Something a little different this episode as I invite you to head down the rabbit hole with me into the world of books about books. Accompanying us into this particular wonderland is Joseph Dance, host of the Curious Readers podcast. From meta-fictional narratives to booksellers with shadowy agendas, we’re flagging up some of our favourites both for behind-the-scenes insights into the literary world, and for the way they allow us to discover yet more books we might want to read. From Alberto Manguel’s library of 35,000 titles, to Alejandro Zambra’s essay collection On Not Reading, we’re considering a broad spectrum of perspectives that help us reflect on and enrich our reading lives. And so listen in to hear what happens when two book podcasters get together to talk about their favourite topic.

Booklist

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Possession by A.S. Byatt

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

Packing my Library by Alberto Manguel

The Book Forger by Joseph Hone

Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire

Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller by Nadia Wassef

A Bookshop of One’s Own by Jane Cholmeley

In Search of Lost Books by Giorgio van Straten

Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati

Shelf-reflective: Books about Books, with Joseph Dance • #178