Between the Covers: The Book Babes' Guide to a Woman's Reading Pleasures (Paperback)

~ (Author), Ellen Heltzel (Author)
Key Phrases: Taking Care, Babes Without Borders, World War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

We’ve all lamented, “So many books, so little time,” etc., etc. But choosing what to recommend and read has gotten easier with the proliferation of what-to-read-and-why books aimed both at the professional readers’ advisor and the voracious bibliophile constantly on the lookout for the next great read. Book critics, friends, and bicoastal book bloggers, Hammond and Heltzel offer their unique take on the genre, organizing their thematically sorted recommendations into 55 lists of 10 books each that address issues that will appeal to women readers of any age, background, or frame of mind. They suggest diverse fiction and nonfiction books that explore themes relevant to various stages of life, from “tapping your inner artist” to “digging up family roots.” Some choices are obvious (Amy Tan on mother-daughter relationships); others are obscure (Veronica Buckley’s biography of the queen of Sweden). And the best are gems that are frequently overlooked, particularly well-known authors’ earlier works that have been eclipsed by their popular best-sellers. Succinct, honest, and cannily in-tune, the Book Babes entertainingly deliver sure bets for good reads. --Carol Haggas

Review

Booklist, 11/1/08
“Hammond and Heltzel offer their unique take on the genre…address[ing] issues that will appeal to women readers of any age, background, or frame of mind…Succinct, honest, and cannily in-tune, the Book Babes entertainingly deliver sure bets for good reads.”

Library Journal Xpress Review, 10/22/08
“Will appeal to bluestockings of every ilk. The authors’ bibliophilia is infectious, and all readers will benefit from their expert advice.”

Bookmarks, 12/08
“We’re long-time fans of Hammond and Heltzel…Now they’ve poured their considerable knowledge into one book…It’s a smart, funny overview of contemporary literature—take a look.”

Seattle Times, 11/7
“Move over, Nancy Pearl, for Book Babes' faves…These ladies are no slouches in the literary department…[they] are quite serious about the books…A lively mix of works, guaranteed to keep you up reading way past your bedtime.”

Irene Levine, Huffington Post, 11/4/08
“Should be a reference book on every woman’s bookshelf.”
 

Elle magazine, 12/08
“A nifty catalog of some 600 fiction and nonfiction titles…irresistibly grouped.”

Willamette Week, 11/5/08
“You really should read: Between the Covers…Inventive, genre-defying lists.”

Shelf Awareness, November 2008
“Authors [have] witty and intelligent criteria…Part of the fun in Between the Covers is their exuberance; part is in discovering the unexpected.”

Deseret News, 11/23/08
“Don’t be fooled by the clever title. The volume is really a compilation of book recommendations on topics of interest to women—and it’s not a guide to romance novels.”

Better TV, November 2008
“Book club members, we have found your bible.”

Internet Review of Books, Holiday 2008 Issue
“Wise and witty flash-reviews of more than 400 books, both recent and classic…This book is not only a wonderful resource for the reading woman—a place to go to when wondering, ‘What shall I read next?’—but also a satisfying read in its own right. I plan to send one to every reading woman on my Christmas list.”

AthenasBookshelf.com
“Hammond and Heltzel are two smart, well-read chicks who offer up the altar of the great read stacked to the celestial ceiling with memoirs and fiction for all sensibilities…a wonderful gift for book lovers for Christmas.”

Chicago Magazine, 12/08
“A new chick-lit reference tome.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune, 12/9/08
“Contains a plethora of suggestions…The next time you're in that odd state of not knowing what to read next, check out this book…A useful, quick guide…Recommendations are written with so much verve and personality that you get a feel for each title…You'll trust their opinions and wish they'd show up at your next book club meeting, maybe with a nice bottle of wine. They'd be knowledgeable, and they'd be fun.”
 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12/6/08
“Wittily thought out.”
 

Bookworm
"If you have a voracious reader on your gift list...make the choice easier by giving Between the Covers...This book is filled with good suggestions for reading enjoymnet, but also suggestions for gift-giving. Hint, hint."
 

Constant Reader, 11/27/08
"We kind of like books of lists about books, and that's--sort of--what this is...This is avaluable collection of snippets about reading."
 

Tampa Record, 11/27/08
"A unique collection."
 

New York Villager, 1/21/09
“enthusiastic and fun”

SRQ, 1/09
“Don’t be fooled by the Babes’ playful come-on…[the book] has more intellectual heft than the chick-lit title suggests…[The Book Babes] make candid and genial hosts.”

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1st Da Capo Press Ed edition (November 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738212296
• ISBN-13: 978-0738212296
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,835 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better start making a list, January 28, 2009

By	Janet Conner (Ozona, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Here's the simple fact: Between the Covers is a dangerous book. You open to a page and stumble upon a few one-paragraph reviews that cut to the heart of the matter and you write down that title, because you realize you must--simply must--read that book. And then you turn to another page and another and another and the next thing you know, you've got a long list of books you want to read for the first time and an even longer list of old friends you want to revisit. And it's all Margo and Ellen's fault!

I met them at an Inkwood book signing in Tampa and was stunned by not only their love and knowledge of books, but also their ability to capture the essential essence of a book in a paragraph. Think about it. 300 pages distilled to one lousy paragraph! All writers should stop what they're doing right now and read these reviews and weep. When will we ever be so clear, so concise, so sharp?! I think I'm very annoyed.

Get this book, but don't blame me or Margo or Ellen if your book budget disintegrates until you find yourself petitioning Obama for a bailout. You are fairly warned!

5.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant guide to books by women, October 21, 2009

By	S. Shapiro "literary critic" (New York, N.Y.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

They always say you're supposed to write the book you wanted to read. "Between the Covers" offers the right books for any occasion in your life, such a brilliant concept you'll be frustrated you didn't think of it yourself. The authors' intelligence and wit shine through in every review. A fantastic, energetic and enthusiastic reading guide.

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Find Plenty To Read, May 28, 2009

By	Kris Underwood "Book Critic" - See all my reviews

The entire book is one huge recommendation list, and a good one, at that. It is comprised of lists, fifty- five in all, ten books to each list. They are then further divided into sections such as "Babes We Love", "Ages &Stages", "Family & Friends" and "Babes in the World", etc..

In going through the book, I found many familiar books, ones that I have read and re-read many times over (Le Mariage/Diane Johnson, Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay/Nancy Milford and Letters to a Young Poet/Rilke, among so many others) and ones that have been added to my ever-growing 'To Read List' (The Road/Cormac McCarthy, Women's Letters: America From the Revolutionary War to the Present/Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler and Frida Kahlo: The Paintings/Hayden Herrera to name a few).

If you are looking for something to read, non-fiction or fiction, even poetry, pick up this book. You are sure to find something that strikes your interest. It also makes a great gift list for the book lovers in your circle of friends and family.