The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen

If you read books, you probably know of Levenger. Steve Leveen, co-founder of the company, has written a delightful book on how to get more out of your reading.

The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life covers everything from ways to find new books to read (and keep track of your to-read list) to something I thought I made up, having a shelf (or two or three) of unread books. I've often said I feel rich when I have books I haven't yet read to choose from in my "library." He has some ideas on how to read as well and encourages writing in books--but understands those that don't like to. I remember having loaned my uncle a book, which was a comparison between our country and Germany before Hitler rose to power. My uncle is vastly knowledgeable about Germany and the notes he penciled in the margin (questioning or agreeing with various comparisons) were fascinating to me. It was like having a conversation with him and greatly enhanced what I got out of the book. I almost always read nonfiction with a pen in hand.

If you like to read, and love books, I think this is a fun little book. He even has a term, book-love, for when you can't wait to continue reading a book. He writes "... living your well-read life is measured not by the number of books read at the end of your life but by whether you are in book love today, tomorrow, and next week."

The only thing I would add to his suggestions is to keep a shelf set aside for people you regularly exchange books with. It's much easier when they stop by to go find that book you thought they'd like than search through your shelves, at least if you have as many books as I do. I also have a special spot for "borrowed" books so I can easily return those to their rightful owners.