Hotel (Object Lessons)

a self-involved pretentious bool, surprisingly and deeply irritating. Not about its subject

I have never been disappointed by any book in the Object Lessons series, and this may be my favorite. While they always surprise me, this one goes beyond that, weaving memoir, history, film trivia and Freudian analysis into a fervor. Perhaps it's because I bought and read this while spending a week in an NYC hotel (The Algonquin), but this book really hit home for me. Or, rather, this book really hit hotel for me.A word of anticipatory caution to anyone reading anything from this series: these books are NEVER about what you think they're about, and they're always worth the ride.

I'll admit a little bias here, as I'm the editor who originally acquired this book for the Object Lessons series; but I'm not biased in the sense that when I received this manuscript I was completely surprised and delighted by it (I was not familiar with Walsh's writing before working with her on this project). The book is utterly unique, and therefore it won't be everyone's cup of tea. But if you are interested in hotels as strange spaces, human relationships as sites of struggle and negotiation, and/or creative nonfiction—then this book is a definite must read.

What a fun read! It's a reflection on the breakup of the author's marriage, a meditation on the new media economy, and a thought-piece on how we experience hotels. Highly recommended -- alongside the rest of the "Object Lessons" books -- as a terrific gift idea.

I thought this little book was brilliant. Creatively structured and thoughtful. Very original approach to the subject matter and format.

Really wonderful and clever book about all aspects of staying in a hotel - not a travel guide, except for the mind! Great book

Great