Why We Read: On Our Lifelong Love Affair with Books | 
"Reading a book is quiet, clear, and organized. It waits until I am ready, pauses when I need a break, and is still happy to repeat. It never makes me feel worse and rarely makes me feel lonely. Reading gives me the world." ???
Some Monday bookish positivity for y'all!
panI'm all in on the spirit of this book, as I love to see folks shout from the rooftops about reading for pure enjoyment and pleasure. That said- I'm also a buzzkill pedant and the many mistakes throughout got on my last nerve: the author's name is not Frank L. Baum; the book series about Rose Wilder's childhood was not written by her; there is no book called Ramona and Beezus; and good God, no part of P&P was set in Bath! Where was the editor??
So, I started this book and I'm really enjoying it so far - for obvious reasons! ? And I came across this quote that really moved me!
"The most important reason I've remained a reader is because the act of reading makes me feel safe. The influx of information. The transport to other lives, other worlds."
I have never really heard that put into words before, but I felt it resonate deep within my heart! ?? Anyone else feel this way too?
pickWhat a wonderful collection of essays on reading!
This book is a collection of personal essays on the impact of books and reading on the author‘s life. I found many of them relatable. One of my favorites was “To Break The Rules” (pg. 65) which discusses how there is no right way to be a “Good Reader.” We should read how and what we want. I wholeheartedly agree!
Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2024/02/28/review-why-we-read/
pickDespite the L. Frank Baum debacle, I liked this book. We have a similar philosophy of reading — never be ashamed of the reading that speaks to you. Also, don‘t take the classics so seriously. Many — Austen, Shakespeare, and Dickens — have humor, but we can‘t see it because we are so invested in these books as “serious literature” and serious can‘t be funny, right? Seeing the humor in Moby Dick was what allowed me to finally finish and enjoy it.
This is my evening reading. Shouldn‘t someone who is a self described bookworm, has an MFA, teaches reading and writing, and read all of the Oz books more than once know that The Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum not Frank L. Baum? If not, shouldn‘t an editor have caught this? The error appears multiple times.
so-soThis missed the mark for me. Yes, it was cute and lighthearted and looked at a lot of the fun reasons we all enjoy books, but it felt very disorganized, too. I just didn‘t want to pick it up, and it took me three days to finish this 9 hour audiobook. (Typically that length is a 1-1.5 day read for me.) 🤷🏻♀️ eh.
