Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch | Book Review

TL;DR

A memoir by Nina Sankovic, who reads one book per day for a year to cope with grief and reflect on life.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to review tolstoy and the purple chair my year of magical reading by nina sankovic this book was published in 2011 by harper perennial which is an imprint of harpercollins and the paperback comes in at 240 pages this is a memoir in which the author details a challenge that she voluntarily took on she decided that for a... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 The author's year-long reading challenge is a way for her to cope with her grief and honor her sister's memory.
• 👪 The memoir includes personal memories, family history, and life lessons intertwined with book reviews.
• 🛟 Books provide solace, companionship, and an opportunity to reflect on different aspects of life.
• 🥰 The author's love and appreciation for books are palpable throughout the memoir.
• 🫠 The challenge of reading one book per day poses logistical challenges for the author.
• ✍️ The author's writing about grief feels somewhat detached, possibly due to the passage of time since her sister's death.
• 📔 Despite being a book about grief, the memoir is not dark or depressing, but rather a comfort read for fellow book lovers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What motivated the author to take on the challenge of reading one book per day?

The author was dealing with the grief of losing her sister and wanted to slow down and reflect on her loss instead of trying to outrun it.

Q: How does the author balance reading a book per day with her responsibilities as a busy mother?

The author shares the logistical challenges of fitting in reading while taking care of her four young sons and managing her daily life.

Q: Does the author discuss all the books she read in detail?

No, the author highlights some books by giving a basic synopsis and sharing her thoughts, making sure not to reveal too much or spoil the plots.

Q: How does the author see the value of books and reading?

The author views books as a form of companionship, an escape from life that also mirrors life back at the reader. She emphasizes the pleasure and value of reading.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Tolstoy and the Purple Chair" is a memoir where the author chronicles her year-long challenge of reading one book per day.

• The author undertakes this challenge as a way to cope with the grief of losing her sister and to honor her family's love for reading.

• Interwoven with the book reviews, the author shares personal memories, family history, and life lessons learned from the books she reads.