Neil Gaiman on Libraries and Reading

[gmw]

I looked around and can't see this already posted here:
Neil Gaiman lecture: Reading and Obligation (Video and transcript available on that link.)

Some snippents:

[...]
I worry that here in the 21st Century people misunderstand what libraries are and the purpose of them. If you perceive a library as a shelf of books, it may seem antiquated or outdated in a word in which most, but not all, books in print exist digitally. But that is to fundamentally miss the point.
[...]
I believe we have an obligation to read for pleasure, in private and in public places. If we read for pleasure, if others see us reading, then we learn, we exercise our imaginations. We show others that reading is a good thing.

We have an obligation to support libraries. To use libraries, to encourage others to use libraries, to protest the closure of libraries. If you do not value libraries then you do not value information or culture or wisdom. You are silencing the voices of the past and you are damaging the future.

We have an obligation to read aloud to our children. To read them things they enjoy. To read to them stories we are already tired of. To do the voices, to make it interesting, and not to stop reading to them just because they learn to read to themselves. Use reading aloud time as bonding time, as time when no phones are being checked, when the distractions of the world are put aside.

We have an obligation to use the language. To push ourselves: to find out what words mean and how to deploy them, to communicate clearly, to say what we mean. We must not to attempt to freeze language, or to pretend it is a dead thing that must be revered, but we should use it as a living thing, that flows, that borrows words, that allows meanings and pronunciations to change with time.
[...]

There are also some excellent words about empathy, and about the critical importance of imagination.

[arjaybe]

A thoughtful guy. Definitely knows how to use the language.

rjb

[samhy]

Very interesting. Thanks

[Sydney's Mom]

Loved it! Thanks for posting.

[HomeInMyShoes]

"...to understand that truth is not in what happens but what it tells us about who we are."
Many people don't get this and should. Great books tell us about the human condition.

Thanks for posting this. An excellent [read].

[Geralt]

Love Neil. Thanks for the post.

[Bookpossum]

Many thanks for posting this, gmw.

[kennyc]

Excellent! Here's the youtube separately:

[Gazella]

Thank you for sharing. I've only read one book by Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) and I liked it. I started Coraline a couple of months ago but couldn't finish it. However, I plan to read more of his books.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

"...to understand that truth is not in what happens but what it tells us about who we are."
Many people don't get this and should. Great books tell us about the human condition.

Thanks for posting this. An excellent [read].

Truth!

[gmw]

Originally Posted by Gazella

Thank you for sharing. I've only read one book by Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) and I liked it. I started Coraline a couple of months ago but couldn't finish it. However, I plan to read more of his books.

Neil Gaiman is an unusual author, each book is something very different to the last. There is something still distinctly Neil Gaiman about the writing, but the stories vary hugely in both style and content. I adored The Graveyard Book, and Stardust and Neverwhere remain two of my favourites of his, as does Good Omens (coauthored with Terry Pratchett)

Like you, I couldn't really get into Coraline (although I did finish it). The Ocean at the End of the Lane has (it seems to me) a lot of Stephen King in it (but I like King, so that's okay with me). I've read American Gods a few times, and still can't quite work out what I think of it. Despite the unpredictable nature of his books, he's still an automatic pick up me.

[HomeInMyShoes]

I finished reading Fortunately the Milk last night with my almost four-year old last night and he wanted me to start it again. Definitely entertaining and a lot of fun if you stay in character.

[QuantumIguana]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

"...to understand that truth is not in what happens but what it tells us about who we are."
Many people don't get this and should. Great books tell us about the human condition.

One thing that really turns me off is when characters don't behave like people, but behave like ... characters.

[ApK]

I'm not a huge fan of his, but I like what's quoted there in the OP.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

One thing that really turns me off is when characters don't behave like people, but behave like ... characters.

I don't worry so much about that kind of thing. Satire wouldn't work if it weren't for the over-characterisation, but then it depends on the story. In a serious story, people shouldn't behave like characters, although I've known some people over the years that make me rethink that opinion.