SKU: 14449546

An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

Sale price$19.88 Regular price$22.09
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $5.52 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 19 - Jul 24

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life"All that kid wants to do is stick his nose in a book," Michael Dirda's steelworker father used to complain, worried about his son's passion for reading. In "An Open Book," one of the most delightful memoirs to emerge in years, the acclaimed literary journalist Michael Dirda re creates his boyhood in rust belt Ohio, first in the working class town of Lorain, then at Oberlin College. In addition to his colorful family and friends, "An Open Book" also

"All that kid wants to do is stick his nose in a book," Michael Dirda's steelworker father used to complain, worried about his son's passion for reading. In "An Open Book," one of the most delightful memoirs to emerge in years, the acclaimed literary journalist Michael Dirda re-creates his boyhood in rust-belt Ohio, first in the working-class town of Lorain, then at Oberlin College. In addition to his colorful family and friends, "An Open Book" also features the great writers and fictional characters who fueled Dirda's imagination: from Green Lantern to Sherlock Holmes, from Candy to Proust. The result is an affectionate homage to small-town America summer jobs, school fights, sweepstakes contests, and first dates as well as a paean to what could arguably be called the last great age of reading. "Dirda is a superb literary essayist." Harold Bloom "Michael Dirda's memoir no surprise to me is so good that I went up to the attic meaning to send him one of my antique Big Little books as a salute to excellence...A great job. I'll be buying "An Open Book" for my children and grandchildren." Russell Baker, author of "Growing Up" "Here, in "An Open Book," is the show and tell of a wonderful American story, everything coming together in the immemorial dance of literature and memory, of history and gossip, and of the deeply felt, bittersweet story (his own) of a young life. Read it and rejoice." George Garrett "A lovely, unapologetically nostalgic remembrance of growing up in a more innocent America, but it is also the touching story of one person's lifelong love affair with words." June Sawyer, "San Francisco Chronicle" "Dirda inhabits each book he reads. Inhabits it and makes a space alongside it for us to join him....He is a rare treasure." James Sallis, "Boston Sunday Globe""



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 12/17/2004
ISBN: 9780393326147
Pages: 335
Weight: 0.69lbs
Size: 8.26h x 5.61w x 0.93d

Review Citations: New York Times 03/06/2005 pg. 24
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 14449546

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.0 ★★★★★
Based on 12 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
D
Verified Purchase
Darla H. Reed
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Good quality
Size: Medium, Color: Navy
I gave this as a Christmas present and he loved it. I was worried when I ordered it that the quality might not be that good, but I worried for nothing.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
G
Verified Purchase
Gabriel N.H.
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 3
This is more like a long cardigan sweater, than a coat.
Size: Small, Color: #2 Blackandwhite
This is more like a long cardigan sweater, than a coat. It doesn't have much structure & the pocket placement is too high for a coat. That being said, it's very soft & comfortable. As far as sizing goes, the sleeves run a bit long, but the coat, itself, runs a bit tight. I'm 5'10'' and a small fit me, but I wouldn't be able wear anything very thick under it & I'm thin. It's light & machine washable. I almost kept it to wear as a long sweater, but it looks like a coat ,so I sent it back. If you're very thin with long arms and don't mind the pockets being a bit high, then this could be a very stylish piece for you. Otherwise, I would pass.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Dev
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
i would definitely recommend. stick with your regular size or size up for a less slim fit
Size: Small, Color: Black
I usually wear a medium, I ordered a small based on reading the reviews. I am 150lbs 5’4”. this coat fits great for me personally. it’s not bulky, it’s not baggy. it is a slim fit jacket, definitely more on the slender side. when i raise my arms above my head , the sleeves do come up a bit. I would suggest sticking to your normal size or if you want a less slim fit with a tiny bit more room, sizing up wouldn’t be an issue. the coat is super soft and has some weight to it. i would recommend this jacket, it is warm and a nice piece for formal attire.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Daniel Ogunlowo
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice jacket
Size: Medium, Color: Grey 01
Nice jacket . Material exactly as described.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026
I
Verified Purchase
Isaac Waddy
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Value for money
Size: Large, Color: A-red
Exquisite; stylish.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2025

recommand products