Something a little different this episode as I invite you to head down the rabbit hole with me into the world of books about books. Accompanying us into this particular wonderland is Joseph Dance, host of the Curious Readers podcast. From meta-fictional narratives to booksellers with shadowy agendas, we’re flagging up some of our favourites both for behind-the-scenes insights into the literary world, and for the way they allow us to discover yet more books we might want to read. From Alberto Manguel’s library of 35,000 titles, to Alejandro Zambra’s essay collection On Not Reading, we’re considering a broad spectrum of perspectives that help us reflect on and enrich our reading lives. And so listen in to hear what happens when two book podcasters get together to talk about their favourite topic.
Booklist
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Possession by A.S. Byatt
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
Packing my Library by Alberto Manguel
The Book Forger by Joseph Hone
Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire
Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef
A Bookshop of One’s Own by Jane Cholmeley
In Search of Lost Books by Giorgio van Straten
Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati
Further reading / listening
And here’s Manguel sharing his favourite bookstores and libraries with Biblio-file podcast host Nigel Beale
Umberto Eco’s library on Youtube
Kate’s Moleskine reading journal
Read this wonderful review of Shelf Life from Australian critic Beejay Silcox, who lived for two years in Cairo and knew the Diwan bookstore well.
Patreon
Head to patreon.com/thebookclubreview for full membership details and how to join
