Remember when people who love books actually carried books around with them? Remember when people read books on subways and airplanes, in waiting rooms and lobbies, at playgrounds and in coffee shops? Remember when books marked the intervals of our lives, the static moments and quiet times in between being busy and being busy?
When I worked at a cemetery for several years I would carry small books with me while waiting for funerals. I read Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" that way; also quite a number of the old Everyman's Library volumes.
Contra your point about phones: I have a friend who read "The Brothers Karamazov" on his phone; it could be that many of the people we see waiting in line or hanging out at airports are actually reading good literature using their phones.
Love this post from stem to stern. I appreciate the list. I wish there were ways to search bookseller sites for EDC (every day carry) especially in physical dimensions. I love books that measure around 4.25" by 6".
Thanks for the great recommendations. I read Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness back when it was published. His description of Arches has stuck with me all these years. The Roger Scruton book is a gem too!
When I buy a backpack purse, it has to accommodate:
a) my Book
b) food
So… every time I leave the house, I pack my current book I’m working my way through. But my treat is an Agatha Christie. Sometimes when I’m feeling irresponsible and don’t want to read whatever smart-person book I’m reading, I throw in one of hers. They are the best accompaniment to waiting rooms and errands and piano lessons and long stop lights:)
I have 'Invisible Ink' on my tbr, but as a huge Modiano fan, I'd highly recommend many of his other books as well - they're all pretty short & revolve around the same themes, but his writing never ceases to pull me in.
Back in 2006/2007 when I lived in VA and took the metro every day to work in DC, I read all sorts of books during my commute. Jane Austen, you name it. The most interesting thing was that I never had any fellow travelers comment on what I was reading until I began "Watership Down." That was the only book I read that aroused anyone else's interest. Both commenters (men, interestingly) informed me that it was "their favorite book." I still think about that, and how much has been lost since we've all gone into our hypnotic smartphone rabbit holes.
I agree, great post and intriguing list! I first read Teaching a Stone to Talk as a college freshman and my life has never been the same. I had no idea writing like that was out there.
Love the name Books for Everyday Carry. I used to do that…and think I will start again!
My favorite for this is anything by PG Wodehouse because they are always entertaining, can tolerate distracted reading somewhat, and I have old beat up editions of most of them.
I love this, and I'm with you on the phone scrolling habit. I'm so used to thinking of reading time as dedicated sit-down-and-make-good-progress reading. But there are so many chinks of time during the day. Funny that you mention collections of short stories because my bookish attention has been turning that way recently. Desert Solitaire particularly caught my attention. I haven't heard of it before. I'm reading "Drawn from Memory" by E.H. Shepard right now. It's published by Slightly Foxed and it's the loveliest little book. Sturdy too.
This was a lovely written article and a wonderful idea! I often think of this concept and never leave the house w/o a book. Am proudly passing that habit in to my children. But I take whatever book I can currently reading. I haven’t thought about having a book just for the times I’m out and about. And I love the idea of it being small! Thank you David!
This is golden! Thank you for sharing this! I would add two to this list for myself:
Non-fiction- Why Read Moby-Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick
Fiction- Lord Peter Wimsey Investigates, Selected Short Stories, by Dorothy Sayers (Macmillan Collector's Library)
When I worked at a cemetery for several years I would carry small books with me while waiting for funerals. I read Salinger's "Franny and Zooey" that way; also quite a number of the old Everyman's Library volumes.
Contra your point about phones: I have a friend who read "The Brothers Karamazov" on his phone; it could be that many of the people we see waiting in line or hanging out at airports are actually reading good literature using their phones.
What a wonderful post! A short book that fits nicely in the hand is a thing of joy.
Love this post from stem to stern. I appreciate the list. I wish there were ways to search bookseller sites for EDC (every day carry) especially in physical dimensions. I love books that measure around 4.25" by 6".
Thanks for the great recommendations. I read Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness back when it was published. His description of Arches has stuck with me all these years. The Roger Scruton book is a gem too!
When I buy a backpack purse, it has to accommodate:
a) my Book
b) food
So… every time I leave the house, I pack my current book I’m working my way through. But my treat is an Agatha Christie. Sometimes when I’m feeling irresponsible and don’t want to read whatever smart-person book I’m reading, I throw in one of hers. They are the best accompaniment to waiting rooms and errands and piano lessons and long stop lights:)
I have 'Invisible Ink' on my tbr, but as a huge Modiano fan, I'd highly recommend many of his other books as well - they're all pretty short & revolve around the same themes, but his writing never ceases to pull me in.
Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard.
The physical size of this book might be a bit large for every day carry, but the anthology format is wonderful for interval reading.
Here is a review with some excerpts: https://brianzahnd.com/2006/09/provocations/
Back in 2006/2007 when I lived in VA and took the metro every day to work in DC, I read all sorts of books during my commute. Jane Austen, you name it. The most interesting thing was that I never had any fellow travelers comment on what I was reading until I began "Watership Down." That was the only book I read that aroused anyone else's interest. Both commenters (men, interestingly) informed me that it was "their favorite book." I still think about that, and how much has been lost since we've all gone into our hypnotic smartphone rabbit holes.
I agree, great post and intriguing list! I first read Teaching a Stone to Talk as a college freshman and my life has never been the same. I had no idea writing like that was out there.
Love the name Books for Everyday Carry. I used to do that…and think I will start again!
My favorite for this is anything by PG Wodehouse because they are always entertaining, can tolerate distracted reading somewhat, and I have old beat up editions of most of them.
YAS 🔥👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I just remembered - John Betjeman: Summoned by Bells is his autobiography in verse
These book recommendation posts always humble me because I rarely have heard of any of them!
I love this, and I'm with you on the phone scrolling habit. I'm so used to thinking of reading time as dedicated sit-down-and-make-good-progress reading. But there are so many chinks of time during the day. Funny that you mention collections of short stories because my bookish attention has been turning that way recently. Desert Solitaire particularly caught my attention. I haven't heard of it before. I'm reading "Drawn from Memory" by E.H. Shepard right now. It's published by Slightly Foxed and it's the loveliest little book. Sturdy too.
Thank you for this fantastic post! I love book recommendation lists like this.
This was a lovely written article and a wonderful idea! I often think of this concept and never leave the house w/o a book. Am proudly passing that habit in to my children. But I take whatever book I can currently reading. I haven’t thought about having a book just for the times I’m out and about. And I love the idea of it being small! Thank you David!