The Book Collector: Reading and Living with Literature

by Tony Eyre

The Book Collector is a fascinating bibliomemoir of the writer’s lifetime joy of reading, the books and authors that have touched him, and how they have shaped his passion for book collecting.
Step into his library, where the book is ‘a tangible object of sentiment and delight’ and experience his fondness for New Zealand literature as well as a great many of the world’s most celebrated writers. Then follow this wandering bibliophile as he takes you on a personal journey of search and discovery to second-hand bookshops around Aotearoa New Zealand and further afield, to the community book fairs and charity shops, and into the online world of books.
The Book Collector is an enjoyable and thoroughly engaging read, packed full of stories, personal observations, useful information and splashes of humour, inviting the reader to further explore what our often neglected New Zealand literature has to offer.

Genres: Books About Books

276 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 2023

Reviews

[Em's Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always thought the idea of reading a "book about books" to be a strange one. But two years ago I read a childhood memoir of reading which renewed my hunger for books, so when my Dad told me that his friend Tony had published such a book. I decided to give it a go.

This book makes one want to rush out to the nearest bookstore and stock up their personal library. And I am guilty of having diverted my parents to the nearest second hand-Arcadia books in Port Chalmers (which gets a special mention in the memoir) and stocking up on an E.Nesbit and other classics. Thanks to Tony I found a nostalic copy of short stories that my Grandad had given me when I was little and being not old enough to appreciate it, had given away.
I found it fascinating to read so much history about my hometown (Dunedin), and the bookstores in it, some which I still shamefully haven't visited.

This book is truely a treasure for the book lover and collector, a pleasure to read. Here is someone who, like me, appreciates not only the book held in one's hands- wear and tear from years of use, but the marvellous process that this book went through to come into being. I too, like to contemplate the hours the literary process goes through and give thoughts to the time the author spent writing and editing the work in my hands. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I brought another copy for my Dad's birthday (today incedently)! Happy reading!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!!! My hardback book just arrived in Australia, & it’s an art piece in my hands.
So lovingly crafted & such a celebration & advocate for secondhand bookshops & readers alike
The writing is witty, crafted beautifully and it is hard to put down. One to ponder & read slowly however as brings up so many memories of one’s own reading history & first loves in literature.
Congratulations Tony!

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly interesting but not enough focus on the actual books. Too much waffle about the authors life and personal relationships, tedious name dropping and bragging about his travelling, also plugging various second hand bookshops. Disappointing.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!