Comments on: Vlog: On Reading

By: MinD

MinD — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:14:42 +0000

Can’t currently watch (at work), but I’m a fan of classical literature much more than I am of modern day writings. Sure, there’s some great stuff out there, but give me Wuthering Heights or Shakespeare any day.

By: mandy

mandy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:12:30 +0000

A lot of classic literature to me isnt enjoyable. I absolutely loathed my early american lit and romantic period lit classes.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:27:49 +0000

right on!

i was an english major as well and i hated 95% of the books i read for class. i know that those books are “good for me,” and the classics i read in my free time always impress me, but it’s always a struggle. i do prefer the books that take me away, and those are the kinds i aspire to write, so i feel no shame in aiming my reading choices in that direction.

and you should read more :-P but don’t worry – i’ve met plenty a creative writing major and novelist who don’t read AT ALL! THAT is shameful

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:19:36 +0000

I love to read, always have. Also love to write, I think they go hand in hand. The more I’m reading (and getting inspired) the less I write and vice versa!

By: Jaime

Jaime — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:46:13 +0000

I loved My Sister’s Keeper, as well as the Twilight series. I haven’t read much in the way of classic literature except for what I was forced to read in high school, I used to read sci-fi/fantasy novels, and sci-fi/fantasy only. I was really picky about what I picked out. Now I love mainstream fiction, romance novels, young adult books, historical fiction, and I don’t really read fantasy anymore. That’s sorta been my progress with reading. I went from reading The Hobbit and Star Wars books, to reading Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and it changed how I looked at books forever.

Atlas Shrugged is my all time favorite book, I think. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I really loved it from the very first page.

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:12:06 +0000

I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper right now (after seeing the movie last weekend). I have a bad habit of skipping to the end of books, and I can already say, I’m really disappointed by the ending. The movie-ending was COMPLETELY different and more natural.

I need to read more. I used to read several books a month, but lately, I’ve only been reading a few a year. Most of the time, I re-read books, so that doesn’t help much.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:01:32 +0000

Oh “classic literature,” aka the canon- it is a very, very difficult thing. I definitely have some issues with it and I do agree that sometimes those books aren’t as “enjoyable.” Most of the writers I’m really into (Kerouac and Hemingway in particular) are very “fun” (in some ways) and also (though maybe related) have issues with the canon. I’m definitely a literature person, but I’m with you in that a lot of the more revered stuff isn’t my kind of thing.

PS I am SO trying to figure out what is on your shelf by squinting at the background.
PPS the list of things I “need to read” is from here to the moon. You’re right, it’s just part of the deal.

By: Sophia

Sophia — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:21:28 +0000

sometimes, my mind boggles when I think about all of the books that are out there, that were ever published, and are still being published. I’m sure working in a library gives you a glimpse of that!