I endorsed this, saying: "It is not enough to read widely, Karen Swallow Prior says in her thought-provoking new collection. We must also read well—and thankfully Karen takes her reader by the hand and patiently reveals how a close (and enjoyable!) reading of literary works ranging from Jane Austen to George Saunders can pull us toward the good life. This illuminating literary overview prompts us to examine more deeply the books we know and love, and to reexamine our own hearts and minds through the lens of great books." More info →

I love Jane Mount's work and her well-known coffee table book My Ideal Bookshelf. I'm thrilled she has a new collection on the way. I haven't seen the finished version yet, but Jane interviewed me for this book ages ago and I'm hoping to see some of my favorites illustrated here. If you wouldn't mind seeing Jane and me in one place, stay tuned for events updates—I've got some good news coming your way soon. More info →

This book about books has a distinctive how-to element, and is built around 20 annotated book lists, such as "The Nightstand List: Classics You Should Eventually Read," "Courage, Dear Heart: The Spiritual Classics That Made My Heart Strong," and "Not Escapism: Novels That Helped Me Cope with a Broken World." More info →

Of course I had to include this—September 4 is a big day for me! This essay collection is written BY a book lover (me) for book lovers (YOU) and I can't wait till it hits shelves near you. For so many people, reading isn't just a hobby or a way to pass the time--it's a lifestyle. Our books shape us, define us, enchant us, and even sometimes infuriate us. Our books are a part of who we are as people, and we can't imagine life without them. By turns wistful, funny, inspiring, and entertaining, I wax poetic on the magic of the library next door, bookworm problems, the books that made me fall in love with reading, and an "instructive" piece on how to organize your bookshelves that would fit right in at McSweeney's. More info →