I've chosen to take the question posed at Booking Through Thursday this week literally:What’s the biggest book you’ve read recently?
(Feel free to think “big” as size, or as popularity, or in any other way you care to interpret.)
It just so happens that I recently read a really big book - one so heavy that I read it only at my desk, a couple of chapters at a time. This one is not something to be stuffed into a backpack and carried off to the office; neither it is a book that most would consider for late night reading in bed. What it is, though, is one of the very best photographic books I have ever read, just the right combination of high quality photos and meaningful essays on America and her version of democracy.I just reviewed Visions of America: Photographing Democracy last week, so it is fresh on my mind. I have, in fact, revisited my favorite photos two or three times since posting my thoughts.
So why do I consider this to be a big book? Well, it weighs in at seven pounds, measures 12 inches across and 12 inches high, and an inch and a half thick. This is a whopper of a gorgeous book. Best of all, though, is what's inside. If you enjoy books of photographs, this one offers excellent quality and wonderful photos. (See my review for details.)
Literalist! (haha)
ReplyDeleteI recently finished Pat Conroy's "South of Broad", a book I had been waiting on like everyone else for 14 years. Much to my disappointment, it doesn't live up to his past works.
ReplyDeleteThat is big!
ReplyDeleteI read a poetry book last week. It is only 56 pages. But took me a while. It is small in size but big otherwise!
Booking through Big
Couldn't resist, Ted. :-)
ReplyDeleteGaston, I'm about 40% of the way through "South of Broad" and I like it a lot to that point. I sure hope I don't agree with you by the time I finish, though.
ReplyDeleteGautami, most poetry is "big" to me because it takes me forever to come close to the poet's intended meaning. I just don't have an ear for poetry.
ReplyDeleteI read "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane, and I was very impressed. It's 700 pages long and covers a year in the life of two men- one black and one white- in 1919-20. I was halfway through and I bought "Shutter Island" because I really want to keep reading his stuff.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both of those also, Mayra. Lehane is one of my favorites, especially his early detective series.
ReplyDelete