1.16.2011

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger



The Night Bookmobile was originally published as a series of installments in the London Guardian. In 2010 it was published in its entirety as a book. Ever since I read the first few installments of The Night Bookmobile in The Guardian I've wanted to get my hands on this book. Then my wonderful sister bought it for me for Christmas and I have been saving it for a cozy night.

I've been a fan of Audrey Niffenegger since The Time Traveler's Wife, a novel that I really love. After reading Her Fearful Symmetry I knew that Niffenegger wouldn't disappoint me. The Night Bookmobile is not less magical than her earlier works. The book centers on one woman who comes across a bookmobile late at night. After stepping inside she soon discovers that this bookmobile houses everything she has ever read.


This is a story that book lovers can appreciate. It's fun and nostalgic, but includes a dark twist that is consistent with Nifenergger's work. It touches on the solitude that comes along with reading and what one gives up to continually read. It also explores the magic of books themselves - the deliciousness that is holding a book in your hands, petting the spine and turning the pages - and the enjoyment of revisiting books from our past. It highlights the idea that what we read makes us the people we become.

This is a short graphic novel so if you come across it, I'd suggest taking 30 minutes out of your day to read it. It's worth it.

Publisher: Abrams, 2010

15 comments:

  1. Sounds great! I have only read The Time Travellers Wife but I own Her Fearful Symmetry and hope to read it this year. I have seen this book mentioned a fair bit recently and it seems really lovely - I love the pictures. Can't wait to get my hands on it

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  2. I just bought this one on the weekend! It looks gorgeous, can't wait to read it.

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  3. Aww! This sounds really good! And it looks really cute! Thanks for showing this - how cute!

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  4. I've been wanting to read The Night Bookmobile since the day I first heard about it! One question - is that a framed image from the book in the second photo? Or just an open page? Either way, it's beautiful!

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  5. I've heard so many great things about this one, I just know I have to get my hands on a copy. Plus, I loved HFS by Niffenegger, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Loved the pics you included!

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  6. Becky, I really enjoyed Her Fearful Symmetry. You're in for a treat.

    Karen, Yay!

    Bethany, It is cute.

    Katie, The image in the second picture is a picture of one of the pages in the book. It was one of my favorite ones so I wanted to include a photo of it. I just opened the book and snapped.

    Nadia, I think you would enjoy it.

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  7. Sounds excellent! I love the pictures, too. I've been on a kick of books about books lately, so this would fit right in.

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  8. I got this from the library this weekend. I can't wait to read it!

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  9. This is the only book I have not read by Audrey. Loved TTW and HFS. Have you read either of her other graphic art books? The Three Incestuous Sisters and The Adventuress? Not a lot of words, but the pictures tell the whole story!

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  10. I really loved this book as well.

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  11. I love the sound of this book. I have The Time Traveller's Wife in my TBR pile..I will add this one as well. Thanks for the review!

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  12. This had originally been on my 52 books list under graphic novels to read this year... but for some reason I took it off. Now I'm kind of sad... maybe I will use it for a wild card. I think I was thrown off by the price... even tho the pictures are sexy, something so short shouldn't cost over 10-15 to me. Le sigh. Being broke in college sucks.

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  13. Kerry, This sounds like it's perfect for you.

    Sam, I look forward to your thoughts!

    TNBBC, I have not read any other graphic book of hers but I do hope to find them!

    Nymeth, I would have bet on that :)

    Vaishnavi, Read TTW asap!

    Padfoot and Prongs, I completely agree. Had I not gotten this as a gift I wouldn't have sprung the $20. Which is why I am so happy to have gotten it as a gift.

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  14. Oh, wow! Thank you for blogging about this book. I love Niffenegger, too, and I can't believe I've never heard of it before. I'm going to make sure I get my hands on a copy soonest!!

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