The Year of Reading Dangerously

How Fifty Great Books Saved My Life

By: Andy Miller

Narrated by: Andy Miller

An editor and writer's vivaciously entertaining, and often moving, memoir — a true story that reminds us why we should all make time in our lives for books.

Nearing his fortieth birthday, author and critic Andy Miller realized he's not nearly as well read as he'd like to be. A devout book lover who somehow fell out of the habit of reading, he began to ponder the power of books to change an individual life—including his own—and to define the sort of person he would like to be. Beginning with a copy of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that he happens to find one day in a bookstore, he embarks on a literary odyssey of mindful reading and wry introspection. From Middlemarch to Anna Karenina to A Confederacy of Dunces, these are books Miller felt he should read; books he'd always wanted to read; books he'd previously started but hadn't finished; and books he'd lied about having read to impress people.

Combining memoir and literary criticism, The Year of Reading Dangerously is Miller's heartfelt, humorous, and honest examination of what it means to be a reader. Passionately believing that books deserve to be read, enjoyed, and debated in the real world, Miller documents his reading experiences and how they resonated in his daily life and ultimately his very sense of self. The result is a witty and insightful journey of discovery and soul-searching that celebrates the abiding miracle of the book and the power of reading.

©2014 Andy Miller (P)2014 Audible Studios

Critic reviews

"Andy Miller writes so well he could make shopping at Sainsbury’s sound amusing." (The Independent)
"An eye for comic detail worthy of the young Evelyn Waugh." (The Observer)
"Fresh, joyfully uncynical and, above all, very funny." (Time Out)

Fun amusing likable and I want to listen to several of the recommended selections

He would be an interesting person to be friends with. I'm glad author was reader for proper emphasis

Gets to the heart of reading

Miller explores the intersections of reading and living, showing how a classic story enriches our interpretation of our own life. It helped me reconnect with good books, and I've listened to several of my favorite books as a result of his recommendations. The author's narration lends a touch of intimacy, as if each chapter were a personal narrative essay.

Witty, erudite, poignant, beautifully read

Enjoyed this book so much. I opted for the audio version when I learned the author, Andy Miller, whom I’ve heard on @Backlistedpod , did the recording. A passionate and brilliantly musical reader, he is also delightfully funny. The most welcome autobiographical bits about his life and family added dimension and were quite touching. Keep a pen and paper handy to jot down the titles. I definitely plan to read War and Peace. Highly recommend this audiobook!

The Worst Book About Books I've Ever Read

I think the problem with The Year of Reading Dangerously is that it doesn't know what it wanted to be when it grows up. Does it want to be a memoir about someone's relationship with books or does it want to be a book of literary criticism or critic. The problem I had with the book is, that though the author performed his book in an entertaining manner, I found that there wasn't a coherent structure to bind the whole thing together. What I thought I was getting was a brief commentary on all the 52 books Mr. Miller had read in his year of reading, but that is not what I got--I got a hodge podge of personal reminiscences sprinkled with pompous intellectualism and peculiar assertions about men and reading and the role of a husband. He was good at blathering on about obscure, contemporary books and out of print biographies of a particular type of German rock music and didn't say a word about important books that he'd read like Jane Eyre and Frankenstein. On a whole I feel that Mr. Millers book was more an exercise of mental masturbation than something truly meaningful about the books he's read--what he said was meaningful to him--but he didn't seem particularly concerned about whether the reader, his audience got anything out of it, in fact he encouraged us to skip an entire chapter dealing with a scathing fan letter he never sent to some French author.

The bottom line is if you want to read about that says meaningful things about famous works of literature, this isn't for you. If you want and clouded, muddled, and somewhat infuriating book about the authors strange and unconventional life, then have at it and have fun. Now that I have completed it, in spite of Mr. Miller said I needed to read the book 2-3 times to really "get it" I have other books I'd rather read and get more out of. I am even contemplating hitting the delete button and depositing it in the recycle bin. Good luck, if you've already bought this title--you'll need it.

Great book for book lovers!

What did you love best about The Year of Reading Dangerously?

Andy Miller's narration of his own work is perfect. He would have made a wonderful actor. The book is both moving and funny . . . very entertaining and ideal for book lovers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Year of Reading Dangerously?

There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, but I was especially moved by the section on Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George. I love that Miller's wife calls him a "flamboyant heterosexual."

Which character – as performed by Andy Miller – was your favorite?

He does himself very well, but he is also an excellent mimic.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The prescription for reading: solitude and patience.

Any additional comments?

I also love Andy's podcast: Backlisted. It's a "must-listen."

had some hints for great books and entertaining

i enjoyed hearing about his reading 50 great books, that reminds me that i need to limit myself to great books, or at least very good ones.

starts very slow but worth sticking with it

the beginning was slow and painful for the first chapter as he (ironically) describes the minutiae of his daily schedule and diet. Now having finished the book I understand the intended humor and purpose of this. But starting off with it before we know the writing style, humor or references he is alluding to, I barely made it through and was mostly thinking to myself "Is this entire book an in depth description of everything he's ever eaten?". Luckily I persevered and was very well rewarded. this book is thoroughly engaging, hilarious, thought provoking and optimistically cynical (yes is possible, read it and you'll see). Despite the fact that I haven't read most of his list, hate Melville and love Austen, I really loved this book. As he warns, it's not a review of these books, it's about the act of reading. He perfectly accomplished the duality he was going for. Plus, anyone who can summarize and conclude his book/journey with what is basically a chapter-long love letter to Douglas Adams. . .

Inspiration

My own "list of betterment" grew with this book. The author explored books I'd never heard of as well as gave me the insight to muscle through any bad book I may come across in the future.

Very enjoyable and inspiring!

Now I've discovered a few new books I haven't read, it's going to be a busy year!

Fun, intelligent and long-winded

A very honest memoir of a reader gone astray rediscovering books. There were several laugh-out-loud moments. The struggle is very nerdy, very real.

Andy Miller is very fond of going on tangents, even including a long letter that he never intended to send to an author that felt more like a page-filler than actual content. I was never quite sure when his train of thought would end. He never did explain how books saved his life. He had a goal of reading two bad books, and only got around to reading one of them. As far as I can tell, Chekhov's gun is still sitting on the mantel.