The Booklover and His Books

"The Booklover and His Books" by Harry Lyman Koopman is comprised of essays that consider the many sides to books, especially how they look, what we learn from them, and how they feel in our hands. It's mainly about liking books, not just for the stories they tell, but as pieces of art that are worthy of attention, especially for people who really love books. The text starts by explaining what a "booklover" is, explaining they are different from people who just read or collect books. Koopman talks about how important it is to appreciate books for being beautiful, both inside and out, and how the two are connected. He then studies how books have changed over time, showing them as works of art and pointing out what makes a book well-made and beautiful. This introduction lets him explore other things about books, like how they're designed, how easy they are to read, and why literature is important to culture.