Books transport me to different times, places and, most importantly, into the minds of others. Reading lets me delve into how people think and act, why they do what they do and why the world is the way it is or could be. The setting and personae are limitless. We all bring the cumulative complexity of our lives to the book we are reading. This makes every read an intimate and unique experience as you process the lives and world the author take you to. Even rereading the same book is enriching because time changes us so we process the same book with an evolved perspective.
Yes, so true. I read the Diary of AnneFrank as a young teen and later as a mother. Two entirely different books because I was a different person when I read it.
Could be of interest. I know (in school) I liked David Copperfield, but I didn't like Great Expectations -- could have been the teacher that year. The plot of Bleak House sounds intriguing, so it might be more up my alley. But presently, I wouldn't consider myself a fan. Also, harder to read classics with small kiddos running around and interrupting -- so I'd definitely need the slow bit 🤣
You have inspired me to read Bleak House (and Careless People). I listened to a sample of Bleak House. I think the first time reading this books, needs to be silently read.
My 8th grade teacher taught us Great Expectations. I thought it an odd choice at the time, but I never forgot it. I still have my 8th grade copy with all the underlines, highlights and margin notes, written in fat, pencil cursive.
I have one for you. If you haven't read Gone With the Wind, you need to do it immediately. I hauled that book with me everywhere (Kindle wasn't invented yet) and ignored the wrist craps of holding it up, because it was that good.
I am so glad these titles resonate! Enjoy – and if you have time and inclination, let me know what you think. I had a similar early experience with Dickens – it was ninth grade, and it was also Great Expectations. I felt so grown-up! And I just loved everything about it. I made a list in the back cover of all the wonderful names. Wemmick! Jaggers! Pocket! Pumblechook!! Who does that? I was in love and I became a Victorianist. And now you are making me want to return to Gone with the Wind, which I first read, over the course of a dizzying three weeks, when I was nine.
I will defintley let you know. WOW! Nine?! You have me beat. I used to read my mom's books but not this one! I'm willing to bet you're going to get WAY more out of it this time around. I read it, in my late 20s. Margaret Mitchell was so before her time. Scarlett was an amazing business woman. At the time I remember thinking Rhett, to me, was more like Scarlett's conscience. I read the sequel right after -- Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley. Couldn't put it down.
I am motivated! There's something so appealing about just getting married to a big doorstop of a book for a few weeks and living in it. Definitely time to revisit gone with the wind as you say, my sensibilities have most likely matured since then.!
Reading is so fulfilling and illuminating.
Books transport me to different times, places and, most importantly, into the minds of others. Reading lets me delve into how people think and act, why they do what they do and why the world is the way it is or could be. The setting and personae are limitless. We all bring the cumulative complexity of our lives to the book we are reading. This makes every read an intimate and unique experience as you process the lives and world the author take you to. Even rereading the same book is enriching because time changes us so we process the same book with an evolved perspective.
I adore-re-reading books because I know they'll be a different version (for me) than they were the last time!
Yes, so true. I read the Diary of AnneFrank as a young teen and later as a mother. Two entirely different books because I was a different person when I read it.
the mom lens changes a great many things. Though perhaps I should say “parent lens,” because my husband has said the same thing!
These all sound like great reads! You may have even convinced me to go back to Dickens....
Question: if we offered a slow, guided read through a Dickens novel on this substack, do you think that would be of interest to you and others?
Could be of interest. I know (in school) I liked David Copperfield, but I didn't like Great Expectations -- could have been the teacher that year. The plot of Bleak House sounds intriguing, so it might be more up my alley. But presently, I wouldn't consider myself a fan. Also, harder to read classics with small kiddos running around and interrupting -- so I'd definitely need the slow bit 🤣
You have inspired me to read Bleak House (and Careless People). I listened to a sample of Bleak House. I think the first time reading this books, needs to be silently read.
My 8th grade teacher taught us Great Expectations. I thought it an odd choice at the time, but I never forgot it. I still have my 8th grade copy with all the underlines, highlights and margin notes, written in fat, pencil cursive.
I have one for you. If you haven't read Gone With the Wind, you need to do it immediately. I hauled that book with me everywhere (Kindle wasn't invented yet) and ignored the wrist craps of holding it up, because it was that good.
I am so glad these titles resonate! Enjoy – and if you have time and inclination, let me know what you think. I had a similar early experience with Dickens – it was ninth grade, and it was also Great Expectations. I felt so grown-up! And I just loved everything about it. I made a list in the back cover of all the wonderful names. Wemmick! Jaggers! Pocket! Pumblechook!! Who does that? I was in love and I became a Victorianist. And now you are making me want to return to Gone with the Wind, which I first read, over the course of a dizzying three weeks, when I was nine.
I will defintley let you know. WOW! Nine?! You have me beat. I used to read my mom's books but not this one! I'm willing to bet you're going to get WAY more out of it this time around. I read it, in my late 20s. Margaret Mitchell was so before her time. Scarlett was an amazing business woman. At the time I remember thinking Rhett, to me, was more like Scarlett's conscience. I read the sequel right after -- Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley. Couldn't put it down.
I am motivated! There's something so appealing about just getting married to a big doorstop of a book for a few weeks and living in it. Definitely time to revisit gone with the wind as you say, my sensibilities have most likely matured since then.!