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Summary
One of America’s leading humorists and author of the bestseller Closing Time examines his own obsession with books
Joe Queenan became a voracious reader as a means of escape from a joyless childhood in a Philadelphia housing project. In the years since then he has dedicated himself to an assortment of idiosyncratic reading challenges: spending a year reading only short books, spending a year reading books he always suspected he would hate, spending a year reading books he picked with his eyes closed.
In One for the Books, Queenan tries to come to terms with his own eccentric reading style—how many more books will he have time to read in his lifetime? Why does he refuse to read books hailed by reviewers as “astonishing”? Why does he refuse to lend out books? Will he ever buy an e-book? Why does he habitually read thirty to forty books simultaneously? Why are there so many people to whom the above questions do not even matter—and what do they read? Acerbically funny yet passionate and oddly affectionate, One for the Books is a reading experience that true book lovers will find unforgettable.
Joe Queenan became a voracious reader as a means of escape from a joyless childhood in a Philadelphia housing project. In the years since then he has dedicated himself to an assortment of idiosyncratic reading challenges: spending a year reading only short books, spending a year reading books he always suspected he would hate, spending a year reading books he picked with his eyes closed.
In One for the Books, Queenan tries to come to terms with his own eccentric reading style—how many more books will he have time to read in his lifetime? Why does he refuse to read books hailed by reviewers as “astonishing”? Why does he refuse to lend out books? Will he ever buy an e-book? Why does he habitually read thirty to forty books simultaneously? Why are there so many people to whom the above questions do not even matter—and what do they read? Acerbically funny yet passionate and oddly affectionate, One for the Books is a reading experience that true book lovers will find unforgettable.
Details
- Title One for the Books
- Author Queenan, Joe
- Binding Hardback
- Edition First Edition
- Pages 256
- Language EN
- Publisher Viking Adult, New York
- Date 2012-10-25
- ISBN 9780670025824
Media reviews
"[Queenan's] passion for reading is infectious ... It’s so rare to hear such a heartfelt defense of books — it’s one of the most original works we read this year."
~New York Daily News (Best books of 2012)
"A celebration of literature, reading and the call of books from a stylish humorist who has a soft spot for Georges Simenon and a hard time with trendiness and 'astonishing' reviews."
~Kansas City Star (Top 100 books of 2012)
"A passionate, at times hilarious, account of a life spent reading and rereading."
~Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Queenan's goal isn't just to declare his love for books and to list particular books that he loves, but to suss out the customs of book lovers: to analyze what books mean to his friends and acquaintances (not to mention a few enemies), and how books forge or destroy friendships."
~Leah Price, San Francisco Chronicle
~New York Daily News (Best books of 2012)
"A celebration of literature, reading and the call of books from a stylish humorist who has a soft spot for Georges Simenon and a hard time with trendiness and 'astonishing' reviews."
~Kansas City Star (Top 100 books of 2012)
"A passionate, at times hilarious, account of a life spent reading and rereading."
~Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Queenan's goal isn't just to declare his love for books and to list particular books that he loves, but to suss out the customs of book lovers: to analyze what books mean to his friends and acquaintances (not to mention a few enemies), and how books forge or destroy friendships."
~Leah Price, San Francisco Chronicle
More Copies for Sale
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One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
- Used
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- Hardcover
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- Used - Very Good
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- ISBN 13
- 9780670025824
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- 0670025828
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One for the Books
by QUEENAN, JOE
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One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
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- ISBN 13
- 9780670025824
- ISBN 10
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One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
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- ISBN 13
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- ISBN 10
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One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
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- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 13
- 9780670025824
- ISBN 10
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Chicago, Illinois, United States
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One for the Books
by Joe Queenan
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One for the Books
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Viking Books, 2012. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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One for the Books
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£5.52
FREE shipping to USA
One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
- Used
- very good
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 13
- 9780670025824
- ISBN 10
- 0670025828
- Quantity Available
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Seattle, Washington, United States
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£5.52FREE shipping to USA
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Viking Books, 2012. Hardcover. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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£5.52
FREE shipping to USA
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different
One for the Books
by Queenan, Joe
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN 13
- 9780670025824
- ISBN 10
- 0670025828
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Reno, Nevada, United States
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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
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£7.05
FREE shipping to USA