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Start Here: Read Your Way Into 25 Amazing Authors
There are so many fantastic authors and great books out there that sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Start Here solves that problem; it tells you how to read your way into 25 amazing authors from a wide range of genres--from classics to contemporary fiction to comics.
Each chapter presents an author, explains why you might want to try them, and lays out a 3- or 4-book reading sequence designed to help you experience fully what they have to offer. It’s a fun, accessible, and informative way to enrich your reading life.
A wide array of writers, critics, and bloggers offer their expertise and passion for these authors to help you get started reading authors you’ve always wanted to try.
Includes chapters by Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) on Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) on Bernard Malamud, Linda Fairstein (The Alexandra Cooper Series) on Edgar Allan Poe, and Kevin Smokler (Practical Classics) on Sherman Alexie.
Also includes chapters on reading your way into:
Margaret Atwood
Jane Austen
Ray Bradbury
Italo Calvino
Philip K Dick
Charles Dickens
E.M. Forster
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ernest Hemingway
Zora Neale Hurston
John Irving
Stephen King
Cormac McCarthy
Herman Melville
Arthur Miller
Alice Munro
Haruki Murakami
Richard Russo
Zadie Smith
David Foster Wallace
Colson Whitehead
Each chapter presents an author, explains why you might want to try them, and lays out a 3- or 4-book reading sequence designed to help you experience fully what they have to offer. It’s a fun, accessible, and informative way to enrich your reading life.
A wide array of writers, critics, and bloggers offer their expertise and passion for these authors to help you get started reading authors you’ve always wanted to try.
Includes chapters by Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus) on Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) on Bernard Malamud, Linda Fairstein (The Alexandra Cooper Series) on Edgar Allan Poe, and Kevin Smokler (Practical Classics) on Sherman Alexie.
Also includes chapters on reading your way into:
Margaret Atwood
Jane Austen
Ray Bradbury
Italo Calvino
Philip K Dick
Charles Dickens
E.M. Forster
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ernest Hemingway
Zora Neale Hurston
John Irving
Stephen King
Cormac McCarthy
Herman Melville
Arthur Miller
Alice Munro
Haruki Murakami
Richard Russo
Zadie Smith
David Foster Wallace
Colson Whitehead
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2012
77 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 3, 2013
My tendency is to read the same types of books, again and again. It's not that I'm unaware of the existence of other genres. I know that there are a host of wonderful authors just waiting to be discovered, and a zillion "best book" lists out there. I want to be in the know, and to broaden my literary horizons. It's just that I don't want to slog through mountains of information to find the good stuff - I need guidance.
This book fulfilled my need perfectly. It sticks to twenty-five stellar authors, many of whom I've heard of but never read, and some of whom I'd never heard of (clearly, I'm unhip). Each chapter helped to get me interested in something new, and told me what to expect along the journey. For authors I already know well, I think that the advice was spot on.
Often the suggestions ease you into the author's work to prepare you for more challenging and rewarding things to come. Other times, the order helps you get maximum enjoyment from a best-loved work by introducing you to the author's style and themes first; priming the pump, as it were. What a nice way to go. I can't wait to dive in.
This book fulfilled my need perfectly. It sticks to twenty-five stellar authors, many of whom I've heard of but never read, and some of whom I'd never heard of (clearly, I'm unhip). Each chapter helped to get me interested in something new, and told me what to expect along the journey. For authors I already know well, I think that the advice was spot on.
Often the suggestions ease you into the author's work to prepare you for more challenging and rewarding things to come. Other times, the order helps you get maximum enjoyment from a best-loved work by introducing you to the author's style and themes first; priming the pump, as it were. What a nice way to go. I can't wait to dive in.
February 11, 2013
Kat's Review
I started this guide thinking that it contained short passages or partial chapters from each author's most famous piece of work, designed to give the reader a taste of what the author brings to the table. Instead, the book reads more like a series of book recommendations one would receive from a good friend who is passionate about a particular author. The recommendations are personal, and written in a tone that makes one feel as though they are learning something not only about the authors being recommended, but the writer doing the recommending. Rather than listing the author's works in order and providing a short summary, the chapters offer insight into why the author is bring recommended and what the writer found particularly captivating about those stories.
There is something here for everyone. Although American authors are well-represented, they are joined in good company by authors from other countries, including Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, two Canadian authors worth their weight in gold. The guide encourages readers to go back and re-read books from high school or university that they may not have appreciated at the time. This struck a cord with me. I read Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale in high school and in my 16 year old arrogance thought it was unrealistic and dumb. I read it again a few years later and was chilled to the bone by just how plausible the storyline really was. I was able to connect the dots between her fictional world and the very real ways in which the themes of the book were playing out in the world around me. This guide encourages readers to do just that: go back and look at an author in a new light, or pick up a book from an author you may have been avoiding for whatever reason.
The chapters are short and concise, and at just 100 pages this is a book that one can read front to back in a flash. The true usefulness of the guide comes, however, from being a short reference book to be consulted again and again when searching for something new to read, or when wondering where to start with a particular author. I will be giving Italo Calvino a go, and reading the latest Alice Munro book that I picked up but have yet to open.
Rating
My traditional rating system doesn't really apply here, as this book isn't so much a good read the way a novel would be, but it certainly is a good resource. It's perfect for anyone looking to expand their reading list, or curious as to what all the fuss is about the authors included in this book. Highly recommended.
I was provided a copy of the book for review from the editors.
I started this guide thinking that it contained short passages or partial chapters from each author's most famous piece of work, designed to give the reader a taste of what the author brings to the table. Instead, the book reads more like a series of book recommendations one would receive from a good friend who is passionate about a particular author. The recommendations are personal, and written in a tone that makes one feel as though they are learning something not only about the authors being recommended, but the writer doing the recommending. Rather than listing the author's works in order and providing a short summary, the chapters offer insight into why the author is bring recommended and what the writer found particularly captivating about those stories.
There is something here for everyone. Although American authors are well-represented, they are joined in good company by authors from other countries, including Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, two Canadian authors worth their weight in gold. The guide encourages readers to go back and re-read books from high school or university that they may not have appreciated at the time. This struck a cord with me. I read Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale in high school and in my 16 year old arrogance thought it was unrealistic and dumb. I read it again a few years later and was chilled to the bone by just how plausible the storyline really was. I was able to connect the dots between her fictional world and the very real ways in which the themes of the book were playing out in the world around me. This guide encourages readers to do just that: go back and look at an author in a new light, or pick up a book from an author you may have been avoiding for whatever reason.
The chapters are short and concise, and at just 100 pages this is a book that one can read front to back in a flash. The true usefulness of the guide comes, however, from being a short reference book to be consulted again and again when searching for something new to read, or when wondering where to start with a particular author. I will be giving Italo Calvino a go, and reading the latest Alice Munro book that I picked up but have yet to open.
Rating
My traditional rating system doesn't really apply here, as this book isn't so much a good read the way a novel would be, but it certainly is a good resource. It's perfect for anyone looking to expand their reading list, or curious as to what all the fuss is about the authors included in this book. Highly recommended.
I was provided a copy of the book for review from the editors.
January 17, 2013
The Must Have Reading Guide
As a Book Riot fan, when they posted about this book, I IMMEDIATELY went on to amazon and bought it. The site is always full of great stuff for book lovers so I knew it would be absolutely stupid of me not to buy the book!
This is a very useful book to those who don't read that much and for people who are avid readers! As the title indicates, it's a starting point to reading book from different genres. I love the authors they've picked because while these authors are well known, they're not necessarily the authors people most talk about.
There are so many great things about this book! The fact that they've got different people to write about the various authors, which shows that it's a compilation of many peoples' recommendations which is more than you can get from people around you. The little background info on each author makes it more appealing to read their works. Plus, there is a method to the recommendations made, which is, again, more than you can get from a friend.
As a Book Riot fan, when they posted about this book, I IMMEDIATELY went on to amazon and bought it. The site is always full of great stuff for book lovers so I knew it would be absolutely stupid of me not to buy the book!
This is a very useful book to those who don't read that much and for people who are avid readers! As the title indicates, it's a starting point to reading book from different genres. I love the authors they've picked because while these authors are well known, they're not necessarily the authors people most talk about.
There are so many great things about this book! The fact that they've got different people to write about the various authors, which shows that it's a compilation of many peoples' recommendations which is more than you can get from people around you. The little background info on each author makes it more appealing to read their works. Plus, there is a method to the recommendations made, which is, again, more than you can get from a friend.
January 31, 2013
This was fun. It was like reading a lot of quick-hitter reviews, with solid arguments defending the order of the choices. As with any reviews, I wouldn't fall lock-step with virtually anyone in terms of where to start, but I did find the suggestions interesting. When this idea first came up on Book Riot, I started the Charles Dickens chain, and it was a good idea.
Most of the authors that I've already read, I have begun with the magnum opus, because I love giant books. But when I recommend books to people of different time/attention spans, I will make them more similar to what was seen here. So, for example, I read Infinite Jest first, but I have recommended to multiple people to start with the essay collections. Much better to slowly pull people into the same thrall you experience, rather than frightening them away.
I am marking this read, but feel like it will continue to be useful as I explore other artists. Italo Calvino's reading pathway looked particularly interesting.
Most of the authors that I've already read, I have begun with the magnum opus, because I love giant books. But when I recommend books to people of different time/attention spans, I will make them more similar to what was seen here. So, for example, I read Infinite Jest first, but I have recommended to multiple people to start with the essay collections. Much better to slowly pull people into the same thrall you experience, rather than frightening them away.
I am marking this read, but feel like it will continue to be useful as I explore other artists. Italo Calvino's reading pathway looked particularly interesting.
March 5, 2015
I originally only gave this "book" 3 stars, but I'm amending that. It's certainly not the most riveting read of all time (even for a junkie of books-on-books, as I am), but I find myself referring to both "Start Here" volumns ALL THE TIME.
Whenever I've enjoyed an author, I check Book Riot to see what else they recommend from the author.
Useful, quick read. I hope they continue to publish more of these guides.
Whenever I've enjoyed an author, I check Book Riot to see what else they recommend from the author.
Useful, quick read. I hope they continue to publish more of these guides.
May 25, 2017
Essentially this book is basically a few pages about 25 different authors with recommendations for the first through third thing you should read by each author. Well, I've been at this awhile and finally finished up. After Book Riot came out with the two volumes of this, I thought it would be fun to read the first recommendation for all fifty authors.
The best thing about these books was the diversity among the authors chosen; I didn't realize how many of the authors I read were white males until I underwent this project. The worst thing is that none of the sections were terrible in depth, and some of the recommendations were a bit on the weird side (which I'll get into separately). Also, a few of the authors haven't really published much work. For example, I enjoyed the Zadie Smith book but I probably would have picked an author with more titles as being worthy of inclusion here.
Here's how I'd break up the first twenty five:
Excellent recommendation, Can't wait to read more by the Author:
Sherman Alexie - "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven"
Italy Calvino - "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler"
Neil Gaiman - "Smoke & Mirrors"
Ernest Hemingway - "A Farewell to Arms*" (This was the second book recommended by Start Here, but I already owned it and wanted an excuse to read it.)
John Irving - "The Cider House Rules"
Herman Melville - "Benito Cereno"
Alice Munro - "The Secret Lives of Girls and Women"
Haruki Murakami - "Norwegian Wood"
Richard Russo - "Straight Man"
Glad I read it, Not Sure if I'd Read More:
Margaret Atwood - "The Handmaiden's Tale"
Ray Bradbury - "The Martian Chronicles"
Philip K. Dick - "The Eye in the Sky" (I've ready plenty of Philip K. Dick previously; I've really enjoyed a few of his books, others not so much. This wasn't one of my favorites.)
Zora Neale Hurston - "The Gilded Six-Bits*" (This was the 2nd story listed, but I hadn't been enjoying the non-fiction essays by the other people listed so I skipped to this one.)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "Memories of my Melancholy Whores"
Cormac McCarthy - "All the Pretty Horses"
Arthur Miller - "All My Sons"
Bernard Malamud - "The Assistant"
Zadie Smith - "On Beauty"
Colson Whitehead - "Sag Harbor"
Poor recommendation for first book:
Charles Dickens - "Oliver Twist" (This book is really full of over the top coincidences, and plot twists. By far my least favorite Dickens story I've read.)
Stephen King - "It" (I thought this book was great, up until a plot point that **Spoiler alert** was basically gangbanging a 12 year old to save the day. I'd recommend something like 'Salem's Lot' or their second choice, 'The Shining' before I'd recommend this one to a King newbie.)
Edgar Allen Poe - "The Raven" (It's a nice poem, one of his iconic short stories is probably more representative of the bulk of Poe's best writing.)
David Foster Wallace - "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" (I enjoyed the title essay, but hated most of the rest of it as pretentious writing to the Nth degree. I'm also not a huge fan of starting out with essays by fiction writers.)
Didn't like, probably wouldn't read more
Jane Austen - "Sense and Sensibility"
E.M. Forster - "A Room With a View"
Overall, I had more fun with the idea of this book than actually reading it. That being said, I'm glad I got it for the book recommendations, and would buy more in the series if they made them.
The best thing about these books was the diversity among the authors chosen; I didn't realize how many of the authors I read were white males until I underwent this project. The worst thing is that none of the sections were terrible in depth, and some of the recommendations were a bit on the weird side (which I'll get into separately). Also, a few of the authors haven't really published much work. For example, I enjoyed the Zadie Smith book but I probably would have picked an author with more titles as being worthy of inclusion here.
Here's how I'd break up the first twenty five:
Excellent recommendation, Can't wait to read more by the Author:
Sherman Alexie - "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven"
Italy Calvino - "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler"
Neil Gaiman - "Smoke & Mirrors"
Ernest Hemingway - "A Farewell to Arms*" (This was the second book recommended by Start Here, but I already owned it and wanted an excuse to read it.)
John Irving - "The Cider House Rules"
Herman Melville - "Benito Cereno"
Alice Munro - "The Secret Lives of Girls and Women"
Haruki Murakami - "Norwegian Wood"
Richard Russo - "Straight Man"
Glad I read it, Not Sure if I'd Read More:
Margaret Atwood - "The Handmaiden's Tale"
Ray Bradbury - "The Martian Chronicles"
Philip K. Dick - "The Eye in the Sky" (I've ready plenty of Philip K. Dick previously; I've really enjoyed a few of his books, others not so much. This wasn't one of my favorites.)
Zora Neale Hurston - "The Gilded Six-Bits*" (This was the 2nd story listed, but I hadn't been enjoying the non-fiction essays by the other people listed so I skipped to this one.)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez - "Memories of my Melancholy Whores"
Cormac McCarthy - "All the Pretty Horses"
Arthur Miller - "All My Sons"
Bernard Malamud - "The Assistant"
Zadie Smith - "On Beauty"
Colson Whitehead - "Sag Harbor"
Poor recommendation for first book:
Charles Dickens - "Oliver Twist" (This book is really full of over the top coincidences, and plot twists. By far my least favorite Dickens story I've read.)
Stephen King - "It" (I thought this book was great, up until a plot point that **Spoiler alert** was basically gangbanging a 12 year old to save the day. I'd recommend something like 'Salem's Lot' or their second choice, 'The Shining' before I'd recommend this one to a King newbie.)
Edgar Allen Poe - "The Raven" (It's a nice poem, one of his iconic short stories is probably more representative of the bulk of Poe's best writing.)
David Foster Wallace - "A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again" (I enjoyed the title essay, but hated most of the rest of it as pretentious writing to the Nth degree. I'm also not a huge fan of starting out with essays by fiction writers.)
Didn't like, probably wouldn't read more
Jane Austen - "Sense and Sensibility"
E.M. Forster - "A Room With a View"
Overall, I had more fun with the idea of this book than actually reading it. That being said, I'm glad I got it for the book recommendations, and would buy more in the series if they made them.
February 7, 2013
I’d Recommend to: Basically everyone in my fictional and non-fictional universes
My Review:
Well done, Book Riot. I’ve seen a handful of organizations put out products, and this is the first one I’ve purchased that is just a brilliant representation of the community. This isn’t a rehash of content already on the site with a few “new” bits thrown in (though Book Riot did have some cool “author pathways” posts leading up to this). You’ve got authors writing about authors, and you can feel the love. As an avid book enthusiast, both reading and writing them, that just makes my heart smile.
This is a short, easy read, folks. No excuses, read like a champion. I mean, even if you read only one author pathway a day, you’d knock this out in less than month. The sections are well-written, and they’re organized as the section author chose – sometimes in a list, sometimes an essay.
I got a lot out of Start Here – some of my favorite authors on the list (as evidenced by my Book Confessions post), and there were some books I haven’t read yet (Stephen King’s It is a memorable one). Likewise, there are a few authors in whose works I’ve dabbled, but I honestly don’t know where to go next (ahem: McCarthy, Munro, Whitehead). Embarrassingly, there were some authors I’ve never encountered (sigh: Alexie); happily, I expanded my book knowledge and there’s a new author friend I get to go out and meet (through books, not stalking).
The Bottom Line:
Just read it. If you love books, just read it. If you want to read more but don’t know where to start, just read it. If you are constantly looking for new authors/books to add to your TBR pile, just read it. Seriously: Just. Read. It.
From: http://erinmjustice.com/2013/02/04/bo...
My Review:
Well done, Book Riot. I’ve seen a handful of organizations put out products, and this is the first one I’ve purchased that is just a brilliant representation of the community. This isn’t a rehash of content already on the site with a few “new” bits thrown in (though Book Riot did have some cool “author pathways” posts leading up to this). You’ve got authors writing about authors, and you can feel the love. As an avid book enthusiast, both reading and writing them, that just makes my heart smile.
This is a short, easy read, folks. No excuses, read like a champion. I mean, even if you read only one author pathway a day, you’d knock this out in less than month. The sections are well-written, and they’re organized as the section author chose – sometimes in a list, sometimes an essay.
I got a lot out of Start Here – some of my favorite authors on the list (as evidenced by my Book Confessions post), and there were some books I haven’t read yet (Stephen King’s It is a memorable one). Likewise, there are a few authors in whose works I’ve dabbled, but I honestly don’t know where to go next (ahem: McCarthy, Munro, Whitehead). Embarrassingly, there were some authors I’ve never encountered (sigh: Alexie); happily, I expanded my book knowledge and there’s a new author friend I get to go out and meet (through books, not stalking).
The Bottom Line:
Just read it. If you love books, just read it. If you want to read more but don’t know where to start, just read it. If you are constantly looking for new authors/books to add to your TBR pile, just read it. Seriously: Just. Read. It.
From: http://erinmjustice.com/2013/02/04/bo...
November 12, 2017
An excellent introduction to a variety of notable authors. This little book not only suggests the authors, but more importantly, the order in which you should read their work. For instance, if you want to try my favorite author, Gabriel García Márquez, don't start with One Hundred Years of Solitude! Start with his novella Memories of My Melancholy Whores, progress to Love in the Time of Cholera which is "a typical love story told in an atypical way", and then tackle One Hundred Years of Solitude for a heavy dose of magical realism.
I added several new authors to my TBR list and will try yet again to read Moby Dick after tackling Melville's novella Benito Cereno and short story "The Piazza" (The Piazza Tales by Herman Melville, Fiction, Classics, Literary).
I added several new authors to my TBR list and will try yet again to read Moby Dick after tackling Melville's novella Benito Cereno and short story "The Piazza" (The Piazza Tales by Herman Melville, Fiction, Classics, Literary).
January 18, 2013
A good road-map for readers looking to get into authors' work. The chapters are all short, the reading lists as well (usually no more than 3 or 4 books leading from an accessible work to one that is considered a "magnum opus"). Tone varies between writer but most have a wonderfully earnest tone - they are each writing about beloved authors and the enthusaism shows.
I asked Rebecca why Toni Morrison wasn't included (since I was expecting a chapter from her on one of her favorite authors) - apparently the author list was voted on at the Book Riot site (I must have missed that) so here's hoping for a follow-up edition!
Note: Kit Steinkeller thinks one should start with It if one is looking for an "in" to Stephen King - I disagree vociferously. I read It and didn't read any more Stephen King for an entire decade. I hated it. A lot. Skip it and start with her second recommended novel, The Shining.
I asked Rebecca why Toni Morrison wasn't included (since I was expecting a chapter from her on one of her favorite authors) - apparently the author list was voted on at the Book Riot site (I must have missed that) so here's hoping for a follow-up edition!
Note: Kit Steinkeller thinks one should start with It if one is looking for an "in" to Stephen King - I disagree vociferously. I read It and didn't read any more Stephen King for an entire decade. I hated it. A lot. Skip it and start with her second recommended novel, The Shining.
January 28, 2013
START HERE: READ YOUR WAY INTO 25 AMAZING AUTHORS is a fantastic guide to approaching potentially intimidating literature. The book, edited by Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Joines Schinsky of the great site Book Riot, is a collection of essays from contributors who each champion the work of a different author.
Every essay offers a reading sequence through three or more of the author's works. A best known or most ambitious novel isn't always the best starting point, so there's a suggestion for a first book that serves as the ideal introduction, then a progression for continuing that will provide a solid foundation. The reading pathways take various approaches, with some building toward a major work and others offering samples from different parts of a wide-ranging career.
It's a wonderful idea, and it's very well executed. The START HERE page at Book Riot lists the 25 authors featured and includes ordering links.
I'm planning to use START HERE as part of the basis for my 2013 reading, though I have plenty else to read, so I don't expect to get through all 25 authors. Anyone want to join me in this project?
Every essay offers a reading sequence through three or more of the author's works. A best known or most ambitious novel isn't always the best starting point, so there's a suggestion for a first book that serves as the ideal introduction, then a progression for continuing that will provide a solid foundation. The reading pathways take various approaches, with some building toward a major work and others offering samples from different parts of a wide-ranging career.
It's a wonderful idea, and it's very well executed. The START HERE page at Book Riot lists the 25 authors featured and includes ordering links.
I'm planning to use START HERE as part of the basis for my 2013 reading, though I have plenty else to read, so I don't expect to get through all 25 authors. Anyone want to join me in this project?
January 24, 2013
The lovely people at Book Riot put this gem together to help readers navigate their way through the work of 25 authors.
There are a few authors on the list that I have already read all of the mentioned books. That list includes; Jane Austen, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, E.M. Forster, and Edgar Allan Poe. I think that with each of these authors the suggested books are a great snapshot of their work.
There are other authors that I have read almost all of the work mentioned, like Ernest Hemingway, Neil Gaiman, Richard Russo and John Irving. With each of these authors I either learned a new tidbit about their lives or was encouraged to pick up another book they’ve written.
The authors I was the most excited about were the ones that are completely new to me and the ones I’ve heard about for years, but have never managed to read. Most are intimidating authors that I’ve never really known where to start. I’m hoping to try one by Italo Calvino, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Haruki Murakami this year and I’m grateful to have a place to begin.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re curious about finding new authors this book is a must. Someone else has already done the hard work for you. All you have to do is pick up the suggested books and start reading!
There are a few authors on the list that I have already read all of the mentioned books. That list includes; Jane Austen, Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, E.M. Forster, and Edgar Allan Poe. I think that with each of these authors the suggested books are a great snapshot of their work.
There are other authors that I have read almost all of the work mentioned, like Ernest Hemingway, Neil Gaiman, Richard Russo and John Irving. With each of these authors I either learned a new tidbit about their lives or was encouraged to pick up another book they’ve written.
The authors I was the most excited about were the ones that are completely new to me and the ones I’ve heard about for years, but have never managed to read. Most are intimidating authors that I’ve never really known where to start. I’m hoping to try one by Italo Calvino, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Haruki Murakami this year and I’m grateful to have a place to begin.
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re curious about finding new authors this book is a must. Someone else has already done the hard work for you. All you have to do is pick up the suggested books and start reading!
March 1, 2014
Book Riot's Start Here series is fun to read both because of the promise of book recommendations (because having more books to read is always a positive thing) as well as figuring out whether or not some of the Rioter's recommendations match with yours for a particular author (because if they cover your favorite author the reviewer better agree with you as to what books are the best!).
The reading pathways vary greatly between which blogger is writing the chapter, from straight up reading sequences to ones with branches depending on the reader's preferences. The variety with which the chapters are written keep this from being too formulaic over 25 whole authors, and between his volume and the next, my reading list has grown tremendously, especially with respect to Haruki Murakami, who I've been wanting to read for a while but genuinely did not know where to start.
The first volume contains reading recommendations for:
Margaret Atwood
Jane Austen
Ray Bradbury
Italo Calvino
Philip K Dick
Charles Dickens
E.M. Forster
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ernest Hemingway
Zora Neale Hurston
John Irving
Stephen King
Cormac McCarthy
Herman Melville
Arthur Miller
Alice Munro
Haruki Murakami
Richard Russo
Zadie Smith
David Foster Wallace
Colson Whitehead
The reading pathways vary greatly between which blogger is writing the chapter, from straight up reading sequences to ones with branches depending on the reader's preferences. The variety with which the chapters are written keep this from being too formulaic over 25 whole authors, and between his volume and the next, my reading list has grown tremendously, especially with respect to Haruki Murakami, who I've been wanting to read for a while but genuinely did not know where to start.
The first volume contains reading recommendations for:
Margaret Atwood
Jane Austen
Ray Bradbury
Italo Calvino
Philip K Dick
Charles Dickens
E.M. Forster
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Ernest Hemingway
Zora Neale Hurston
John Irving
Stephen King
Cormac McCarthy
Herman Melville
Arthur Miller
Alice Munro
Haruki Murakami
Richard Russo
Zadie Smith
David Foster Wallace
Colson Whitehead
April 24, 2018
The project sounds interesting, and when the price of the e-book dropped, I picked up this and the sequel: Start Here, Volume 2: Read Your Way Into 25 Amazing Authors.
The pieces here are breezy, but I can't say I was turned on to anything unexpected, or forced to reconsider an author based on what these folks had to say.
The drawbacks of fanboy/fangirl reviewing are on full display here. "Read everything by this author. It's all amazing" is not a helpful guide to where to start. Not that all the pieces amount to this.
(It is of note that the most famous contributor, Joe Hill, has written one of the worst pieces here, on Bernard Malamud)
The pieces here are breezy, but I can't say I was turned on to anything unexpected, or forced to reconsider an author based on what these folks had to say.
The drawbacks of fanboy/fangirl reviewing are on full display here. "Read everything by this author. It's all amazing" is not a helpful guide to where to start. Not that all the pieces amount to this.
(It is of note that the most famous contributor, Joe Hill, has written one of the worst pieces here, on Bernard Malamud)
February 9, 2013
Good fast read. As an English major I could have done without the Melville, Austen and Dickens ( what, ho, Tale of Two Cities not even mentioned?!) as their work is covered everywhere, ad nauseum. The sections on Italo Calvino, Sherman Alexie, Cormac McCarthy, Haruki Murakami, and Colson Whitehead were great. I would have loved to have seen more, for instance Mark Helprin or Peter Matthiessen-- authors I hear about, but have no reading map for. On a technical note, the introductions were not properly formatted for my Kindle which was minor yet annoying. I'd love to see a similar project for the well read reader-forays off piste! ( I'd read all but 6 of the authors and many of them multiple titles.) I love Book Riot and looking forward to future offerings!
December 23, 2012
Interesting concept: there are some authors out there we've all wanted to read but have put off because we don't know where to start. This problem has been rectified in Start Here, which offers some helpful, straightforward guides. Each of the authors discussed features at least three books: a "start here", followed by the "and then" and finally, a "finish here". Compact tours through authors' oeuvres (why is this even a word too many vowels) that helpfully highlight major themes and topics of there work. Don't pass this up if you love books! :)
February 28, 2013
I love Book Riot; it's one of the websites I check daily. So when Book Riot did a Kickstarter to produce a book full of chapters similar to my favorite Book Riot series ("Reading Pathways"), I had to back it. I'm one of those people who is really into books, but not as well read as I would like to be. There are so many authors whose work I want to tackle, but I just don't know where to start. Start Here is great for this (also, Book Riot generally) -- each chapter suggests a starting point for tackling an author's work, and a recommended pathway for at least the first 3 or 4 works.
January 4, 2013
This is a helpful book for those who want to try new authors but do not know where to start. I am finding it extremely useful in my goal to read more books of substance this year. There are 25 different authors listed with the top three books that will help you take baby steps into their writing style. It is especially helpful when you are wanting to find someone who can give you book advice but none of your friends have read any of the books. I really like at the end of each suggestion where it lists whether any of the other books by the author are really worth reading or not.
January 4, 2013
This is a great way to be introduced to authors who you probably have already heard about but their body of work is so immense that you are unsure where is the right place to start.
I backed this project on Kickstarter and am delighted with the results.
Each of the listed authors have a chapter dedicated to them - written by someone who is an avid fan of that particular author. A brief bio, an introduction to their writing style / subjects - and then 3 or 4 books listed to get you immersed into the author.
I am about to Start on John Irving. Finally.
I backed this project on Kickstarter and am delighted with the results.
Each of the listed authors have a chapter dedicated to them - written by someone who is an avid fan of that particular author. A brief bio, an introduction to their writing style / subjects - and then 3 or 4 books listed to get you immersed into the author.
I am about to Start on John Irving. Finally.
January 29, 2013
I think what I enjoyed about this book so much was that for these authors, I've read at least one of their works (save for one which is on my to read pile), and having read them, I was better able to judge the quality or criticism in this book. I'd agree that a fair bit of vanity publishing is terrible, but this lovely little list book was wonderful, down to the "here's what you're getting yourself into with this work". Bookriot continues to do a wonderful job in the book blog world, and now I'll have this on my phone when I need a quality recommendation at the bookstore.
January 17, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book as much as I have enjoyed reading the books that are recommended! I hope this is only Volume 1. When the Kickstarter project was announced I jumped right on it and due to a delay in completion I began to become extremely suspicious and I verbalized that suspicion. If Vol 2 were to be in the offing, I would be first in line to donate. And to assuage my guilt I would increase my pledge. This is a job well done.
March 23, 2016
I got some good ideas for new authors and books to read which was exactly the purpose of this book. It was also fun to compare my opinion of the best book(s) by a particular author or the particular order in which those books should be read with this book's opinions. Jane Austen's Persuasion should be in her top three, not relegated after Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. For Whom the Bell Tolls doesn't even make the Ernest Hemingway list?
March 6, 2013
To put it simply, if you have been wanting to read a lot more of the classics but have been intimidated by the variety and depth available, this is the book for you. It provides a short list of recommended works by recommended authors, why they're recommended and how you should approach them. Perfect for students of any age, rank, or station.
January 12, 2013
Great book recommendations for a bunch of authors you've always wanted to read, know you should read, and/or may have been too intimidated to try. I added several books to my GoodReads queue based on picks in the book.
January 25, 2013
found this on the kindle daily deal. good write ups on suggested authors and best of their books. Re-familiarized myself with melville, atwood, dickens and others. good suggestion book for book clubs or vacation reading. one more book list of "to reads".
February 6, 2013
This book is quite useful in introducing readers to some canonical literary authors. It's short, it has good advice, and it does it what it purports to do. There's not much else to say about it. Pick up a copy!
March 25, 2013
This was a great book. Several contributors wrote brief essays about their favorite authors, introducing the reader to that particular author. I gleaned lots of good to-read suggestions from "Start Here" and I'll definitely be holding on to my copy!
January 8, 2013
This was a terribly helpful resource for lengthening my "to read" stack and discovering books I may have never even known existed. Highly recommended!
March 4, 2013
Interesting concept & helpful guide...glad I contributed to the Kickstarter to get this project funded.
January 15, 2013
A great tool showing how to approach the classics. I backed this on kickstarter, and after receiving the paperback copy yesterday, I'm extremely glad I did. So informative!
January 19, 2013
A perfect resource when you're wondering what to read next. It has a well-balanced collection of famous, familiar, obscure (imo), and seemingly-intimidating authors to pick from.
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