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The Social Life of Books
The Social Life of Books: Reading Together in the Eighteenth-Century Home | Abigail Williams
4 posts | 2 read | 7 to read
A vivid exploration of the evolution of reading as an essential social and domestic activity during the eighteenth century Two centuries before the advent of radio, television, and motion pictures, books were a cherished form of popular entertainment and an integral component of domestic social life. In this fascinating and vivid history, Abigail Williams explores the ways in which shared reading shaped the lives and literary culture of the time, offering new perspectives on how books have been used by their readers, and the part they have played in middle-class homes and families. Drawing on marginalia, letters and diaries, library catalogues, elocution manuals, subscription lists, and more, Williams offers fresh and fascinating insights into reading, performance, and the history of middle-class home life.
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swynn
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(2017) We think of reading as a solitary activity, but in eighteenth century England, reading was also a social one: families read together in the evening, friends read to one other, readers formed clubs to read aloud from novels, histories, and plays. William's study discusses the why, where, who, how, and what of reading in company and it's a fascinating world with very different habits of literary consumption.

Ruthiella A century later but Dickens is so good read out loud and I like to think of families of an evening gathering around to listen to the latest installment being read by a family member. 6d
MemoirsForMe Fascinating! 6d
swynn @Ruthiella I agree! As I was reading, I kept thinking about reading to my son at bedtimes, and how my parents read to us when my siblings and I were much younger. It's such a nice way to experience a book, and some books seem to be made for it. Why should it stop when you're old enough to read for yourself, I'd like to know? 6d
rwmg wishlisted 5d
27 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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swynn
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Interesting: the 18th century book market saw a demand for “miscellanies,“ collections of choice excerpts from longer works.

Some critics at the time were concerned about the ruin of culture due to the new generation's education through shallow excerpts instead of longer texts. Three hundred years later I share their concern, but maybe it's just history rhyming again.

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Texreader
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I saw this ebook on sale and couldn‘t resist.

DivineDiana It is tempting! 🙂 3y
45 likes1 comment
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umbrellagirl
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1. Generally I will try to stop at the end of a chapter or another place that makes sense, but not always.
2. Both. During the work week, usually at night and sometimes at lunch. Weekends, any time I can.
3. Yes
#whenyouread

64 likes2 comments