The Night Bookmobile
4 journalers for this copy...
I found this good-condition hardcover at the Used Book Superstore on a sale day; win! It turns out to be a rather philosophical (and sometimes melancholy) look at life, choices, and regrets, themed around a mysterious Night Bookmobile, which seems to be larger on the inside than the outside. The illustrations of the bookshelves show a charming if unexpected assortment of titles (it's fun peering at the pictures to try and spot favorite books) - but the narrator soon realizes that these are all books she's read. Not just the same titles, but the actual books, from telephone directories to her own diary...
"Have you ever found your heart's desire and then lost it? I had seen myself, a portrait of myself as a reader... It was as though I had dreamt the perfect lover, who vanished as I woke, leaving me pining and surly."
She finds the bookmobile again a few times, re-discovering favorite works - and sometimes finding books that are blank after a few pages, since she never finished them. But she wants more time with the books than the bookmobile appearances allow; she wants to work there, but the proprietor won't permit it. How this all winds up is bittersweet, yet very tempting for those of us whose favorite memories usually involve books...
One thing it is NOT is a children's book, despite its appearance. The author's comments at the end describe her inspiration for the story, and include: "What would you sacrifice to sit in that comfy chair with perfect light for an afternoon in eternity, reading the perfect book, forever?"
"Have you ever found your heart's desire and then lost it? I had seen myself, a portrait of myself as a reader... It was as though I had dreamt the perfect lover, who vanished as I woke, leaving me pining and surly."
She finds the bookmobile again a few times, re-discovering favorite works - and sometimes finding books that are blank after a few pages, since she never finished them. But she wants more time with the books than the bookmobile appearances allow; she wants to work there, but the proprietor won't permit it. How this all winds up is bittersweet, yet very tempting for those of us whose favorite memories usually involve books...
One thing it is NOT is a children's book, despite its appearance. The author's comments at the end describe her inspiration for the story, and include: "What would you sacrifice to sit in that comfy chair with perfect light for an afternoon in eternity, reading the perfect book, forever?"
I'm putting this book in the Books about books bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop today. Hope someone enjoys it!
I can't believe the book is still in the box. I know Gory put it in a few months back, and I've wanted to read it, because 1. the author (I love The Time Traveller's Wife) and 2. it's a graphic novel 3. the title sounds interesting!
I didn't expect the book will last till it reaches me, but thanks, little book, for your patience!!
I didn't expect the book will last till it reaches me, but thanks, little book, for your patience!!
The story is somewhat disturbing for me... for the way how the character ends up working in the library.
It also makes me wonder what my reaction will be to find my own bookmobile. While it may be fun to actually see all the books I've ever read lined up together, and I may enjoy going through some books, especially those from childhood, I'd rather be in a library of books I've never read!
Also, were I to be a librarian, I think it's kind of cool to be on a motorbike, knock on the top case and say to my patron, yo, all the books you read, are here. Cooler than driving around an 18 wheeler of a certain BCer...
Sending to HI77 as it's on her wishlist and as an apology for the delay in sending her the trade books.
It also makes me wonder what my reaction will be to find my own bookmobile. While it may be fun to actually see all the books I've ever read lined up together, and I may enjoy going through some books, especially those from childhood, I'd rather be in a library of books I've never read!
Also, were I to be a librarian, I think it's kind of cool to be on a motorbike, knock on the top case and say to my patron, yo, all the books you read, are here. Cooler than driving around an 18 wheeler of a certain BCer...
Sending to HI77 as it's on her wishlist and as an apology for the delay in sending her the trade books.
The wheels are turning
inside and out,
but you don't have to wake up.
inside and out,
but you don't have to wake up.
The premise of this is interesting.
I would be curious to see if I remember all the books I've read. With my poor memory, I'd guess not. lol
But in regards to the quality of the story telling itself? ... meh. Not all that great. No real sense of motion or the passage of time. When she feels sad, it's like looking a brick wall, you don't relate of feel involved. Very one dimensional. No development, just lops of time.
Reminds me of a childs book. But this is not geared towards a child, clearly, so this doesn't pass muster.
I'd been wanting to read this for awhile. I'm disappointed in it.
I would be curious to see if I remember all the books I've read. With my poor memory, I'd guess not. lol
But in regards to the quality of the story telling itself? ... meh. Not all that great. No real sense of motion or the passage of time. When she feels sad, it's like looking a brick wall, you don't relate of feel involved. Very one dimensional. No development, just lops of time.
Reminds me of a childs book. But this is not geared towards a child, clearly, so this doesn't pass muster.
I'd been wanting to read this for awhile. I'm disappointed in it.
This book has someone else that was anxious to read it. So off it goes! ;)
To those new to this site:
"What is BookCrossing?'
It's the World's Library. It's a smart social networking site. It's a celebration of literature and a place where books get new life. BookCrossing is the act of giving a book a unique identity so, as the book is passed from reader to reader, it can be tracked and thus connecting its readers. There are currently 1,217,936 BookCrossers and 10,415,496 books travelling throughout 132 countries. Our community is changing the world and touching lives one book at a time.
This book is yours to keep, or read and pass on. Whichever you prefer is always ok!
We hope that you'll leave a journal entry here on where you found the book, or what you intend to do with it, or what you think of it. Anything you like really.
Even better if you join the site and become part of our group!
If you do join, please put 'HI77' as your referring member! :D
To those new to this site:
"What is BookCrossing?'
It's the World's Library. It's a smart social networking site. It's a celebration of literature and a place where books get new life. BookCrossing is the act of giving a book a unique identity so, as the book is passed from reader to reader, it can be tracked and thus connecting its readers. There are currently 1,217,936 BookCrossers and 10,415,496 books travelling throughout 132 countries. Our community is changing the world and touching lives one book at a time.
This book is yours to keep, or read and pass on. Whichever you prefer is always ok!
We hope that you'll leave a journal entry here on where you found the book, or what you intend to do with it, or what you think of it. Anything you like really.
Even better if you join the site and become part of our group!
If you do join, please put 'HI77' as your referring member! :D
The title of the book sounded interesting but the story was just ok.
