I review books because it forces me to read books, something I enjoy but have trouble making time for. Leveen is the founder of Levenger, the company that sells “tools for serious readers.” Readers requested something that he couldn’t provide and he attempted to do it with the book: time for reading. Talk about great customer service.
The book didn’t focus much on making time to read, but making the most of what you read. A book still bores you after 50 pages? Stop reading it. Try again later, if you wish. Books that turned us off at 16 might delight us at 30. Every year, we grow and gain experience, which might help us appreciate a formerly disliked book.
I despised memorizing poems in school. But guess what? Some of those memorized poems later became my favorites. Kipling’s “If,” Alfred Noyes “The Highwayman,” Shakespeare’s “All the World’s a Stage” from As you Like It, and Edgar Allan Poe’s “Eldorado.”
Leveen shared the process of experiencing a book, absorbing it, and making it valuable. He suggested writing notes in the margins. Me, the book preserver, hates writing in books. I hate it when I see marks, folded pages, or any damage to a new book.
Leveen shared the perspectives of those who like to write notes and those who like preserving books. I could see the benefits of writing notes and such, but I just can’t do it. The only time I ever did it was in college when I highlighted passages in textbooks. It didn’t do much good, which is probably why I don’t like to mess up a book. But I know writing notes isn’t the same as highlighting text. I might give it a try. I didn’t write in this book despite the encouragement.
One thing I’ve been doing is keeping a list of books I’ve read. After reading this book, I went back through the list and added notes about each one (what I could remember anyway). I’m glad I started this list and of course, I wish I had started it sooner. My list (pdf file) is available so others can discover new books and authors just as I did because of the recommendations of others.
Though I can’t use audio books, I discovered the audio books chapter was worth reading. The book held my attention from beginning to end. It took little time to read the whole book and I absorbed much of it. Book lovers will appreciate and enjoy reading this one.
Title: The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life
Author: Steven Leveen
Publisher: Levenger Press
ISBN: 1929154178
Date: April 2005
Format: Paperback
Pages: 144
Cover Price: USD: $17.50 Amazon: $11.90
