Books, as many people know, make great gifts. Last year, Americans spent $10.73 billion on books. (Yes, that’s “billions” with a “B.”) However, anyone who knows a book lover is familiar with the “bibliophile’s dilemma” — which book can you buy them that he or she doesn’t already own? It can drive you bonkers because you want to prove that you are thoughtful and original. You don’t want to take the path of least resistance and simply purchase a gift card to Amazon or a local bookstore — that’s like reading the Cliff Notes rather than the actual novel. One type of book that every bibliophile cherishes is a book about books — and book publishers are happy to oblige. “So in 2018, what are the best books about books for book lovers?” you ask. As an antidote to the dreaded bibliophile’s dilemma, Bookshelf presents the definitive list of the best books about books:
The Art of Reading: An Illustrated History of Books in Paint by Jamie Camplin
Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount
A Book of Book Lists: A Bibliophile’s Compendium by Alex Johnson
The Book Lovers’ Miscellany by Claire Cock-Starkey
Book Towns: Forty Five Paradises of the Printed Word by Alex Johnson
The Great American Read: The Book of Books by Jessica Allen
I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Readling Life by Anne Bogel
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders by Stuart Kells
A Library Miscellany by Claire Cock-Starkey
Massimo Listri: The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries by Elisabeth Sladek
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List by James Mustich
Packing My Library: An Elegy and Ten Digressions by Alberto Manguel
Writers: Their Lives and Works edited by Angela Wilkes
Writers and Their Cats by Alison Nastasi
Read related posts: Best Books About Books for Book Lovers: 2017
Best Gifts for Book Lovers: 2015
The Art of Giving Good Gifts
Holiday Book Gift Guide 2014
Best Books for Movie Lovers
Best Books About Jane Austen
Best Gifts for Book Lovers
Best Books for Movie Lovers
For further reading: http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/11/news/companies/lottery-spending/index.html
https://www.statista.com/statistics/207468/monthly-retail-sales-of-us-book-stores/
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