Reading Quirks - by Andrés de la Casa Huertas & Javier García del Moral (Hardcover)

About the Book

A light-hearted ode to the immense pleasure of reading and its resulting neuroses in a collection of cartoons created by beloved bookstore The Wild Detectives.

Book Synopsis

Who hasn't peeked over the shoulder of the person reading next to them on the subway, curious about the book in their hands? Who doesn't secretly love skipping the party to stay home and read? Who hasn't daydreamed of catching the eye of a future significant other as you discover from across the room that you're reading the same book?

If you're a reader, you know you've been there, and probably in so many other weird places as well, right? That's what happens with readers, they have these strange traits, these particular ways, that separate them from the rest.

Reading Quirks explores, in 72 lighthearted four-frame cartoons, all these weird things readers do, from the existential dilemma of picking your next read to the frustrations of watching an overzealous dog-earer in action. The series was written and created by a bookstore in Dallas, The Wild Detectives, originally as a social media campaign--a way to connect with other readers over a shared understanding of what it means to be crazy about books. Laura Pacheco's adorable illustrations introduce a cast of endearing characters, whose flaws and obsessions range from disarming good nature to mischievous playfulness.

Reading Quirks is a witty and light-hearted ode to the immense pleasure of reading and its resulting byproduct: neurosis.

Review Quotes

"A charming paean to the not-yet-bygone act of reading books--both lighthearted and wonderfully reverent, this lovely book is a fantastic gift for all your favorite book-reading nerds. (And if you're one of them, don't deny yourself.)" -Merritt Tierce, author of Love Me Back and writer for Orange is the New Black

"Finding books to gift the bookworm/bookdragon in your life can be difficult. Have they already read it? Do they already own it but can't remember it because it's buried in a crowded bookshelf or in one of their many towering piles (or hidden in the trunk of their car so their partner won't realize just how much money they've spent...no? Just me?)? If this describes you or someone you even remotely care about, then Reading Quirks is a must buy and must read. The adorable book themed vignettes will call to any lover of books, who will recognize themselves immediately in the pages." - Kate Towery, Fountain Books

"A bible for the fellowship of readers worldwide... Every page will make you laugh, cry for a finished book, and feel again the company of all the other human beings on this planet who know the importance of pockets big enough to fit paperbacks, that the hardest part of a breakup is losing her half of the books, and that a broken ankle is only an opportunity to read without interruption. Funny, warm, and full of keen wit, Reading Quirks provides solace in these all-too-bookless times." -Louisa Hall, author of Speak and Trinity "A lighthearted collection of cartoons about the kinds of strange little habits common among those who love to read."-Dan Singer, Dallas Morning News

About the Author

The Wild Detectives
The Wild Detectives is a independent bookstore, bar and venue in Oak Cliff, Dallas, that encourages community-driven cultural conversations. Since its opening in 2014 this small bookstore has hosted over 600 events and featured authors and artists such as Ben Fountain, Leni Zumas, Morgan Parker, Damien Jurado or Bill Callahan, just to mention a few. They also maintain a strong Spanish language calendar of events, having promoted some of the best young Latin American voices, featuring authors such as Eduardo Rabasa, Daniel Saldaña París, Verónica Gerber, among others, in single events or as part of the international literary festival Hay Festival. So far, the business has been chosen Best Bookstore 2014, 2015 and 2016 by D Magazine, and also 2018 by the Dallas Observer. It was selected by American Way, along with Powell's and other 3 bookstores in the country, as the spearheads of the recent American indie bookstore renaissance.

Andrés de la Casa Huertas
Although Andrés (San Sebastián, Spain, 1979) started his career as a journalist -he was press assistant for the Basque social democrats in the Spanish Parliament- he was always more interested in creativity. As graphic designer and art director he's worked for top international brands, first in Madrid, then also in Dublin and London. He's currently creative director at The Wild Detectives, a bookstore bar venue in Dallas. Reading Quirks is his first published work.

Javier García del Moral
Javier Garcia del Moral (Logroño, Spain, 1978) worked as a civil engineer in places like Spain, Ireland, Middle East and the US. In 2014 he founded The Wild Detectives bookstore along with his longtime friend Paco Vique. He combines his civil engineering work with directing The Wild Detectives bookstore and currently lives in Dallas, TX

Laura Pacheco
Laura (Almería, Spain, 1984) is a well known Spanish illustrator and cartoonist. She's the author of several graphic novels in Spain, such as Señor Pacheco: agente secreto (¡Caramba!, 2013) and Problemas del primer mundo (Lumen, 2014). Along with her sister, the author Carmen Pacheco, they've also published Una semana en familia (¡Caramba!, 2011), Troll Corporation (¡Caramba!, 2018) and Divas de diván (¡Caramba!, 2018).