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Found on the Shelves
On Reading, Writing and Living with Books
"This little body of thought, that lies before me in the shape of a book, has existed thousands of years, nor since the invention of the press can anything short of an universal convulsion of nature abolish it".
On Reading, Writing and Living with Books is part of 'Found on the Shelves', published with The London Library. The books in this series have been chosen to give a fascinating insight into the treasures that can be found while browsing in The London Library. Now celebrating its 175th anniversary, with over 17 miles of shelving and more than a million books, The London Library has become an unrivalled archive of the modes, manners and thoughts of each generation which has helped to form it.
On Reading, Writing and Living with Books is part of 'Found on the Shelves', published with The London Library. The books in this series have been chosen to give a fascinating insight into the treasures that can be found while browsing in The London Library. Now celebrating its 175th anniversary, with over 17 miles of shelving and more than a million books, The London Library has become an unrivalled archive of the modes, manners and thoughts of each generation which has helped to form it.
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2016
32 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Woolf
1,852 books28.9k followers(Adeline) Virginia Woolf was an English novelist and essayist regarded as one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the twentieth century.
During the interwar period, Woolf was a significant figure in London literary society and a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Her most famous works include the novels Mrs. Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), and Orlando (1928), and the book-length essay A Room of One's Own (1929) with its famous dictum, "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."
During the interwar period, Woolf was a significant figure in London literary society and a member of the Bloomsbury Group. Her most famous works include the novels Mrs. Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), and Orlando (1928), and the book-length essay A Room of One's Own (1929) with its famous dictum, "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 8, 2017
A quick read featuring various writers who were members of The London Library and their thoughts on books and writing. Virginia Woolf! Charles Dickens! EM Forster! Great stuff, pieces I hadn't seen, and I loved the Woolf in particular. I will be able to use some of this in my reading class that I teach, for reading reflections.
The publisher provided me a copy via Edelweiss. Thanks!
The publisher provided me a copy via Edelweiss. Thanks!
May 3, 2016
Books are an important physical presence around anyone who feels reading is a major part of living. I can spend a lot of time just gazing at my shelves wondering what I should read or reread next or simply enjoying the company of my books. Of course, no book was created in isolation but produced by someone who was influenced by reading countless other books. The traditional hub for many great writers to discover books that inspire and inform them has been the library. This year The London Library which is the world's largest independent library with more than a million books and periodicals in its collection is turning 175 years old. “On Reading, Writing and Living with Books” is a compact collection of pieces by great writers such as Virginia Woolf, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, EM Foster and the poet Leigh Hunt – all of whom were active members of The London Library. They contemplate the experience of being committed writers and readers who share the same wonder, joy and excitement we all feel when staring at a shelf filled with books.
Read my full review of On Reading, Writing and Living with Books on LonesomeReader
Read my full review of On Reading, Writing and Living with Books on LonesomeReader
October 13, 2022
This was a book that just arrived today, and already I'm done reading it!!! The book is really a collection of essays about...books!!! Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens make an appearance, as well as George Eliot and E.M. Forster. I found the essays to be very well composed and the book had a light, airy feel to it. An easy one day read.
May 29, 2016
Meh. This was okay. I thought from the title it would be far more interesting than it actually was. Highlights were Charles Dickens's letters, and of course Virginia Woolf's essay. Everything else fell a bit flat (George Eliot sure knew how to waffle on...)
February 2, 2019
A couple of weeks ago, I received a wonderful gift in the mail. Susan Henking, who I have now known for 20 years, sent me the book,
On Reading, Writing and Living with Books (The London Library)
. It was a wonderful book to read as I started this year’s reading list. It provided me with an opportunity to kick back and reflect on my reading and writing. Read more
. It was a wonderful book to read as I started this year’s reading list. It provided me with an opportunity to kick back and reflect on my reading and writing. Read more 
April 24, 2017
3.5-3.75
RTC
RTC
December 26, 2017
A nicely-produced little collection of essays and letters by Woolf, George Eliot,Leigh Hunt, Dickens and E.M.Forster. They are jointly published by Pushkin Press and the London Library, and Forster's essay is a mini-history and in praise of the London Library. They are discursive, celebratory rather than analytical, but George Eliot's short essay on authorship stands out as being the work of a serious intellect, carefully argued, and unashamedly elitist. 'It is for art to present images of a lovelier order than the actual, gently winning the affections, and so determining the taste.' But she is not without humour - 'And bad literature of the sort called amusing is spiritual gin'.
August 4, 2018
Fun and funny. Good for bibliophiles. Another good addition to this series of pieces from the past
November 29, 2020
A quick read, but not as interesting or inspiring as I had hoped.
December 27, 2020
A book written by bibliophiles for bibliophiles! It’s so great to hear the greats write about their love of reading and writing in this collection of essays.
Would recommend both reading from cover to cover and also dipping in and out for pearls of wisdom!
Would recommend both reading from cover to cover and also dipping in and out for pearls of wisdom!
August 2, 2016
This was quite a find and a real delight to read. Some of English Literature's most popular authors share with us their thoughts on books, writing and reading. Virginia Woolf's essay on "How Should One Read a Book?" is inspired and still relevant today. She writes, "the only advice that one person can give another about reading is to take no advice, to follow your instincts, use your own reason and come to your own conclusions." I love this as that's how I feel about reading too. Charles Dickens' letter to George Eliot is prophetic as he questions the gender of the author but is very pleased with the writing. There are interesting, short pieces here by George Eliot and E.M. Forster. And I couldn't help but have a chuckle when Leigh Hunt says, " I cannot see a work that interests me on another person's shelf without a wish to carry it off." I'm sure there are many out there who have felt this way.
April 11, 2017
Slim little treasure, a collection of letters and essays on reading and writing. The highlight is Dickens letter to Eliot, where Dickens solidly demonstrates he is as fine a reader and critic as he is a writer.
May 11, 2020
My Books by Leigh Hunt (written in 1822 ca.)
“Sitting, last winter, among my books, and walled round with all the comfort and protection which they and my fireside could afford me... I began to consider how I loved them, too, not only for the imaginative pleasures they afforded me, but for their making me love the very books themselves, and delight to be in contact with them.”
“I entrench myself in my books equally against sorrow and the weather.”
“On the right and left of me are bookshelves; a bookcase is affectionately open in front of me; and thus kindly enclosed with my books and the green leaves, I write.”
“I like a great library next my study; but for the study itself, give me a small snug place, almost entirely walled with books.”
“I take an interest in the bookshelves as well as the books of my friends. I long to meddle and dispose them after my own notions.”
“I have been a meek son in the family of book-losers. I may affirm, upon a moderate calculation, that I have lent and lost in my time (and I am eight-and-thirty), half a dozen decent sized libraries - I mean books enough to fill so many ordinary bookcases.”
“I own I borrow books with as much facility as I lend. I cannot see a work that interests me on another person’s shelf, without a wish to carry it off; but ... I have been much more sinned against than sinning in the article of non-return; and am scrumptious in the article of intention. I never had a felonious intent upon a book but once...”
“I love an author the more for having been himself a lover of books.
We conceive of Plato as of a lover of books; of Aristotle certainly; of Plutarch, Pliny, Horace, Julian, and Marcus Aurelius. Virgil, too, must have been one...
The passage which I recollect with the greatest pleasure in Cicero is where he says that books delight us at home, and are no impediment abroad; travel with us, ruralise us.”
“Petrarch ought to be the god of the bibliomaniacs, for he was a collector and a man of genius, which is a union that does not often happen. He copied out, with his own precious hand, the manuscripts he rescued from time, and then produced others for time to reverence. With his head upon a book he died.”
“How pleasant it is to reflect, that all those lovers of books have themselves become books! What better metamorphosis could Pythagoras have desired? How Ovid and Horace exulted in anticipating theirs!”
“Mines themselves are exhausted; cities perish; kingdoms are swept away, and man weeps with indignation to think that his own body is not immortal! ...
Yet this little body of thought, that lies before me in the shape of a book, has existed thousands of years, nor since the invention of the press can anything short of an universal convulsion of nature abolish it.”
“Sitting, last winter, among my books, and walled round with all the comfort and protection which they and my fireside could afford me... I began to consider how I loved them, too, not only for the imaginative pleasures they afforded me, but for their making me love the very books themselves, and delight to be in contact with them.”
“I entrench myself in my books equally against sorrow and the weather.”
“On the right and left of me are bookshelves; a bookcase is affectionately open in front of me; and thus kindly enclosed with my books and the green leaves, I write.”
“I like a great library next my study; but for the study itself, give me a small snug place, almost entirely walled with books.”
“I take an interest in the bookshelves as well as the books of my friends. I long to meddle and dispose them after my own notions.”
“I have been a meek son in the family of book-losers. I may affirm, upon a moderate calculation, that I have lent and lost in my time (and I am eight-and-thirty), half a dozen decent sized libraries - I mean books enough to fill so many ordinary bookcases.”
“I own I borrow books with as much facility as I lend. I cannot see a work that interests me on another person’s shelf, without a wish to carry it off; but ... I have been much more sinned against than sinning in the article of non-return; and am scrumptious in the article of intention. I never had a felonious intent upon a book but once...”
“I love an author the more for having been himself a lover of books.
We conceive of Plato as of a lover of books; of Aristotle certainly; of Plutarch, Pliny, Horace, Julian, and Marcus Aurelius. Virgil, too, must have been one...
The passage which I recollect with the greatest pleasure in Cicero is where he says that books delight us at home, and are no impediment abroad; travel with us, ruralise us.”
“Petrarch ought to be the god of the bibliomaniacs, for he was a collector and a man of genius, which is a union that does not often happen. He copied out, with his own precious hand, the manuscripts he rescued from time, and then produced others for time to reverence. With his head upon a book he died.”
“How pleasant it is to reflect, that all those lovers of books have themselves become books! What better metamorphosis could Pythagoras have desired? How Ovid and Horace exulted in anticipating theirs!”
“Mines themselves are exhausted; cities perish; kingdoms are swept away, and man weeps with indignation to think that his own body is not immortal! ...
Yet this little body of thought, that lies before me in the shape of a book, has existed thousands of years, nor since the invention of the press can anything short of an universal convulsion of nature abolish it.”
June 19, 2017
This is collection of established english novelist, poet etc on issue with London library & books. But i was my interested click after read a few line by Virginia Woolf, and that is very credible article written, i only heard of her name, yet to read any of her writing. i must say i love what i read, fair, clarity, smart but not too deep to dive in. and this book actually make me want to find out more about her writing. the rest of the contributor , i cannot say much, charles dicken did not write much, just a letter attn to someone else, not really worth mentioning here. and the rest, just not relatable , if i am allow to blame of ancient English language barrier, require more energy to be focus and read. Elliot, deep and more complex. Hunt on his book collection and reading habit, not quite inspiring.
June 2, 2017
It's saying something when it takes a few attempts for a publisher (for it was me) to read a very short book about books but here we are. The series is certainly a nice idea - to celebrate its anniversary, The London Library selected material from their collection "not seen for decades or longer." On reading this volume, one is tempted to wonder if there were a good reason for the lack of usage given the inclusion of content that ranges from self-indulgent to apparent filler knocked out by a big name. Still, it provided a quote from Virginia Woolf (surely being paid by the word) about books which adds beef to the best advice I've ever heard for new parents to be - "the only advice, indeed, that one person can give another is to take no advice."
June 21, 2018
While I am usually gung-ho about all books about books, as my passion for books and their importance will never dim, this book was mixed at best for its essay collection, only two even really eliciting a response worth remembering: Virginia Woolf's essay and E.M. Forster's. Most others were okay or forgettable (some almost droning on without real purpose or for forwarding any true point.) This book was a fast, but mildly-interesting read and one which I will never pick up again, which is depressing for me, as most of these types of books give me more to chew on--these, unfortunately, did not.
July 6, 2024
An interesting little book, I picked it up for the first essay by Virginia Woolf, “How Should One Read a Book,” which has been recommended several times over the lasst year so I gave it a go. This book consist of a couple a good length essays and letters in particular from Charles Dickens to various authors. The essay ‘My Books,” was very informative as was the last essay “The London Library.” I love libraries and books on libraries but not much to this book…SLT
May 5, 2017
Disappointing. Small collection of pieces by authors expressing their love of libraries and writing. Best to me were the two letters fromDickens to fellow authors. He wrote to George Elliot, expressing his amazement at his ability to capture the feelings of women. No one knew that George was a woman. Other bits pretty dull.
August 12, 2017
"The only advice, indeed, that one person can give another about reading is to take no advice, to follow your own instincts, to use your own reason, to come to your own conclusions. If this is agreed between us, then I feel at liberty to put forward a few ideas..." - Virginia Woolf
July 19, 2019
I enjoyed some of these essays far more than others (Virginia Woolf's on the whole was a struggle for me, although I loved the last paragraph) but on the whole found this an enjoyable ode to loving books and reading.
September 14, 2017
This essay collection was just pure magic. Absolutely adored it!
September 22, 2017
I was born to late to be forced to read Virginia Woolf and George Eliot. Their essays here were a pleasure. Next assignment. Looking them up at my local library.
Read
June 29, 2020I really enjoyed the first essay, "How Should One Read a Book?" by Virginia Woolf. I think I'd read it before in school but didn't appreciate it as much then
August 13, 2020
Trop court à mon goût ! Seulement 90 pages.
May 16, 2022
The best essay by far for me was “My Books” by Leigh Hunt, followed closely by the Virginia Woolf essay. The others were fine
December 14, 2022
Not very helpful to writers (if seeking advice). Just ruminations on reading.
January 10, 2024
A good collection of essays, certain ones spoke to me more than others.
July 26, 2020
Always interesting to read what authors think about other authors and their works!
February 10, 2017
Thanks to Edelweiss for preview.
Those who love books often like to talk about books with other people, or read of others who share the same mania.
This book not only allows us to share our thoughts about books and the pleasure of reading, but also allows us to know the thoughts of some great writers about books.
Among all the writings contained in this volume, Virginia Woolf's one - with her analysis of the capabilities that we utilize for reading, an art that holds together perception and imagination - is the one that struck me the most.
Worth of mention is the article of Forster about the birth of the London Library.
Chi ama i libri spesso ama parlare di libri con altre persone, oppure leggere di altri che condividono la stessa mania.
Questo libro non solo ci permette di condividere i nostri pensieri sui libri e il piacere di leggere, ma ci permette anche di conoscere i pensieri di grandi scrittori sui libri.
Tra tutti lo scritto di Virginia Woolf con la sua analisi sulle capacità che utiliziamo per leggere, un'arte che tiene insieme percezione e immaginazione, è quello che mi ha colpita di più.
Da segnalare anche lo scritto di Forster sulla nascita della London Library.
Those who love books often like to talk about books with other people, or read of others who share the same mania.
This book not only allows us to share our thoughts about books and the pleasure of reading, but also allows us to know the thoughts of some great writers about books.
Among all the writings contained in this volume, Virginia Woolf's one - with her analysis of the capabilities that we utilize for reading, an art that holds together perception and imagination - is the one that struck me the most.
Worth of mention is the article of Forster about the birth of the London Library.
Chi ama i libri spesso ama parlare di libri con altre persone, oppure leggere di altri che condividono la stessa mania.
Questo libro non solo ci permette di condividere i nostri pensieri sui libri e il piacere di leggere, ma ci permette anche di conoscere i pensieri di grandi scrittori sui libri.
Tra tutti lo scritto di Virginia Woolf con la sua analisi sulle capacità che utiliziamo per leggere, un'arte che tiene insieme percezione e immaginazione, è quello che mi ha colpita di più.
Da segnalare anche lo scritto di Forster sulla nascita della London Library.
December 11, 2016
Very famous author who wrote about books, fictions, being author and so on. A very interesting reading and some things I didn't know, like Dickens being friend with Collins for example. The best present for a bookworm.
Autori famosi che scrivono di libri, di storie e dell'essere autori, etc. Lettura interessante che mi ha permesso anche di scoprire, per esempio, che Dickens e Collins erano amici. Il regalo migliore per un bibliofilo.
THANKS TO EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Autori famosi che scrivono di libri, di storie e dell'essere autori, etc. Lettura interessante che mi ha permesso anche di scoprire, per esempio, che Dickens e Collins erano amici. Il regalo migliore per un bibliofilo.
THANKS TO EDELWEISS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews