My thoughts and feelings exactly! Intuition and serendipity over cold-blooded plans has always been my mantra - at least for reading and watching movies (ah, watching movies. As I director, a few times a year there comes a moment when I feel obliged to brush up on my film history education, come up with a plan, but then I always end up despising my self-imposed-curriculum movies and watching a screwball comedy ;)).
By the way, I am intrigued by that diplomacy and leadership book! Could you share the title?
You read as I do, Terry. I like it when I stumble on a writer’s name in a book and have the book mentioned but haven't read it. “Oh, yeah—I think I'll finally read that now.”
Do you find, as I do, that the two big problems in life are (a) having only 24 hours in a day and (b) having to spend a third of that time sleeping? I mean, when are we supposed to get all this ready done?
I said it to my daughter the other day, right after I impulse-bought two magazine subscriptions because they were special offers. I can't keep up with the two subscriptions I already have. Sleep is such a nuisance.
I love your flexible approach to reading, Terry, particularly that you go 'off piste' to check out references and recommendations you encounter along the way.
I've only been reading daily for pleasure again since December 2019, and at the time I started again I had no clue why I'd ever stopped. Recently I read a post here on Substack which made the absolutely nail-on-the-head point that UNIVERSITY had put paid to the writer's reading for pleasure. I realised that is what had happened to me... I wish I could remember whose post it was - if I find it again I'll pop back and edit this comment.
I've got two books on the go at the moment - they're taking me ages, not because I'm a slow reader per se, but because I don't prioritise reading over more time-sucky things like listening to 'The Archers' and scrolling through online news. Note to self: just READ, Rebecca! I've just added two books to my wishlist, which are in the name of research for a project which keeps shouting 'cooeeeee, you need me in your life'. I'm trying to ignore it...
LOL - if I'd listened to the first episode live, Terry, that would make me 72!
I grew up on an audio diet of BBC Radio 4, and 'The Archers' was a fixture in our house. When I au-paired in Germany I was thrilled to find that BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) broadcast their daily episodes at 6.30pm CET, over an hour and a half BEFORE my parents got to listen to it on Radio 4 back in Blighty! The temptation to ring them with plot spoilers was almost overwhelming...!
The Archers went with me to university, and then to London. A couple of story lines over the years REALLY got my back up, so there are some sizeable chunks of Ambridge life that have been missed by my ears, but I'm back on the Archers train again now.
Interesting that you'd felt that an English degree would put the kibosh on your enjoyment of it. I'd adored reading until I opted to do literature in three languages for my A-levels - I'm sad to say that I still regret my choice!
My love of lit was rekindled, or more accurately reawakened, when I started toing literature courses at the City LIt Adult Ed Institute. I liked it so much that I asked them if I could teach there, and after a short interview they said yes!
Yes. They've eased off a bit now, with me classes taking place in the building. But my courses are still online (I have one coming up on the Oulipo). There's such a variety, it's brilliant.
I followed a link a couple of days ago from one of your past posts on Oulipo to your Oulipo course - I got ‘Page 404 - not found’ - but this afternoon I registered on the college website, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled…!
Serendipity is my whole plan as well, always has been, always will be. Ironically, that may have been my list you saw, as I do have a list of classics I want to read, but I certainly don’t plan to power through one a week. More like, when nothing else catches my fancy, pick one up. I’ve already serendipitously strayed from the list this year and read two books I came across by chance.
Oh, I don't THINK it was, cos the one I recall seemed to be a lot more rigid, but apologies if it was! I like your idea of picking one from the bucket list so to speak when the mood takes you. I do think serendipity is a force for good. It's why I find browsing in a library or bookshops so much more satisfying than looking online.
I'm not sure, I did post one that I'm reading from in the STSC group, and I do think it was originally designed to be "52 classics to read in one year" but I'm not using it that way. I started one (Proust), found it not to my liking, and then posted the whole list for STSC feedback, and now I've highlighted the ones that the group members said were worthwhile (about 12 or so) and am starting with those.
Funny read, Terry! I can relate to your dilemma, but I chose/choose a variety of different media to exercise my alphabet soup of input maladies, in particular, OCD/ADD! It all comes down to how you incorporate and embrace your personal learning/reading style into how you do what you do! There is no right, linear way to read a book/some books.........and, does it always have to be books?📚😱
In the early '70s, I was all over all the rock media, relentlessly reading domestic (US) and foreign (UK's NME, MM, Sounds) rock press, then tearing out pix/articles/album reviews, and "filing" them in their respective, appropriate LP sleeves (hopelessly warping the vinyl, of course, but, such was my need to have like things together)!
And, of course, the time I spent listening to albums (again, I had an unending supply of freebies, with Dad bringing home-to me-various labels' weekly rock releases, from the radio station, from late '60s thru mid-'70s) took time away from the classic titles I should have been reading for school! The volume of classic American and EU literature I HAVEN'T read is shameful! "Shakes-who?" "The Grapes of WHAT"?
📚Alas, my illiteracy in classic lit is more than made up for by my thorough "literacy" of rock history and recorded product over several decades!💿And, Substack perusers and readers are the better for it, and can, now, reap the benefits of my reliance on "Cliff's Notes" throughout my high school and university years!! You're welcome!😁
🤣 Cliff's notes! I agree about different media, and also different literacies. I always feel inadequate when, in a literature class, someone says something like "Of course, Henry James would have put it quite differently", and everyone else (except me) nods sagely. That's why I'm quite taken with Stephen Potter's idea of a course in Litmanship, or how to talk about books without ever having to read a book. I must write about that in more depth one of these days.
As for people benefitting from your music literacy, I agree. Not many people can wax lyrical and in such detail about music the way you can.
And, while my intense interest in all things music/rock writing might've happened organically at some point, I'm sure it was hastened along by just that haughty harrumph of lit superiority (that you mention) I'd hear in class, myself! Stuff another pack of insecurities into the "less-than sack!"
It reminds me of the "Dick Van Dyke Show" ep, where Rob attends a fund raiser of "legit" writers (poets, scientific journal scribes, etc), and he feels insecure because "all" he is is a TV comedy writer! Sure enough, as discourse over drinks ensues, he runs into a snooty matron who, when Rob tells her he writes for "The Alan Brady Show" on TV, she replies, "I've never heard of it....I'm sorry.....I don't own a television machine!"
Thank you, Terry, for your appreciation and mad props for what I bring to the 'Stack!🎼🎵🎶👍
I'm afraid all that kind of stuff turns me into an inverted snob. Example:
Plonker in lit class when we've been asked for our one sentence opinion on Mr Author:
"Of course, what Author is REALLY getting at here is the existential dichotomy between growth and stagnation. It's so reminiscent of Lawrence and even the Bloomsbury set.
Me: Personally I think he shouldn't have given up the day job; then we'd ALL be better off.
Taking on all those books on at the same time indicates that you are a serious reader. I've done that too where I have read like three books at the same time. One was a hard book to read. I can't remember what it was though. So I skipped over to an easier read. And then I went back later.
🤣 I'm the same, Matthew. The only problem with that approach is that I often have to go back several pages in order to pick up the thread again. Sometimes, I get to the same point again and stop. I have invented the expression "literary groundhog day" to describe this phenomenon.🤣
With the fiction books, I can go back to the last paragraph I finished and remember where the story was at. With the non-fiction books, I do have to read at least the last page where I left off.
Firstly, I love Calvino. I read all his stuff after my grad advisor assigned INVISIBLE CITIES. Secondly, there will be no thirdly, so I'm breaking a very important rule of logic or grammar or something, but I find I'm a bit between your serendipity and the cold, calculated scheduler person. If I didn't force myself to read the tougher books, I'd just read all of Stephen King and start over again. Yes, I'm a lamewad, but my brain just behaves that way. I'd also eat only chips and cheese and drink beer if I didn't force. myself...wait. I do only eat chips and cheese and drink beer. That explains my physique. I'm currently reading THE PASSENGER, by Cormac, and it's a challenging but rewarding read.
🤣 Your comment made me laugh twice: 'lamewad': what a great word. And your diet. I had to force myself to eat sensibly. I love Invisible Cities, but I still haven't finished If on a winter's night, which I also love. Part of the problem for me is time: I'm pretty good at getting book reviewing work from a couple of editors, which of course means I then have to read those books. I've heard The Passenger is pretty good. I think I'm going to have to force myself to set aside time just for the long/tough stuff.
If on a winter's night, is one of my favorites. The end is perfect, and I rarely say that of a book. The only other perfect ending I can think of A NEW LIFE by Bernard Malamud.
My thoughts and feelings exactly! Intuition and serendipity over cold-blooded plans has always been my mantra - at least for reading and watching movies (ah, watching movies. As I director, a few times a year there comes a moment when I feel obliged to brush up on my film history education, come up with a plan, but then I always end up despising my self-imposed-curriculum movies and watching a screwball comedy ;)).
By the way, I am intrigued by that diplomacy and leadership book! Could you share the title?
You read as I do, Terry. I like it when I stumble on a writer’s name in a book and have the book mentioned but haven't read it. “Oh, yeah—I think I'll finally read that now.”
Do you find, as I do, that the two big problems in life are (a) having only 24 hours in a day and (b) having to spend a third of that time sleeping? I mean, when are we supposed to get all this ready done?
I said it to my daughter the other day, right after I impulse-bought two magazine subscriptions because they were special offers. I can't keep up with the two subscriptions I already have. Sleep is such a nuisance.
😂
I love your flexible approach to reading, Terry, particularly that you go 'off piste' to check out references and recommendations you encounter along the way.
I've only been reading daily for pleasure again since December 2019, and at the time I started again I had no clue why I'd ever stopped. Recently I read a post here on Substack which made the absolutely nail-on-the-head point that UNIVERSITY had put paid to the writer's reading for pleasure. I realised that is what had happened to me... I wish I could remember whose post it was - if I find it again I'll pop back and edit this comment.
I've got two books on the go at the moment - they're taking me ages, not because I'm a slow reader per se, but because I don't prioritise reading over more time-sucky things like listening to 'The Archers' and scrolling through online news. Note to self: just READ, Rebecca! I've just added two books to my wishlist, which are in the name of research for a project which keeps shouting 'cooeeeee, you need me in your life'. I'm trying to ignore it...
The Archers? Exactly how old are you, Rebecca? I mean, you haven't been listening to it since it started have you??
One of the reasons I didn't do English at uni was because I enjoyed the subject so much. I wonder if it's a common thing.
LOL - if I'd listened to the first episode live, Terry, that would make me 72!
I grew up on an audio diet of BBC Radio 4, and 'The Archers' was a fixture in our house. When I au-paired in Germany I was thrilled to find that BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) broadcast their daily episodes at 6.30pm CET, over an hour and a half BEFORE my parents got to listen to it on Radio 4 back in Blighty! The temptation to ring them with plot spoilers was almost overwhelming...!
The Archers went with me to university, and then to London. A couple of story lines over the years REALLY got my back up, so there are some sizeable chunks of Ambridge life that have been missed by my ears, but I'm back on the Archers train again now.
Interesting that you'd felt that an English degree would put the kibosh on your enjoyment of it. I'd adored reading until I opted to do literature in three languages for my A-levels - I'm sad to say that I still regret my choice!
My love of lit was rekindled, or more accurately reawakened, when I started toing literature courses at the City LIt Adult Ed Institute. I liked it so much that I asked them if I could teach there, and after a short interview they said yes!
That's brilliant, Terry! Do they offer remote learning, I wonder? 🤔 Hitting their website now...
Yes. They've eased off a bit now, with me classes taking place in the building. But my courses are still online (I have one coming up on the Oulipo). There's such a variety, it's brilliant.
I followed a link a couple of days ago from one of your past posts on Oulipo to your Oulipo course - I got ‘Page 404 - not found’ - but this afternoon I registered on the college website, so I’ll keep my eyes peeled…!
i meant 'more' classes taking place online.
Good to find you Terry. A very humane post. Primo Levi?! 📚💕
You like Primo Levy then? I haven't read very much of his work yet.
One of the great writers of the twentieth century - if we are discussing the same author!
of course!
Serendipity is my whole plan as well, always has been, always will be. Ironically, that may have been my list you saw, as I do have a list of classics I want to read, but I certainly don’t plan to power through one a week. More like, when nothing else catches my fancy, pick one up. I’ve already serendipitously strayed from the list this year and read two books I came across by chance.
Oh, I don't THINK it was, cos the one I recall seemed to be a lot more rigid, but apologies if it was! I like your idea of picking one from the bucket list so to speak when the mood takes you. I do think serendipity is a force for good. It's why I find browsing in a library or bookshops so much more satisfying than looking online.
I'm not sure, I did post one that I'm reading from in the STSC group, and I do think it was originally designed to be "52 classics to read in one year" but I'm not using it that way. I started one (Proust), found it not to my liking, and then posted the whole list for STSC feedback, and now I've highlighted the ones that the group members said were worthwhile (about 12 or so) and am starting with those.
that sounds like a great idea. i'll look for it in the group
Funny read, Terry! I can relate to your dilemma, but I chose/choose a variety of different media to exercise my alphabet soup of input maladies, in particular, OCD/ADD! It all comes down to how you incorporate and embrace your personal learning/reading style into how you do what you do! There is no right, linear way to read a book/some books.........and, does it always have to be books?📚😱
In the early '70s, I was all over all the rock media, relentlessly reading domestic (US) and foreign (UK's NME, MM, Sounds) rock press, then tearing out pix/articles/album reviews, and "filing" them in their respective, appropriate LP sleeves (hopelessly warping the vinyl, of course, but, such was my need to have like things together)!
And, of course, the time I spent listening to albums (again, I had an unending supply of freebies, with Dad bringing home-to me-various labels' weekly rock releases, from the radio station, from late '60s thru mid-'70s) took time away from the classic titles I should have been reading for school! The volume of classic American and EU literature I HAVEN'T read is shameful! "Shakes-who?" "The Grapes of WHAT"?
📚Alas, my illiteracy in classic lit is more than made up for by my thorough "literacy" of rock history and recorded product over several decades!💿And, Substack perusers and readers are the better for it, and can, now, reap the benefits of my reliance on "Cliff's Notes" throughout my high school and university years!! You're welcome!😁
🤣 Cliff's notes! I agree about different media, and also different literacies. I always feel inadequate when, in a literature class, someone says something like "Of course, Henry James would have put it quite differently", and everyone else (except me) nods sagely. That's why I'm quite taken with Stephen Potter's idea of a course in Litmanship, or how to talk about books without ever having to read a book. I must write about that in more depth one of these days.
As for people benefitting from your music literacy, I agree. Not many people can wax lyrical and in such detail about music the way you can.
And, while my intense interest in all things music/rock writing might've happened organically at some point, I'm sure it was hastened along by just that haughty harrumph of lit superiority (that you mention) I'd hear in class, myself! Stuff another pack of insecurities into the "less-than sack!"
It reminds me of the "Dick Van Dyke Show" ep, where Rob attends a fund raiser of "legit" writers (poets, scientific journal scribes, etc), and he feels insecure because "all" he is is a TV comedy writer! Sure enough, as discourse over drinks ensues, he runs into a snooty matron who, when Rob tells her he writes for "The Alan Brady Show" on TV, she replies, "I've never heard of it....I'm sorry.....I don't own a television machine!"
Thank you, Terry, for your appreciation and mad props for what I bring to the 'Stack!🎼🎵🎶👍
I'm afraid all that kind of stuff turns me into an inverted snob. Example:
Plonker in lit class when we've been asked for our one sentence opinion on Mr Author:
"Of course, what Author is REALLY getting at here is the existential dichotomy between growth and stagnation. It's so reminiscent of Lawrence and even the Bloomsbury set.
Me: Personally I think he shouldn't have given up the day job; then we'd ALL be better off.
🤣👍
Taking on all those books on at the same time indicates that you are a serious reader. I've done that too where I have read like three books at the same time. One was a hard book to read. I can't remember what it was though. So I skipped over to an easier read. And then I went back later.
🤣 I'm the same, Matthew. The only problem with that approach is that I often have to go back several pages in order to pick up the thread again. Sometimes, I get to the same point again and stop. I have invented the expression "literary groundhog day" to describe this phenomenon.🤣
With the fiction books, I can go back to the last paragraph I finished and remember where the story was at. With the non-fiction books, I do have to read at least the last page where I left off.
Firstly, I love Calvino. I read all his stuff after my grad advisor assigned INVISIBLE CITIES. Secondly, there will be no thirdly, so I'm breaking a very important rule of logic or grammar or something, but I find I'm a bit between your serendipity and the cold, calculated scheduler person. If I didn't force myself to read the tougher books, I'd just read all of Stephen King and start over again. Yes, I'm a lamewad, but my brain just behaves that way. I'd also eat only chips and cheese and drink beer if I didn't force. myself...wait. I do only eat chips and cheese and drink beer. That explains my physique. I'm currently reading THE PASSENGER, by Cormac, and it's a challenging but rewarding read.
🤣 Your comment made me laugh twice: 'lamewad': what a great word. And your diet. I had to force myself to eat sensibly. I love Invisible Cities, but I still haven't finished If on a winter's night, which I also love. Part of the problem for me is time: I'm pretty good at getting book reviewing work from a couple of editors, which of course means I then have to read those books. I've heard The Passenger is pretty good. I think I'm going to have to force myself to set aside time just for the long/tough stuff.
Glad to bring a chuckle into your life.
If on a winter's night, is one of my favorites. The end is perfect, and I rarely say that of a book. The only other perfect ending I can think of A NEW LIFE by Bernard Malamud.
don't tell me the ending! I've not read that. I'll look into it. Thanks
I ain't no spoiler back, boy! But you will love it when you arrive.
🤫
I like the serendipity of your reading life. My approach these days is similar!
Thanks, Holly. It's the only way to go, especially if you're busy like we are and in headless chicken mode half the time 😂
Indeed!🐓
LOL