Comments on: HTR&W Prologue: Why Read?

By: Care aka bkclubcare

Care aka bkclubcare — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:39:05 +0000

This is going to be fun! I just bought the book.

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:17:31 +0000

@Kim: I think I’ll read Bloom’s thoughts before and after, but we’ll see. I’ve read some of his book but I’m going back and starting again.

I’m starting on the short stories this week. One reason I don’t want a time frame for myself is because I do want to put some other works in my reading list too! I like variety

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:19:29 +0000

Excellent, this sounds like a fun challenge! I’ll have to get a copy of HTR&W. The timeframe will just have to be flexible, since the short stories and poems shouldn’t take too long, but the novels will be a challenge. Are you going to read the work, and then Bloom’s thoughts on it, or Bloom first and then the piece?

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:04:12 +0000

@Eva: I can see how people might think that about Harold Bloom. He’s very opinionated and speaks as one with authority. However, I know he’s incredibly well-read, and so I’m using his reading list and opinions as a base. So far, I liked what he had to say in his prologue!
@sya: it surprised me at first to think of reading as “selfish,” but it really is true. I agree, no point in reading mediocrity!

By: sya

sya — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:49:25 +0000

I agree that reading is a selfish activity. Primarily, I do it to be entertained. Learning something is a side benefit. As for reading against the clock, I’ve learned to not try to read everything because some of it isn’t even worth my time. If it’s bad writing and there is no other compelling reason for me to finish it, I’ll put the book down.

By: Eva

Eva — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:49:22 +0000

I found this post very interesting! As to why I read…I think it depends. Sometimes, I read for comfort. Other times, I read to expand my horizons. Or because I want a challenge. Or just to revel in the beauty of the written word. Or to learn how to do something new (for me, this is mainly cookbooks and more recently sewing books). Lots of reasons!

One of my professors told me I was the best reader he had ever met, which certainly made me feel good. But I’m not sure why he decided that, or how to read well. I suppose I’d say reading well is reading attentively: you have to be involved with the book. I think mindfulness is the best word; I know sometimes, when I’m really tired or thinking other things, I read mindlessly, and I can barely remember what was on a page after I turned it. That’s bad reading. But mindful reading: looking at how the author supports his/her ideas, or develops the characters, or keeps the plot going, or any other aspect of fiction or nonfiction as the case may be-that’s what makes someone a good reader. I also think the more people read, the better readers they become, because they have more to compare to, a richer past being brought to the book.

Ok, I’ve rambled on long enough! I’ve been hesitant about Harold Bloom, because I’ve seen a couple interviews and he comes across as a bit of an ass. But maybe I’ll have to look into him anyway.