Reading is a near-universal pleasure for people around the world. Through the gift of literacy, we are able to explore entire worlds, cultures, and experiences that we might never otherwise encounter.
But as we discover our own unique tastes, all readers share something in common: we simply love reading.
And so do the authors of these titles. From fantastical fiction to heart-wrenching memoirs, these books are all love letters to books and the practice of reading.
Here are ten of our favorite books about reading for the bibliophile in your life.
10. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
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Author:
Katarina Bivald
Published:
09/04/2013
Genre:
Publisher:
Sourcebooks Landmark
Number of pages:
394
ISBN:
9781492623441
Bookstores can be powerful spaces for people from different cultures and nationalities to connect. And that’s absolutely true in Katarina Bivald’s hit debut novel, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend.
Sara leaves her home in Sweden to meet her beloved pen pal in small-town America. After she arrives, Sara finds herself in charge of a small local bookstore.
As she begins to connect with members of her community in this book about reading, she begins to realize that books are much more than a simple distraction.
Why we recommend it: I loved the light-hearted tone of this book about reading.
9. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
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Author:
Robin Sloan
Published:
09/29/2012
Genre:
Publisher:
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Number of pages:
288
ISBN:
9780374214913
This book about reading is a quirky, eclectic exploration of the relationship between books and technology. It centers on a charming bookstore which, upon closer inspection, hides away a secret agenda.
We cannot wait to read Sloan’s latest book, Moonbound, a sci-fi dive into magic and artificial intelligence.
Why we recommend it: I loved the puzzle aspect of this book, which was incredibly engaging.
RelatedSeasonal Reading: How Changing Seasons Affect What We Read
8. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Fahrenheit 451
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Author:
Ray Bradbury
Published:
10/19/1953
Genre:
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Number of pages:
194
ISBN:
9781451673319
This classic book about reading is the most famous novel by science fiction master Ray Bradbury.
In a dystopian future where books are banned from being burned, fireman Montag slowly begins to question his society’s war against literature.
Why we recommend it: I love the timeless themes of censorship and freedom in this book about reading.
7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
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Author:
Mary Ann Shaffer
Published:
07/29/2008
Genre:
Publisher:
Dial Press Trade Paperback
Number of pages:
291
ISBN:
9781984801814
A delightful epistolary novel that takes place shortly after World War II, this book about reading is the perfect choice for any readers interested in historical fiction.
On the small island of Guernsey, a group of residents form a literary society in order to cope with the trauma of the German occupation. As one writer becomes intrigued by their history, she discovers a much deeper narrative of connection and hope.
Why we recommend it: I enjoyed the characterization and humor in this book.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter6. Possession by A.S. Byatt
Possession
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Author:
A.S. Byatt
Published:
01/01/1990
Genre:
Publisher:
Vintage
Number of pages:
555
ISBN:
9780679735908
Possession is a satisfying, multilayered book about reading. As two modern researchers discover a secret love affair between two Victorian poets, they realize they’ve hit the professional jackpot.
But as they begin to uncover a web of clues in the letters and poems, the story becomes a deeper narrative about the magic of reading and discovery.
Why we recommend it: I loved the tone and focus of this book about reading, which is essential for any fans of Victorian literature.
RelatedWhat Are The Benefits Of Reading Classic Literature?
5. Reading Lolita In Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Reading Lolita in Tehran
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Author:
Azar Nafisi
Published:
01/01/2003
Genre:
Publisher:
Random House Trade Paperbacks
Number of pages:
356
ISBN:
9780812971064
The only memoir on our list, Nafisi’s book about reading is a moving and unforgettable testament to the power of literature.
Reading Lolita in Tehran recounts the author’s experiences teaching Western literature in post-revolutionary Iran, where reading becomes an act of defiance.
Why we recommend it: I adored this book, which was heartbreaking and moving.
4. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler
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Author:
Italo Calvino
Published:
06/02/1979
Genre:
Publisher:
L&OD Key Porter
Number of pages:
260
ISBN:
9780156439619
This book about reading is a postmodern classic from one of the twentieth-century’s most groundbreaking writers.
The novel follows a reader who, while trying to finish a book, is continually interrupted. The playful story unfolds through a series of self-referential chapters that challenge the nature of fiction and reading itself.
Why we recommend it: I love the unique and unusual structure of this book.
RelatedEssential Reading for Adults: The Top 10 Books You Can’t Miss
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief
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Author:
Markus Zusak
Published:
09/01/2005
Genre:
Publisher:
Alfred A. Knopf
Number of pages:
592
ISBN:
9780375842207
This book about reading is essential reading for anyone who grew up in the 2000s. Or anytime, for that matter.
Narrated by Death, this novel tells the story of a young girl named Liesel who steals books as a means of dealing with the horrors of World War II.
Why we recommend it: I loved the character development in this novel.
2. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
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Author:
Gabrielle Zevin
Published:
03/13/2014
Genre:
Publisher:
Penguin Group
Number of pages:
288
ISBN:
9780143191957
From the author of the wildly successful Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow comes a charming novel about the transformative powers of reading.
A curmudgeonly, widowed bookstore owner is just trying to get through the day. Every day. Until someone leaves a baby in his store.
This book about reading is a love letter to literature and its ability to bring people together.
Why we recommend it: I loved the lyrical writing style and the heartwarming narrative in this book.
1. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The Shadow of the Wind
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Author:
Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Published:
01/25/2005
Genre:
Publisher:
Penguin
Number of pages:
512
ISBN:
9781101147061
One of the most thought-provoking books about reading out there, Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s novel is a profound and moving story about the power of reading.
Set in post-civil war Barcelona, this book about reading follows a boy who uncovers a mysterious and seemingly forbidden book. As he is drawn deeper into an investigation of the author, he uncovers dark and mysterious secrets about the past.
Why we recommend it: I loved the atmosphere of this novel.
