I loved this piece of writing Karin, it was like unpacking a suitcase of surprises that just got better and better as I unpacked. I've been through quite a few "dry spells" with my reading, sometimes years long, I think precipitated by large life events, so that when I get back into the forest of reading, it is the most fabulous feeling - like being reunited with a long lost friend.
Thank you, Janet. I'm glad it hit the spot for you. Reading is such a personal, intimate relationship we each have with a part of ourselves. I also think that there are times when you don't have space inside yourself for other stories except your own one, so I relate to your 'droughts'.
I don't have strong feelings on how to read but I do feel sad when people dismiss "fiction", this is a way of meeting more people and getting to know them intimately, than you could hope to do in many lifetimes. How else do you learn quite quickly to recognise a Piglet or a Snufkin? And make them your friends. A Jay Gatsby or a Becky Sharpe, and stay away from them? The whole library of humanity is open to fiction-readers. That's why I strongly recommend novels to those who would dismiss them as flimflam books.
I had never thought of that, that it’s a way of meeting more people. Nor have I ever thought of people in real life as Piglets or Jays, and I am really amused to learn that you do and it makes me envious. I’ve always thought of fiction as another way to live a whole other life. So when people say they don’t read fiction at all, I feel a bit (perhaps condescendingly) sorry for them.
I don't agree with his opinion for my own personal reading journey. But, if it has value to him, who am I to question. I think that everyone has a very personal relationship with reading and what is the "right way" for them to read.
That’s the thing, isn’t it? I find the idea of telling people how to read so peculiar! Not long after this column of his (which, as you can see, I really enjoyed even though I didn’t necessarily agree), I saw an entire article in a top-notch publication dedicated to telling people how to read.
I think maybe there is an element of mainstream media trying to muscle in on the self-improvement rage. Everyone seems to love headlines and articles that will teach them stuff. I find it fascinating.
Lovely writing on a great topic, Karin. I’m in a dry spell at the moment — except for poetry — and I tend to agree with the 50 pages advice. I’ve been pecking like a demented chicken for too long, at both fiction and non-fiction. I fear I’m never going to sink into a book ever again
And we know why that is and for that reason it is understandable. But I’m sure you long for immersion again, for escape. I found Brotherless Night – recently reviewed on readingdarling – useful in the sense that it allowed me to both escape into something and not run away from the thing we can’t turn our eyes away from. I don’t know if that makes sense. I also liked Adrienne Rich’s poems helpful recently. It felt like I was not distracting myself with beauty on purpose (which is often needed and I am not saying we can’t do that – we MUST) but turning towards what makes me angry without losing the connection with beauty I crave.
That's fascinating! About it helping regulate your nervous system. Have you checked whether there are other people who do this? Reading is just wonderful for so many things. What a great story. And yes...read whatever!!!
I loved this piece of writing Karin, it was like unpacking a suitcase of surprises that just got better and better as I unpacked. I've been through quite a few "dry spells" with my reading, sometimes years long, I think precipitated by large life events, so that when I get back into the forest of reading, it is the most fabulous feeling - like being reunited with a long lost friend.
Thank you, Janet. I'm glad it hit the spot for you. Reading is such a personal, intimate relationship we each have with a part of ourselves. I also think that there are times when you don't have space inside yourself for other stories except your own one, so I relate to your 'droughts'.
I don't have strong feelings on how to read but I do feel sad when people dismiss "fiction", this is a way of meeting more people and getting to know them intimately, than you could hope to do in many lifetimes. How else do you learn quite quickly to recognise a Piglet or a Snufkin? And make them your friends. A Jay Gatsby or a Becky Sharpe, and stay away from them? The whole library of humanity is open to fiction-readers. That's why I strongly recommend novels to those who would dismiss them as flimflam books.
I had never thought of that, that it’s a way of meeting more people. Nor have I ever thought of people in real life as Piglets or Jays, and I am really amused to learn that you do and it makes me envious. I’ve always thought of fiction as another way to live a whole other life. So when people say they don’t read fiction at all, I feel a bit (perhaps condescendingly) sorry for them.
I don't agree with his opinion for my own personal reading journey. But, if it has value to him, who am I to question. I think that everyone has a very personal relationship with reading and what is the "right way" for them to read.
That’s the thing, isn’t it? I find the idea of telling people how to read so peculiar! Not long after this column of his (which, as you can see, I really enjoyed even though I didn’t necessarily agree), I saw an entire article in a top-notch publication dedicated to telling people how to read.
So fascinating! Do you think they do it because they know if will be a controversial topic?
I think maybe there is an element of mainstream media trying to muscle in on the self-improvement rage. Everyone seems to love headlines and articles that will teach them stuff. I find it fascinating.
I do too! Thank you for sharing.
I loved this, Karin, for so many different reasons, and mostly for the refreshing way you are able to hold depth and lightness with one breath.
Thank you, Toni. That is such a direct, specific compliment and those always sink deepest. What a wonderful thing to say.
Lovely writing on a great topic, Karin. I’m in a dry spell at the moment — except for poetry — and I tend to agree with the 50 pages advice. I’ve been pecking like a demented chicken for too long, at both fiction and non-fiction. I fear I’m never going to sink into a book ever again
And we know why that is and for that reason it is understandable. But I’m sure you long for immersion again, for escape. I found Brotherless Night – recently reviewed on readingdarling – useful in the sense that it allowed me to both escape into something and not run away from the thing we can’t turn our eyes away from. I don’t know if that makes sense. I also liked Adrienne Rich’s poems helpful recently. It felt like I was not distracting myself with beauty on purpose (which is often needed and I am not saying we can’t do that – we MUST) but turning towards what makes me angry without losing the connection with beauty I crave.
That's fascinating! About it helping regulate your nervous system. Have you checked whether there are other people who do this? Reading is just wonderful for so many things. What a great story. And yes...read whatever!!!