Ten Years in the Tub

I really like Nick Hornby’s hooks, so I thought I might like his book recommendations. I do. It’s a collection of his book columns from the Believer, where he lists what books he has bought that month and what he has read. The two don’t necessarily match. The reviews of books read are brief, but informative. They also reflect his life and preferences. This helps you know if his likes will dovetail with your own. There is humor throughout.Although weighted toward fiction, he looks at other genres as well. There are many books that he is skeptical about at first, but that eventually surprise him with their excellence and appeal. This is often the case with seemingly dry non-fiction, which turns out to be fascinating and often consequential. There are also a few columns on films. The book seems intimidating, but it’s perfect for places and situations where you want something short to read, say while waiting for someone. I also found myself reading it for long stretches just because the writing was fun, and I love reading about what to read.

Took this out of the library and had to buy my own copy by page 92. I never knew how much fun it could be to read about what other people were reading....but Nick Hornby is a master. Down-to-earth, erudite, interested and interesting, just the tiniest dab of irony and a large dose of wit....and he reminds all of us - indirectly - that all book lovers buy more than they read and struggle to read as much as they would like.Insert snippets of his daily life and struggles (sometimes even relevant to the book), and he is never cruel or cutting about a book or the author.I had never come across his columns before, so I was thrilled to find ten-years'-worth all together here. Each chapter is a monthly column, and each is long enough to sink your teeth in to, but short enough for a quick read before bed or while you wait for your cup of tea to finish steeping, though I found them so addictive that I could never pull myself away.The best way I can describe it is like sitting in the kitchen on a rainy day with a charming (well-read) friend who wants to tell you about what's been going on with him for the past month. Wonderfully civilized and you list of things that you want to read will fast get out of control!

A fantastic book. Wry, ironic, hysterical, poignant, and thoughtful. It seems like some other reviewers were disappointed based on their expectations of this not comparing to Hornby's other books, although as someone reading him for the first time I must say they might be over-analyzing it just a touch. Not since Bill Bryson have I laughed out loud while reading. Hornby writes in a simple conversational style that grabs the reader. Although it is 464 pages, it reads fast and was a delight every time I picked it up. Above all he is to be prized for his honesty in admitting his own failures and in his necessarily oblique reviews of some books as to not run afoul of his employers in San Francisco and their white robes! If you are a voracious reader who loves books you will love this.

I love this book! I had first come across it in the library, but needed to start underlining and making notes and the library doesn't like that! Ha! Bought this and am marking it up like crazy to note books that I must READ based on his musings.

i am 2/3 thru it, so many titles and writers never heard of by me, was hoping for more familiar goldies, but as hornby says if you like an author he can get you to enjoy whatever he dishes up. the chatty unpretentious and sometimes bellylaughing style makes me happy to read on.

Hornby is a good read

Liked this so much, bought a second one for a friend. If you enjoy reading AND perceptive, but light-hearted critiques of said reading, this is the book for you. It's a collection of articles, so it's perfect for reading in short gulps of time, and very suitable--wait for it!--for your tub bathing!

One of the most entertaining and informative books I've read in years--I bought several copies to give to family and friends. It sent me to many books I would not have otherwise looked for. and I laughed out loud many times.

Nick Hornby says he hates Amazon reviewers, so (of course) I have to write one and become one of his hatees.I'm really enjoying the book, so much so that I'm having to ration myself to only one (or maybe two) chapters a day, to prolong the pleasure.I would call it literary criticism by a real person - nice to learn about a book and something about the reviewer at the same time.Highly recommended.Thanks Nick - I hope I've done enough for you to hate me sufficiently.Mary

Just to save you from making the same ordering mistake I did, this volume contains all the columns also published in Polysyllabic Sprees 1 & 2, Housekeeping, Shakespeare Wrote, and Baths. Go ahead and just order this complete one: once you start you're not going to be able to stop, because these columns are like pretzels, only funnier.

No complaints!

A extremely amusing collection of Hornby's columns of books reviews and other random thoughts. An excellent volume to pick up and dip into casually.

A humorous, well-considered book about reading, writing and buying books.