ISBN/ASIN: 978-0983644613
AUTHOR: Sally Allen
GENRE: Adult non-fiction / Books and reading
NUMBER OF PAGES: 225 pages
FORMAT: Paperback
SERIES / STANDALONE: Standalone
HOW I GOT THIS BOOK:
I thank Laura Fabiani of iRead book tours for this
review copy! Thanks, Laura. This is a very treasured copy.
SUMMARY:
Award-winning writer and teacher Sally Allen knows that good books don’t just draw us in; they talk to us, shape us, and
transport us to times, places, and minds different from our own.
In Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, Allen deftly weaves personal stories with fifteen thematized,
annotated, and illustrated reading lists for what to read next. By sharing some of the treasures in her library and the secret lives
they reveal, she gives us permission to embrace the shameless book lover inside each of us. Unlocking Worlds is a testament to
how reading passionately—and compassionately—can unlock the world beyond our back yard. Celebrating books and those who
read them, Allen shows how the solitary act of reading can be a powerful thread that creates community and connection.
Thought-provoking and eloquent, Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers is a must-have for anyone who can’t
leave the house without a book in hand.
FIRST IMPRESSION:
When I got the paperback in my hands, from the first sight, I was impressed by this book. The cover was clean, colorful and the
title very apt. 'Unlocking Worlds' (and the author has given a beautiful explanation for it in her interview for us) is a book that
will unlock many worlds for every reader.
The printing and illustrations are excellent, even for the ARC I was provided with. The overall chapter placement was brilliant
too.
REVIEW:
'Unlocking Worlds' is a book I would have to keep at the top of my bookshelf, always visible, always just in my reach.
It is , in simple words, a reading companion. But I do not think it is limited to Book Lovers alone. It has the potential to make
even those who don't prefer books take up and read them. The author, Sally Allen, has been a bookworm since her childhood
(and she does tell us about this in a very well worded introduction) and uses her long years of experience with books to compile a
very organised and neat book about books.
Books are, in my opinion, portals to exciting worlds of adventure and information. Any book lover will not feel bored or alone in
any circumstance if they have a book in hand to read. Sally Allen has so generously given us a few worthy lists of books she has
enjoyed over the years, and with them she has done every book lover a favor. All those who love books and are mostly found in
the very unexpected of places with a book in hand, will relate to, and appreciate the words the author has shared with us.
A peek into a book lover's shelf would always be exciting, and the simple joy in finding about more books that maybe made an
impression on someone else who appreciates it is a pleasure. Which is why this book is a treasure trove. It is a distilled version of
the bookshelf of a bookworm, where she has carefully handpicked the books that she loved and those that made an impact on
her. You may find books that you already know about, books that you never even knew existed, and those under appreciated
books that you might have loved and not found anyone to discuss it with.
The contents are organised, with clear genre specifications (a feat unto itself, because it has never been easy to classify books
under particular genres) and has a simple but alluring synopsis about what to expect from each book, not the one that is given in
the respective covers, but one that comes from the author's personal experiences with the book. The language, not surprisingly,
is great and the style in which the overall contents are presented is also clear and detailed.
The book taught me, in addition to other things, how exactly a review should be. It must give enough information to entice the
reader, while not revealing any spoilers, and still manage to bring out the best and worst of the books.
Unlocking Worlds is a great reading companion - an index for good books and a book that would be consulted often to know
about more amazing books.
- The title, cover page and the concept
- The illustrations, both on the cover page and inside the book. They add variety to the content, and make it much more interesting
- The organisation of the book, in different genres. It looks clean and can be referred to at convenience and not necessarily in a linear order
- There is not a thing I would change about this book - except maybe add more of it!
A must have for every book lover. And even if you are not, this would very well make you one! A must have either way.
RATING: 5/5
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award winning writer and teacher Sally Allen holds a Ph.D. from New York University in English Education, with an emphasis in
writing and rhetoric, and a M.A. in English Language and Literature. She teaches writing, literature, and communications, leads
book group discussions, and is the founder and editor of Books, Ink at HamletHub.
EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Kindle, Paperback
PRICE $6.00 for Kindle, $14.99 for Paperback
BOOK LINKS: Amazon
Thank you, Dhivya, for this wonderful review. I am so honored that you found pleasure in reading it and humbled by your kind words!
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