Best of Books by the Bed

Literary Nonfiction. Edited by Eric Olsen and Cheryl Olsen. Whether they cover every inch of shelf space and every available flat surface or reside pristinely in an e- reader, books by the bed are the constant—and ever- changing—companions of avid readers. They're special, different from the tomes of daylight, flirtatious, fun, provocative friends we array within easy reach, our last contacts with the conscious world before we surrender to sleep, perchance to dream, and perchance to dream about what we just read... This sampling of those special books is the second annual collection of guest posts from the We Wanted to Be Writers blog. Twenty-eight writers share their personal stashes—more than 250 books—and what earned them bedside status. Most of the volumes occupying this prime real estate are fiction, but there's plenty of poetry and creative nonfiction as well.

"Can there really be a sequel to a book of the 'best?' Yes! Back again and better than ever, this delightful excursion into writers' private territory—what they are reading between the sheets—is a kick. And the best part is that these authors tell you not only what books they're into, but why. Me? I'm adding another title to what's on my nightstand—BEST OF BOOKS BY THE BED #2."—William Souder

"Despite the hundreds of affectionate selections inside BEST OF BOOKS BY THE BED #2, it's much more than a grouping of greats, unjustly forgottens and personal favorites curated by 28 writers of all stripes, from heavyweights to hermits. In chapter after chapter, the most memorable characters of these books, and the authors who love them, mix and mingle their plots, loves, obsessions, and secrets by the flickering light of a bedside candle. The impulse is generous: to give fresh reading experiences to readers, and perhaps nudge deserving books a little closer to familiarity, if not immortality."—Don Wallace

"Books are food for writers' souls. And it's a pleasure to discover where the writers we admire are finding their substance. BEST OF BOOKS BY THE BED #2 gives us a sneak peek not only into the books these writers choose but what they're looking to find in them. From deeply thoughtful to playful, these lists surprised, intrigued, and inspired me. And are sure to lead you to stack new books by your own bed. I've just written down five to pick up at my local bookstore. Oh oh. The stack by my bed is teetering!"—Jennie Fields

"The indefatigable Olsens helped Forest Avenue Press gain national traction on several of our titles, and after promoting their launches, kept promoting them with a relentless, heartfelt grace that earned us more followers and more readers. Cheryl's tweets with lines from our books reminded me why I fell in love with those books in the first place. All of us are so grateful for Cheryl and Eric's commitment and passion for getting good books into the hands of readers they might not reach otherwise. This collection of guest posts from their website is yet another example of their growing legacy."—Laura Stanfill

"Is the pile of books by your bedside starting to resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa? Are you worried that a slight shift in the earth's crust at midnight will bury you under a stack of novels and short story collections? If so, take heart. Not only will BEST OF BOOKS BY THE BED #2 let you know you're not alone in your willingness to risk booksphyxiation, you'll also be rewarded with a wealth of great book recommendations that will make your bedtime reading all the more pleasurable."—Harvey Freedenberg