My favourite books about books
And those I'm adding to my TBR 📚
Hello, I’m Molly, a full time creator based in the Scottish Highlands. Subscribers can enjoy weekly posts around the themes of slow living, thriving in a creative career, books & nature. Members get access to ALL my content, including video tea times, slow letters and seasonal book reviews.
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There is nothing as infinitely cosy as reading a book about books.
Goodreads defines this sub-genre as -
Books about: other books, literacy in general, writers, bookstores, literary culture. Usually non-fiction, but can be fiction as long as books are a central plot theme.
Although I am relatively new to exploring this sub-genre, I thought I would share some of my favourite bookish reads today, alongside others that are on my ever-growing TBR (to be read) list!
A hot drink is highly recommended…
My favourite books about books
Dear reader (the comfort and joy of books), Cathy Rentzenbrink
In this memoir, Cathy shares her love of reading and how this led to her working as a bookseller. I found reading about the ins and outs of life as a bookseller fascinating and the lists of specific book recommendations at the end of each chapter was a lovely touch!
Books are a masterclass in how to carry on.
Bookworm (a memoir of childhood reading), Lucy Mangan
Another memoir, this time delving into how reading shaped the author’s childhood. I was pleasantly surprised at how funny this book was and, although admittedly I didn’t know many of the books Lucy referred to (being a child of the 90’s compared to the 70’s), I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of nostalgia this book brings.
What you lose in suspense and excitement on rereading is counterbalanced by a greater depth of knowledge and an almost tangibly increasing mastery over the world.
The bookshop on the corner, Jenny Colgan
A story that follows librarian Nina, who decides to relocate to the Scottish Highlands and open her own mobile bookshop. Nina, a self-proclaimed bookish introvert, is a wonderfully relatable character and I loved following her bookselling journey (also enjoyed the very cute romance).
Her second book in this duology (they can be read independently), The bookshop on the shore, is also well worth a read.
Books have been her solace when she was sad; her friends when she was lonely. They had mended her heart when it was broken, and encouraged her to hope when she was down.
The binding, Bridget Collins
One of my all time favourite stories, I adore the fantastical way the author paints books in this touching love story. Utterly unique and infinitely memorable, I recommend it to everyone!
Memories,’ she said, at last. ‘Not people, Emmett. We take memories and bind them. Whatever people can’t bear to remember. Whatever they can’t live with. We take those memories and put them where they can’t do any harm. That’s all books are.
The lost bookshop, Evie Woods
A dual timeline story, revolving around a magical bookshop located in Dublin. This was a charming read with some heart-retching romances and I loved all the descriptions of the bookshop!
The shop itself had the quiet warmth of all bookshops, with dark wooden shelves worn soft over the years, and that unmistakable scent of paper and leather.
Book lovers, Emily Henry
As of yet, this is the only Emily Henry I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘rivals to lovers’ romance, especially as both characters work as literary agents, meaning there is a lot of book chat!
Is there anything better than an iced coffee and a bookstore on a sunny day? I mean, aside from a hot coffee and a bookstore on a rainy day.
The midnight library, Matt Haig
I do love a library, especially a mysterious one full of magic and philosophical questions about what a happy life really looks like. A five star read for me and a book I feel everyone would enjoy.
Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?
Happily ever after, Harriet Evans
A book lover as a child, Elle ends up working in publishing in London. I fully enjoyed the Bridget Jones vibes of this book, with much of it being set in the 90’s/early 00’s, where we follow Elle as she navigates various romances and difficult relationships with family members, as she seeks her own happily ever after.
She breathed in the old, mildewy smell of second-hand books, as instantly comforting as ever.
Bookish books on my TBR…
Bookish: how reading shaped our lives (Lucy Mangan) - Lucy’s second memoir, this time following the author into adulthood and the books that shaped her.
The diary of a bookseller (Shaun Bythell) - another memoir from a Wigtown (Scotland’s book town) based bookseller, sharing musings about what it really takes to run a bookshop.
The book thief (Markus Zusak) - a modern classic about a war-time love affair with books.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop (Hwang Bo-Reum) - a story about how opening a bookshop can change your life.
Bookshops and bonedust (Travis Baldree) - the prequel to the bestselling Legends and Lattes, I can’t wait to get stuck into this one!
The book of doors (Gareth Brown) - another fantasy revolving around a magical book that opens up intriguing new worlds.
Please do share your own favourite books about books in the comments!
Until next week,
Molly xx
More from my reading nook…
My favourite bookish Substacks
Some great recommendations, some of which I've read, thank you! I thought Matt Haig's Midnight Library was brilliant and a great lesson in not harbouring regrets!
I love this genre of books and can recommend Susan Hill's - 'Jacob's Room is Full of Books' and 'Howard's End is on the Landing.' I'm currently reading (month by month) Francesca Beauman's 'The Literary Almanac: A Year of Seasonal Reading' which guides you through the year with relevant monthly suggestions.
(I'm also a former (retired) librarian who has spent their life immersed in and surrounded by books!)
Coincidence, I'm literally reading a book about a bookshop right now. The bookseller at the end of the world. About two tiny bookshops in the South island of NZ. I'm only halfway through but can recommend it so far 😊