The Happy Reader - Issue 2

The Happy Reader #2

by Penguin Classics

A fabulously sprawling chat with the artist and rock star KIM GORDON, and an investigation of an intoxicating, century-old read, THE BOOK OF TEA.

Genres: Books About Books, Nonfiction, 21st Century

62 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, providing readers with a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. We focus on bringing together the best of the past and the future, using cutting-edge design and production as well as embracing the digital age to create unforgettable editions of treasured literature. Penguin Classics is timeless and trend setting. Whether you love our familiar black-spine series, our Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions, or our Penguin Enriched eBook Classics, we bring the writer to the reader in every format available.

Reviews

[Akylina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this 'bookish quarterly', as its creators very aptly like to call it, not very long ago and I decided to purchase an older issue to deccide whether I like it or not. Well, simply put, I loved it.

It came in a simple and neat white package with a red stripe and even the package itself had this distinctly wonderful smell of freshly pressed paper. I fell in love even before opening it. The Happy Reader is divided in two parts. The first one consists of an interview with a bibliophile and the second one is an extended presentation of a Penguin classic. Now, I chose this specific issue precisely because its second part was about Okakura Kakuzo's 'The Book of Tea' and as a Japanophile but also adorer of this book, I just had to have this issue in my collection.

Overall, The Happy Reader left me a very good first impression. It is a rather short read of 60 pages, but I felt like every page was filled with bookish adoration and excitement. I loved the topics of this issue, as it gave me a lot of new things to research and find out out about and I also (no matter how silly it sounds) adored its smell. You can rarely go wrong with Penguin.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new literary magazine (it's only the 2nd issue). I came across the first issue by accident when I was idly browsing in Foyles on the Charing Cross Road late last year. It describes itself as a 'Bookish Quarterly' and basically divides itself into two parts. The front part of the magazine is an interview with someone famous and discusses their reading habits (last issue was Dan Stevens and this one is Kim Gordon) whilst the back part is a series of short essays inspired by (but not always directly about) a particular book. It's only a slim read (approximately 60 pgs) and I picked it up mainly for the interviews rather than the essays. There are so few magazines about reading that I hope it manages to find an audience (it's backed by Penguin). I liked it enough to subscribe after the first issue anyway...If you like the Slightly Foxed Quarterly you'll probably like this...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The tea-break is our way of approaching a state of nirvana - and I'm being serious in my use of the word here: sitting with a cup of tea means the cessation of all desire, all dissatisfaction." /Nicholas Lezard

This issue was even more enjoyable than the last. Great book, film and music recomendations (especially "The Book of Tea" which I am really looking forward to reading soon). Also have a strong desire to visit the Jardin des Tuileries sometime in my life. All in all - a great reading experience!

[Dioni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second half is a great accompaniment to Kakuzo Okakura's The Book of Tea. It's a treat for any tea lovers really.

The first half - the interview with Kim Gordon - I'm less enthusiastic about. I didn't know her prior to reading, and apart from her not reading much recently, the interview focuses more on biography - specifically music biography (Kim's new book Girl in a Band was about to come out). I'm really not a fan of interview/talk/event with self-promotion tie-in. Maybe I'm a bit harsh. Kim's or music fans would probably like this issue more.

[Austra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lai gan saruna ar Kimu Gordoni bija teju tikpat fascinējoša kā ar Ītenu Hauku, un man tā vien gribējās, lai tā turpinātos vēl un vēl, otrā daļa par tēju man kkā neaizgāja. Bet tik un tā superīgais žurnāls. Ai laikī!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this away on holiday to read. A very pleasant read.

[Mairita (Marii grāmatplaukts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tagad zinu kā tēju dēvē Lielbritānijas cietumos.