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jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Way before there were TED Talks, Virginia Woolf delivered a lecture on the importance of reading great books to a group of females students. This lecture was originally given in 1926 and was later published.
Woolf talks about how reading good books, no matter the genre, is important. She admits that there is not an objective way to compare two books, but rather suggests that we should compare books with ones in the same genre.
She also suggests that reading books is a way to stretch our own creative powers. She also talks about "rubbish-reading" and how we may enjoy it from time to time but then tire of it.
In this slim volume, Woolf's lecture is bookended by two short essays by [a:Sheila Heti|183760|Sheila Heti|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1324044844p2/183760.jpg]
. Heti alludes to the contents of Woolf's lecture.
Overall, I consider this a great little book that can be read in under an hour. It is perfect for any book lover.
4.5 stars
"Let us then be severe in our judgements; let us compare each book with the greatest of its kind."
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.
Woolf talks about how reading good books, no matter the genre, is important. She admits that there is not an objective way to compare two books, but rather suggests that we should compare books with ones in the same genre.
She also suggests that reading books is a way to stretch our own creative powers. She also talks about "rubbish-reading" and how we may enjoy it from time to time but then tire of it.
In this slim volume, Woolf's lecture is bookended by two short essays by [a:Sheila Heti|183760|Sheila Heti|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1324044844p2/183760.jpg]
. Heti alludes to the contents of Woolf's lecture.
Overall, I consider this a great little book that can be read in under an hour. It is perfect for any book lover.
4.5 stars
"Let us then be severe in our judgements; let us compare each book with the greatest of its kind."
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book.
lucys_library's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
aftaerglows's review against another edition
4.0
To admit authorities, however heavily furred and gowned, into our libraries and let them tell us how to read, what to read, what value to place upon what we read, is to destroy the spirit of freedom which is the breath of those sanctuaries. Everywhere else we may be bound by laws and conventions—there we have none.
grxcezhxng's review against another edition
4.0
Woolf's ideas are kind of obvious, but I enjoyed the way she articulated and framed them. I particularly liked her message on the importance of trying to understand and empathize with an author's intention, even if a specific book doesn't match our exact preferences. And also extracting the most from every reading experience by being open-minded about the different kinds qualities they offer. Her idea that poetry helps us grasp the abstract connections between images and comprehend through our senses (rather than our intellect) helped poetry click more into place for me.
frahhn's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
Skip the introduction, but I liked the Afterword. Many good lines including “facts are a very inferior form of fiction.”
geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'How Should One Read A Book' by Virginia Woolf with an introduction by Sheila Heti is the first standalone publication of this essay.
The joys of reading are many and accessible. Reading the thoughts of a famous author on the topic is a treat.
This is a short essay from an even shorter lecture that was given in the 1920s. The prose feels very much like the Virginia Woolf I've only ever read in fiction, and as an avid bibliophile, I really enjoyed this.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Laurence King Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The joys of reading are many and accessible. Reading the thoughts of a famous author on the topic is a treat.
This is a short essay from an even shorter lecture that was given in the 1920s. The prose feels very much like the Virginia Woolf I've only ever read in fiction, and as an avid bibliophile, I really enjoyed this.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Laurence King Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
nats_bookshelves's review against another edition
5.0
this honestly changed but also solidified a lot of my personal beliefs as a reader and a writer - both woolf's original essay and heti's intro/outro helped some of my doubts and worries when it comes to my writing, with advice that i hope to look back on and use in my own life.