A review by Chris Maxwell
When I finally finished reading Jon M. Sweeney’s My Life in Seventeen Books: A Literary Memoir, I wanted to write my thoughts. But I was wrong. I wasn’t finished reading. I reread a few chapters several times, revisiting his stories, his reflections, his confessions.
But, before I offer my thoughts about Sweeney’s memoir, I will confess my first reaction. When I saw the cover, title, and subtitle of his new book, I had two different initial reactions.
My first thought? Oh no, someone has already published a book like the one I’m finishing right now and sending to editors for our October 1 release.
My next thought? Oh good, there is an interest in books about books, and especially the impacts books can have in our lives.
With both thoughts merging in my mind, I did what readers and writers and thinkers do. I ordered a pre-release copy of My Life in Seventeen Books: A Literary Memoir.
I was already reading three other books while waiting for his to arrive. I had four other books waiting—patiently, I assume—for their turn to be read. And all this was happening as I was sending the latest draft of my upcoming book to my editor.
So books were, as they often are, on my mind.
Books were, as they always do, challenging and encouraging and inspiring and educating me.
Now, to my first feeling about Sweeney’s book. I was in the process of writing something that might be too similar to what I was seeing on my screen. What was I writing? My twelfth book, which comes out October 1, is a book about books. Things We’ve Handed Down: Twelve Letters I Leave for You is my book about books as a memoir, as a reflection, as a reminder of how nouns and verbs and stories and pages have helped design my personal life chapters. If he’s already written something like that, why should I?
Then, to my second response. I smiled. If a talented, gifted author like Sweeney writes this type of book, that is a positive sign. There is interest in books about books. There is a market for a personal take on books, on books we’ve read, on how books are reading us.
My Life in Seventeen Books: A Literary Memoir finally arrived. I shifted from my other books and walked directly into the room of Sweeney’s library. His style? Inviting, honest, wise, fresh. The book? On the pages were stories of his life—various seasons, moods, scenes.
I started quoting his words on social media. I started sending his words to my friends. The book became more interesting as I continued reading, and it became more obvious it was not like my book. We both wrote about books impacting our lives. But our books are different, our lives are different, our styles are different.
Here are a few of these quotes:
“A book can open up a part of us that might not ever be open otherwise.”
“Have you carried a book in your bag long after the time of reading it has passed, because it has become essential for you in ways that would be difficult to explain?”
“These chapters are all about those moments when both the time and the book being carried have been sacred.”
See why I loved reading this book?
Sweeney takes us into libraries with him. He spent much time in so many libraries. And bookstores. So much time in so many bookstores.
And, of course, books. Words read. Pages turned. Lessons learned.
What else did he reveal in his one book about seventeen books? A retreat in a monastery. An adventure in the Philippines. Private notes on slips of paper. Changes of jobs and marriages and cities and books. Changes in stories and beliefs. Changes through pages of words. Red candy. Book jackets. A farmer walking a horse. Choosing a quiet way to live. Choosing to read books on a honeymoon. Choosing to let books fill a void.
The reading, the research, the writing, the travel. Throwing up. Books “grinning from a shelf.” That his “AARP cards are beckoning.”
My favorites were his chapters on Wendell Berry and Leo Tolstoy. But I loved so many of his stories.
I grade it as an A+. Sweeney’s love for books and words come out in his writing. If you love books, read My Life in Seventeen Books: A Literary Memoir. If you don’t love books, read it anyway. You might decide to give books a chance to be a part of your life.
And save a little space in your library for another book about books coming out on October 1. Things We’ve Handed Down: Twelve Letters I Leave for You is a book I would love to leave for you as I hand down thoughts from books which have been handed down to me.
