Fascinating for those with a scholarly interest in books and reading

This is a very well researched book that explores, over 16 chapters, how readers read, books and their relationships with those who turn the pages. The information is wide and varied, for example a look at folklore around books and reading, but also how libraries hold great value and their role in making reading inclusion but also the sad facts of funding issues and closures. For me, this book in a dip in and out of place on my shelf, rather than a read through -I think it works much better this way. I was expecting a more chronological structure, so it's easier to explore and pick up when you fancy reflecting on another aspect of books and reading. What is clear is the author's fascination and love of books. It's certainly worth a look at if you're interested in the bigger picture of books and reading - not just the stories inside, but how they affect lives and wider communities. I found it interesting that both positive and negative aspects were considered. You'll find information on publishing, free speech, censorship, religion and more. I would have preferred a less choppy structure to have more flow, but by treating it as a dip in and out, that issue is, for the most part, resolved.