I want to write about two recent books, one a novel and the other a reading memoir, that are book centric but I must begin with Book book by Fiona Farrell which is a novel framed by and immersed in books but is also a reading memoir describing the significance of books from Milly Molly Mandy to Owls do cry. If you missed this one (it was published in 2004) you are in for a treat!
A first novel, The Borrower, by a new young witer Rebecca Makkai, is all about books and reading and also includes amusing glances at libraries and librarians. The library borrower is ten year old Ian but then Lucy the Librarian turns borrower when she embarks on a road trip with Ian. Along the way are references to many well known children's books and even some rather clever paraphrasing of stories. The author admits to borrowing ideas from Lolita and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to move the plot along but she has created a unique character in Ian which makes for lively if not credible reading. There have been mixed reviews about this book but I think it is worth a try.
The memoir The Reading promise by another debut writer, Alice Ozma, is an exortation for reading aloud and comes complete with an appendix of good read-aloud titles. Alice's bedtime reading with her father lasted all through her childhood and continued until she left home for college at 18 years old. There are references in the text to many books and characters and also some links to the Library profession, but the main subject is parenting and the real content is the personal story of Alice and her father. Nearing sentimentality at times, it is nevertheless an interesting look at solo-parenting and an endorsement of the importance and significance of books and reading to the human condition. Oh yes, and libraries as well!
