Thank you. Reading is essentially learning to be alone and comfortable with yourself, dive into another world or at least explore other points of view. The resulting expansive vocabulary and ability to express oneself and write well are much added benefits. There is much joy in holding a book in our hands and engaging in another world whenever we want. I cannot imagine a world without books!
A worthwhile life...quite a goal. The real challenge is the development of a mind that leads to fulfilling the role of citizen. The current education system with its emphasis on test scores has cast reading fiction aside and we wonder why chronic absenteeism is so prevalent. Everybody points to how Michigan is in the bottom of achievement based on test scores, but ignores the fact that we are in the top ten nationally in chronic absenteeism. Maybe we ought to pursue the root cause of the problem....so thanks for the reading list.
Interesting read. Especially since I recently opened my copy of “The Complete Sherlock Holmes” to meander through something I read seventy-some years ago.
A world without literary men would be a melancholy one indeed. What would we discuss? Just the weather, sports, and politics? Economics? We are so much more than those things. I love history, but stories written during different eras, especially fiction, many times tell us more about ourselves, our urges, desires, fears, insecurities, dreams, and patterns than only sticking to "the facts." For me personally, I would be utterly lost without poetry.
On my recent visit to MI I was asked to read a poem I wrote at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the community we helped found in the hills above Crystal Lake. These are one of the few opportunities left these days for the medium, and it was very pleasing to see how many appreciated it. Meanwhile, I'll probably never publish them because it would be a waste of paper, electrons and funds.
Thank you. Reading is essentially learning to be alone and comfortable with yourself, dive into another world or at least explore other points of view. The resulting expansive vocabulary and ability to express oneself and write well are much added benefits. There is much joy in holding a book in our hands and engaging in another world whenever we want. I cannot imagine a world without books!
You said that better than I!
A worthwhile life...quite a goal. The real challenge is the development of a mind that leads to fulfilling the role of citizen. The current education system with its emphasis on test scores has cast reading fiction aside and we wonder why chronic absenteeism is so prevalent. Everybody points to how Michigan is in the bottom of achievement based on test scores, but ignores the fact that we are in the top ten nationally in chronic absenteeism. Maybe we ought to pursue the root cause of the problem....so thanks for the reading list.
That's a very good point ... thank you
Lot of interesting comments to go along with your very interesting column.
That's what I hope for!
Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1815, "I cannot live without books".
Interesting read. Especially since I recently opened my copy of “The Complete Sherlock Holmes” to meander through something I read seventy-some years ago.
A world without literary men would be a melancholy one indeed. What would we discuss? Just the weather, sports, and politics? Economics? We are so much more than those things. I love history, but stories written during different eras, especially fiction, many times tell us more about ourselves, our urges, desires, fears, insecurities, dreams, and patterns than only sticking to "the facts." For me personally, I would be utterly lost without poetry.
Ah, one of the few lovers left. If you know much about it, the scenario is bleak. It's like religion, once its time has past, there is no coming back.
On my recent visit to MI I was asked to read a poem I wrote at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the community we helped found in the hills above Crystal Lake. These are one of the few opportunities left these days for the medium, and it was very pleasing to see how many appreciated it. Meanwhile, I'll probably never publish them because it would be a waste of paper, electrons and funds.