Three Recent Books on Reading and Writing

Those of us who love reading and writing often like to read about reading and writing as well. Below are three recent books on the topic that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. All three authors - each in her own way - perfectly and evocatively capture connections among reading, writing, and life.

1. "Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading: Finding and Losing Myself in Books," by Maureen Corrigan (Random House,2005). -- Corrigan, who reviews books for NPR's "Fresh Air" (my favorite radio program, very literate in its own right), is a self-described "obsessive reader" who tells us that "from adolescence on, at least, I've read my life in terms of fiction."

2. "Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for those Who Want to Write Them," by Francine Prose (HarperCollins, 2006). -- Prose, a well-known novelist, writes about how essential careful reading is to good writing. This book is a blend of close reading and analysis of great books; Prose's own personal stories; advice for readers and for writers; and a list of recommended reading.

3. "Reading, Writing, and Leaving Home: Life on the Page," by Lynn Freed (Harcourt, 2005). -- This South African novelist and short story writer focuses on the ways in which a writer's experiences, particularly childhood experiences, influence her writing; she is generous in sharing her own experiences.