Books for Living

Schwalbe, Will. Books for Living. New York: Knopf. 2017. Print.

First Sentences:

Every now and then the universe tells you what book you need to read, it does this by placing the name of that book and author in front of you in various contexts, until you can't help but take note.

You ignore book recommendations from the universe at your peril.

Description:

I'm not the same reader when I finish a book as I was when I started...Every book changes your life. ..Reading is the best way I know to learn how to examine your life. By comparing what you've done to what others have done, and your thoughts and theories and feelings to those of others, you learn about yourself and the world around you.

Will Schwalbe's wonderful Books for Living is not just a series of book reviews; it is commentary on life and the specific book that offers insight into that aspect of living. Schwalbe is wide-read, so the titles he offers are both familiar (The Odyssey, Stuart Little, Rebecca) and less-known, at least by me (A Little Life, What the Living Do, Wonder). He's such a gentle, thoughtful writer that each short essay brings to light a world of emotional and lifestyle situation that the Internet simply does not address so well as a book. Here are some of my favorite descriptions with links to each book: 

• "Slowing Down" - The Importance of Living 

• "Recharging" - The Gift from the Sea

• "Mastering the Art of Reading" - Zen and the Art of Archery

• "Feeling Sensitive" - Bird by Bird

Please don't disregard Books for Living as moral lecturing from the author trying to make a point. Each of these beautiful descriptions simply reflect musings that Schwalbe considers during his life and while reading. Books influence him, so he wants to share titles that have particular significance in his quest to understand his life: 

And what can you learn from reading, according to Schwalbe? That books can save lives (Reading Lolita in Teheran), can nourish (The Taste of Country Cooking), can promote napping (What I Talk About When I Talk About Running), and help overcoming boredom (Epitaph of a Small Winner).

Shall we make a new rule of life ... always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary - (J. M. Barrie in The Little White Bird)  

Schwalbe also introduces other fellow readers, including the man who decided to cull his vast collection of books down to only 100. (Ask yourself "What 100 titles I would keep in my own library?") Then there is the woman who, after her husband died, decided to complete reading all the books in his library that he had started, bookmarked, but not finished. She just wanted to be closer to him and remember.

Authors and tantalizing books abound throughout Books for Living, from the now-unknown Henry Green whose novels were a major influence for Eudora Welty, Anthony Burgess, and John Updike; to my own personal favorite writers like Lin Yutang. And how can you resist going to the library to pick up curious titles Schwalbe mentions like "More, More More," Said the Baby (a children's board book about giving love), and A Journey Around My Room (a travelogue detailing only one room)?

I have so many ideas for future books to read, but also I have a lot of wisdom and thoughtful musings about living life to consider. There's something for everyone here, so I give it a strong recommendation for anyone looking for a new title, a theme for book group discussion, or personal words to live by.

Books are uniquely suited to helping us change our relationship to the rhythms and habits of daily life in the world of endless connectivity. We can't interrupt them; we can only interrupt ourselves while reading them....They speak to us, thoughtfully, one at a time. They demand our attention. And they demand that we briefly put aside out own beliefs and prejudices and listen to someone else's.

Happy reading. 

Fred

(See more recommended books)
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If this book interests you, be sure to check out:

Schwalbe, Will. The End of Your Life Book Club

When his mother is undergoing cancer treatments, Will Schwalbe accompanies her to keep her company. One of their common themes of discussion is books they've enjoyed. Beautifully written and plenty of great titles with thoughts about plot, characters, and writing of  (previously reviewed here)