Ex Libris

Meer over het boek

The subtitle of Anne Fadiman's collection of essays is *Confessions of a Common Reader*, but she is anything but common. In her previous work, she explored clashing cultures with skill and empathy. Here, the subject matter is lighter yet infused with the same fine prose and warmth. This collection serves as a love letter to language and its wonders. Fadiman's passion for words is evident; in "The Joy of Sesquipedalians," she describes her family's fondness for long words and intellectual competition. From there, she joyfully discusses books, book collecting, and ownership, claiming that "nineteen pounds of old books are at least nineteen times as delicious as one pound of fresh caviar." In "Marrying Libraries," she reflects on the emotional challenge of merging her collection with her husband's, using it as a metaphor for their relationship's depth. Across 18 charming essays, Fadiman explores topics ranging from the "odd shelf" that reveals much about its owner to the nature of plagiarism and the joys of reading aloud. She invites readers to share her love for literature and the power of language, likely evoking warm memories of their own favorite books and prompting a desire to revisit their own "odd shelf."