I've begun a new course on Studies in Reading and Literature, so I'll be picking up the blog again.
The book I've chosen to read and discuss for this course is Becoming a Reader: The Experience of Fiction from Childhood to Adulthood, by J. A. Appleyard. To be quite honest, one of the main reasons I have chosen to read this book is because here in China I've not been able to receive any books ordered online (which means a fair bit of money down the drain last semester!) and getting this type of book is near impossible here, and this book has most of its full text online. It's kind of a lame reason to choose a book, but we must make do, right?
In any case, I am a lover of fiction, and have been since I was a child. I enjoy reading anything, really, but sometimes I just like to settle down and read a good story. Recently, a friend of mine raided his roommates' bookshelves and gave me a few books, since I've been dying for some good fiction after my ebook passed away. I've been reading the novel The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
It's a Dracula story--no, not a vampire story about a generic immortal, perhaps sparkly, being. It's about Dracula, aka Vlad the Impaler, and his terrifying history and the legend associated with it. It's even written in the style of Bram Stoker's tale, through letters, mostly. It's quite good so far, and I've been impressed with its ability to keep me hooked through 600 pages so far (out of more than 900).
I'm looking forward to reading Appleyard's book, to see what kinds of connections he makes between a love of reading and the use of fiction, and why we as adults still yearn for a good story.
Before I post my next entry, I'd like to know some of your thoughts on fiction. Why do we read it? Why do we like it? Do you prefer non-fiction over fiction?
Oh Talia - I love your photo! How lovely and exotic you look!
ReplyDeleteGood solution. I also like that you are sharing your fiction reading. Maybe that is something else we should do as part of the course.
ReplyDeletePenny, I would love to incorporate sharing a book we are reading as part of the course! I'm always looking for a good book. I can imagine living in China it is really hart to get things delivered to you, but still this book does sound very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI definitely prefer fiction. As an avid reader (well less so now that I'm a grown up with other responsibilities) I have always gravitated toward fiction and read for pleasure. I love building connections with the characters, and when I read a good book, I am sad because I will no longer have that character in my life. I like to see my own life reflected in the stories, as well as read about characters whose lives are completely different from my own. And I loved the novel The Historian!!
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