Off the Books

"Off the Books belongs on the arm of your favorite reading chair by the winter fire or the deck chair of your beach getaway. Peder Zane celebrates reading and writers, in the clean conversational prose of an unabashed lover of books—and makes the reader love them with equal adventuring joy."—Philip Gerard, author of The Patron Saint of Dreams

"The book review is an endangered genre in journalism, a particular victim of the travails of the industry as a whole. Peder Zane's collection of reviews and commentary reminds us what a smart, sympathetic, insightful reviewer can do by way of engaging us with the best of current and classic literature. A delightful read on its own, and a gateway to the great world of books beyond."—H. W. Brands, University of Texas at Austin

"When zippers were invented, Peder Zane would have written about buttons. Same with pencils when ball point pens arrived. In Off the Books, Peder writes with deep love about books, authors, characters, and the art of reading, all the while teaching us about ourselves and our culture. This book is inspiring, warm, and funny."—Clyde Edgerton, author of Pappadaddy's Book for New Fathers and Walking Across Egypt