Hello again. It’s been a while since I’ve been in here, as I’ve been revising my manuscript. While I’ll still be wearing my editing coat, I’ve missed all you. So, my readers, I’m weaving back in.
This week, let’s stitch together all three of my blog’s topics–reading, writing and research. Like many of you, I have a pile of books I want to read.
My first instinct is to cut to it and rip through them. You’ve done it, too, I bet. Our society is now used to tweets and blog posts. Short. Fast. Sometimes we bolt through a book and proudly declare to our friends, “It was so good I read it in one day.”
Yes, but what did you miss?
I recently began a book called Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose. (Yes, that’s her real name.) She discusses the importance of reading carefully. Thoughtfully. Close.
Given how much care writers give to finding the right word, wouldn’t it be nice to take equal time to read them? (Note my use of give and take.) If done well, this selectiveness adds texture. Layers. Warmth. If you read back in this blog post for instance, you’ll find I chose many words relating to fabric. That’s intentional. Books are woven together like a fine cloth.
If you’re reading too quickly, you might be missing a subtly that will provide a more enjoyable, more meaningful read. As this article on slow reading in the Washington Post states, “it’s about pleasure more than efficiency.” I think I’ll try that on this year.
On my reading list this year (delightfully) are friends whose books deserve attention:
Mary Chris Escobar’s How to Be Alive
Jon Sealy’s The Whiskey Barron
Beth Macy’s Factory Man
Ann Westrick’s Brotherhood
What are you reading?
Sign up for my blog on the right, and watch for changes and more author news soon. Happy New Year.
4 Comments on Reading Slowly in 2015
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Such an interesting point! I am a fast reader, but my retention is low. I often find myself zooming through a great book, and when I finish I immediately start rereading. The second time through I like to take my time, and take breaks to think about the words and the story.
Niki, That’s a good way to do it, too. And you’re right, that the quick read results in low retention. Some passages in books are so thoughtful that, like movie lines, it would be nice to recall them when needed in real life. I have to slow down my reading to do that.
I am actually reading your book this year! What a coincidence. Thanks for including mine in your books for the year.
I’m a proponent of slow reading too! I just finished The Miniaturist, have the intention of reading stacks of children’s picture books very slowly as I have one in mind to write this year and a dream illustrator that I’m hoping to imagine into the art for it, and Mindwise, Packing Light and Start With Why are on my bookshelf.