Books about Book Lovers

by Campbell Sharpe

Writing and reading are inextricably tied. I once had an English teacher describe reading as breathing in, and writing as breathing out. For many of us readers, the automatic nature of this practice is unavoidable. And when this wisdom is followed by a teacher’s suggestion to “write what you know,” authors tend to write about readers like themselves. To me, a bibliophilic character is always a good sign.

Bookish characters know what is up. Books tend to follow similar structures: the main character is challenged, the side character cracks a joke, and the villain is caught. Readers have seen this cycle again and again. We are able to recognize the main character (us, of course), the sidekick (our best friend or maybe our cat), and the villain (Keith from work). So when we find ourselves thrust into bookish plots, we — or an author’s projection of their own bookish self — do pretty well for ourselves. Bookish characters already know the structure of their scenario, so they are direct, clever, and effective.

Granted, the circumstances of bibliophiles in literature are not always easy. Clues must be found before conclusions can be deduced. Foil characters obstruct their way, and some villains are too crafty to be initially felled. Bookish characters, though, understand that some stories take longer to tell. It is this self-awareness that I appreciate in books about books. These characters seem smarter, faster, and more entertaining because a problem that can stump a reader must be a challenge indeed. Isn’t that what we want to be reading?

When you are looking for a book that breathes out what you breathe in, look no further than our Cozy Cat shelves. Trifecta of Murder, Chasing the Codex, and Murder by the Minutes all feature book-loving characters that are sure to bring the quick wit for which readers are known. With these stories, readers are more likely to find themselves in the pages.

What is your favorite book about books?