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An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life
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An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life Paperback - 2004

by Michael Dirda

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This funny, wistful memoir by a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic recalls the charm of growing up and the tenderness of one writer's beginnings.

Reader reviews for An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

From the publisher

"All that kid wants to do is stick his nose in a book," Michael Dirda's steelworker father used to complain, worried about his son's passion for reading. In "An Open Book," one of the most delightful memoirs to emerge in years, the acclaimed literary journalist Michael Dirda re-creates his boyhood in rust-belt Ohio, first in the working-class town of Lorain, then at Oberlin College. In addition to his colorful family and friends, "An Open Book" also features the great writers and fictional characters who fueled Dirda's imagination: from Green Lantern to Sherlock Holmes, from Candy to Proust. The result is an affectionate homage to small-town America summer jobs, school fights, sweepstakes contests, and first dates as well as a paean to what could arguably be called the last great age of reading. "Dirda is a superb literary essayist." Harold Bloom "Michael Dirda's memoir no surprise to me is so good that I went up to the attic meaning to send him one of my antique Big Little books as a salute to excellence...A great job. I'll be buying "An Open Book" for my children and grandchildren." Russell Baker, author of "Growing Up" "Here, in "An Open Book," is the show and tell of a wonderful American story, everything coming together in the immemorial dance of literature and memory, of history and gossip, and of the deeply felt, bittersweet story (his own) of a young life. Read it and rejoice." George Garrett "A lovely, unapologetically nostalgic remembrance of growing up in a more innocent America, but it is also the touching story of one person's lifelong love affair with words." June Sawyer, "San Francisco Chronicle" "Dirda inhabits each book he reads. Inhabits it and makes a space alongside it for us to join him....He is a rare treasure." James Sallis, "Boston Sunday Globe""

First line

Daydreaming is my only hobby.

Details

  • Title An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life
  • Author Michael Dirda
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Printing
  • Pages 335
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher W. W. Norton & Company, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 2004-12-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780393326147 / 0393326144
  • Weight 0.69 lbs (0.31 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.26 x 5.61 x 0.93 in (20.98 x 14.25 x 2.36 cm)
  • Category Biography / Autobiography
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2003011413
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Citations

  • New York Times, 03/06/2005, Page 24

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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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W. W. Norton & Company. Illustrated. Very Good. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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W. W. Norton & Company, 2004-12-17. paperback. Good. 5x1x8. Minor Shelf Wear to the Book's Covers. Minor Tinting to the Pages. Tight Binding! Good Reading Copy!
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Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland
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Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland

by Micahel Dirda

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Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2004. Paperback. Very Good. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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  • Paperback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393326147 / 0393326144
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W. W. Norton & Company, 2004. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland

Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland

by Micahel Dirda

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Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2004. Paperback. As New. Disclaimer:Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland

Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland

by Micahel Dirda

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2004. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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W. W. Norton & Company, 2004. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393326147 / 0393326144
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W. W. Norton & Company, 12/17/2004 12:00:01. paperback. Like New. 0.9016 in x 8.0984 in x 5.2992 in. LIKE NEW!!! Has a red or black remainder mark on bottom/exterior edge of pages.
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life

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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
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An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life

by Dirda, Michael

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393326147 / 0393326144
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W. W. Norton & Company, 2004-12-17. paperback. Used: Good. 5.60x1.00x8.30. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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