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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
Excellent cultural criticism on literacy and the what-how-when of popular reading consumption. I look forward to more in-depth analysis of these topics - they're much needed.
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
this articulated so many thoughts i've had about reading since the summer of 2020 and the rise of the "anti-racist reading list"
personal favs:
- reading teaches us empathy, and other fictions
- "reality is all we have to love"
- the children of polyphemus
i mainly read hardcopy so other quotes are just pictures on my phone, but here is one:
“ Our mainstream literary discourse continues to read writers of color ethnographically—as if they provide crucial data about a certain subjugated group of people—and white writers universally, regardless of the particularities of their artwork. Not least of all because the primary literary gaze in American literature is still presumed to be white.”
was reminded of this article by lauren michele jackson while i read: https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/anti-racist-reading-lists-what-are-they-for.html
looking forward to reading morrison's playing in the dark and revisiting some of these essays
personal favs:
- reading teaches us empathy, and other fictions
- "reality is all we have to love"
- the children of polyphemus
i mainly read hardcopy so other quotes are just pictures on my phone, but here is one:
“ Our mainstream literary discourse continues to read writers of color ethnographically—as if they provide crucial data about a certain subjugated group of people—and white writers universally, regardless of the particularities of their artwork. Not least of all because the primary literary gaze in American literature is still presumed to be white.”
was reminded of this article by lauren michele jackson while i read: https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/anti-racist-reading-lists-what-are-they-for.html
looking forward to reading morrison's playing in the dark and revisiting some of these essays
In this phenomenal collection of essays, Elaine Castillo explores the politics of reading. By discussing if literature can truly build empathy, the validity of nonpolitical art, the burden BIPOC authors are forced to carry to cater to white readers, and the colonial gaze that continues to permeate modern publishing, How to Read Now encourages readers to examine the media we consume. With brilliant, sarcastic, and sometimes even profane writing, Castillo poignantly lays out examples of how we can read with intention by examining the historical complexities behind the art.
I should start by saying that Castillo is not afraid to name names. From Peter Handke to Joan Didion, she thoroughly analyzes their work to dissect the problematic language (and I'm using a way nicer word here compared to what was in the book) behind their work. I especially appreciate how Castillo still encourages us to read broadly and, instead of cancelling authors, read deeply to scrutinize the concepts behind their work. Never have I taken so many pictures of texts & paragraphs that I now have an album called How to Read Now on my phone. This should tell you how much this book has inspired me to read more deeply, intently, and with more intention.
On a lighter note, Castillo references horoscopes frequently throughout her essays, and the book even starts with "Author's note, or a Virgo Clarifies Things". How awesome is that? How to Read Now is definitely a book I'd recommend to any reader (even if you're a huge Joan Didion fan; just be prepared to get your heart ripped out
I should start by saying that Castillo is not afraid to name names. From Peter Handke to Joan Didion, she thoroughly analyzes their work to dissect the problematic language (and I'm using a way nicer word here compared to what was in the book) behind their work. I especially appreciate how Castillo still encourages us to read broadly and, instead of cancelling authors, read deeply to scrutinize the concepts behind their work. Never have I taken so many pictures of texts & paragraphs that I now have an album called How to Read Now on my phone. This should tell you how much this book has inspired me to read more deeply, intently, and with more intention.
On a lighter note, Castillo references horoscopes frequently throughout her essays, and the book even starts with "Author's note, or a Virgo Clarifies Things". How awesome is that? How to Read Now is definitely a book I'd recommend to any reader (even if you're a huge Joan Didion fan; just be prepared to get your heart ripped out
just 100/10. No notes. Will reread every year at least once. New fave writer. Funny, brilliant
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Review: https://clife.blog/2022/08/10/book-review-how-to-read-now-essays-by-elaine-castillo/
I found this novel extremely difficult to get into as the writing was a bit arrogant to begin with and very annoying.
The writing style was a bit annoying as it isn’t very proper every for essay style it was a bore. I have read more interesting novels based on essays in the past. I often find this with American style pieces as it takes a great amount of education it seems for some to write well. As I do have my favourites from all over the world to actually know what good writing is whatever the sub genre of the novel is.
It also didn’t make complete sense in this way. It was constantly full of the authors notes instead of reading as a novel would normally read or even when a novel discusses topics as this just read differently. (EVEN FOR ESSAY STYLE).
There was not really any tips. The title in itself dictates ‘How To Read Now’ which for the average educated person denotes you will be given tips on how to read.
I wouldn’t say it was extremely well written the entire time as it wasn’t consistent in that sense. I wasn’t finding myself too excited to reach for this.
I expected tips from this however it wasn’t as useful as the title suggests. Just my opinion.
I found this novel extremely difficult to get into as the writing was a bit arrogant to begin with and very annoying.
The writing style was a bit annoying as it isn’t very proper every for essay style it was a bore. I have read more interesting novels based on essays in the past. I often find this with American style pieces as it takes a great amount of education it seems for some to write well. As I do have my favourites from all over the world to actually know what good writing is whatever the sub genre of the novel is.
It also didn’t make complete sense in this way. It was constantly full of the authors notes instead of reading as a novel would normally read or even when a novel discusses topics as this just read differently. (EVEN FOR ESSAY STYLE).
There was not really any tips. The title in itself dictates ‘How To Read Now’ which for the average educated person denotes you will be given tips on how to read.
I wouldn’t say it was extremely well written the entire time as it wasn’t consistent in that sense. I wasn’t finding myself too excited to reach for this.
I expected tips from this however it wasn’t as useful as the title suggests. Just my opinion.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced