My mother in law was always scathing of a neighbour that read 'Mills & Boon' and I really wanted to say that maybe that was the lady's escape from the world or maybe she had no romance in her marriage so took joy in reading about it. MIL was a forthright lady that read a lot of non fiction and wanted no fuss or silliness in her fiction. So even if I'd expressed these thoughts I don't think it would have changed her mind. I mainly read at night but keep thinking I should read during the day much more to save me from doom scrolling. I used to take a 'classic' book on holiday as I knew I didn't have to leave it to do the domestic jobs of home. Any reading is good reading I think!
I relate to your sentiments a lot. I love reading, but I don't really care about being "well-read". Just that I read well, i.e. = I enjoy what I read. I read relatively wide and deep, but there are genres that I don't like. I don't care whether the book is high-brow or not. And there are years where I barely read, while others years I finish dozens. As long as we're enjoying ourselves, right?
I really enjoyed this. Thank you. It made me realise I’ve changed my focus for reading over the years. And while I may once have been someone who wanted to be well-read, my focus now is on two things. 1. To be the kind of person who reads a lot of books. 2. To actively be able to recommend a good and relevant and suitable read to those around me (non fiction more than fiction, but sometimes also fiction)
An interesting shift. BTW, I'm reading a non-fiction book right now that I am LOVING. "A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E M Forster, by Wendy Moffat. Its an examination of his hidden sexual life and how it influenced his creative output but its also an interwar queer history, centering on the western European literati. Smart, incredibly well told, fascinating, and impactful.
Interesting question. I've also found being part of a book club has helped me feel more "well read" as it involves books outside my comfort zone that I'm unlikely to have otherwise picked up. I really enjoy reading but often struggle to recall what I've read so would like to get better at reflecting and documenting my reading and learnings from books.
I really enjoyed this! There's so much discourse about 'good' books and anti-intellectualism and what constitutes a real book(?)), but at the end of the day, to be reading is just great in itself. My focus these days is to read widely across genres and authors, and to be able to learn at least a little from others with different perspectives to mine.
Certainly a provocative phrase to noodle upon: "well-read." I strive to choose books that will improve my mind; yet, I am not specifically aiming to call myself "well-read." Its a term of judgement and as such, I'm wary of it. There are worthy books in every genre, books that broaden our world view, increase our empathy, help us reckon with our pasts, stimulate important questions, or simply make us feel good. Whether surveyed readers fib about the quantity of classics they've read matters little to me. The margin of error in the survey data could be attributable simply to forgetfulness or mistake, and not to puffery. Your summation is spot on. Reading is deliciously personal. Read what (and how much) you want and can. And over here, I'll do the same.
I love a good story. I've often wondered whether this means I don't read as well as I should. I don't read a passage of writing and think that it's been well constructed or clever. I just read it to see what happens next. Last year I began to worry about this. Was I doing the author justice by reading so quickly to find out what happens next? I was part of an online book group in December and read Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice. It was a beautiful book, really well written and I did use little markers to mark the pages I felt had especially poignant prose. But I don't know that I enjoyed it as much as just reading for the story. I tried re-reading a book last year, as I felt maybe I read it too quickly and missed bits. But as I was re-reading it I knew exactly what was going to happen next so I realised I hadn't missed anything. I've tried reading more widely, but I've not enjoyed my reading as much when I deviate too far from my comfort zones. So after this long ramble I've realised that I love to read and I'm just going to carry on doing what I'm doing; enjoying it and not questioning myself so much. I think as long as we are enjoying it personally it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks xx
I really enjoyed this one! Reading is definitely a personalized hobby, and I've had a lot of discussions with my bookish friends about it. While I think it is important to delve into some of the classics, I understand that not everyone will enjoy such titles as Crime and Punishment or 1984. At the end of the day, just read what you like, and a book sounds interesting to you, pick it up and have a go at it.
This was fun to read. I think well read people rarely think about being well read, though I have given thought to what I am reading in the last couple of years--I also recognize that my mood and energy levels can change what I feel like reading. I love that you have a word of the year. My sister and I do this, too. This year my word is write. Thanks for the lovely read this morning. A wonderful way to start my day.
I would definitely make a case for audiobooks counting as books and reading as well. It's true I guess that they provide a different experience but without them I'd read way less than what I do now. I drive a lot for work and thats how I listen to a lot of books; nothing better than listening to a great book while on a long drive!
My mother in law was always scathing of a neighbour that read 'Mills & Boon' and I really wanted to say that maybe that was the lady's escape from the world or maybe she had no romance in her marriage so took joy in reading about it. MIL was a forthright lady that read a lot of non fiction and wanted no fuss or silliness in her fiction. So even if I'd expressed these thoughts I don't think it would have changed her mind. I mainly read at night but keep thinking I should read during the day much more to save me from doom scrolling. I used to take a 'classic' book on holiday as I knew I didn't have to leave it to do the domestic jobs of home. Any reading is good reading I think!
Agreed!
I relate to your sentiments a lot. I love reading, but I don't really care about being "well-read". Just that I read well, i.e. = I enjoy what I read. I read relatively wide and deep, but there are genres that I don't like. I don't care whether the book is high-brow or not. And there are years where I barely read, while others years I finish dozens. As long as we're enjoying ourselves, right?
I really enjoyed this. Thank you. It made me realise I’ve changed my focus for reading over the years. And while I may once have been someone who wanted to be well-read, my focus now is on two things. 1. To be the kind of person who reads a lot of books. 2. To actively be able to recommend a good and relevant and suitable read to those around me (non fiction more than fiction, but sometimes also fiction)
I love these reading intentions! :)
Thanks Molly
An interesting shift. BTW, I'm reading a non-fiction book right now that I am LOVING. "A Great Unrecorded History: A New Life of E M Forster, by Wendy Moffat. Its an examination of his hidden sexual life and how it influenced his creative output but its also an interwar queer history, centering on the western European literati. Smart, incredibly well told, fascinating, and impactful.
Interesting question. I've also found being part of a book club has helped me feel more "well read" as it involves books outside my comfort zone that I'm unlikely to have otherwise picked up. I really enjoy reading but often struggle to recall what I've read so would like to get better at reflecting and documenting my reading and learnings from books.
I really enjoyed this! There's so much discourse about 'good' books and anti-intellectualism and what constitutes a real book(?)), but at the end of the day, to be reading is just great in itself. My focus these days is to read widely across genres and authors, and to be able to learn at least a little from others with different perspectives to mine.
Love this focus Michelle!
Certainly a provocative phrase to noodle upon: "well-read." I strive to choose books that will improve my mind; yet, I am not specifically aiming to call myself "well-read." Its a term of judgement and as such, I'm wary of it. There are worthy books in every genre, books that broaden our world view, increase our empathy, help us reckon with our pasts, stimulate important questions, or simply make us feel good. Whether surveyed readers fib about the quantity of classics they've read matters little to me. The margin of error in the survey data could be attributable simply to forgetfulness or mistake, and not to puffery. Your summation is spot on. Reading is deliciously personal. Read what (and how much) you want and can. And over here, I'll do the same.
I love a good story. I've often wondered whether this means I don't read as well as I should. I don't read a passage of writing and think that it's been well constructed or clever. I just read it to see what happens next. Last year I began to worry about this. Was I doing the author justice by reading so quickly to find out what happens next? I was part of an online book group in December and read Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice. It was a beautiful book, really well written and I did use little markers to mark the pages I felt had especially poignant prose. But I don't know that I enjoyed it as much as just reading for the story. I tried re-reading a book last year, as I felt maybe I read it too quickly and missed bits. But as I was re-reading it I knew exactly what was going to happen next so I realised I hadn't missed anything. I've tried reading more widely, but I've not enjoyed my reading as much when I deviate too far from my comfort zones. So after this long ramble I've realised that I love to read and I'm just going to carry on doing what I'm doing; enjoying it and not questioning myself so much. I think as long as we are enjoying it personally it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks xx
Thank you for sharing lovely!
I really enjoyed this one! Reading is definitely a personalized hobby, and I've had a lot of discussions with my bookish friends about it. While I think it is important to delve into some of the classics, I understand that not everyone will enjoy such titles as Crime and Punishment or 1984. At the end of the day, just read what you like, and a book sounds interesting to you, pick it up and have a go at it.
Such an interesting question, and so subjective!
Another angle: as writers, being "well-read" can mean being aware of different literary styles, and exploring them in our own writing.
The perspectives are endless!
This was fun to read. I think well read people rarely think about being well read, though I have given thought to what I am reading in the last couple of years--I also recognize that my mood and energy levels can change what I feel like reading. I love that you have a word of the year. My sister and I do this, too. This year my word is write. Thanks for the lovely read this morning. A wonderful way to start my day.
I would definitely make a case for audiobooks counting as books and reading as well. It's true I guess that they provide a different experience but without them I'd read way less than what I do now. I drive a lot for work and thats how I listen to a lot of books; nothing better than listening to a great book while on a long drive!