, but no chapter breaks, and there was quite a bit of bouncing from subject to subject. It was a good read, but not as well put together as I would have liked. ( )

When I this at the Friends of the Library booksale, one of my favorite quotes (from Louisa May Alcott) came to mind, "She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain."

There were many times the narrative struck close to home -- I too am a book addict, and would be a member of readers anonymous, were there such a group. Some bookish habits and delights the author and I share, while we branch out a bit on others. My parents were also People of the Book, (though I did tire of that refrain a bit), and my children learned early on that though I might say no to an impluse buy of Power Rangers or My Little Pony, I would probably never refuse them a book.

Despite our shared love of books, what I liked best about this volume were the glimpses into the world of Brooklyn that my mother and grandmother inhabited. We have our own family stories about iceboxes and the stoops of brownstones. She also brought to mind my earliest memories, mostly centered around reading and books. Maybe someday, I'll write it all up so that others can stumble upon the stories at a booksale, and awaken a loving, lingering walk through memories of People of the Book. ( )

I am a bibliophile, an unrepentant booklover, so I was really looking forward to this book. I was disappointed. Not only did Schwartz reveal very little about herself, it also seemed we didn't read many of the same kinds of books. Frankly, we just didn't "connect." There was a lot more about Heidi and A Little Princess than I ever wanted to know. If you want a good book about books and reading and an excellent memoir at the same time, try Wendy Werris's An Alphabetical Life. As a "book about books" this one simply didn't work form me. ( )

This was an okay read for me. Had some insightful thoughts and okay storytelling of her life but nothing seemed to jump out and make me want more. Did learn about about 30 other books I would like to read from this though which made it worthwhile. ( )