Reader: Anonymous, western suburbs of MA
Book Challenge: We like to give books as presents, but doing so sometimes presents problems. It is tough to give a fellow voracious reader a book as a gift, because there is a good chance that they’ve already read it.
Folks who don’t read at all present a different problem: What do you give them that they are likely to enjoy? Bestsellers usually work.
We’ve found that books that grab the reader right from the get-go stand a good chance of being welcome presents. Got any other general ideas for people who don’t read much? Any specific recommendations?
Match Book: Listen up, teachers of remedial English students, reluctant readers, and loved ones of those who have to be dragged to the page. Here’s one idea: Don’t give your page-averse pals less than awesome books, just give them shorter ones. There is, obviously, nothing wrong with page turners, but how about intense short novels, collections of letters and stories, and — I am going to say it — poetry.
Start by giving your non-readers, “The Reader’’ by Bernhard Schlink and stories by Diane Williams — “Vicky Swanky Is a Beauty’’ — and Lydia Davis’s “Samuel Johnson Is Indignant.’’ For pop culture lovers try “Alien vs. Predator,’’ Michael Robbins’s 2012 collection of poems. When I think of the poems what I remember most is Robbins’s ability to create a state of mind.
Another idea: Why not give art books or visual books that defy characterization? Remember “Griffin and Sabine’’ by Nick Bantock? The original book, an epistolary art novel with removable letters, was published in 1991. Five more books followed to make what Bantock calls “a double trilogy.’’ Then, in March of this year, “The Pharos Gate: Griffin & Sabine’s Lost Correspondence’’ was published.
Bantock’s love story in letters reminded me of another perfect book to give as a gift: “The Gorgeous Nothings: Emily Dickinson’s Envelope Poems.’’ Even non-readers will be dazzled by the beauty of the book. Dickinson’s envelope poems may even inspire the reading of Dickinson’s poetry — and maybe even writing. Who doesn’t want to scribble “gorgeous nothings’’ on paper napkins and the backs of receipts?NICOLE LAMY
Want to know what to read next? Write to matchbook@globe.com.
