Well, you caught me, Rich! I don’t read enough — books, that is! Got out of the habit when I was teaching piano and my eyes were tired after reading music all day! Although, when you think about it, isn’t reading music, say, Mozart’s sonatas or Bach’s Preludes and Fugues, stimulating and expanding one’s own knowledge and understanding of the world? So maybe I’m being too hard on myself? My personal project during Covid was to listen to all 1200 works of Bach. I did it, I did it! Talk about an addiction!😀
I have had the same loyal group of 8 friends in a bookclub for 25 years. We document every book we've read. We call it our 'book bible'. I thumb through book and can't remember half the books we have read. Thank God for the summaries. It helps jog the memory.
I learned the 50 page rule from my favorite of all favorites Nancy Pearl. She inspired me to read. I'm forever indebted.
Unfortunately fewer young people read beyond an IG post or a text and, as a result, few write and communicate well. We interview many young (and not so young) attorneys who have no idea how to write, or edit.
I can only imagine. As I noted in my piece, if I can get just one person to start reading, then I will have accomplished my goal. One step at a time....
Nice nudge, Richie boy. I can only repeat what Fred has just said here about non-fiction except I never read fiction. I read pretty much anything Michael Lewis, Ron Chernow (just about to start his biography on Twain), and Erik Larson to list a few. Two books by Larson are must read - In the Garden of Beasts and the Splendid and the Vile which documented the incredible bravery, leadership and courage of Winston Churchill fighting Fascism in WWII, attributes we need more of today. However, in following this non-fiction arc, I almost daily read many of the NY Times opinion writers - both progressive and conservative - to give me a balanced perspective of the world, and love a Substack competitor of yours 😜, Robert Reich, who at 80 is still going strong. I also like to put the book down from time to time to watch a good historical documentary like about anything from Ken Burns. Thanks!
Robert Reich is no competitor, so it's ok if you read him. I've read those Larson books, and I agree--they're great. Chernow? Too wordy for moi, but as someone said, it takes all kinds..... IMO, for great history read, check out A.J. Baime--especially his books about Truman.
I’m an avid reader. Always have been. Think it started in grade school when I would frequently visit the local library.
Think for me reading fiction is an escape mechanism but nonfiction, newspapers, etc give me a perspective of the world around me. I tend to read books, articles dealing with politics in the US, nature and international events.
I don’t think most people realize the importance as well as the potential impact of the written word.
Thanks Curmudge for the nudge! Since I was young I have always had a hard time with reading. One of my daughters has recently labeled me ADHD. I’m not sure what my “real” problem has been, but for some reason my mind does not imagine and make pictures of what I am reading. It’s really hard to get into a book when the words don’t come to life. If you were to ask me what my favorite books are, it’s anything that is historical. I’d rather build my knowledge of things that actually happened than read fiction. I got that love from my dad, who has always been a voracious reader but only for history, particularly the history of cultures. He could have been a really good history teacher. Instead he was a cab driver and managed apartments. My favorite recent read was Travels With George by Nathaniel Philbrick. He traces GW’s travels as the our first president. It was such a fun book to read! Ps I need more recommendations like that. Anything that is historical but adds excitement. This ADH reader needs that to stay tuned in and interested! Thanks 😀
A Curmudg Nudge! I'll quote you on that. As I noted above, check out A.J. Baime, for what I think are terrific "history" books, but with enough dialogue so you feel like you are there. My two favorites are "The Accidental President" and "Dewey Defeats Truman."
Well, you caught me, Rich! I don’t read enough — books, that is! Got out of the habit when I was teaching piano and my eyes were tired after reading music all day! Although, when you think about it, isn’t reading music, say, Mozart’s sonatas or Bach’s Preludes and Fugues, stimulating and expanding one’s own knowledge and understanding of the world? So maybe I’m being too hard on myself? My personal project during Covid was to listen to all 1200 works of Bach. I did it, I did it! Talk about an addiction!😀
Well, since it's you, Jeb, I'll let it slide. Anyone else I would have said, "there're more to life than Mozart."
I love this.
I have had the same loyal group of 8 friends in a bookclub for 25 years. We document every book we've read. We call it our 'book bible'. I thumb through book and can't remember half the books we have read. Thank God for the summaries. It helps jog the memory.
I learned the 50 page rule from my favorite of all favorites Nancy Pearl. She inspired me to read. I'm forever indebted.
Dang! What a fun group to be in.
Unfortunately fewer young people read beyond an IG post or a text and, as a result, few write and communicate well. We interview many young (and not so young) attorneys who have no idea how to write, or edit.
I can only imagine. As I noted in my piece, if I can get just one person to start reading, then I will have accomplished my goal. One step at a time....
Nice nudge, Richie boy. I can only repeat what Fred has just said here about non-fiction except I never read fiction. I read pretty much anything Michael Lewis, Ron Chernow (just about to start his biography on Twain), and Erik Larson to list a few. Two books by Larson are must read - In the Garden of Beasts and the Splendid and the Vile which documented the incredible bravery, leadership and courage of Winston Churchill fighting Fascism in WWII, attributes we need more of today. However, in following this non-fiction arc, I almost daily read many of the NY Times opinion writers - both progressive and conservative - to give me a balanced perspective of the world, and love a Substack competitor of yours 😜, Robert Reich, who at 80 is still going strong. I also like to put the book down from time to time to watch a good historical documentary like about anything from Ken Burns. Thanks!
Robert Reich is no competitor, so it's ok if you read him. I've read those Larson books, and I agree--they're great. Chernow? Too wordy for moi, but as someone said, it takes all kinds..... IMO, for great history read, check out A.J. Baime--especially his books about Truman.
I’m an avid reader. Always have been. Think it started in grade school when I would frequently visit the local library.
Think for me reading fiction is an escape mechanism but nonfiction, newspapers, etc give me a perspective of the world around me. I tend to read books, articles dealing with politics in the US, nature and international events.
I don’t think most people realize the importance as well as the potential impact of the written word.
Totally agree....and I hope this latest piece gets someone out there to start thinking more about reading...thanks for your comments...
Thanks Curmudge for the nudge! Since I was young I have always had a hard time with reading. One of my daughters has recently labeled me ADHD. I’m not sure what my “real” problem has been, but for some reason my mind does not imagine and make pictures of what I am reading. It’s really hard to get into a book when the words don’t come to life. If you were to ask me what my favorite books are, it’s anything that is historical. I’d rather build my knowledge of things that actually happened than read fiction. I got that love from my dad, who has always been a voracious reader but only for history, particularly the history of cultures. He could have been a really good history teacher. Instead he was a cab driver and managed apartments. My favorite recent read was Travels With George by Nathaniel Philbrick. He traces GW’s travels as the our first president. It was such a fun book to read! Ps I need more recommendations like that. Anything that is historical but adds excitement. This ADH reader needs that to stay tuned in and interested! Thanks 😀
A Curmudg Nudge! I'll quote you on that. As I noted above, check out A.J. Baime, for what I think are terrific "history" books, but with enough dialogue so you feel like you are there. My two favorites are "The Accidental President" and "Dewey Defeats Truman."