Bibliophiles’ Bible

Andy Miller is co-host of hit podcast Backlisted, about old books, which has become mandatory listening for any committed reader. This is his back story. Part memoir and part love letter to literature, in all its varieties, the book recounts Andy’s mission to read 50 books on a ‘list of betterment’ within a year: all titles which he’d been meaning to get round to, in some cases for decades, or which he’d lied about reading in the past. There are many classics, which have a reputation for being a challenging read, such as Middlemarch and Moby Dick, and more esoteric choices. As in the Backlisted podcast, his raw enthusiasm for books, and the epiphanies they can offer, shines through. The year of working systematically through the novels - while also holding down a job and bringing up a young son - has a redemptive effect: Andy describes how it changed his perspective, realigning the synapses in his brain, and gave him a fresh outlook on his life, and priorities. He tells us he was a book-lover who had fallen out of the habit of reading - which probably describes an experience common to many of us. This book is partly about reconnecting with reading, and how to manage more of it. But it’s also funny and poignant. I found myself adding some of the titles discussed to my wish-list as I read (which I’ve also done with many Backlisted choices). Add this to your list of betterment now!

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1 person found this helpful

I only wanted to hear about the books

I'd bought this audiobook because the betterment+ list uncannily (Krautrocksampler, Gilgamesh, Paradise Lost) synced with many books I had read or always wanted to read. About a third of the books on the list I hadn't heard of, it would be nice to find out about these books and this audiobook adequately and enjoyably served the purpose.

I didn't particularly enjoy the incites into the suburban life of an English, middle class, middle aged, father but that might be because I share the same privileges/hindrances, yawn.
I didn't enjoy the performance either Mr Miller's delivery is vaguely threatening like the customer in the takeaway who repeatedly mispronounces his order to the salespersons bemusement.

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Not just me then...

Thank you, among other things, for explaining bookclubs and what I like about Douglas Adams.

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6 people found this helpful

It was alive, and it spoke to me!

The above headline is Andy Miller's highest praise of a book (I think). He quotes it from somewhere - he's not that pretentious, himself. Well, his book spoke to me. I enjoyed his discussion of the various books he read, and his family background also spoke to me. Like him, I enjoy reading more than almost anything else, and I as I am older than him, I am glad to find that the habit of reading has not altogether died out.

Listening to this made me vow to read Anna Karenina at least, and maybe have another go at War and Peace. Not to mention Edwin Drood. As his wife says, however, The Razor's Edge is far superior to Of Human Bondage and Cakes and Ale, and I highly recommend it.

PS The footnote sound was perfect.

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Since when was "quirky" a bad thing?

My happiest listening experience. High-, middle- and low-brow, just as it should be.

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7 people found this helpful

An 'OK' book

Not a book for me. I found it acceptable. Didn't like the swearing. Found him depressed and downbeat.
Hated it initially and then gradually found it better.
But it has encouraged me to re-read a couple of the books he wrote about.

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Loved this, quirky and informative

Where does The Year of Reading Dangerously rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is up there with some of the better ones.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed listening to this. I found it funny and really interesting, more so than i had expected. I found his description of the books i have also ready to be great and i have a few books from it i now want to read.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh a lot. It was lovely hearing him discuss his home life knowing this was actually his thoughts and not just a narrator

Any additional comments?

I read this as part of one of my bookclub choices and it was a really good one to discuss

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Funny & Inspiring

This is not quite autobiography or book review but a blend of both. Miller takes us on a tour of his life (& his breakfast menu) & how he came back to the classics. Wonderfully honest with some unnecessary but funny tangents (letter to Houellebecq, encounters with Adams). Made me want to read more!

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The Year of Reading Dangerously

A sheer bloody joy from start to finish. Book seller, writer, publisher,editor, podcaster, reader Andy Miller opens up generously, lighting a spark in all our libraries. I'm off to get a printed copy.

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Lighthearted literary fun.

I had already decided to try and read some more 'worthy' stuff (and less of my favourite genre) so this naturally took my interest. Andy Miller yarns his way through a year of 'Betterment.' I enjoyed listening to him talk about the things he knew he should have been reading and it has encouraged me to crack on with my own backlog of unread books.

He made me laugh, quite a lot.

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5 people found this helpful