I read a lot of books about books and reading, and I almost invariably enjoy them. But they do quite often feel like palate-cleansers in between other books – treading familiar ground, and not quite capturing the love I had of my first forays into the genre, like Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman and Howards End is on the Landing by Susan Hill.
But then, sometimes, I come across a book about being a reader that reminds me why I love them so much. Bookish (2025) by Lucy Mangan is such a wonderful read. Or, in my case, listen – I listened to the audiobook, but I wasn’t far through it when I knew I’d have to get hold of a paper copy too. It’s always hard to write a proper review from my memories of an audiobook, so instead here are some bullet points of things about loved about Bookish.
1. The opening lines
The book starts with ‘I am never happier than when I am in a bookshop’, and you know you’re in safe hands already. Like Lucy Mangan, I consider book hunting to be one of the happiest, most joyful ways to spend time. I’d already really enjoyed her previous bookish book, Bookworm, about childhood reading – and I was even more excited to read her talking about grown up books.
2. Lucy Mangan is a kindred spirit
If that quote doesn’t make it clear, she is One Of Us. Few writers have better captured what it is to live a bookish life – not just somebody who enjoys reading, but somebody who is A Reader. Not in a scholarly, superior way – rather, somebody who lives, breathes, and loves books. There were countless occasions on which I felt seen by her. Which is why I am calling her ‘Lucy Mangan’ in full throughout – because I don’t actually know her, so can’t call her ‘Lucy’, but also now feel too much of a friend to call her ‘Mangan’.
3. She captures stages of life perfectly
There are plenty of life experiences that Lucy Mangan and I do not share – marriage, parenthood, being an incredibly successful journalist. But one thing we do have in common is going to Oxbridge from state schools, and being thrown into seminars and tutorials with students who clearly felt much more comfortable in those environments. The section where she describes that period of her life had me nodding vigorously.
4. She has controversial but correct opinions
I am thinking specifically of her preference for Anne Bronte over Charlotte and Emily. Tell ’em, LM!
5. Our tastes overlap…
To be fair, there aren’t many super-super-obscure books mentioned in Bookish, though there are plenty I haven’t read or are only dimly aware of. But it’s still lovely to read a fellow enthusiast for books like I Capture the Castle and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. And, in fact, Lucy Mangan’s love for those books makes me desperate for her to read Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton and O, The Brave Music by Dorothy Evelyn Smith. The four belong together, and it should be impossible to love one without loving them all.
6. …and they also differ
But it was also fun to read Lucy Mangan’s enthusiasm for books I know I wouldn’t like – and that certainly isn’t always the case. She doesn’t like whimsy in books, while I do now and then – and, most decisively different, she adores historical fiction which I usually dislike. And yet reading about her obsession with Norah Lofts was a delight, and I do hope she has read Lofts’ excellent, funny, tense non-historical novel Lady Living Alone.
7. She is wise about owning books
Apparently there are 10,000+ books in her house – and, gosh, I’d love to see her library. The descriptions of culling (limited) and bookshelf arranging (joyful) hit home, and it’s wonderful to read about somebody who sees no problem in overflowing shelves – filled, crucially, with much-loved books and possible-reads, rather than expensive first editions and books bought as investments.
8. It’s funny, warm, and optimistic
Even in the sadder moments, there is a warmth that flows through Bookish. How do you capture it? How do you make a book feel like curling up a sofa for a natter with a dear friend? I suppose by being an excellent writer, and that is a keynote of Bookish. It’s a hoot, it’s self-deprecating and simultaneously celebratory about the reading life. Press it into the hands of any bookish friends and family this Christmas – and put it on your own wishlist. After all, it’ll help justify all the other teetering piles of books.
Simon, I read your posts with great delight. And never miss a podcast episode
Nevertheless, this post on Bookish is such a gift for me and I’m looking forward to reading the two gems in sequence. We have a wonderful 10 year old granddaughter who is a bookworm
It’s such a joy!!!
Thanks again for your charming review
Thanks so much Ana, that means a lot! Your granddaughter might like Bookworm while you read Bookish :D
Loved this book — as indeed I loved her first one. LM and I are of an age and with almost identical reading tastes, especially as children. Love the blog and podcast. When I go for a walk listening to you and Rachel it feels like I’m chatting with bookish pals.
Oh wonderful! She is such a kindred spirit. And thanks for listening to the pod!
Bookish is on one of the piles, now I need to dig it out. I loved Bookworm and it sounds like I will love her second book also.
By the way, I have read O, the Brave Music, but not Guard Your Daughters. I will have to look that up!
Oh yes, do dig out – it would make lovely festive reading. And GYD is perfect if you like I Capture the Castle – very similar, but I’d argue even better.
One for the ever-growing list. As well as some of the books mentioned in your piece that I haven’t read.
Hurrah!
Absolutely Anne Bronte is the correct opinion :-D
This sounds a joy, I’ll look out for it.
Glad we are likeminded on this topic!
This sounds perfect – particularly if it gives me an excuse to have books all over the house!!!
Yes, you’ll come away feeling very vindicated…!
It may well not be news to you, but have you come across https://www.theguardian.com/profile/tom-gauld ? Other readers may not have come across him.
As well as his bibliophile cartoons, he also does mad science cartoons for New Scientist and New Yorker covers and is just about the only reason to look at Twitter.
Yes, indeed! Well beloved – my friend got me a book of his bookish cartoons a couple of years ago.
Mmm I think I
May try this have just finished on audiobook tolstoy and the purple chair by nin Sankovitchher year of reading a book a day also has a lot to do with her sisters passing a few years earlier and her coping
And loving on from that aswell as the books she has read
I really liked that one, yes!
Right, this is a definite buy and also Guard Your Daughters and O!
Brilliant! Do let me know how you get on with them.
I think I need this book.
TRULY
Looks totally interesting. I’ve put this on my wish list for when it will be published in paperback. Thanks!
Yes, hopefully next spring. I couldn’t wait, even though I’d already listened to it!
Books about books are hard to write about so I love – and applaud – your approach! Mangan is definitely a kindred spirit; I 100% share her Anne-affinity and the also reasoning behind why she can never read Jude the Obscure. I loved seeing the work-in-progress photos she posted on Twitter when her home library was being built. Definitely a bibliophile’s dream!
Oh yes, love her pics of her shelves too
She was lovely to meet at an event for Bookworm and very witty too as a speaker. I love her reviews for the Guardian. I bought this for myself as soon as it was published – and must read it now!
She’s so funny – and yes, I always enjoy her Guardian writing too.
Oh, I have bought this & it is somewhere … I have four IKEA Billy bookcases, all double stacked & various high enough to hold a tea cup floor stacks … however I know where this one is, saw it this morning & may pull it out to read it.
WHY, O WHY have I not got this yet? Why? I must sort that out as soon as Christmas/Birthday season is over!
Ohhhh, I really LOVED Bookworm and I’m so happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed this one too. It’s coming in paperback here in April …. yay!! Also, I’ve been hankering to reread Tree/Brooklyn all year and choosing other rereads instead. Maybe 2026 will be time for more Betty Smith (again).
Even though I had listened to the audiobook, I couldn’t wait for the paperback :D