This book has a fantastic cover that initially drew me to it. The idea of an adult man reconnecting with a childhood love of building bricks was also fascinating. It’s billed as a memoir, or at least that was what I thought it was, and has elements of a “project memoir” wherein the author delves into a certain subject or theme with a goal in mind. In this case, Jonathan Bender wanted to research AFOLs (adult fan of LEGO) as well as become one himself.
But I would call LEGO: A Love Story more of a researched book than a memoir. Yes, Bender shares some of his personal experiences, and the story is told through his eyes as he joins LEGO conventions and tours the headquarters in Denmark and the U.S. headquarters in Connecticut, but in general it’s a feature about AFOLs and the history and future of the LEGO company.
I did learn a lot about legos. First off, you never call them “legos.” LEGO is the brand, and should only be used as an adjective as in “LEGO building blocks” or “LEGO kits,” or in reference to the company itself. After reading 300 pages of correct usage, I’m probably a convert and will be annoyed by everyone else’s incorrect use from here on out.
I think that this book would definitely appeal to adults who play with or collect LEGO, but also to anyone who remembers LEGO fondly from their childhood. Reading this book made me happy that my son’s collection is steadily growing, and honestly makes me look forward to tackling bigger projects with him.
This book could definitely be a popular Father’s Day gift — from a grown son who remembered building LEGO with his dad, or to a new father who has the opportunity to legitimize his LEGO play once again. But then again, the whole idea behind LEGO: A Love Story is that LEGO can appeal to adults in a completely unique (and legitimate) way.
Jennifer Donovan has enjoyed discovering toys with her son that she missed in her girlhood, like Thomas the Tank Engine, Matchbox cars, and yes, of course, LEGO. She blogs at Snapshot.
Man, it’s going to be hard not to call them Legos. But then again, I get irritated whenever I hear someone referring to a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation as a “Trekkie.” It’s TrekKER, actually. So I hear where you are coming from. =)
I saw this book on your shelf when I was visiting and meant to ask you about it! Definitely an intriguing idea for a book because who didn’t play with LEGO growing up!?
Oh well. Then I just read your tagline and see that YOU apparently did not play with LEGO. How very, very sad…..
😉
Ha! Well, although I really don’t think that I did have any LEGO (good use of the correct terminology), I do remember one Christmas when my sister and I begged for — and got — a Matchbox race track, and that’s in my tagline too, because I think that the excitement was short-lived.
sounds like creative non-fiction to me. my kind of book *thumbs up* 🙂
Shh– don’t tell, but I ordered this book for a certain somebody for a certain upcoming holiday, after seeing it on your Nightstand, Jennifer. 🙂 I do believe that he’s going to LOVE it!
Sounds great! My 13 y/o son is still going really really strong with the Lego thing–in fact, current plans for adulthood include Lego Planner. (It’s on ALL the placement tests! 😉 I will have to keep my eyes out for this one.
Sounds good. Though I confess: I’m still going to call them Legos. Sorry… 🙂
I am totally getting this book for my husband. He has recently fallen in love with nonfiction and this sounds like something he would really enjoy. I smell a birthday gift. 🙂