Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason

By Nancy Pearl

What to read next is every book lover's greatest dilemma. Nancy Pearl comes to the rescue with this wide-ranging and fun guide to the best reading new and old. Pearl, who inspired legions of litterateurs with "What If All (name the city) Read the Same Book," has devised reading lists that cater to every mood, occasion, and personality. These annotated lists cover such topics as mother-daughter relationships, science for nonscientists, mysteries of all stripes, African-American fiction from a female point of view, must-reads for kids, books on bicycling, "chick-lit," and many more. Pearl's enthusiasm and taste shine throughout.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 29, 2009
• ISBN: 9781570616594

Nancy Pearl

Nancy Pearl is known as “America’s Librarian.” She speaks about the pleasures of reading at library conferences, to literacy organizations and community groups throughout the world and comments on books regularly on NPR’s Morning Edition.  Born and raised in Detroit, she received her master’s degree in library science in 1967 from the University of Michigan. She also received an MA in history from Oklahoma State University in 1977. Among her many honors and awards are the 2011 Librarian of the Year Award from Library Journal; and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. She also hosts a monthly television show, Book Lust with Nancy Pearl. She lives in Seattle with her husband.

Reviews for Book Lust

[amaliagavea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the most interesting ''book about books'' I've had the pleasure to read. Nancy Pearl divides different themes, structural techniques, genres and authors, in alphabetical order, and each one of the chapters is accompanied by a comprehensive list of suggestive readings. Her writing is comprehensive and flowing, and although, I thought that she missed some books that are ''landmarks'' in a few of the genres, she brings to focus many less-read novels and non-fiction books. Perfect for those of us who wish to broaden their reading material a bit and discover new literary worlds. Enjoy!

[indygo88 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whether or not you agree with Nancy Pearl's choices for this book, you have to admire the vast numbers of books she's familiar with. (Probably doesn't hurt to be a librarian, but I'm still in awe!) I devoured this book -- I didn't want to put it down & of course I added liberally to my wish list. I will admit I skimmed through parts of less interest to me, but on the other hand, I looked twice at some areas that I wouldn't have given a second thought before picking up this book. I'm not sure I would've organized it the way she did (with alphabetical chapters), but as has been mentioned before, it's hard to please everyone & there's inevitably going to be books & authors who have been left out and/or mysteriously included. I bought "More Book Lust" quite a while back, in anticipation of eventually receiving this book, and now I'm anxious to read it to see what additional chapters she's added in her second edition.

[deldevries · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great resource for finding books based on topics.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I LOVE to read and am always looking for more suggestions. I've had the pleasure of hearing Nancy Pearl on NPR and in person - she is delightful and a font of information on books and reading. This is a great reference to have, but it's somewhat dry reading. (And I don't always agree with her.)

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Y'know, Pearl means well. But her annotations are so simplistic, if you're not willing to fly blindfolded, she won't be much help. I glanced at every page and used this website to look up a few of her recommendations, but found nothing to add to my to-read list.

Two main problems - 1) if your taste doesn't match hers, you'll often be disappointed. 2) GoodReads community reviews and Listopias and groups make a book like hers unnecessary. Even google books and amazon reviews are probably more helpful.

That said, if someone gives you a copy, say thank you. And hang on to it awhile; stick it on your reference shelf.

[wonderlandgrrl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I turn to this when I'm looking for something new to read

[crazy4reading · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So do you need some more books to read? Then check out Book Lust. Or you may find some books that you read that you didn't think anyone else read. While reading this book I did learn about some new authors.Nancy Pearl covers many different genres, some I had never heard of. I learned about so many different ways that genres are broken down. I always thought there were just your typical genres like, fiction, nonfiction, romance, mystery, horror, etc. Now they main genres are being broken down even farther. To me that can be a little daunting especially when you don't consider your self a connoisseur of Literature. I enjoyed the book and finding new authors to check out. Some of the authors I learned about are: Mary McCarthy, Helen Fielding, Ian Mcewan and too many to mention.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Librarian Nancy Pearl shares some of her favorite books from selected categories and from selected authors. Each short section usually contains a hook paragraph and lists several reads. Some describe the book; others do not. I was disappointed that so many books she recommended did not have descriptions long enough to make me want to pick them up or lacked descriptions entirely. It was far safer to read this book than to read threads in LibraryThing's 75 book challenge or 11 in 11 category threads as I came away with very few items to add to my wish list from reading this book and always seem to add a ton from my fellow readers in those challenges. It's a nice book for reader's advisory, but it is far from essential.

[marliesd_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one in a series of amazing books. A librarian started making lists, and now they are best selling book suggestion guides. Nicely done. This is the only one I've read so far.

[snat_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have great respect for Nancy Pearl. Anyone who has turned reading into a "profession" deserves some serious props. That combined with a title as awesome as Book Lust (I tried to read this in public as often as possible, holding the cover up where everyone could see my wanton bibliophilia on public display) was an irresistible siren song to which I had to give in. After an inspiring introduction on the pleasures of reading, the book basically consists of recommended reading lists for an eclectic collection of topics, from various wars to family issues, from graphic novels to biographies, from postmodern literature to romance. This is definitely the type of book to read with pen and paper at the ready for jotting down book titles, and I've already added several books to my own "to read" list. However, therein lies a bit of a problem. For those who read extensively, check out the bestseller lists religiously, and read every current review/author interview for new releases, there's honestly not a lot new here. When adding them to my Goodreads to read list, I found that I had already added most of these books long before reading Pearl's book. This book may be better suited to those who are new to the reading life or to those who are rediscovering it and wondering what to read next--a question I seldom have. Also, some lists were just that--lists giving only title and author. I would have appreciated at least a very short synopsis of each book before deciding whether or not it was for me. So, to sum it up, interesting premise, definite admiration for Nancy Pearl, but not necessarily a "must read" for those already drowning in a never-ending parade of books to be read.

[fliss88_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nancy Pearl has SO MUCH knowledge about books. Books on a huge cross section of topic, subject and genre. I found myself taking note of lots of new titles and authors, and she can even make a book about the concept of ZERO sound interesting. I would say that no matter who you are, no matter what you normally read, you will find something that surprises you in this book of book lists and book recommendations, and you will go out and find this something new, and read it!

[merrymary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love books about books! Nancy Pearl writes with wit and enthusiasm about all sorts of books. Her recommendations are usually "spot on."

[katie_h_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm a huge fan of booklists, and this was a good example of one. Most of the books chosen by Pearl aren't bestsellers or award winners, but are more obscure options that you probably haven't read yet. She arranges the collection into 175 useful, creative, and humorous lists. The lists are named specifically, presented in alphabetical order, and posted in the Table of Contents. Some examples are: Adventure by the Book, Bird Brains (books about birds), Fathers and Daughters, First Novels, Shrinks and Shrinkees, Hanky Reads, Zero (literally...books about the concept of zero), Chick Lit, Elvis on my Mind, Families in Trouble, and 9/11. She also includes works from "Too Good To Miss" authors, and most of her recommendations include a brief description of the work. I checked this out from the library, but I'll probably buy it at some point. This is a great gift for book lovers and a wonderful addition to the shelf of any reader. There is also a companion volume, "More Book Lust," and a movie version, "Movie Lust," that are probably worth checking out.

[kidsilkhaze · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well, in case you need some good recommendations on what to read, may I suggest two most excellent books by Nancy Pearl?Book Lust (and More Book Lust) are filled with annotated book lists of books to read and enjoy. Most of my favorites were there and some were missing, but the Ms. Pearl, the rockstar librarian, encourages the rest of us write in with our additions.So, these books offer lists with such topics as "Africa: Yesterday and Today" and "Quirky Science" she introduces the topic and writes a sentence or two about the books she lists, giving just enough to make you want to read them.Read these books with paper and pencil, because your "To Read" list will expand exponentially-- I think I added 9 pages to mine with these books! Despite my innate fear of writing in books, I'm taking a pencil to mine, putting little check marks by the books I've read.

[niecierpek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great guide to good books in each genre, theme, category, or even country.

[rampaginglibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nancy Pearl is becoming quite the famous little librarian and i'm always hip to pick up on new recommended reading lists (especially since my own reading is so ecclectic and strange). She has great categories, this makes a great tool for librarians and feeds any biblioaddicts addiction--whether you view that as good or bad i will leave up to you...

[cinesnail88 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great idea - this books is chock full of recommendations for every kind of reader. No matter how weird your taste, Nancy Pearl can find something to suggest for you to read - and it's probably good.

[vulgarboatman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is loaded with great reading recommendations, including a number of inspired choices. Nancy's commentary is a bit compressed, more closely resembling the 'Staff Recommends' cards in bookstores, rather than essays from the NYT Book Review. The chapter topics jump around, and the book is really designed for random access. Open it to any page, and you'll likely see a book that you've read and liked, and at least one you'll want to put on your wish list. Though it was only published in 2003, some titles can be difficult to find.

[rachelpenso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This, along with More Book Lust, is my go-to book when I am looking for something new to read. I have gotten more wonderful suggestions from here than anywhere else.

[david7466 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great thing Nancy Purl has done - listing great books in a variety of categories that she, as a librarian, recommends. It's so hard to wade through all the books out there, thank goodness for such lists.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book Lust by Nancy Pearl is more of a catalogue, listing as it does some of her favorite books on just about any subject, both fiction and non-fiction. I have spent the last couple of days absorbed in scanning her cleverly titled lists and making some lists of my own. I admit to at least two trips to the Kindle store.Ms Pearl, a Seattle librarian, has an obvious love of books that goes right back to her childhood. In the last week I have also gone through her children and YA recommendations called Book Crush. One thing I have found is that Ms Pearl and I have many books in common. Nancy Pearl is also famous as being the creator of the Pearl Rule, understanding as she does that not all books are right for all people and that there is nothing wrong with trying a book and discarding it as not being the right book for you. I suspect any book lover would enjoy Book Lust whether to get ideas for new books or simply as a trip down memory lane, being reminded of past books that had an impact in your life. I will definitely be picking up her More Book Lust as apparently there is always room for more books on my wish list.

[nmele_4 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Make your own list of favorite books before you read this one. Of course, if you are on Goodreads, you already have!

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not sure how useful this book will be to me, since it tends to confirm my own tastes -- I knew that from the moment I spotted a recommendation of Dorothy L. Sayers' Gaudy Night -- but I think it's worth keeping around. Nancy Pearl's recommendations are very brief, but here and there they spark a thought or lead on to another book you really must get round to reading.

Something to keep around for reference, though, not something to read cover to cover. If you're in a mood for, say, a 'coming out' story, then turn to page 93 -- but it'd help if you have GR open to get other people's perspectives on the recommended books, too.

[amandamay83 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though it's not intended as book you just sit down and read, I've done just that...book in one hand, iPhone and GoodReads app in the other. As if I needed more books to read.

[yasmine_d · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Just not my cup of tea.

[jakegest · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fairly decent selection of suggestions what to read. The Categories of books she suggested were often interesting or things I would not have thought to look for in books. I definitely jotted down dozens of titles that sounded like works I would enjoy reading. Sometimes the suggestions seemed to devolve into simple listings of titles, which in the context of this work amounted to sections that I would think most readers simply skipped past. In my mind the whole point of picking up a book like this is to get teasers that hook you into reading, not lists of books withing a genre or subject matter. Still a worthwhile work.

[damsorrow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

found this little guy on a desk while patiently waiting for my high school english teacher to come back to his classroom today. he didn't show, but i mined its cleverly and whimsically constructed lists of book recommendations for solid gold.

[bnbookgirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These are great resources for finding new reading genres

[girlunderglass · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I devoured this book in a single day. Of course, this isn't one of those books that you read once. It's one of those books that you go back to again and again, for consultation. I was hesitant to buy any "books about books" in the beginning because I was worried that my taste wouldn't coincide with the author's and it would be a waste of money, but I needn't have worried. Pearl's recommended reads are so diverse that it is IMPOSSIBLE not to find something that you'll be interested in. (If you have expertise in matters of law you can draft a legal document that attests the validity of the previous statement and holds me responsible if the book doesn't deliver what I promised and I will sign it in a second.) Book Lust doesn't have a specific reader in mind, it's for all ages and all tastes. The book has separate categories for different regions (from Japan to New Mexico and everything in between), different time periods (Vietnam, WWI&WWII, 100 Great Reads for Every Decade etc) and different genres (ALL genres, from epistolary novels to cyberpunk). The best part was that it wasn't just a list of novels - almost every book has a brief description that makes you aware of the subject and themes of the book, without giving too much away (1001 BYMRDYD spoiled some books' ending for me). Some of my favorite categories were "Aging", "Companion Reads", "Girls Coming of Age", "Spies and Spymasters" "Three-Hanky Reads", "My Own Private Dui" and, of course, "Too Good to Miss". There are only two negative things I have to say about the book: a) it makes you sadly aware of the fact that you will never be able to read everything that you wan to because there's just too much out there; and b) it will add a very frightening amount of books to my TBR pile. Oh well.

[lisamorr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I bought this book before discovering LibraryThing, and even after the LT discovery, I'm glad I picked it up.This is a book about books. Nancy Pearl has put together 172 short chapters, arranged alphabetically, that list books, some described, and some not. I placed a ton of colored tabs throughout this book with ideas to significantly increase my wishlist and TBR pile. The chapters run the gamut, from 'Academia - The Joke' to 'Zero: This Will Mean Nothing to You.' Some of many , many chapters I starred include: Bomb Makers (books about those involved with the development of the atomic bomb), Companion Reads (listings of 2-4 books recommended to read together), Les Crimes Noir, Epistolary Novels, First Novels, The Islamic World, The Middle East, 9/11 and WWII Fiction.You can go about reading this book in a number of ways - as purely a reference work for use at the library or bookstore, so when you're in the mood for a 'Technothriller' you just go directly to that chapter and pick something. You could breeze through it, just reading chapters about categories of books you already like and are familair with (which is what I did the first time), or you can read all the chapters in detail, and consider broadening your reading lists, which is what I did the second time through.For all lovers of books, and especially those who are looking for new books in favorite genres and those interested in exploring new genres.