Sunday, November 19, 2017

Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence


Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks
by Annie Spence
narrated by Stephanie Spicer
Dreamscape Media, 2017
5 hours and 35 minutes



Dear Annie,

Well done! Dear Fahrenheit 451  was an absolute joy to read. The idea to write love letters (or 'Dear John' letters) to books while weeding the library shelves was brilliant.

I loved hearing about favorites from bygone days. It's gratifying to know these old treasures still merit a place on the shelf. You also had me laughing out loud at some of the discard books. Hard to believe anyone ever thought they might be a good idea.  I'm not even sure they'll find a home at the book sale!

Reading your book made my already unmanageable to-be-read list even more unwieldy. I know it's your job, but you know about a lot of books... and across so many different genres. I only wish I could read faster.

I'm also wondering if you had a say in choosing the audiobook narrator, because Stephanie Spicer is perfect! I imagine you sound just like her... enough snark to be entertaining, but a genuine love of books and reading shines through.

Anyway, thanks for a great book... and I promise to give  Jeffrey Eugenides another try.

Happy reading,
JoAnn


My rating:

37 comments:

  1. JoAnn - I love your review! So, clever to respond to a book of letters with a letter. I already had Fahrenheit 451 on my TBR list, but after reading this, I think I'll go audio on it.

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    1. Thanks, Susie. I hope you love the audio, too.

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  2. I’m joining you and Susie on this one! That’s a clever post.

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    1. Tina - Thanks, this was a fun review to write.

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  3. This is a very neat post. I love books about books and I think that I would really like this one.

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    1. Thanks, Brian. This was such an enjoyable book.

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  4. What a delightful review! I have been eyeing this book, but now I must add it to my list. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - I think you will enjoy this one too, and will recognize many of the titles she talks about.

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  5. If I didn't already have this book on my library list from your previous post, I certainly would have added it from this one! My library only has digital and audio copies, so I'm venturing into new territory.

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  6. It wasn't on mine yet, but will be in about five seconds! And I agree, delightful post!

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  7. Dear JoAnn,
    I would always take your recommendations on audiobooks...and this one is available on Hoopla! Instant gratification!! :)
    Thank you in advance,
    Audrey

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    1. Audrey - Perfect comment... and hooray for Hoopla!!

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  8. I just got this book in the mail as a birthday present yesterday. I can’t wait to read it now!

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  9. This sounds like my kind of book! Now to decide if I should listen or buy a copy.
    BTW, I'm over 100 pages into A Gentleman in Moscow and I LOVE it! I don't think it's at all slow.

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    1. Les - Tough choice! I want to get a print copy to look over some of her lists at the end, but loved listening to every second of the audio.

      So glad you're loving A Gentleman in Moscow! I'm sure my recent reading slump had something to do with my reaction. Probably should have waited a little longer...

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  10. This was just recommended to me after I wrote a post about Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. Your post makes it sound very appealing. I'll have to add it to my never-ending list of books to one day acquire.

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    1. Jennifer - It was a fabulous book, hope you get a chance to read it. I've been thinking about rereading Ex Libris, too, after I mentioned it in my Books about Books post last week. So many books...

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  11. Why can't I be as clever as you with my reviews? I loved your idea of writing a letter to the author.

    And please stop with all the reviews of books that I must add to my tbr list. You're making it longer than it already is.

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    1. Vicki - The idea to respond it a letter just hit me when I wasn't even thinking about how to write the review. Not sure I'd call any other reviews I've written clever, but this one was fun to write :)

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  12. I've never read the original Fahrenheit 451 but this one looks intriguing. Love how you did your review!

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    1. Greg - I read the original Fahrenheit 451 in high school and am sure I totally missed the point. It was one of the letters in this book though, and reading Annie's letter made me want to reread the book.

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  13. What a fun way to review & respond to this book... It sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing, and introducing this title to me.

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    1. Jade - This was a fun book to read and to review. Hope you get a chance to enjoy it, too!

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  14. JoAnn I love your review! Well, no doubt this one is going on my list.

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    1. Iliana - Thanks, hope you love the book, too!

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  15. Hahah. Perfect! I liked this one a lot. And reading it over a longer period of time stretched out the fun of it. (Otherwise, I think the gimmick might have lost its shine.) Bookish books are simply the best!

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    1. Buried in Print - Good point. Some of the less positive reviews imply that it's too much of a good thing, but it definitely struck me as the right amount of snark at the right time... if that makes any sense;-)

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  16. This is such a clever and enticing review. I love books on books, and will look out for this one.

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    1. Louise - Thank you. Books about books are a favorite of mine, too, so I hope you get a chance to read or listen to this one.

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  17. I've already put this book on my Christmas list and I'm glad I did! Now the trick will be getting to Christmas without buying it. It sounds perfect - especially for this time of year when I'm feeling pretty much constantly frazzled.

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    1. Katherine - This would be a perfect book to curl up with after the Christmas morning frenzy is over!

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  18. Brilliant review! I'm tempted to revisit this as an audiobook now :)

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    1. Katie - Just listen to a sample...I'll bet you'll be tempted to reread with your ears!

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