Books like Books v. Cigarettes

This slim volume contains six essays which may make you smile, possibly make you sad and will certainly make you think. Orwell muses on how much he spends on books, recollects his time working in a bookshop and on being seriously ill in a Paris hospital, considers the merits of book reviewing, the censorship of literature, patriotism and his joyless time spent as a scholarship boy at prep school. Most of these articles were published in the late 1930’s to mid 1940’s, but they still have amazing relevance today. Is reading an expensive hobby? How does it measure up to other forms of entertainment? Is there still, as Orwell said, a rarity of ‘bookish’ people? Certainly many book reviews or book prizes can be said to be judged by those who care little for what they are reading and censorship is still in place – a disturbing amount of books are banned worldwide each year. The longest essay concerns Orwell’s school days and much that he found oppressive – bullying and cramming for exams, are still issues that concern many. These are refreshing to read, full of opinions and enthusiasm and are certain to provoke discussion if chosen by any reading group.