As this is an issue that utterly subjective and different for every person, i think Poohbear is worth repeating. I happen to agree with all of her comments. But my partner hates reading "classics." She finds her ideas and meaning elsewhere...and that is
just fine.
If Twlight or Dan Brown or whatever other popfic of the week provides you the mental and spiritual sustenance you need and/or want, fine. I don't look down on you, and I certainly don't condescend to you through mocking. We just choose to spend our time in different places. Perhaps if we all took a week and traded books we'd all learn something about one another and this thread would not have gotten so hateful sounding.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbear_nc
Why does one want to be well-read? Why are the authors listed in the article listed there? Why read them at all?
Well ...
Perhaps to discover a compelling story that you will never forget, and will want to return to and relive again and again ...
Perhaps to marvel with widely opened eyes at an author's dexterity and expertise with language -- making it sing or speak in ways totally unexpected or beautiful to eye & ear ...
Perhaps to find yourself with tears coursing down your face as you are unable to tear your eyes from a page ...
Perhaps to meet people you might never meet ... or ever want to meet ... in person
Perhaps to find a new world of experience, sensations, thoughts, humor .... a boundless universe to explore
These are a few reasons I have, and will continue to, read authors in that list.
[and yes - being forced to read them in school can sour you for life ... but recovery is possible. Throughout college & grad school, I "had" to read Moby Dick at least 5 times, and was always glad to reach the final scene of the sinking Pequod. I read it again last year ... as if for the first time ... and discovered just how funny parts of it were ... and how tragically sad other parts were ... it was a different book]
|