Description
Book SynopsisJessica Pressman explores the rise of “bookishness” as an identity and an aesthetic strategy that proliferates from store-window décor to experimental writing. Ranging from literature to kitsch objects, stop-motion animation films to book design, she considers the multivalent meanings of books in contemporary culture.
Trade ReviewFizzing with ideas and sparkling with finds, this analysis of the digital age’s love affair with print shows Pressman’s keen eye for the paradoxes of contemporary cultural practices. -- Leah Price, author of
What We Talk About When We Talk About Books: The History and Future of ReadingJessica Pressman’s great strength lies in her wonderful touch for the material. Her expansive command of exemplars runs the gamut from the high literary to cultural kitsch.
Bookishness offers that rare and enviable combination of fascinating source material and an easily transportable take-away—the title term itself, which is sure to become widely adopted and relied upon. -- Matthew Kirschenbaum, author of
Track Changes: A Literary History of Word ProcessingJessica Pressman has written an eloquent book on our attempts, at once kitschy and inspired, to maintain a sense of attachment to reading during the book's twilight. A profound reminder of the continued hold books have on our imaginations. -- Andrew Piper, author of
Book Was There: Reading in Electronic TimesUltimately, both hobbyist and scholar will take bookishness seriously after reading
Bookishness by Jessica Pressman. * Society for U.S. Intellectual History blog *
A brainy exploration of what it means to be a book lover in the 21st century. * Everything Zoomer *
Understanding how our relationship with words has changed, and recognising bookishness as a way of navigating this shift, is what Pressman’s clear-sighted study brings to light. * Money Control *
Pressman absorbs academic debate into her sometimes heartfelt prose, and treads the line between readability and rigour with ease. If
Bookishness articulates a democratic world where ‘books’ are enjoyed by a demographic of ‘readers’ more broadly conceived, then this book performs that aspirational inclusivity. * The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory *
A delight to read. * Choice Reviews *
Bookishness is a trenchant, original exploration of a widespread contemporary phenomenon. Situated at the intersection of literary studies, media studies and book history, it innovatively combines analyses of literary fiction and material culture. * Publishing Research Quarterly *
A quick, timely, provocative read that—as with the command "Don’t think of pink elephants"—readers won’t be able to walk away from seeing the world the way they did going in. It opens a field of inquiry that stretches to the far corners of culture. “Look there,” one wants to say, pointing at another example of bookishness. And there. And there!
Bookishness makes one want to make such lists and then shout—er, write down on paper—
The book is dead, long live the book! * The Rumpus *
Bookishness will likely be of interest to technical communicators interested in literature and books broadly, and those concerned with how physical and digital mediums interact in our contemporary world. * Technical Communication *
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. How and Now Bookishness
2. Shelter
3. Thing
4. Fake
5. Weapon
6. Memorial
Coda
Notes
Index
