Are you addicted to books? You may go to any lengths to find a particular book. Bibliomania is "a gentle madness," a joy that's been enjoyed by bibliomanics, bookworms, book lovers, book hunters, and other readers throughout history. Read about what famous writers have said about thier passions for books; and then discover why you can derive such a pleasure from reading the classics!
1. The Bibliomania or Book Madness
by Thomas Frognall Dibdin, and Peter Danckwerts (Editor). Tiger of the Stripe. From the publisher: "A new annotated edition of this extraordinary classic of bibliophilia, bibliophobia, bibliosophia, bibliography and BIBLIOMANIA. A must for all book-collectors, bibliophiles, librarians, bibliographers and, of course, bibliomaniacs. The casual reader will also find much to entertain him."2. Biblioholism: The Literary Addiction
by Tom Raabe. Fulcrum Publishing. From the publisher: "A hilarious guide for book lovers that brings book addiction out of the closet... You are not alone. Your complete recovery awaits you--just buy one more book!"
3. Anatomy of Bibliomania
by Holbrook Jackson. University of Illinois Press. From the publisher: "In 'The Anatomy of Bibliomania,' Jackson inspects the allure of books, their curative and restorative properties, and the passion for them that leads to bibliomania ('a genial mania, less harmful than the sanity of the sane'). His sparkling commentary addresses why we read, where we read... and what happens to us when we read."4. Among the Gently Mad: Perspectives and Strategies for the Book-Hunter
by Nicholas Basbanes. Holt, Henry & Company. Basbanes writes: "The first documented use of the word 'bibliomania' in English came in 1750 when Philip Dormer Stranhope, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield and a wily politician with a gift for turning a memorable phrase, sent a haughty letter to his illegitimate son... to warn of the consuming diversion that should be avoided lik the bubonic plague."5. Passion for Books
by Harold Rabinowitz (Editor), and Rob Kaplan (Editor). Crown Publishing. From the publisher: "'A Passion for Books' is a collection of sixty classic and contemporary essays, stories, lists, poems, quotations, and cartoons on the joys of reading, appreciating, and collecting books."6. Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Reason
by Nancy Pearl. Sasquatch Books. From the publisher: "These annotated lists cover such topics as mother-daughter relationships, science for nonscientists, mysteries of all stripes, African-American fiction from a female point of view, must-reads for kids, books on bicycling, 'chick-lit,' and many more. Pearl's enthusiasm and taste shine throughout in this lively and informative illustrated guide."7. A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict
by John Baxter. St. Martin's Press. From the publisher: "In the comic tradition of Clive James's 'Unreliable Memoirs,' 'A Pound of Paper' describes how a boy from the bush came to be living in a Paris penthouse with a library worth millions. It also explores the exploding market in first editions. What treasures are lying unnoticed in your garage?"8. Sixpence House
by Paul Collins. Bloomsbury. From the publisher: "Taking readers into a secluded sanctuary for book lovers, and guiding us through the creation of his own book, 'Sixpence House' becomes a meditation on what books means to us, and how their meaning can still resonate long after they have been abandoned by their public."9. A Passion for Books
by Dale Salwak (Editor). Palgrave. From the publisher: "A Passion for Books is intended as both a celebration of the value and importance of reading and a spirited defence against the many gloomy voices in our so-called electronic age who say the book will soon be obsolete."10. Slightly Chipped : Footnotes in Booklore
by Lawrence Goldstone. St. Martin's. From the publisher: "A delight for the general reader and book collector alike, it details the Goldstones' further explorations into the curious world of book collecting."