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Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers
Award-winning writer and teacher Sally Allen knows that good books don’t just draw us in; they talk to us, shape us, and transport us to times, places, and minds different from our own. In Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, Allen deftly weaves personal stories with fifteen thematized, annotated, and illustrated reading lists for what to read next. By sharing some of the treasures in her library and the secret lives they reveal, she gives us permission to embrace the shameless book lover inside each of us. Unlocking Worlds is a testament to how reading passionately—and compassionately—can unlock the world beyond our back yard. Celebrating books and those who read them, Allen shows how the solitary act of reading can be a powerful thread that creates community and connection. Thought-provoking and eloquent, Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers is a must-have for anyone who can’t leave the house without a book in hand.
246 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2015
1 person is currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 17, 2017
After thinking long and hard, I still can't make up my mind about this book.
Parts were definitely very interesting and thought provoking, parts were just s0-s0, and in some parts I really had to wonder 'why?'
I really have no idea what I was expecting......so I am not disappointed, perhaps merely bemused.
Thank you to Griffins wharf via NetGalley fro providing a digital ARC for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Parts were definitely very interesting and thought provoking, parts were just s0-s0, and in some parts I really had to wonder 'why?'
I really have no idea what I was expecting......so I am not disappointed, perhaps merely bemused.
Thank you to Griffins wharf via NetGalley fro providing a digital ARC for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
April 28, 2019
RATING: 4 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
What do I love more than books? Books discussing books! I enjoyed Sally Allen's look at her journey of reading. Allen is a writer and teacher...and a reader. With each of her points she shares her own personal story of reading. The fact that Allen keeps a book in her purse, makes her my kind of gal. Reading may start out as a solitary imaginative ride it can grow into a community activity by sharing words, ideas and connections. It is a hard book to rate as it give each reader their own insight. I enjoyed it, would read certain sections over again, I would recommend and buy this as a gift for book lovers so I would give it four stars.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
(Review Not on Blog)
What do I love more than books? Books discussing books! I enjoyed Sally Allen's look at her journey of reading. Allen is a writer and teacher...and a reader. With each of her points she shares her own personal story of reading. The fact that Allen keeps a book in her purse, makes her my kind of gal. Reading may start out as a solitary imaginative ride it can grow into a community activity by sharing words, ideas and connections. It is a hard book to rate as it give each reader their own insight. I enjoyed it, would read certain sections over again, I would recommend and buy this as a gift for book lovers so I would give it four stars.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
July 26, 2016
Unlocking Worlds is a book about books that will appeal to any bibliophile but could also be useful for encouraging more reluctant readers to pick up a book or two. Sally Allen talks very eloquently about her love of reading and books and adds little humorous anecdotes. There was a lot I could easily relate to: Don't ever leave the house without a book? Yup, definitely.
"Books and reading can be galvanizing forces for community and connection." Again, easy to agree with. Anybody who actively uses Goodreads or similar services will probably quickly relate to this statement.
Ms. Allen draws up 15 reading lists covering a good variety of themes. There are chapters on children's books, books about time and space travel, travelers' tales, books set in times of war, books exploring university life, novels about the American Experience as well as classic and contemporary British novels.
Some of the listings were a bit too obvious, for example, the "Reads for the Fall and Winter Holidays", and the section on British novels didn't deliver any surprises either. But I suppose reading lists like this are always going to be very personal. For example, for my part, I had no interest in the section on exploring "Russian Life before and after the Soviet Revolution" but I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on "Novels in Letters and Multiple Perspectives". There is sufficient variety here for everybody to find something interesting, and Allen's mini reviews of the books she has picked are appealing. It is very difficult to not add more books to your reading list once you have read Allen's summaries and analyses. I found some new books and I've also decided to prioritize some books that have been sitting on my shelves for ages. I also enjoyed the quotes about books and reading at the beginning of each chapter. So all in all, this has been a useful and enjoyable reading experience for me.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
"Books and reading can be galvanizing forces for community and connection." Again, easy to agree with. Anybody who actively uses Goodreads or similar services will probably quickly relate to this statement.
Ms. Allen draws up 15 reading lists covering a good variety of themes. There are chapters on children's books, books about time and space travel, travelers' tales, books set in times of war, books exploring university life, novels about the American Experience as well as classic and contemporary British novels.
Some of the listings were a bit too obvious, for example, the "Reads for the Fall and Winter Holidays", and the section on British novels didn't deliver any surprises either. But I suppose reading lists like this are always going to be very personal. For example, for my part, I had no interest in the section on exploring "Russian Life before and after the Soviet Revolution" but I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on "Novels in Letters and Multiple Perspectives". There is sufficient variety here for everybody to find something interesting, and Allen's mini reviews of the books she has picked are appealing. It is very difficult to not add more books to your reading list once you have read Allen's summaries and analyses. I found some new books and I've also decided to prioritize some books that have been sitting on my shelves for ages. I also enjoyed the quotes about books and reading at the beginning of each chapter. So all in all, this has been a useful and enjoyable reading experience for me.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 28, 2015
The minute I began to read Unlocking Worlds I knew I had found a kindred spirit. Sally Allen begins with an anecdote of how she brought along her current read (at the time Goldfinch) tucked in her purse as she went to meet a friend for coffee. You know, just in case her friend was late. That's me. That's a lot of us, right? I even bought a new purse recently based on the specs that I could fit a book in it.
Unlocking Worlds lives up to its name of being a companion to book lovers. Allen who has a PhD in English Education writes without airs, but with a true understanding of someone whose life is revolved around literature from early childhood onward. She writes about her discovery of book blogs and "how despite the illusion that reading is solitary, we readers are always in conversation--with books, of course, but also with other readers and critics." How true, hence the appeal of book blogging.
The book is divided into chapters that list books that touched her and made her reading experience memorable for various reasons. For example, Novels That Play with Time and Space, Books Set in Times of War, Books That Thrill, Chill and Keep You Guessing and so on. It was like being part of Allen's book club where she went into the reason she liked these books. I was intrigued. I made a list of books I now wanted to read because of what Allen discovered through them. She even includes a bibliography at the back of the book of all the books she mentions in her text.
Allen even addresses the issue all book lovers have, agony of not being able to read all the books we want. Who could understand such a thing but another book lover? The book is interspersed with quotes at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite is the one that summarizes the book:
"the great advantage of being a literary woman was that you could go everywhere and do everything."
- Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
Unlocking Worlds is the perfect gift for any book lover. It's such a pleasure to read and infuses you with warmth and nostalgia. Why nostalgia? Because as Sally is reminiscing about the books she's read as a child, teenager or adult you will inevitable do the same. Thank you, Sally, for telling the world why we love books so much.
Unlocking Worlds lives up to its name of being a companion to book lovers. Allen who has a PhD in English Education writes without airs, but with a true understanding of someone whose life is revolved around literature from early childhood onward. She writes about her discovery of book blogs and "how despite the illusion that reading is solitary, we readers are always in conversation--with books, of course, but also with other readers and critics." How true, hence the appeal of book blogging.
The book is divided into chapters that list books that touched her and made her reading experience memorable for various reasons. For example, Novels That Play with Time and Space, Books Set in Times of War, Books That Thrill, Chill and Keep You Guessing and so on. It was like being part of Allen's book club where she went into the reason she liked these books. I was intrigued. I made a list of books I now wanted to read because of what Allen discovered through them. She even includes a bibliography at the back of the book of all the books she mentions in her text.
Allen even addresses the issue all book lovers have, agony of not being able to read all the books we want. Who could understand such a thing but another book lover? The book is interspersed with quotes at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite is the one that summarizes the book:
"the great advantage of being a literary woman was that you could go everywhere and do everything."
- Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
Unlocking Worlds is the perfect gift for any book lover. It's such a pleasure to read and infuses you with warmth and nostalgia. Why nostalgia? Because as Sally is reminiscing about the books she's read as a child, teenager or adult you will inevitable do the same. Thank you, Sally, for telling the world why we love books so much.
November 27, 2015
A book for book lovers — especially those who love books about books and who don’t mind adding more titles to their ever-growing TBR lists. The book contains 15 thematic lists of books, such as “Novels in Letters and Multiple Perspectives,” “Novels About What Happens When Things Fall Apart,” and Books for Book Lovers.” I found it interesting to peruse the lists, and Allen's commentary adds a lot. She's very generous, more so than I would probably be in some cases, but her love of books and reading, along with her optimism and enthusiasm move my rating from 3 to 4 star. Of course, these are very personal lists and they omit many books that I’d have added. They also include a few that didn’t work for me. Obviously, most of us could compile our own lists of charming, cherished, or life-changing books. And maybe I should do that. But I’m also motivated to read quite a few of the titles Allen mentions, especially some of those outside of my usual comfort zone.
The book could have used an editor, though. The author has trouble with possessives (e.g., others's).
The book could have used an editor, though. The author has trouble with possessives (e.g., others's).
July 21, 2016
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This book is a book lovers paradise! A book about books is always something I will pick up and read and this one not only talks about the author's personal experiences with books and her love for the but has beautiful illustrations with quotes about books. If that wasn't enough, the author provides many recommendations across different genres with a brief synopsis about each book. This is one of those books that you can curl up with and identify with a fellow book lover. The feelings you get when reading, the smell of books, the urge to have a book next to you at all times. It's something that only a book lover could understand and it's all right here among these pages.
February 7, 2017
The name of my blog sort of gives it away. I read mostly FICTION. However, the exception that proves the rule is that I read non-fiction if the subject matter is books. With “Unlocking worlds” I felt that I met a kindred spirit in the author, Sally Allen.
She writes: “As much as it is a real place, the United Kingdom is a place in my imagination cultivated from years of reading British literature.” Wow! Did she say that, or did I think it? I am the daughter of a British war bride. My mother instilled in me a love of reading that obviously remains with me still. I grew up reading Rupert annuals that arrived as the very best Christmas presents from English relatives. From there my reading progressed to ‘The secret garden“, and the like. “Jane Eyre” is probably my MOST favorite novel. To this day I admit I prefer a novel set in the U.K.
“One task of fiction is to remind us of the virtues – of love and forgiveness, for example – and these can be portrayed just as well in an ongoing story of everyday life as they can on a more ambitious and more leisurely canvas.”
Allen writes about how the reading of fiction has progressed over the years. Once it was so looked down upon that people would say things like “It’s only fiction”, or “It’s ONLY a novel”. She expounds on the worthiness of classic literature while at the same time praising the more modern fiction and its merits. In particular she writes about authors such as Helen Fielding, Alexander McCall Smith, Zadie Smith, Jo Baker, Nick Hornby and Jill Mansell.
She writes about ‘books about books’ such as her own. Here she mentioned a few of my personal favorites “84 Charing Cross Road” and “The storied life of A.J. Fikry” among others.
“Discovering mutual understanding is one of the pleasures of reading books about the reading life.”
She admits to reading electronically but confesses that they cannot compare in one regard.
Years from now when historians look back at what people of our time were reading, their glimpses at our electronic documents will not have the same resonance as the heft of a real book.
Allen says of series fiction (in particular Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series) : “The best part about this literary feast is that, as it’s the first in a series, the adventures continue beyond the last page.”
She quotes Nina Sankovitch the author of “Tolstoy and the purple chair: my year of magical reading”: “Good books, illuminate universal human experiences, and, through this, connect readers across time, culture, and history.” “Reading provides us a way of connecting not only to friends and family but also to distant cultures, to the past, and to readers from around the world…”
This reminds me yet again about how fortunate I feel to be among a worldwide community of super-supportive book bloggers.
“Unlocking worlds” has also caused me to add several titles to my already gigantic TBR. I feel that the author has so many book favorites that correspond with mine, that those titles she mentions that I haven’t yet read – I must! One she mentioned was already on my TBR: “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour bookstore“. She suggests books for different times of year, in particular Halloween and Christmas.
She writes about how reading in public can lead to enthusiastic discussion with strangers and can in turn lead to a spontaneous moment of connection, not to mention, a book recommendation, exchange of ideas, or a new way of thinking.
Also, she writes about social media and how it has caused readers to become more connected. How readers like to look at pictures of books. Nowhere is that more evident than on Pinterest. I’m guilty of spending countless hours gazing on book jacket art, book quotes, and bookshelves of every shape and description.
She gives pointers on what to record if you want to maintain a reader’s journal. Also, she confesses that she never goes ANYWHERE without a book.
She says she has been known to be drawn to an arresting book cover. Whoops – has she channeled me again? My Cover Love series of blog posts prove that I am very guilty of the same…
Allen says that ultimately, every reader brings his or her own imagination to the task of envisioning literary characters and settings. This reiterates Edmund Wilson's quote: "No two persons ever read the same book".
The author, who lives in New England tells us that (like me) her favorite season is the autumn. She quotes Gustav Flaubert.
She wraps up her lovely little book with the lament that we must reconcile with the inevitable… We can’t read ALL the books. How do we deal with the anxiety about all of those unread books? It is one thing to reconcile ourselves to the unpleasant reality that we cannot read all the books that we want to – and quite another thing to reconcile ourselves emotionally.
In short, “Unlocking worlds” is a treatise on how reading enriches the life of the reader.
HIGHLY recommended for all bibliophiles and in particular…fictionophiles.
I received a digital copy of this book from Griffins Wharf via NetGalley.
She writes: “As much as it is a real place, the United Kingdom is a place in my imagination cultivated from years of reading British literature.” Wow! Did she say that, or did I think it? I am the daughter of a British war bride. My mother instilled in me a love of reading that obviously remains with me still. I grew up reading Rupert annuals that arrived as the very best Christmas presents from English relatives. From there my reading progressed to ‘The secret garden“, and the like. “Jane Eyre” is probably my MOST favorite novel. To this day I admit I prefer a novel set in the U.K.
“One task of fiction is to remind us of the virtues – of love and forgiveness, for example – and these can be portrayed just as well in an ongoing story of everyday life as they can on a more ambitious and more leisurely canvas.”
Allen writes about how the reading of fiction has progressed over the years. Once it was so looked down upon that people would say things like “It’s only fiction”, or “It’s ONLY a novel”. She expounds on the worthiness of classic literature while at the same time praising the more modern fiction and its merits. In particular she writes about authors such as Helen Fielding, Alexander McCall Smith, Zadie Smith, Jo Baker, Nick Hornby and Jill Mansell.
She writes about ‘books about books’ such as her own. Here she mentioned a few of my personal favorites “84 Charing Cross Road” and “The storied life of A.J. Fikry” among others.
“Discovering mutual understanding is one of the pleasures of reading books about the reading life.”
She admits to reading electronically but confesses that they cannot compare in one regard.
Years from now when historians look back at what people of our time were reading, their glimpses at our electronic documents will not have the same resonance as the heft of a real book.
Allen says of series fiction (in particular Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series) : “The best part about this literary feast is that, as it’s the first in a series, the adventures continue beyond the last page.”
She quotes Nina Sankovitch the author of “Tolstoy and the purple chair: my year of magical reading”: “Good books, illuminate universal human experiences, and, through this, connect readers across time, culture, and history.” “Reading provides us a way of connecting not only to friends and family but also to distant cultures, to the past, and to readers from around the world…”
This reminds me yet again about how fortunate I feel to be among a worldwide community of super-supportive book bloggers.
“Unlocking worlds” has also caused me to add several titles to my already gigantic TBR. I feel that the author has so many book favorites that correspond with mine, that those titles she mentions that I haven’t yet read – I must! One she mentioned was already on my TBR: “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour bookstore“. She suggests books for different times of year, in particular Halloween and Christmas.
She writes about how reading in public can lead to enthusiastic discussion with strangers and can in turn lead to a spontaneous moment of connection, not to mention, a book recommendation, exchange of ideas, or a new way of thinking.
Also, she writes about social media and how it has caused readers to become more connected. How readers like to look at pictures of books. Nowhere is that more evident than on Pinterest. I’m guilty of spending countless hours gazing on book jacket art, book quotes, and bookshelves of every shape and description.
She gives pointers on what to record if you want to maintain a reader’s journal. Also, she confesses that she never goes ANYWHERE without a book.
She says she has been known to be drawn to an arresting book cover. Whoops – has she channeled me again? My Cover Love series of blog posts prove that I am very guilty of the same…
Allen says that ultimately, every reader brings his or her own imagination to the task of envisioning literary characters and settings. This reiterates Edmund Wilson's quote: "No two persons ever read the same book".
The author, who lives in New England tells us that (like me) her favorite season is the autumn. She quotes Gustav Flaubert.
She wraps up her lovely little book with the lament that we must reconcile with the inevitable… We can’t read ALL the books. How do we deal with the anxiety about all of those unread books? It is one thing to reconcile ourselves to the unpleasant reality that we cannot read all the books that we want to – and quite another thing to reconcile ourselves emotionally.
In short, “Unlocking worlds” is a treatise on how reading enriches the life of the reader.
HIGHLY recommended for all bibliophiles and in particular…fictionophiles.
I received a digital copy of this book from Griffins Wharf via NetGalley.
August 29, 2020
First of all, what a terrible advanced copy this was. The book is basically a list of books with brief synopses and discussions of each, and in a few cases the book title is entirely missing. Which has no relevance to the book itself, since (I sincerely hope) it was fixed in the final edition, so – moving on.
It started out very well, with a paean to being a reader. The author evidently took a book to her best friend's eighth birthday party; I was known around that age to take one to a wedding. (In my defense, wedding receptions can be shockingly dull for a kid.) "When deep into a great book, a need possesses me to carry it with me wherever I go, never to let it stray too far from my thoughts or person." My Kindle – or my book, if I'm reading a "real" one – is never far from my side – I have a quote on my blog from Lemony Snicket: "Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them", which is how I live my life. I liked the quote from her professor about what makes Literature (it's subjective), and her own exploration of what makes a book good or bad for her. So this particular book should have been a joy.
For me, writing a negative review has several motives. First, in a few cases – a very few – then, yes, the author might see what I've said and, if they find anything valid, either revise the book or use the criticism to improve the next one. (Hope springs eternal, to coin a cliché.) Second, as I always say, putting a book out into the world for sale, asking people to spend money and time on it, had better mean that that book is the best it can possibly be – and when it isn't, I find it offensive. Third, a review is a mnemonic device of sorts for me, taking the place of my sometimes-nonextistent memory. Fourth, it's a way to help other readers with tastes similar to mine. If I thought a book was amazing, I want everyone to know about it and read it too – and it I thought it was horrible, I'd like to keep others from wasting that precious time and money. And, finally, yes, a review is just a place to jump up and down – with joy, if it's wonderful, or with disgust if it's terrible. A review is a way to vent.
Anyway.
This is not a negative review. It's not an overwhelmingly positive review, either, though, because while a book about books is never a bad idea … But I'm not entirely sure about the format. The author presents over a dozen themes, and lists her "must reads" for each, including synopses and a bit of discussion. Her choices do not entirely tally with what mine would be (she states that she doesn't read fantasy, which isn't a comment calculated to warm my heart – and it's also not entirely true, as she includes a fair number of sci fi and fantasy novels in her lists), and in fact I've never heard of a handful of them – but that's actually a good thing: behold how my wishlist has grown.
Best of all, there are bookish quotes throughout. The best of all possible book quotes:
"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes." – Desiderius Erasmus
Truth.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
It started out very well, with a paean to being a reader. The author evidently took a book to her best friend's eighth birthday party; I was known around that age to take one to a wedding. (In my defense, wedding receptions can be shockingly dull for a kid.) "When deep into a great book, a need possesses me to carry it with me wherever I go, never to let it stray too far from my thoughts or person." My Kindle – or my book, if I'm reading a "real" one – is never far from my side – I have a quote on my blog from Lemony Snicket: "Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them", which is how I live my life. I liked the quote from her professor about what makes Literature (it's subjective), and her own exploration of what makes a book good or bad for her. So this particular book should have been a joy.
[If] I write a bad review detailing everything wrong with a book, does this change the book itself? Is the author going to revise it based on my criticism and then re-release it? Well, no, obviously. So then who or what is actually changed by my criticism?
For me, writing a negative review has several motives. First, in a few cases – a very few – then, yes, the author might see what I've said and, if they find anything valid, either revise the book or use the criticism to improve the next one. (Hope springs eternal, to coin a cliché.) Second, as I always say, putting a book out into the world for sale, asking people to spend money and time on it, had better mean that that book is the best it can possibly be – and when it isn't, I find it offensive. Third, a review is a mnemonic device of sorts for me, taking the place of my sometimes-nonextistent memory. Fourth, it's a way to help other readers with tastes similar to mine. If I thought a book was amazing, I want everyone to know about it and read it too – and it I thought it was horrible, I'd like to keep others from wasting that precious time and money. And, finally, yes, a review is just a place to jump up and down – with joy, if it's wonderful, or with disgust if it's terrible. A review is a way to vent.
Anyway.
This is not a negative review. It's not an overwhelmingly positive review, either, though, because while a book about books is never a bad idea … But I'm not entirely sure about the format. The author presents over a dozen themes, and lists her "must reads" for each, including synopses and a bit of discussion. Her choices do not entirely tally with what mine would be (she states that she doesn't read fantasy, which isn't a comment calculated to warm my heart – and it's also not entirely true, as she includes a fair number of sci fi and fantasy novels in her lists), and in fact I've never heard of a handful of them – but that's actually a good thing: behold how my wishlist has grown.
Best of all, there are bookish quotes throughout. The best of all possible book quotes:
"When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes." – Desiderius Erasmus
Truth.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
July 20, 2016
I usually love books about books (Jo Walton's What Makes This Book So Great, Samantha Ellis's How To Be a Heroine, Nick Hornby's Stuff I've Been Reading, Nina Sankovitch's Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, Sara Nelson's So Many Books, So Little Time), so I was expecting to enjoy this. Unfortunately, it was simultaneously too personal and too broad – by which I mean the categories were too specific for the general reader (sections on the US, UK and Russia, but no other countries), but also the book selections were unsurprising (I would be surprised if anyone needs to be told to read A Christmas Carol or The Gift of the Magi at Christmas), and not particular enough to give a sense of the personality and reading taste of the author, as in Nick Hornby's or Jo Walton's books. The problem is that I don't understand the target audience for this book. It's simultaneously for people who love books, and people who don't know much about books. Does an avid reader really need to be recommended Northanger Abbey, High Fidelity or Bridget Jones's Diary? Is there really a bookworm out there who doesn't already know about Donna Tartt, Haruki Murakami or Alice Hoffman? But if you're not an avid reader, and don't know these authors, why would you want to read a book about books? There were a couple of books mentioned here I hadn't already heard of, and it was a light, easy read, so three stars for that. But overall, I gain more from my friends' GoodReads updates.
December 28, 2015
It's a good thing I purchased this book rather than borrowing it, because I left it full of dog-eared pages, copious underlining, and notes scribbled in the margins! This is a nonfiction book for book lovers. In Unlocking Worlds Sally Allen has provided a long list of (over 130) book recommendations based on her reading criteria, which are: Compelling Narrative Voice, Purposeful Shaping of Language, Purposeful Ambiguity, Emotional Truth, and Wholeness. These are books that resonated with her and she generously shares with other thoughtful readers.
Each entry features solid reasons a particular title makes for a good read and a personal note about how the book moved or enlightened her. The chapters are divided into different types of books and include titles about the reading life and other nonfiction books intended for avid book lovers like herself. One of the most entertaining chapters is on how to face that awful reality -- we just cannot read all the books out there!
In Unlocking Worlds I found several titles I'd already read, but I marked many others I intend to research further and will no doubt add to my overstuffed to-read list.
If you love books, you'll love this one.
Each entry features solid reasons a particular title makes for a good read and a personal note about how the book moved or enlightened her. The chapters are divided into different types of books and include titles about the reading life and other nonfiction books intended for avid book lovers like herself. One of the most entertaining chapters is on how to face that awful reality -- we just cannot read all the books out there!
In Unlocking Worlds I found several titles I'd already read, but I marked many others I intend to research further and will no doubt add to my overstuffed to-read list.
If you love books, you'll love this one.
December 6, 2016
Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers
by Sally Allen
Griffins Wharf
Literary Fiction, Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 02 Sep 2015
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Unlocking World's through the publisher and Netgalley:
Unlocking World's Points out that a book is a shared experience of a world. Books are portals to New World's and New Points of view.
We open books and begin reading for different reasons sometimes it's simply the need to relax that draws us to a book other times it's to understand our own past's or the past in general. And often books others deem as great may not hold my interest.
Books can help us understand emotional truth better.
Unlocking World's is a great gift idea for the book lover in your life.
Five out of five stars
Happy Reading.
November 24, 2015
Unlocking Worlds is a delightful book for the book lover. Writer, teacher, and book lover Sally Allen writes about reading and the love of books while also putting together 15 themed lists of great books with wonderful descriptions.
I learned by reading Allen’s thoughts and lists that not only is she a “bookworm,” but her taste in books also match mine. I loved reading her descriptions of books I have read and loved, but I also really loved her descriptions of books that I haven’t read yet. My copy of the book is literally stuffed full of colored bookmark sticker tags marking new books that I want to read for myself and also excellent suggestions that I believe my book club would also enjoy. Each chapter started with description of the overall theme before it listed each book with a brief description.
A great list for read this time of year is “Chapter 16: Reads for the Fall and Winter Holidays.” A new short story I want to read is by one of my favorite classic English authors, “Christmas at Thompson Hall” by Anthony Trollope. I also love Edith Wharton and will need to read Tales of Men and Ghosts next Halloween.
Sally Allen and I both share a love of British novels (Chapter 13). I have read many of her suggestions including Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, etc., but I have read High Fidelity by Nick Hornby or White Teeth by Zadie Smith. I know that we share a love for the same types of British novels and now I have some ones to try out!
I love “Novels that Play with Time and Space (Chapter 3)” and was surprised that I haven’t actually read any of the books in this chapter. I have plenty of new books from this chapter on my “to read” list including Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, and Landline by Rainbow Rowell among others.
I love one of the last chapters entitled “Reconciling with the Inevitable: We Can’t Read All Books.” I remember once having this discussion with my favorite English teacher and friend Mrs. Smith. Allen gives tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of reading such as keeping track of the books you read (I do with my blog), reading a book referenced in a book you just read, and reading a beloved childhood favorite. I love all of these tips and more that are included in the book. I also enjoyed her tip about author talks. She states that if you can’t attend them in person, you should listen to them on YouTube. I don’t know why I have never done that!
Perhaps my favorite part of the book was the ending where her young niece asks why she has a book in her handbag. She replies:
“’I always carry a book,’ I said.
There is really no explanation. I mean, at what point, exactly, had I been thinking I should pull out my book and read? While driving? While strolling at the campgrounds? While dining with four adults and three children at a restaurant? But still. I can never resist bringing a book with me. Of all the ‘essential’ items I’m likely to leave behind when rushing from my home – my mobile, my wallet, even my keys – I cannot recall ever forgetting to bring a book Just in case.”
I live in exactly this way myself with a book always on hand. Overall, Unlocking Worlds by Sally Allen is a love letter to readers everywhere. If you love books, you will love reading this book about reading, loving books, reading about great books to remember an old beloved book or find some ideas for a new read.
Book Source: Review Copy as a part of IRead Book Tours
This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2015/...
I learned by reading Allen’s thoughts and lists that not only is she a “bookworm,” but her taste in books also match mine. I loved reading her descriptions of books I have read and loved, but I also really loved her descriptions of books that I haven’t read yet. My copy of the book is literally stuffed full of colored bookmark sticker tags marking new books that I want to read for myself and also excellent suggestions that I believe my book club would also enjoy. Each chapter started with description of the overall theme before it listed each book with a brief description.
A great list for read this time of year is “Chapter 16: Reads for the Fall and Winter Holidays.” A new short story I want to read is by one of my favorite classic English authors, “Christmas at Thompson Hall” by Anthony Trollope. I also love Edith Wharton and will need to read Tales of Men and Ghosts next Halloween.
Sally Allen and I both share a love of British novels (Chapter 13). I have read many of her suggestions including Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding, etc., but I have read High Fidelity by Nick Hornby or White Teeth by Zadie Smith. I know that we share a love for the same types of British novels and now I have some ones to try out!
I love “Novels that Play with Time and Space (Chapter 3)” and was surprised that I haven’t actually read any of the books in this chapter. I have plenty of new books from this chapter on my “to read” list including Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, and Landline by Rainbow Rowell among others.
I love one of the last chapters entitled “Reconciling with the Inevitable: We Can’t Read All Books.” I remember once having this discussion with my favorite English teacher and friend Mrs. Smith. Allen gives tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of reading such as keeping track of the books you read (I do with my blog), reading a book referenced in a book you just read, and reading a beloved childhood favorite. I love all of these tips and more that are included in the book. I also enjoyed her tip about author talks. She states that if you can’t attend them in person, you should listen to them on YouTube. I don’t know why I have never done that!
Perhaps my favorite part of the book was the ending where her young niece asks why she has a book in her handbag. She replies:
“’I always carry a book,’ I said.
There is really no explanation. I mean, at what point, exactly, had I been thinking I should pull out my book and read? While driving? While strolling at the campgrounds? While dining with four adults and three children at a restaurant? But still. I can never resist bringing a book with me. Of all the ‘essential’ items I’m likely to leave behind when rushing from my home – my mobile, my wallet, even my keys – I cannot recall ever forgetting to bring a book Just in case.”
I live in exactly this way myself with a book always on hand. Overall, Unlocking Worlds by Sally Allen is a love letter to readers everywhere. If you love books, you will love reading this book about reading, loving books, reading about great books to remember an old beloved book or find some ideas for a new read.
Book Source: Review Copy as a part of IRead Book Tours
This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2015/...
November 25, 2015
FIRST IMPRESSION:
When I got the paperback in my hands, from the first sight, I was impressed by this book. The cover was clean, colorful and the title very apt. 'Unlocking Worlds' (and the author has given a beautiful explanation for it in her interview for us) is a book that will unlock many worlds for every reader. The printing and illustrations are excellent, even for the ARC I was provided with. The overall chapter placement was brilliant too.
REVIEW:
'Unlocking Worlds' is a book I would have to keep at the top of my bookshelf, always visible, always just in my reach. It is , in simple words, a reading companion. But I do not think it is limited to Book Lovers alone. It has the potential to make even those who don't prefer books take up and read them. The author, Sally Allen, has been a bookworm since her childhood (and she does tell us about this in a very well worded introduction) and uses her long years of experience with books to compile a very organised and neat book about books.
Books are, in my opinion, portals to exciting worlds of adventure and information. Any book lover will not feel bored or alone in any circumstance if they have a book in hand to read. Sally Allen has so generously given us a few worthy lists of books she has enjoyed over the years, and with them she has done every book lover a favor. All those who love books and are mostly found in the very unexpected of places with a book in hand, will relate to, and appreciate the words the author has shared with us.
A peek into a book lover's shelf would always be exciting, and the simple joy in finding about more books that maybe made an impression on someone else who appreciates it is a pleasure. Which is why this book is a treasure trove. It is a distilled version of the bookshelf of a bookworm, where she has carefully handpicked the books that she loved and those that made an impact on her. You may find books that you already know about, books that you never even knew existed, and those under appreciated books that you might have loved and not found anyone to discuss it with.
The contents are organised, with clear genre specifications (a feat unto itself, because it has never been easy to classify books under particular genres) and has a simple but alluring synopsis about what to expect from each book, not the one that is given in the respective covers, but one that comes from the author's personal experiences with the book. The language, not surprisingly, is great and the style in which the overall contents are presented is also clear and detailed. The book taught me, in addition to other things, how exactly a review should be. It must give enough information to entice the reader, while not revealing any spoilers, and still manage to bring out the best and worst of the books.
Unlocking Worlds is a great reading companion - an index for good books and a book that would be consulted often to know about more amazing books.
WHAT I LIKED:
The title, cover page and the concept
The illustrations, both on the cover page and inside the book. They add variety to the content, and make it much more interesting
The organisation of the book, in different genres. It looks clean and can be referred to at convenience and not necessarily in a linear order
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
There is not a thing I would change about this book - except maybe add more of it!
VERDICT:
A must have for every book lover. And even if you are not, this would very well make you one! A must have either way.
RATING: 5/5
When I got the paperback in my hands, from the first sight, I was impressed by this book. The cover was clean, colorful and the title very apt. 'Unlocking Worlds' (and the author has given a beautiful explanation for it in her interview for us) is a book that will unlock many worlds for every reader. The printing and illustrations are excellent, even for the ARC I was provided with. The overall chapter placement was brilliant too.
REVIEW:
'Unlocking Worlds' is a book I would have to keep at the top of my bookshelf, always visible, always just in my reach. It is , in simple words, a reading companion. But I do not think it is limited to Book Lovers alone. It has the potential to make even those who don't prefer books take up and read them. The author, Sally Allen, has been a bookworm since her childhood (and she does tell us about this in a very well worded introduction) and uses her long years of experience with books to compile a very organised and neat book about books.
Books are, in my opinion, portals to exciting worlds of adventure and information. Any book lover will not feel bored or alone in any circumstance if they have a book in hand to read. Sally Allen has so generously given us a few worthy lists of books she has enjoyed over the years, and with them she has done every book lover a favor. All those who love books and are mostly found in the very unexpected of places with a book in hand, will relate to, and appreciate the words the author has shared with us.
A peek into a book lover's shelf would always be exciting, and the simple joy in finding about more books that maybe made an impression on someone else who appreciates it is a pleasure. Which is why this book is a treasure trove. It is a distilled version of the bookshelf of a bookworm, where she has carefully handpicked the books that she loved and those that made an impact on her. You may find books that you already know about, books that you never even knew existed, and those under appreciated books that you might have loved and not found anyone to discuss it with.
The contents are organised, with clear genre specifications (a feat unto itself, because it has never been easy to classify books under particular genres) and has a simple but alluring synopsis about what to expect from each book, not the one that is given in the respective covers, but one that comes from the author's personal experiences with the book. The language, not surprisingly, is great and the style in which the overall contents are presented is also clear and detailed. The book taught me, in addition to other things, how exactly a review should be. It must give enough information to entice the reader, while not revealing any spoilers, and still manage to bring out the best and worst of the books.
Unlocking Worlds is a great reading companion - an index for good books and a book that would be consulted often to know about more amazing books.
WHAT I LIKED:
The title, cover page and the concept
The illustrations, both on the cover page and inside the book. They add variety to the content, and make it much more interesting
The organisation of the book, in different genres. It looks clean and can be referred to at convenience and not necessarily in a linear order
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
There is not a thing I would change about this book - except maybe add more of it!
VERDICT:
A must have for every book lover. And even if you are not, this would very well make you one! A must have either way.
RATING: 5/5
November 17, 2015
What a wonderful reading companion!
This book should be on every reader's library with an update every few years (I hope I'm not getting Sally all stressed out about this... :D ) The one thing I didn't like was the cover. The contents of this book deserve a much more formal, attractive cover. I read the ebook in PDF and found myself wanting write on the pages because there were so many wonderful quotes and books to read. I found myself flying back and forth onto the Goodreads website to select new books "to read" and as a result, I will need a new library shelf just for the works I learned about from this guide.
There are two ways to approach this book; technical or emotional. I choose the emotional approach because of the huge impact it had on my reading.
Sally, an obvious lover of books describes her own addiction. Here is a quote about her:
"When deep into a great book a need possesses me to carry it with me wherever I go, never to let it stray too far from my thoughts or person. Also, I was at a particularly compelling point in the narrative. What if an asteroid hit the parking lot just exactly where I had parked my car? It's best not to take any chances." (my feeling exactly)
Sally nicely explains why reading is so important to her.
"One of my preoccupations is improving my ability to communicate, and to do so requires understanding language's infinite potential. I appreciate authors who show me that potential".
One of my favorite quotes from the book is a quote from Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov on page 126:
"With the help of the janitor he screwed onto the side of the desk a pencil sharpener - that highly satisfying, highly philosophical implement that goes Ticonderoga-ticon-deroga, feeding on the yellow finish and sweet wood, and ends up in a kind of soundlessly spinning ethereal void as we all must". (....swooning)
I had already read several of the books Sally chose to include in her guide and was curious to read her take on them and one of them had me looking for a dictionary because I never thought to look up the meaning of a certain word in one of their titles (look up Penumbra).
She ends her book by explaining that, it really is impossible to read every book that comes out and that it is ok just to take a breather and not read when you're really not in the mood to. That enticing book on your pile will get read in time.
I would love to have a print copy of Unlocking Worlds just so that I can go back and scribble and underline it and enjoy it all over again.
This book should be on every reader's library with an update every few years (I hope I'm not getting Sally all stressed out about this... :D ) The one thing I didn't like was the cover. The contents of this book deserve a much more formal, attractive cover. I read the ebook in PDF and found myself wanting write on the pages because there were so many wonderful quotes and books to read. I found myself flying back and forth onto the Goodreads website to select new books "to read" and as a result, I will need a new library shelf just for the works I learned about from this guide.
There are two ways to approach this book; technical or emotional. I choose the emotional approach because of the huge impact it had on my reading.
Sally, an obvious lover of books describes her own addiction. Here is a quote about her:
"When deep into a great book a need possesses me to carry it with me wherever I go, never to let it stray too far from my thoughts or person. Also, I was at a particularly compelling point in the narrative. What if an asteroid hit the parking lot just exactly where I had parked my car? It's best not to take any chances." (my feeling exactly)
Sally nicely explains why reading is so important to her.
"One of my preoccupations is improving my ability to communicate, and to do so requires understanding language's infinite potential. I appreciate authors who show me that potential".
One of my favorite quotes from the book is a quote from Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov on page 126:
"With the help of the janitor he screwed onto the side of the desk a pencil sharpener - that highly satisfying, highly philosophical implement that goes Ticonderoga-ticon-deroga, feeding on the yellow finish and sweet wood, and ends up in a kind of soundlessly spinning ethereal void as we all must". (....swooning)
I had already read several of the books Sally chose to include in her guide and was curious to read her take on them and one of them had me looking for a dictionary because I never thought to look up the meaning of a certain word in one of their titles (look up Penumbra).
She ends her book by explaining that, it really is impossible to read every book that comes out and that it is ok just to take a breather and not read when you're really not in the mood to. That enticing book on your pile will get read in time.
I would love to have a print copy of Unlocking Worlds just so that I can go back and scribble and underline it and enjoy it all over again.
November 20, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about books, probably because I have read many of the books referred to by the author, having the same reactions and having come to similar conclusions about them! I too have often chosen books on their looks and/or title before knowing anything about them apart from the description on the back cover. Thus I can wholeheartedly agree with "the solitary act of reading can be a powerful thread that creates community and connection." There is something about the smell and feel of books, the anticipation of entering another world that connects book lovers, too. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle loved "that faint, subtle reek which comes from an ancient book." We're in good company!
I like the literary captions that preface each chapter, ranging in scope from Rainer Maria Rilke to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I like the suggestions made near the end of the book to record one's thoughts about a book, including where and when it was read, whether it was in hardcover, paper or e-book, favorite lines and quotes, and intellectual or emotional experiences while reading it. Time has a way of losing track of these things. The extensive bibliography and suggestions for books not yet read are useful.
My favorite quote from the author is "....a conversation that may have begun in a single book one or two hundred years ago is picked up, extended, and continued across time and culture, illuminating what endures." (Think Jane Austen, for example.)
This is a very well-written, thoughtful, eloquent book that is at the same time witty and humorous. In short, a must-read for book lovers of all sorts. I highly recommend it.
I like the literary captions that preface each chapter, ranging in scope from Rainer Maria Rilke to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I like the suggestions made near the end of the book to record one's thoughts about a book, including where and when it was read, whether it was in hardcover, paper or e-book, favorite lines and quotes, and intellectual or emotional experiences while reading it. Time has a way of losing track of these things. The extensive bibliography and suggestions for books not yet read are useful.
My favorite quote from the author is "....a conversation that may have begun in a single book one or two hundred years ago is picked up, extended, and continued across time and culture, illuminating what endures." (Think Jane Austen, for example.)
This is a very well-written, thoughtful, eloquent book that is at the same time witty and humorous. In short, a must-read for book lovers of all sorts. I highly recommend it.
November 17, 2015
This is a book lover's dream, contained in it's pages: are reading lists, book summaries, quotations, reading observations and more. It's a gem, especially for those who are plagued by the "what should I read next" syndrom. It's always a pleasure to read a book written and compiled by a fellow book lover; it's like they're talking directly to your soul. They get it. The insatiable need to read, consume fine literature, and escape into literary dreamscapes. Some of the book lists author, Sally Allen, compiles are a little off the beaten track and are thus more compelling and intriguing. Novels about the American experience, novels that play with time and space, novels that explore Russian life before and after the Soviet Revolution, and books for book lovers are just a few of the many lists that will entrance readers and many books to their "to read" lists. A fun read that will only make you want to read even more. A perfect christmas gift for the bibliophile in your life.
I received this book for free from iRead Book Tours in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
I received this book for free from iRead Book Tours in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
December 2, 2015
Sally Allen has done the work for you by compiling and sorting some of the books that have resonated with her through her own reading journey. Allen subscribes to my way of thinking on several fronts. One, she carries a book, EVERYWHERE, because you never know when you might need one. Two, reading is in the eye of the beholder. She says, “Standards matter, but people matter more.” Your literature may not be my literature and that’s okay. And guess what, read what you like! Finally, negativity breeds negativity. Allen references Matthew Goulish in his essay titled “Criticism” in which he writes, “If we look for problems, we will find them everywhere. Out of concern for ourselves and our psychic well-being, let us look instead for the aspects of wonder.” These tenets apply to reading but can really be applied to life.
This is a gem of a book that you will find yourself perusing for that next great read. These are not in-depth, critical reviews but blurbs to whet your appetite and nudge you throughout the vast array of constant literary pile-up.
Provided by Iread book tours
This is a gem of a book that you will find yourself perusing for that next great read. These are not in-depth, critical reviews but blurbs to whet your appetite and nudge you throughout the vast array of constant literary pile-up.
Provided by Iread book tours
November 14, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it. I love books about books so for me it was a no brainer that I would have to check it out. Of course I agree with the author that good books don't just draw you in they transport us to times and places different from our own and she did this for me. It was interesting to read how she took personal stories and paired them reading lists. The author's writing style was very nice and for me this make the book easy to read. Of course I list of books that I want to check out has now grown even more thanks to her lists. Another neat thing was the cartoons used in the book. I thought some of them were spot on with avid readers like me. I had to laugh when the author was trying to decide if she should take her book in with her when meeting someone for lunch, I myself have thought at times should I take my book. The answer is yes, I always have a book with me no matter what. This is a must read for lovers of books like myself.
December 13, 2019
I was so happy to get this book for Christmas. And even happier when I started to read Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers by Sally Allen because it felt like I was sharing a cup of coffee with a good friend, talking about great books and fascinating characters, riveting plots and beautiful language and discovering the similar experiences that we book lovers have when we enter another world made up of words. I cherished each chapter like it was a box of chocolates, squirreling them away so that it wasn't over too fast. It's a great gift for book lovers.
May 18, 2018
Goodreads makes it seem I've been reading this book for years, but really, it's that I keep dipping into it, so I can never say I've finished it. Sally Allen does a great job of zeroing in on a few books and grouping them in ways that make it easy to find a suggestion that will fit my frame of mind perfectly.
There's no way to categorize the book, so I've given it 5 stars on the basis that it delivers exactly what it say on the cover - a reading companion for book-lovers (whose tastes happen to suit mine).
There's no way to categorize the book, so I've given it 5 stars on the basis that it delivers exactly what it say on the cover - a reading companion for book-lovers (whose tastes happen to suit mine).
November 3, 2016
"....what matters is the experience of a book, whether that book blossoms in our imaginations, whether we connect with the characters, whether the events in the story resonate, inspiring us to think and feel." --Pg. xix
This quote from Unlocking Worlds by Sally Allen, got me thinking about why I read.
I work in book publishing, so I read everyday as part of my job. But even if it wasn't part of job, I would still be reading. I read for enjoyment. I read for an escape from the daily grind. I read because it's often better than watching television. I read because I love it.
Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers is made for people who love books. For people who love the journey books can take them.
Read the rest of my review at: http://asiturnthepages.blogspot.com/2...
This quote from Unlocking Worlds by Sally Allen, got me thinking about why I read.
I work in book publishing, so I read everyday as part of my job. But even if it wasn't part of job, I would still be reading. I read for enjoyment. I read for an escape from the daily grind. I read because it's often better than watching television. I read because I love it.
Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers is made for people who love books. For people who love the journey books can take them.
Read the rest of my review at: http://asiturnthepages.blogspot.com/2...
December 4, 2016
It took me a while to read through this book. It's just not the kind of book you read straight through - it's basically a book of book reviews and reading recommendations. This would have been a great book to have had when I finished college and was faced with a sea of strangers in the adult section of the library. Every reader will find a kindred spirit in Sally Allen. It was lovely to read her thoughts on books that I too have loved. Even when our tastes diverged (I don't think I will ever really care for Russian literature), it was still interesting to read her take on a story, author, or character.
August 4, 2019
4.5 stars. Many great book recommendations! The descriptions and opinions are very well written and the author gives many different interesting categories for the books she recommends. Excited to read many of these!
November 23, 2015
Note: I received a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours. However, the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I think that we can all unanimously agree that reading is no longer only a solitary past time for stereotypical 'book worms' as it used to be labelled years ago. It has become a community activity thanks to literary websites and book blogs. Not only do books enrich us and become a part of our lives but book readers all over the world are able to connect with each other and develop a meaningful relationship based on shared literary experiences. That is the real power of literature - to bring people together and add rainbow colours to our lives through a series of words written in black on white.
Unlocking Worlds is a book about books - written by a book-lover, for a book-lover. I am always looking for good book recommendations and this one really gave me some very interesting ones.
The author has written a whole chapter in the beginning on how to let a book change you. In it, she explains that it is not imperative that a reader necessarily has to connect with a good book but it is totally okay to be able to relate to a book that is usually not considered such a literary masterpiece. Reading is very personal and subjective. The books she personally considers good in this manuscript have been classified more or less on the basis of five qualities - a compelling narrative, purposeful shaping of words, purposeful ambiguity, emotional truth and wholeness. I found it interesting because I usually tend to read a book in its entirety using only the basic elements of plot, characters, setting, conflict and resolution without delving much into nitty-gritty details and this has caused me to think more carefully about reading and reviewing.
The rest of the book is divided into several chapters that follow themes and genres - of family, time travel, war, tragedy, children's fiction, memoirs and epistolary novels and many others. It is a well structured book where each chapter begins with a personal anecdote, usually from Allen's childhood, and contains 10 book recommendations that not only give a brief description but also the author's personal insight into why she was personally able to connect with them. Here, Allen's writing, English literature and communication background has helped her to delve deeper into the meaning of each story and find the reasons why these books have moved her. It was nice to see how beautifully she was able to extract the essence of each book and her words have made me want to explore many books that I might not even have considered before.
I found the watercolor painted cover, the most attractive feature of this book. I honestly loved the simplicity as well as the colors used that brought out an old world charm that is sometimes missing in even the most brilliantly graphically designed books today. The little illustrations with the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were cute too.
I was able to connect with Sally Allen's book-related experiences in many ways that a reader is able to relate to another. Books were always such a huge part of my childhood and like Allen, I often read (and re-read!) deep into the night by flashlight under the blanket after everyone had gone to bed. As the author relates in one of the latter chapters which is aptly titled 'Books for Book Lovers', books have sometimes played the role of ice breakers and for developing an instant connection between two individuals who might have never met before. This has personally happened to me twice on the metro as well where I was reading two different books on separate occasions and a couple of fellow commuters asked me about them. In those moments, I was completely able to relate to a stranger even if I shared only a couple of sentences with them. I have certainly not found this connection possible with any other material possession.
I think Allen has really hit the nail on the head in one of the last few chapters where she has expressed how difficult and overwhelming it can get for a reader nowadays to keep up with all the books that come out by the hundreds and thousands. I can completely relate to that feeling. It's like a rat race that I feel I must keep up, only to realise that really reading is ultimately for my pleasure and enrichment and not for any other reason. So best to really choose the books that you can personally connect to or learn from.
I would consider Unlocking Worlds to be the perfect holiday gift for a book lover who loves reading a variety of genres and you aren't sure what book to gift them. It's also the perfect compilation of recommendations to keep on one's bookshelf for the next time you're just not sure what to read next.
I think that we can all unanimously agree that reading is no longer only a solitary past time for stereotypical 'book worms' as it used to be labelled years ago. It has become a community activity thanks to literary websites and book blogs. Not only do books enrich us and become a part of our lives but book readers all over the world are able to connect with each other and develop a meaningful relationship based on shared literary experiences. That is the real power of literature - to bring people together and add rainbow colours to our lives through a series of words written in black on white.
Unlocking Worlds is a book about books - written by a book-lover, for a book-lover. I am always looking for good book recommendations and this one really gave me some very interesting ones.
The author has written a whole chapter in the beginning on how to let a book change you. In it, she explains that it is not imperative that a reader necessarily has to connect with a good book but it is totally okay to be able to relate to a book that is usually not considered such a literary masterpiece. Reading is very personal and subjective. The books she personally considers good in this manuscript have been classified more or less on the basis of five qualities - a compelling narrative, purposeful shaping of words, purposeful ambiguity, emotional truth and wholeness. I found it interesting because I usually tend to read a book in its entirety using only the basic elements of plot, characters, setting, conflict and resolution without delving much into nitty-gritty details and this has caused me to think more carefully about reading and reviewing.
The rest of the book is divided into several chapters that follow themes and genres - of family, time travel, war, tragedy, children's fiction, memoirs and epistolary novels and many others. It is a well structured book where each chapter begins with a personal anecdote, usually from Allen's childhood, and contains 10 book recommendations that not only give a brief description but also the author's personal insight into why she was personally able to connect with them. Here, Allen's writing, English literature and communication background has helped her to delve deeper into the meaning of each story and find the reasons why these books have moved her. It was nice to see how beautifully she was able to extract the essence of each book and her words have made me want to explore many books that I might not even have considered before.
I found the watercolor painted cover, the most attractive feature of this book. I honestly loved the simplicity as well as the colors used that brought out an old world charm that is sometimes missing in even the most brilliantly graphically designed books today. The little illustrations with the quotes at the beginning of each chapter were cute too.
I was able to connect with Sally Allen's book-related experiences in many ways that a reader is able to relate to another. Books were always such a huge part of my childhood and like Allen, I often read (and re-read!) deep into the night by flashlight under the blanket after everyone had gone to bed. As the author relates in one of the latter chapters which is aptly titled 'Books for Book Lovers', books have sometimes played the role of ice breakers and for developing an instant connection between two individuals who might have never met before. This has personally happened to me twice on the metro as well where I was reading two different books on separate occasions and a couple of fellow commuters asked me about them. In those moments, I was completely able to relate to a stranger even if I shared only a couple of sentences with them. I have certainly not found this connection possible with any other material possession.
I think Allen has really hit the nail on the head in one of the last few chapters where she has expressed how difficult and overwhelming it can get for a reader nowadays to keep up with all the books that come out by the hundreds and thousands. I can completely relate to that feeling. It's like a rat race that I feel I must keep up, only to realise that really reading is ultimately for my pleasure and enrichment and not for any other reason. So best to really choose the books that you can personally connect to or learn from.
I would consider Unlocking Worlds to be the perfect holiday gift for a book lover who loves reading a variety of genres and you aren't sure what book to gift them. It's also the perfect compilation of recommendations to keep on one's bookshelf for the next time you're just not sure what to read next.
December 16, 2015
This little book changed me in ways I didn't expect. Always a reader, it reminded me of all the reasons I became an avid one and made me want to stretch for more. Interestingly, I've found that it's also changed me as a reviewer in that it points out--in the gentlest way possible--that criticism changes the critiquer most of all. It reminded me that there's always beauty in literature...a truth I could stand to remember more often.
But my biggest takeaway? That I've not read nearly prolifically or deeply enough.
From page one, I resonated with the author's personal touch, the way she wasn't afraid of injecting her own experiences and, natch, her own opinions. I appreciated the way she broke her chapters into themed sections. Of these, I was surprised by my interest in two in particular. No, make that three. The first two were Books That Explore University Life and Novels That Thrill, Chill, and Keep You Guessing. Of the former, I didn't realize there were 1) so many books to fit that description and 2) so many I would want to read. Of the latter, well, my interest in the genre came as no surprise (I practically cut my teeth on the novels of Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark). I was surprised by the fact that there are so many of this ilk I had no knowledge of. But no longer!
The third and most welcome surprise came in the penultimate chapter--Reconciling with the Inevitable: We Can't Read All the Books. I thank the author for recognizing this painful truth, as well as its flip side: the fact that sometimes we need a tiny breather from reading. Especially after we've just gorged on a particularly satisfying read and are suffering from that overfull, restless feeling which leaves us unable to settle into a new book. Even more helpful was the way she addresses this uncomfortable phenomenon with practical suggestions to help readers move on. I found her advice a therapy, of sorts.
In another chapter, the author says, "Reading becomes...a form of witnessing. This role has felt significant to me as a way to reach across the chasm that separates my experiences from those of my relatives who survived hardships I have never known. Though I won't ever dare to claim to understand, viscerally, what they lived through, I can, at the very least, understand that I do not understand." (p.101) Though she's speaking here specifically about wartime novels, her observations apply just as well, I think, to any kind of book worth our while.
The author writes beautifully and articulately, and I enjoyed connecting with her on the pages of her book. Which would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who cherishes books and reading, by the way. This little gem has found a spot on my forever-shelf, and I look forward to dipping into it again and again.
Thanks to iRead Book Tours for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
But my biggest takeaway? That I've not read nearly prolifically or deeply enough.
From page one, I resonated with the author's personal touch, the way she wasn't afraid of injecting her own experiences and, natch, her own opinions. I appreciated the way she broke her chapters into themed sections. Of these, I was surprised by my interest in two in particular. No, make that three. The first two were Books That Explore University Life and Novels That Thrill, Chill, and Keep You Guessing. Of the former, I didn't realize there were 1) so many books to fit that description and 2) so many I would want to read. Of the latter, well, my interest in the genre came as no surprise (I practically cut my teeth on the novels of Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark). I was surprised by the fact that there are so many of this ilk I had no knowledge of. But no longer!
The third and most welcome surprise came in the penultimate chapter--Reconciling with the Inevitable: We Can't Read All the Books. I thank the author for recognizing this painful truth, as well as its flip side: the fact that sometimes we need a tiny breather from reading. Especially after we've just gorged on a particularly satisfying read and are suffering from that overfull, restless feeling which leaves us unable to settle into a new book. Even more helpful was the way she addresses this uncomfortable phenomenon with practical suggestions to help readers move on. I found her advice a therapy, of sorts.
In another chapter, the author says, "Reading becomes...a form of witnessing. This role has felt significant to me as a way to reach across the chasm that separates my experiences from those of my relatives who survived hardships I have never known. Though I won't ever dare to claim to understand, viscerally, what they lived through, I can, at the very least, understand that I do not understand." (p.101) Though she's speaking here specifically about wartime novels, her observations apply just as well, I think, to any kind of book worth our while.
The author writes beautifully and articulately, and I enjoyed connecting with her on the pages of her book. Which would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who cherishes books and reading, by the way. This little gem has found a spot on my forever-shelf, and I look forward to dipping into it again and again.
Thanks to iRead Book Tours for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
November 22, 2016
I read this wonderful book on a trip to Oregon and the California Redwoods via Glacier Park, Spokane, and Seattle. My husband did the driving - it's our favorite kind of trip. Mostly I watched the scenery and listened to our favorite music but in the evenings and when we would stop somewhere awe-inspiring I would read morsels from this book. Sometimes I read aloud to Myke as he drove and that would spark a discussion on books, authors, and the magic of reading.
The problem with reading at a jaw-droppingly beautiful vista is you don't get much reading done. In my plans for the trip I wanted to provide pockets of time to just sit and soak in the surroundings. If I read a bit I remember both the book and the scene more vividly. And if I have a tasty treat the memory can become a lasting one.
I read the majority of the book in our hotel rooms while Myke documented our trip on Face Book. It's easy to concentrate in the mediocre environment of a hotel room compared with the grandeur of Glacier National Park.
I highlighted so many passages. When I finish a book I quite often go back and reread those passages and then when I sit down to write my review I get to read them again. Memories flow back in and passages are valued over again. I'm not suppose to share bits from an advance-copy book because those bits may not show up in the published book.
Allen shares her views about reading, connecting with the world the author creates, and the shared experience of various readers of the same book. I related with her experiences with the written word. She so eloquently describes what I feel and also opens up some new perspectives.
The harm in reading this insightful book is adding many more books to my lengthy list of to-be-read books. The upside to that is I recently finished reading The Light Between Oceans.
I strongly recommend this book to any and all book lovers. You will discover like-mindedness with Allen and you'll enjoy reading about her recommendations.
The problem with reading at a jaw-droppingly beautiful vista is you don't get much reading done. In my plans for the trip I wanted to provide pockets of time to just sit and soak in the surroundings. If I read a bit I remember both the book and the scene more vividly. And if I have a tasty treat the memory can become a lasting one.
I read the majority of the book in our hotel rooms while Myke documented our trip on Face Book. It's easy to concentrate in the mediocre environment of a hotel room compared with the grandeur of Glacier National Park.
I highlighted so many passages. When I finish a book I quite often go back and reread those passages and then when I sit down to write my review I get to read them again. Memories flow back in and passages are valued over again. I'm not suppose to share bits from an advance-copy book because those bits may not show up in the published book.
Allen shares her views about reading, connecting with the world the author creates, and the shared experience of various readers of the same book. I related with her experiences with the written word. She so eloquently describes what I feel and also opens up some new perspectives.
The harm in reading this insightful book is adding many more books to my lengthy list of to-be-read books. The upside to that is I recently finished reading The Light Between Oceans.
I strongly recommend this book to any and all book lovers. You will discover like-mindedness with Allen and you'll enjoy reading about her recommendations.
August 18, 2016
This is a book for story lovers or people looking for reading inspiration. It's basically a book filled with book reviews, roughly categorised into 15 lists.
The lists range from Children's Books to War novels to books about Russian life and British novels, so there's definitely a wide variety of books.
At first, I was a little hesitant as to whether the author's tastes and I would match, because she raved over The Goldfinch (and happened to meet someone who loved it too, and generally made it sound like everyone loved it), when only 44% of The Goldfinch's readers actually managed to finish the book. After reading through her recommendations, however, I may end up giving The Goldfinch a go.
The books she recommends, however, seem to be varied (though with an emphasis on literary fiction, which she admits to being partial too). And since apart from the Children's list, I haven't read many of the other books, I found myself mentally putting a few books on the TBR list.
And I did keep an eye out to see if it was all trad published books, but since she doesn't mention it in her review, I only know for certain that one book is self-published.
That one 'definitely self-published book' sounds fantastic though. I'll definitely have to read that.
I also found one other commonality with the author (apart from a love of reading) - the habit of buying a book at the airport bookstore. I don't know why, but I liked the book a lot more after I read that.
Overall, this seems like a good inspiration book for book lovers. It's easy to go to specific sections and find something that sounds interesting.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
The lists range from Children's Books to War novels to books about Russian life and British novels, so there's definitely a wide variety of books.
At first, I was a little hesitant as to whether the author's tastes and I would match, because she raved over The Goldfinch (and happened to meet someone who loved it too, and generally made it sound like everyone loved it), when only 44% of The Goldfinch's readers actually managed to finish the book. After reading through her recommendations, however, I may end up giving The Goldfinch a go.
The books she recommends, however, seem to be varied (though with an emphasis on literary fiction, which she admits to being partial too). And since apart from the Children's list, I haven't read many of the other books, I found myself mentally putting a few books on the TBR list.
And I did keep an eye out to see if it was all trad published books, but since she doesn't mention it in her review, I only know for certain that one book is self-published.
That one 'definitely self-published book' sounds fantastic though. I'll definitely have to read that.
I also found one other commonality with the author (apart from a love of reading) - the habit of buying a book at the airport bookstore. I don't know why, but I liked the book a lot more after I read that.
Overall, this seems like a good inspiration book for book lovers. It's easy to go to specific sections and find something that sounds interesting.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted at Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
May 27, 2016
If you love literature – if you believe that reading books can change your life – if you are always on the prowl for a new book to add to the ever-growing TBR pile on your nightstand, desk, and kitchen table – then Unlocking Worlds – A Reading Companion For Book Lovers by Sally Allen is book you will surely treasure!
In Unlocking Worlds, Sally Allen shares her thoughts on the fine art of reading as well as her favorite books. In the process, she gives book lovers much food for thought in regards to how they approach reading – what it is about reading that they love – and what it is that draws them to certain books!
The majority of Unlocking Worlds consists of thematic chapters organized around the types of books that the author finds herself returning to again and again. Each chapter opens with a memorable quote from a famous author and Sally’s reflections on the books and theme that follows.
As bibliophiles, there comes that inevitable moment of truth when we realize that we cannot possibly read all of the books in the world – or even all of the books on our wish lists! Sally addresses that issue as well and provides a list of strategies for those of us who are struggling to read all of the books we have surrounded ourselves with!
The bottom line is, if you love books, then Unlocking Worlds deserves a place on your bookshelf – as crowded as it may already be!
This review is an excerpt from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
In Unlocking Worlds, Sally Allen shares her thoughts on the fine art of reading as well as her favorite books. In the process, she gives book lovers much food for thought in regards to how they approach reading – what it is about reading that they love – and what it is that draws them to certain books!
The majority of Unlocking Worlds consists of thematic chapters organized around the types of books that the author finds herself returning to again and again. Each chapter opens with a memorable quote from a famous author and Sally’s reflections on the books and theme that follows.
As bibliophiles, there comes that inevitable moment of truth when we realize that we cannot possibly read all of the books in the world – or even all of the books on our wish lists! Sally addresses that issue as well and provides a list of strategies for those of us who are struggling to read all of the books we have surrounded ourselves with!
The bottom line is, if you love books, then Unlocking Worlds deserves a place on your bookshelf – as crowded as it may already be!
This review is an excerpt from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
November 30, 2015
This is a book that's MADE for readers, not simply because it's in print full of words (and images!) to digest, but because of what those letters strung together actually SAY.
Within the pages of this wonderfully covered read (really, I love the cover), you'll find a familiar soul. You'll discover someone who really gets you and the enjoyment that reading brings. Ms. Allen shares a lot of the same ideals that I hold true. First up, that the reader is who truly assigns merit to a work. That is not to say I can say YAY or NAY and the masses fall to my decision, but rather that every work means something to someone; it only needs to reach the right audience. Next up, books are not merely words on a page but portals we follow for escape, enrichment, or pure joy. Every time we open a cover, turn a page, even flick a screen (yes, you too ebook fans), we are placed in someone's time and place to see things we may not have seen, contemplate ideas we may not have thought, or simply live a life we never imagined.
Overall, it's a wonderful tribute to the power of books. It shows the wonder to be had between the pages no matter your age, background, or social status. It reminds us that the joys of reading are for ONE AND ALL, though we may not get to read all the books, we can still try, and that those not indulging in this particular pasttime are truly missing out. Recommended read for teens through adults looking for another perspective on some of their favorite reads or perhaps new additions to their own "must read" lists, as well as a way to connect with another reader that owns the term bookish.
**review copy received in exchange for my honest review, full post can be seen on my site**
Within the pages of this wonderfully covered read (really, I love the cover), you'll find a familiar soul. You'll discover someone who really gets you and the enjoyment that reading brings. Ms. Allen shares a lot of the same ideals that I hold true. First up, that the reader is who truly assigns merit to a work. That is not to say I can say YAY or NAY and the masses fall to my decision, but rather that every work means something to someone; it only needs to reach the right audience. Next up, books are not merely words on a page but portals we follow for escape, enrichment, or pure joy. Every time we open a cover, turn a page, even flick a screen (yes, you too ebook fans), we are placed in someone's time and place to see things we may not have seen, contemplate ideas we may not have thought, or simply live a life we never imagined.
Overall, it's a wonderful tribute to the power of books. It shows the wonder to be had between the pages no matter your age, background, or social status. It reminds us that the joys of reading are for ONE AND ALL, though we may not get to read all the books, we can still try, and that those not indulging in this particular pasttime are truly missing out. Recommended read for teens through adults looking for another perspective on some of their favorite reads or perhaps new additions to their own "must read" lists, as well as a way to connect with another reader that owns the term bookish.
**review copy received in exchange for my honest review, full post can be seen on my site**
December 14, 2015
As an avid reader, I love talking about books. Sally Allen’s Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers comes off as a conversation with a fellow avid book lover about a shared passion. She doesn’t judge each book or tear them apart; rather, she shared the reasons why and how they contributed to making her life better.
The introduction goes a long way in introducing us to the author’s mindset both when it comes to books in general but also and most importantly to the way she approached writing this book. She wasn’t looking for the book with the best language or the most complex and layered narrative. As one of her professors told her, “if a reader has these experiences [the characters seem like real people and the reader misses them after the book is over; the narrative is complex; the story stays with the reader; the language is beautiful] with a book, then that book is literature for him or her.”
This makes of the reading experience a personal one, a concept that resonates deeply with me. After all, we humans are such unique creatures; could the same book really have the same effect on all of us? While some books do have a more universal appeal, no book will please all of us, and that is normal. Allen sets the tone for an exchange rather than a fight, something which I deeply appreciate.
If you love reading and love talking about books, then this book will make a great addition to your collection. I have a feeling that it might also be a great addition to a book club’s selection, a source of unity amongst book lovers and a conversation generator.
(First posted at http://www.saharsblog.com/review/book...)
The introduction goes a long way in introducing us to the author’s mindset both when it comes to books in general but also and most importantly to the way she approached writing this book. She wasn’t looking for the book with the best language or the most complex and layered narrative. As one of her professors told her, “if a reader has these experiences [the characters seem like real people and the reader misses them after the book is over; the narrative is complex; the story stays with the reader; the language is beautiful] with a book, then that book is literature for him or her.”
This makes of the reading experience a personal one, a concept that resonates deeply with me. After all, we humans are such unique creatures; could the same book really have the same effect on all of us? While some books do have a more universal appeal, no book will please all of us, and that is normal. Allen sets the tone for an exchange rather than a fight, something which I deeply appreciate.
If you love reading and love talking about books, then this book will make a great addition to your collection. I have a feeling that it might also be a great addition to a book club’s selection, a source of unity amongst book lovers and a conversation generator.
(First posted at http://www.saharsblog.com/review/book...)
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