In Judging a Book by Its Lover, blog writer-turned-book author Lauren Leto delivers exactly what she promises: judgment upon readers. The book is a remarkably humorous piece that strives to prove the old adage that “everyone’s a critic” by teasing readers of several different authors and genres, and by providing a template for people who desire to participate in the literary community.

In her author’s note, Leto says:

“Let me be plain when I state that my judgments, wisecracks, and sarcastic comments come from a place of deep admiration for every one of the authors whose work I discuss in these pages.”

The book’s structure alternates between Leto’s personal recollections as they pertain to reading and her humorous observations about literature. Leto discusses events like her childhood and her social relationships. The pieces are relevant to the book, because she illustrates how reading is an integral part of her life and the ways it influences her social activity. The replacement of key words creatively titles sections like “The Bookshelf of the Vanities” and “Infinite Lies.” She recounts everything from misadventures at book club to her childhood spelling bee, and these recollections are skillfully woven between her literary analysis to provide a nice blend of personal anecdotes and literary knowledge.

The establishment of such a background gives her credence (and seemingly carte blanche) to pursue her teasing of the literary world. The various chapters that between Leto’s personal stories are entitled things like “Rules for Public Reading” and “Ten Rules for Bookstore Hookups,” both of which include hilarious advice based upon observation of reader behavior. Leto’s chapter on “Stereotyping People by Favorite Author” lists authors and humorous accounts of who their readers are. The chapter “How to Fake It” lists authors then gives a brief summary and background information that humorously details the works enough to pretend like one has read them. The arrangement of these rules and lists leaves ample margin space in between the writing and makes Judging a Book by Its Lover a remarkably fast-paced read, which is essential in assisting the playful tone that Leto establishes with her material.

Despite being humorous, the constant sarcasm becomes grating at times. While no particular fiction writer is safe from Leto’s caustic tone, “chick-lit” is a focus of vitriol and fans of this genre may be offended. The attack on the genre is an interesting detail when considered with the fact that Leto analyzes (and clearly has read) many books that are stereotypically associated with male readers. Leto frankly discusses Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski but avoids the traditional realms of feminist criticism. Instead, she mocks them as she does everyone else, but displays a respect for their works that is lacking entirely when harshly criticizing contemporary female authors like Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner.

These criticisms aside, Leto evidences that reading is an experience that hinges upon individual preference. Thus, it is understood that Judging a Book by Its Lover is a remarkably subjective work, one that attempts and succeeds in being funny, and should not be read as an authoritative text for understanding literature. If nothing else, Leto’s ample coverage of countless authors and works proves that she is especially well read, and her constant self-deprecation lessens the intensity of her barbs. She can laugh at herself, and such a lesson is one that everyone—readers and non-readers alike—should heed.