The Clothing of Books

Beautiful and very informative pocket size book.It could be of help to many Authors who are at the beginning of their journey, as well as to those who have book, two or more published.I found this book in my employer's masive library, read few pages and ordered a copy for myself.Highly recommended read.

Entirely unnecessary but perfectly delicious essay about book covers from an insider's perspective. at this point, I would probably read Ms. Lahiri's shopping list (in Italian, lots of smoky cheeses, perhaps some new type of muesli), but this contained enough identifiable moments for any book nerd.

Jhumpa Lahirri can write about anything and make it interesing. Few have her way with words from fiction to non fiction.

Interpretation. Assumption. If there are words that frighten me, it would be these two words.Why?Because they carry the weight of a judgement, one that can make or break a dream, years of labour put into a hobby or work. Only because the world feels like a comfortable space only when it runs on the track of “to each their own”.This tiny little book titled- The Clothing of Books, puts my nascent thoughts into a matured set of words. The seamstress of words; Jhumpa Lahiri writes about her fears and apprehensions about book covers and her relationships with them, defining her work.She pens her fears; of readers judging the book by its cover. Deriving meaning even before perusing. One gets to read about the impact of the cover on the promotion and sales of the book at different times and for different places. Lahiri expresses her concerns when book covers aren’t to her liking but are yet approved as they would attract readership.This interesting essay has made me feel closely connected to the author for it’s vulnerability, the expressed anxiety, disappointment and satisfaction while trying to achieve a vision. These emotions often arise from her insecurities of having a mixed origin of being an Indian in the United States, her growing up years, dress sense and many other factors that wouldn’t let her feel she “belonged” longing for a uniformity to end this struggle of being an outsider rather than being acknowledged for her uniqueness.I’ve loved everything about this breezy yet reflective essay, about book covers and the power they hold in making a book a success. It’s always such a pleasure to read Lahiri for passionately analysing and evaluating human frailties.Favourite quote:“The cover is superficial, negligible, irrelevant with respect to the book. The cover is an essential, vital component of the book. One must accept the fact that both these sentences are true.”

Before I go ahead with the review I have to say this. This book deeply impacted me and I think I'll try to focus on the book covers as well when I'll be writing my reviews, from now on."Upon close inspection, my covers tend perfectly to mirror my own double identity, bifurcated, disputed. As a result they are often projections, conjectures."'The Clothing Of Books' feels like a deep and personal account of the author and her relation with book covers, of her own books and those she has written and read. In this reflective and very personal book Jhumpa Lahiri talks about if she has or has not like the covers of her own books, about how over the years book covers have become a way of commercialisation. She speaks of the strong urge she has to communicate with the artist designing the cover for her books because she wants to explain what the book contains and wants the cover to be in accordance. At times the book feels like a rant but it's the kind of rant you want to listen to, nevertheless.She talks about the anxiety authors have to deal with when they send in manuscripts and have to wait for the mail which comes in to disclose the book cover and thinking how the book cover will turn out to be. She compares the book covers with episodes and anecdotes from her own life which are interesting and sad at the same time. In mere 65 pages this book makes you feel multiple emotions.This book made me realize why and how one book has several covers. It also made me realize that the book covers we find pretty might not appeal to someone in a far off land or for that matter even in a different country. I recommend this book to anyone who's curious about book covers and all those who buy books because of their covers. Believe me, it's an eye opener.