Book Review: Books That Changed the World by Andrew Taylor

A book about Books has never went so wrong.

Books That Changed the World tells the fascinating stories behind 50 books that, in ways great and small, have changed the course of human history. Andrew Taylor sets each text in its historical context and explores its wider influence and legacy.

Whether he's discussing the incandescent effect of The Qu'ran, the enduring influence of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, of the way in which Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe glavanized the anti-slavery movement, Taylor has written a stirring and informative testament to human ingenuity and endeavour. Ranging from The Iliad to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the Kama Sutra to Lady Chatterley's Lover, this is the ultimate, thought-provoking read for book-lovers everywhere.

I never actually finished reading this book. Mainly because wasn't what I was expecting and never managed to force myself to finish it on time. It includes non-fiction books which never enter my head when I requested it for review.

The selection was bit weird and I did not enjoy the type of information that was given to the Harry Potter part of the book. As a major fan it was not all interesting, nor do I agree with what was said in it.

Overall,I give this 2 out of 5 stars for dull data.  I did not find the information interesting nor did I like the writing of what I read. I was looking for more fictional and less the hard data books, the ones that would not obviously make a difference unless it was explained. Like obviously the medical and map books made a difference. Does that need to be explained? My point is I did not enjoy much so I waited over a year to review it and longer than that to post the review. It just wasn't for me.

I got this off Netgalley for review and from Quercus.

Book Review: The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler

 If I worked at the Owl, I would go mad with the books being so disorganized.

Love doesn't always go by the book

Ardent and Idealistic, Esme Garland has arrived in Manhattan with a scholarship to study art history at Columbia University. When she falls in love with New York blue-blood Mitchell van Leuven, with his penchant for all things erotic, life seems to be clear sailing, until a thin blue line signals stormy times ahead. Before she has a chance to tell Mitchell about her pregnancy, he abruptly declares their sex life is as exciting as a cup of tea, and ends it all.
Stubbornly determined to master everything from Degas to diapers, Esme starts work at a small West Side bookstore to make ends meet. The Owl is a shabby all-day, all-night haven for a colorful crew of characters, such as handsome and taciturn guitar player Luke and George, the owner, who lives on spirulina shakes and idealism. The Owl becomes a nexus of good in a difficult world for Esme—but will it be enough to sustain her when Mitchell, glittering with charm and danger, comes back on the scene? 

 This was nice, quick read with annoying romance. This won't leaving you swooning. Maybe that it's charm. I did get so frustrated at Esme at lot, I just wanted her to stand up for herself at lot more. She blames her Britishness, I say it's her southern Englishness. The rest of Britain are not lay down and take it communities.

This book is weird because the Americanism is used for things when she talking to herself/reader. I mean colour is spelt without the 'u' and she fondly reminisces about Jell-o instead of Jelly.

 I spent most of time feeling sorry for Esme and not because she was pregnant. She has this attachment to Mitchell that I cannot understand at all. This might be a bit of a spoiler, but I think it comes petty clear in the first scenes with Mitchell is that he doesn't really care about Esme at all and it's just really sad that she can't see that. I would have liked to have seen why Emse "loves" him instead of being told he's charming. There is hint to another romance but it never developed which does work in with the book.

So this book is set in a Bookstore and New York which sets a lot of people drooling. They feature alright. There is a lot of book references in this book to enjoy. There is also sub-plot/issue of homelessness in the book as three homeless men work at the bookstore.

The dialogue in this book is quite good and there are a lot of funny lines just throw in during conversation with the other characters. The Owl is just full of characters (which is a sentences that works in so many ways. Three ways actually). 

Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars for L. Frank Baum gays. I don't feel that strong towards this book but it was enjoyable read. If you find the summary intriguing then you should definitely check it out.

I got this book for review off Netgalley. Its published by Bloomsbury Reader and is out now.