so-soExtremely erudite and well written but it falls awkwardly between history of books, mainly in the ancient world and the author‘s memories about books and family; as well as philosophical musings about reading and life. I dislike this kind of messy book. I expected a history of books and writing in ancient times and I am not interested in the memories of the author or I would have picked a memoir.
#bookreport
Continued Papyrus
Started and finished Chess (Story)
#weeklyforecast @Cinfhen
Continue these two.
so-soIt‘s a 450+ pages long essay, almost a stream of consciousness. Flowing without structure but relaxing. It mixes deeply personal—autobiographical—content with well-researched history told from the POVs of people who lived it. A pleasant, well-written read.
Still, I like me some structure, so not really a pick. Not for me at least—this may end up one of those books I successfully recommend to others despite not loving it myself.
3.25/5
pickA delightful, illuminating read. A love letter to the perseverance of books, language, and ideas which doesn‘t ignore their destruction and destructive power. It speaks to the importance of being a reader, a book lover, a story teller. Vallejo‘s writing was like the weaving of a tapestry connecting the ancient with the modern, and the reader is a thread. Warm and poetic at times, I just adored this. ⬇️
#catsoflitsy
Mitch, thank you for this stunning book for my birthday! It‘s a joy to hold and I love dappled edges ❤️ Thanks for remembering my special day!! 🥰 #LitsyLove
“We spend our lives making lists, reading them, memorizing them, tearing them up, throwing them into the trash, crossing off the things we‘ve done, loving and loathing them. The best lists are those that recognize their items‘ importance and try to give them meaning. Those that embrace the details and the uniqueness of the world, preventing us from losing sight of what matters.”
Leaving aside the pesky use of he/him pronouns which I would guess stems from the translation from Spanish, this description of reading a scroll really got my imagination going. The imagery in this book is so effective, and I feel like I‘m connecting to the history more fully. I can also tell how much Vallejo as the author loves her subject.
“Los libros tienen voz y hablan salvando épocas y vidas. Las librerías son esos territorios mágicos donde, en un acto de inspiración, escuchamos los ecos suaves y chisporroteantes de la memoria desconocida.”
“En cierto sentido, todos los lectores llevamos dentro íntimas bibliotecas clandestinas de palabras que nos han dejado huella.”
“Esa sabiduría nos susurra que la humilde,imperfecta y efímera vida humana merece la pena, a pesar de sus limitaciones y sus desgracias, aunque la juventud se esfume, la carne se vuelva flácida y acabemos arrastrando los pies”
pickAn impressive story about books and people working together to make its exist. Women had an notable importance in this track and it can inspire us nowadays.
ISBN:978-84-17860-87-5, writer in the pic.
#spanishreading #irenevallejo #elinfinitoenunjunco
Papyrus: The Invention of Books in the Ancient World | 
