This is a fun book about books, reading about reading. Three great pieces of advice: don't feel you have to finish every book. If in 50 pages you aren't hooked, put it down and try another. Listen to audio books. They recapture some of the time lost in our busy, mobile society. Join a book group. Fellowship in books broadens our understanding and perspective. Each of these bits of advice are covered in chapters all their own, which is fine, but a bit of overkill. On the whole, I found the Little Guide more encouragement than enlightenment, which is fine. I think that's all it was meant to be. I am newly emersed in a desire to read more and get more out of it. I feel my life is impoverished when I am not reading several books at once. This, as I take it from Leveen, is a good thing. Finally, I appreciate his perspective on my library full of unread books. It is a kitchen full of food, at hand when I am hungry. By all means read this book if you find yourself under-understood by those who do not delight in books. ( )

I really didn't like this book that much, but I want to be fair to it: if you are a middle-aged rich person who hasn't read much in the past, really wants to read more, and likes a lot of hand-holding advice, then this is the book for you! Okay, that sounded snotty. Here are some things about the book that I liked:

1. The quotes from other authors who have written about reading were extensive and nicely chosen.

2. It reminded me of the SQ3R method for reading comprehension, which gave me some nostalgic glee (although I have never ever had the patience to apply this method to anything).

3. He has some interesting hints here and there, particularly about annotating your books.

4. The idea is good, and Leveen is obviously an earnest guy who really is excited about reading -- and if it gets other people to read more, then I'm all for it.

[full review here: http://spacebeer.blogspot.com/2009/03...] ( )

Delightful ( )

Do you remember the Levenger Catalog of tools for readers? This small book by the co-founder of Levenger is what in 2006 started me keeping a journal of my reading. The sub-title is "How to get more books in your life and more life from your books" and his mission is to help readers get more from their passion and help lapsed readers rediscover that passion. He talks about a wide range of reading selections, including fiction and non fiction, classics and the latest best seller and books about books. He discusses how to discover the books that will be meaningful to you, how to get the most from your reading including summarizing books when you’ve finished them (hence the journal), and how to share with others your passion for books. He encourages you to keep the books that “spoke” to you so you can refer to them again. He also allows you to consider your "junk reading" (for me that would be mysteries and Georgette Heyer) as legitimate which really helps my yearly book total!

I love to read books about books and books that suggest other books to read. This one fits both categories so made a good first entry in my Reading Journal. I refer to it periodically, especially during “dry” periods, as I progress with this very personal and not very well organized adventure journaling my reading. ( )

What sounded like a nice little how-to turned out to be a source for truly new insights into my reading life. This book is a series of simple ideas to help the avid reader make decisions on what to read, what not to read, when to give up on a book, and how to retain more of what you read.

I read this book three years ago, and have employed many of the ideas in my everyday reading, including a reading journal. I don't write in my books, but now I createa page or three of notes as I read each book. This alone has really added to my enjoyment, retention, and ability to find the common threads in what I am reading.

highly recommended for any serious, lifetime reader.

Os. ( )