Judging a Book bt Its Lover by Lauren Leto - Book review

Judging a Book by Its Lover

A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere

By Lauren Leto

Published: October 2, 2012
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0062070142
ISBN-13: 978-0062070142
Publisher: Harper Perennial











"I am not a scholar of literature. All my commentary comes from my experiences and presumptions as a reader", writes humor blogger and self confessed reader and book lover Lauren Leto, in her hilarious and usually very accurate observational book Judging a Book by Its Lover: A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere. The author describes, in a delightfully snark inflected style, the types of people who love certain books, how to write as if you were a well known author, and how to fake having read both literary classics or the latest hot title.

Lauren Leto understands that book lovers have both a reverence by their books, as well as a pretension to being literary experts. This combination of elitism and anti-intellectualism forma a vulnerable and ready target for the author's barbs and most astute observations. The author shares candid commentary about such widely disparate topics as bookstore romances, the tell aspects of e-readers, and what people's bookshelves and book selections say about them. Lauren Leto provides a veritable field guide to the secret, and very public lives of books and the types of people who read them. Part literay cocktail party conversation survival guide, and part deflation of literary fueled egos, Lauren Leto has the cure for book induced ennui.

Lauren Leto (photo left) recognizes that readers and non-readers alike are drowned by so many books, both new and old, that simply keeping one's head above water is a daunting challenge. The author share survival tips for those brave and less than optimally lettered folks who may find themselves facing an inquisition on the latest best seller or some obscure classic. With both wit and helpful guidance, Lauren Leto presents a course to safe shores.

Lauren Leto offers advice and heaping helpings of humor in the following overall literary categories:

* For the love of print
* Fan fictions
* How to fake it
* Snark bait

For me, the power of the book is how Lauren Leto deflates the pretentiousness that so often surrounds the world of books and literature. While the critics and self proclaimed literati attempt to remove the life and joy from the written word, and transforming them into showcases for ego and partial learning, the author demonstrates how to avoid their games. While the snarky humor style may not be for everyone, it is appropriate in this context. A bit of ego deflation is a powerful remedy for the self important.

To counter the more sharp tongued humor, there are also some softer jabs and witty barbs tossed in the general direction of the book world. Lauren Leto loves books, and through this often laugh out loud treatise, that adoration shines through. Sharing the love of books and reading is the core value expressed in this enjoyable literature and social commentary.

I highly recommend the fun and passionate book Judging a Book by Its Lover: A Field Guide to the Hearts and Minds of Readers Everywhere by Lauren Leto, to anyone who loves books, reading, and discussing ideas regardless their official literati level of sanction. This book will have you smiling and laughing, as you see yourself and others of your acquaintance skewered in its pages.