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Imprint: Oneworld Publications

Subject: Literature

Blurb Your Enthusiasm

A Cracking Compendium of Book Blurbs, Writing Tips, Literary Folklore and Publishing Secrets

Louise Willder

A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

‘A small masterpiece. There is something funny, notable or awe-inspiring on every single page’ Jenny Colgan, Spectator

A joyful celebration of books – the perfect gift for bibliophiles, word lovers and anyone who’s ever wondered, should you judge a book by its cover?

We love the words in books – but what about the words on them? How do they work their magic? Penguin Books blurb wizard Louise Willder joyfully divulges what those 100-or-so words can tell us about literary history, the craft of writing, authors from George Orwell to Zadie Smith, genres from children’s fiction to bonkbusters, cover design, the dark arts of persuasion and even why we read. She also answers burning questions such as:

• Should all adjectives be murdered?
• Is blurbing sometimes maybe lying?
• Which classic novel was nearly called The High Bouncing Lover?
• What are the worst blurbs of all time?

 

‘The bookiest book about books you’ll ever read – I loved it’ Lucy Mangan

‘Truly delightful…I couldn’t have had more fun’ Benjamin Dreyer

‘Very funny, erudite and profound. A delight!’ Nina Stibbe

  • Publication date: September 7, 2023
  • ISBN: 9780861546169
  • RRP: £9.99
  • Pages: 352
  • Publication date: September 1, 2022
  • ISBN: 9780861542178
  • RRP: £14.99
  • Pages: 352
  • Publication date: September 1, 2022
  • ISBN: 9780861542499
  • RRP: £9.99
  • Pages: 304

Reviews

'A small masterpiece. There is something funny, notable or awe-inspiring on every single page. Some books simply slide into your life like good-humoured old friends. This is undoubtedly one of them.'

Jenny Colgan, Spectator

The bookiest book about books you’ll ever read – I loved it.’

Lucy Mangan, author of Bookworm

Truly delightful… charming and gracefully learned… Louise Willder, a copywriter with decades of experience, brings so much joy and, indeed, enthusiasm to her book about books that anyone who revels in reading will find real enchantment here. I couldn’t have had more fun.’

Benjamin Dreyer, author of the New York Times bestseller Dreyer’s English

'A little marvel...consummately brilliant'

Daily Mail

Very funny, erudite and profound. A delight!

Nina Stibbe

‘I love this book’s sheer happiness and humanity. It is rich, wise and soul-awaking, exhilarating-like-the-snowman-flying-through-the-air-of-human-gloriousness. And, God, she's funny. Buy it, read it, give it.’

Martin Latham, author of The Bookseller’s Tale

‘Wise and witty...she is full of vim, blessed too with an unusual sense of enquiry, a comic turn of phrase and a talent for investigation into almost every nook and cranny of the business and pleasure of books.’

The OldieCarmen Callil

‘This total gem is an illuminating, dazzling, quirky, fascinating, erudite, thought-provoking, hilarious and totally essential celebration of the outside of books. Willder is my new style icon.’

Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller, Editor’s Choice

'Bookworms will devour this'

Good Housekeeping

‘This book is ace! A must-read for any and every writer or book-obsessed person!’

Sophie Hannah

‘Jammed with funny, curious and stylish thoughts and insights, Blurb Your Enthusiasm will be loved by absolutely everybody with an obsessive interest in books and their appearance.’

Simon Winder, author of Germania

'Studded with jewels'

Literary Review

Louise Willder

Louise Willder has been a copywriter at Penguin Books for twenty-five years. During this time, she estimates she has produced about 5,000 blurbs. She doesn’t follow people round bookshops, willing them to buy books she’s written the copy for. Really, she doesn’t. 

Author page

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