Few experiences bring a bibliophile more joy than cozying up with a great book. Some readers prefer romances, some live for thrillers, and some enjoy getting lost in fantastic worlds.
What happens if you throw one of their favorite things into the mix? That’s right—a book about a book.
Books themselves can serve as the basis for an unforgettable story. In this post, we’re serving up a book lover’s delight—10 books that celebrate the power of books!
Books About Books
Below are 10 books about books that celebrate reading, storytelling, and the infinite possibilities books offer.
1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
In 1939 Nazi Germany, Liesel Meminger discovers the power of writing and begins to steal books before the Nazis can destroy them.
Liesel learns to read with help from her foster father. She shares her loot with her neighbors during bomb raids, as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. Ultimately, books and writing will save Liesel’s life.
2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury’s classic dystopian novel imagines an America where firemen are ironically tasked with burning books, which are deemed an illegal commodity.
Guy Montag is one of those firemen, and he never questions the destruction his work causes. But when an eccentric young neighbor shows him a past where people didn’t live in fear and where books were a gateway to the world, he begins to question everything he has ever known.
3. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz
In 1945 Barcelona, as the city slowly begins to heal from the Spanish Civil War, a young boy mourning his mother finds comfort in a mysterious book titled The Shadow of the Wind, written by a man named Julián Carax.
But when Daniel sets out to find Carax’s other works, he discovers that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book the author has written. Daniel’s quest soon opens a door to one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets.
4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe, there’s a library with an infinite number of books. If you visit, you’ll find a book with the story of your life as it is, along with a book of the life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life.
When Nora Seed finds herself faced with the outcomes of those possibilities—if she had followed a different career, held onto old relationships, or realized her dreams of becoming a glaciologist—she must search within herself to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
5. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
After Meggie’s father reads aloud from a book called Inkheart, an evil ruler escapes the pages and lands in their living room.
Suddenly, Meggie finds herself living the kind of adventure she’s only read about in books. She’ll have to master the magic that has conjured up this nightmare and change the course of her story.
6. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Life hasn’t quite turned out as A. J. Fikry expected—he lives alone, his bookstore has hit rock bottom sales, and now his rare collection of Edgar Allen Poe poems has been stolen.
But the unexpected arrival of a mysterious package gives Fikry the chance to redesign his life and see everything from a new perspective.
7. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Reclusive author Vida Winter is famous for her collection of 12 enchanting stories. Now in her old age, she calls on young biographer Margaret Lea to reveal the truth about the violent and tragic past she’s kept secret for so long, as well as the series of alternate lives she’s written herself.
Together, the two women will confront the ghosts that have haunted them and finally become transformed by the truth themselves.
8. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
This classic love story unfolds through a series of letters between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer in New York City, and a used-book dealer at 84, Charing Cross Road in London.
Although the two never meet and are separated physically and culturally, over the years they develop a deep friendship rooted in their shared love for books. This book was also the basis for the 1987 film of the same name starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.
9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
In 1946, as London is dealing with the aftermath of WWII, writer Juliet Ashton is searching for the subject of her next book. She finds inspiration in her new correspondence with a man who found her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.
Through their letters, Juliet is drawn into this man’s world, and his eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—an alibi he and his friends created when the Germans found them breaking curfew.
Juliet sets sail for Guernsey to meet this fascinating society, and what she finds there will change her life forever.
10. The Library Book by Susan Orlean
This true crime novel investigates the 1986 LA Public Library fire that destroyed 400,000 books and damaged seven hundred thousand more.
Over 30 years later, the mystery of who set the fire remains. But more than that, this book explores how libraries provide much more than just books, and reminds us why they these institutions remain essential to the heart, mind, and soul of our country.
Honorable Mention: The Loop by TCK’s Nicholas Holloway
Aspiring author Gallagher Finch struggles from addiction and severe writer’s block, but when he awakens to find a call girl viciously murdered in his bed, he is hit with sudden inspiration.
Realizing his own story could be the best-seller he’s been dying to publish, Gallagher begins to uncover the mystery of who killed Daphne Castro. But soon, he discovers the story that could launch his career may become his own deadly ending.
Reading About Books
There are dozens of movies about movies (like the Oscar-winning The Artist), and TV shows about the television industry (think 30 Rock), so it’s not much of a surprise that there are so many great books that celebrate books.
Whether they feature social critiques or captivating frame stories, books that explore the joys and importance of reading offer a unique experience to readers that offer a fresh perspective of their favorite pastime.
Have you ever read a book about a book? Tell us about it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 8 Books About Dreams and the Importance of Dreaming
- The Frame Story: Why Writers Write Stories Within Stories
- A Brief History of Books: From Ancient Scrolls to Digital Publishing
- The 15 Best Books on Writing for Authors, Novelists, and Bloggers
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
