Where Books Fall Open: A Reader's Anthology of Wit & Passion

by Bascove

This is a book about books, about the pleasures, passions, and rewards of reading, about authors dedicated to writing and readers who delight in words in the right order. It contains a rich selection devoted to this seductive subject, from Calvino's meditation on selecting a title in a bookstore to Woolf's essays on the joys of "the common reader," from Schwartz's "Ruined by Reading" to Eco's "How to Organize a Public Library." The book is illuminated by sixteen full-color paintings by Bascove, who here serves as editor, illustrator, and primum mobile. Produced to the highest standards, it is not only a gift for the literary, but also an inducement to the diffident.

Genres: Books About Books, Nonfiction, Poetry, Writing, Essays

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and charming. A kaleidoscopic lullaby of a read. Enjoyed as a bedside companion

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow. This reminds me why I fell in love with reading. Other people understand that feeling of excitement and pure magic by being enraptured with a story and transported into another world, all from a physical set of paper pages. Different authors share different experiences with reading and their love for books and it's incredibly beautiful and moving. I am so glad I came across this book. *Sigh* this makes my soul happy. I can tell that this is one book I will reread several times throughout the rest of my life.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better writers than I give a clear, beautiful voice to their relationship with books--MY relationship with books--that I always felt but never could articulate. If you love reading and writing, you will nod your head and exult, "That's it! They nailed it! Why couldn't I write that?"

A collection of some of the English language's finest writers that somehow makes you feel like friends around a dinner table.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun collection of essays, poetry and the like, all of it related to books or writing. Interspersed with the writings were reading-related pictures painted by Bascove. Like most collections, some selections were more enjoyable than others. Many of the authors are familiar to me - Billy Collins, Donald Hall, Calvin Trillin, Elizabeth Barret Browning, Steve Martin. There are poems by two Polish poets that I have heard Ellen mention, Wislawa Szymborska and Czeslaw Milosz. Because of her liking of the two, I was happy to read selections of their poetry.

Not to be missed are two selections by Steve Martin and Calvin Trillin. Martin's A Word from the Words from his book Pure Drivel is hilarious! He talks of words as if they were people - tired common words like the pronouns and transitive verbs, exciting words, and words that can be used in different situations. How creatively funny can one person be? Trillin's Sign Writing is funny, too, but in a different way. Would you think it would be difficult for someone who writes for a living to make a simple sign? Apparently it is for Trillin.

I was delighted to see that Rita Dove's poem, Maple Valley Branch Library, 1967 was included in the book. It has been a favorite of mine since I first read it years ago.

This was a nice change of pace from reading novels and books of non-fiction. Thanks, Ellen, for the cool Christmas gift!

[Faith-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book--perfect for an airplane ride. It reads really quickly & is a joy.

[Ryan Mulrooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What is it about reading?" :)

[Rachel Kopel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearing the decks here for the library Adult Summer Reading Program. *Fun, it's not just for kids anymore is my motto.*

The first book I have read is great for setting the scene, a very nice collection of short pieces and many poems about books, writing, and being a reader. And lovely illustrations in a WPA painting style. A great start to my summer reading

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about books & reading. Such an unexpected pleasure, stumbled upon at the River Oaks Bookstore. Plus some stunningly beautiful full color illustrations by the masterful painter Bascove. What a discovery.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great read by the pool throughout the summer.

[Mary Kinietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great quotes, poems and essays with original paintings by Bascove.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of poems, quotes and essays, all about the art of writing and the joy of reading. This anthology was brought together by the artist Bascove, whose stunning artwork is used throughout the book in full color. I loved having this book by my bedside, to pick up and put down in the evenings. A thoughtful, eclectic collection of classic and modern writers that all share a passion for books!

[Harrison Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with the works of Bascove, the anthology presents a collection of essays and poetry (mainly poetry) about the joy and comfort of reading. The collection includes many authors unfamiliar to me, but also has a trove of classics (Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, Audre Lorde, Marcel Proust, and many more). The selections are often quite abbreviated, sometimes unfortunately so.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been part of my personal library for two decades. From time to time, I have read a poem or passage, but this is the first time I read it in its entirety in a single sitting. The art is gorgeous. A beautiful tribute to the love and beauty of books.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read of poems, essays, and paintings on the pleasures and celebration on reading. Quick light read.

[Amanda Del Brocco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say. This was really just a collection of text about books. Some I liked, other stuff I did not care for.

[Mary]

Wonderful anthology for book lovers

[Wan Ni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of poetry, alas.