Book Review: A Reader’s Book of Days by Tom Nissley
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it. My review is based on the Advance Reading Copy; there may be small changes in the finished product.
Unlike most of the books I review, I have not read every word of this volume, though I certainly intend to. The format is a page a day of births and deaths of authors, interesting incidents in writers’ lives and fictional events that happened on that day. In addition, there is an introduction to each month, and a recommended reading list of books that take place during that month or are thematically appropriate. Small illustrations by Joanna Neborsky break up the text a bit.
Like many people do with such books, the first date I checked out was my birthday, then an assortment of other relevant dates. (For example, September 21st (today as I write this) is the birthday of both H.G. Wells and Stephen King.) I’ve read a few of the monthly essays, and checked the reading list.
As might be expected, the tidbits shared on each day are somewhat scattershot, some fascinating, some trivial. They’re short, and if one doesn’t please another comes right after. There seems to be a wide selection, not just the standard dead white men authors being represented. The introduction mentions an index, but that has not been included in the advance copy.
Overall, this strikes me as the sort of book you give to a reading-loving friend or family member as a Christmas present, and would work well for that purpose.
