More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby

More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby

Completion Date: December 16, 2012
Reason for Reading: New book of essays about books by Nick Hornby! Enough said.

“Read what you enjoy, not what bores you,” Nick Hornby tells us. That simple, liberating, and indispensable directive animates each installment of the celebrated critic and author’s monthly column in the Believer. In this delightful and never-musty tour of his reading life, Hornby tells us not just what to read, but how to read.

Whether tackling a dismayingly bulky biography of Dickens while his children destroy something in the next room, or getting sucked into a serious assessment of Celine Dion during an intensely fought soccer match featuring his beloved Arsenal, or devouring an entire series of children’s books while on vacation, Hornby’s reviews are rich, witty, and occasionally madcap. These essays capture the joy and ire, the despair and exhilaration of the book-lover’s life, and will appeal equally to both monocle-wearing salonnieres and people, like him, who spend a lot of time thinking about Miley Cyrus’s next role.

When I heard this was coming out, likely from Ana, I knew it was on my 'must read' list for the year. I was just slow getting a copy because I have been a slacker when it comes to the library the later part of this year. I could have bought a paper edition, I would love to own them all, but where I didn't have the other three it just wasn't a pressing addition to my collection. So, I got an e-copy... You know, because all the other books I have bought lately were for nothing. I obviously needed another book! I was just in the mood for the fourth in a series of essays that I love. My reading has been so sporadic of late that I decided to take advantage of reading a book. And, I really really am happy I did. I have come to the conclusion that so far I am not a huge fan of Hornby's fiction, but I have had great success with his non-fiction. A series of columns about books!

More Baths, Less Talking is the collected essays of Hornby that run in the Believer monthly. It was on a bit of hiatus, but thankfully the hiatus was not a permanent one and he is back being humouous, snarky, and all the things that make his columns so fun to read. Well, besides the fact that it is about books. I, of course, found new books to read. That was given. Do I need more books I want to read? Probably not... It happens, though, right? The wish list grows each much way faster than I ever could possibly read them. (Lately my buying resembles that, too!) He also talks about books I am aware of in a way that makes me want to move them up the wish list a bit. (Or makes me feel better that I never got the appeal of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens despite enjoying other books by him.) Speaking of Dickens, I really want to read Claire Tomalin's biography of him. It is on my wish list, but it is a nice manageable size. It is worth checking out and has Hornby's recommendation.

I really hope Nick Hornby is back to stay and there will be another volume of his essays coming. I enjoy them immensely!

The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby

Reason for Reading: Dewey Reading Challenge

"Books are, let's face it, better than everything else," writes Nick Hornby in his "Stuff I've Been Reading" column in The Believer. "If we played cultural Fantasy Boxing League, and made books go 15 rounds in the ring against the best that any other art form had to offer, then books would win pretty much every time. Go on, try it. The Magic Flute v. Middlemarch? Middlemarch in six. The Last Supper v. Crime and Punishment? Fyodor on point And every now and again you'd get a shock, because that happens in sport, so Back to the Future III might land a lucky punch on Rabbit, Run; but I'm still backing literature 29 times out of 30." This book collects Hornby's popular columns in a single, artfully illustrated volume with selected passages from the novels, biographies, collections of poetry, and comics under discussion.

Dear Dewey,

This is another book that I had no idea that you read. I was very happy with your review. It could easily be mine. I did like The Polysyllabic Spree, but I didn't really add all that many books to my TBR pile, either. I was more interested in hearing what he thought about the books I have read! It goes to the whole concept of how I don't read reviews of books I have never read and I very often do not read the back of books. I like to make my own opinions, I suppose. So, I did read the book, but not in a lot of depth. I plan to read the sequels, and I hummed and hawed over buying them, but chances are I will just wait until they come in for me at the library. I am glad you had mostly the same idea about the book!

One thing I really enjoyed about Hornby's book is when he admitted he didn't list everything that he bought. I do that! I am better this year, but mostly I pretend that I am an angel and no books entered my house at all! It's more the amount that has entered over the years scares me, so I like to hide from it. He talks about books you really just buy to put on the shelf, and I so do that too! I am aiming for about June to quiet down at the library and actually read my own books. We will see how that works out!

Anyways, I was very happy to see that you had the same idea behind this book. I was feeling a little alone because everyone seemed to love it! And, I mean, I didn't hate it, but you know what I mean!

Until next time...

To read Dewey's review of this book, click here.