Fascinating study comparing the modern and renaissance reader. Considering the importance of reading classics, do you ever return to “lighter” works so as to clean your palette before reading heavier works?
Whilst I agree with you on the importance of the classics I wonder if there should still be a space for books which are less rich in literary prowess yet still exhilarating from a plot perspective.
You are asking a great question. I thought a lot about 'lighter works' but never could define them. For example, I was reading Nietzsche, whose works can be heavy, but then switched (this was last year) to Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. I guess Eco's book is 'lighter' than Nietzsche's writings but at the same time they come from two different genres.
I think you partially answered your question. Our reading palette is different and varies during our reading journey. Sometimes you read philosophy, but then you want to switch to fiction for example, because you need a change of scene, style, or topic.
Some works are 'heavier' than the others, but I think when it comes to my reading journey, I was more switching from one genre to another to clean my palette. Also, I would love to mention that a great book, a classic, does not necessarily mean that it must be heavy. You can read a series of great classical works without feeling overwhelmed necessarily.
I guess I am repeating myself, but it is reading books from the same genre or by the same author consecutively that bored me mostly.
Of course Vashik! Always enjoyable to read your works. I love the idea of switching from genre to genre, I suppose it is mostly an intuitive process. I find Nietzsche to be somewhat intimidating, for his density and also the punch packed into every sentence which feels like it requires serious reflection before continuing. I will check out Umberto though, his works looks great.
Leonardo would definitely have owned more books if he lived in our time such as you have with your library of 3,000+. It's great we have so many works we can choose to read but yes, the paradox of choice is one I struggle with knowing I can't read them all. The one thing I will definitely take away from this is being more mindful of what I choose to read.
What an important piece of writing. I appreciate you sharing this here and giving me as well as so many others the chance to read it.
Over the past couple of years I have tried more conscientiously to read a combination of classics and contemporaries. It has surely done wonders, and I do recommend reading well more than I do reading many!
Fascinating study comparing the modern and renaissance reader. Considering the importance of reading classics, do you ever return to “lighter” works so as to clean your palette before reading heavier works?
Whilst I agree with you on the importance of the classics I wonder if there should still be a space for books which are less rich in literary prowess yet still exhilarating from a plot perspective.
Hi Ilan! Thank you for reading my article :)
You are asking a great question. I thought a lot about 'lighter works' but never could define them. For example, I was reading Nietzsche, whose works can be heavy, but then switched (this was last year) to Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. I guess Eco's book is 'lighter' than Nietzsche's writings but at the same time they come from two different genres.
I think you partially answered your question. Our reading palette is different and varies during our reading journey. Sometimes you read philosophy, but then you want to switch to fiction for example, because you need a change of scene, style, or topic.
Some works are 'heavier' than the others, but I think when it comes to my reading journey, I was more switching from one genre to another to clean my palette. Also, I would love to mention that a great book, a classic, does not necessarily mean that it must be heavy. You can read a series of great classical works without feeling overwhelmed necessarily.
I guess I am repeating myself, but it is reading books from the same genre or by the same author consecutively that bored me mostly.
I hope it makes sense!
Of course Vashik! Always enjoyable to read your works. I love the idea of switching from genre to genre, I suppose it is mostly an intuitive process. I find Nietzsche to be somewhat intimidating, for his density and also the punch packed into every sentence which feels like it requires serious reflection before continuing. I will check out Umberto though, his works looks great.
Leonardo would definitely have owned more books if he lived in our time such as you have with your library of 3,000+. It's great we have so many works we can choose to read but yes, the paradox of choice is one I struggle with knowing I can't read them all. The one thing I will definitely take away from this is being more mindful of what I choose to read.
Yes! I loved the quote by Calvino: 'A reader should be careful with his reading diet and try not to contaminate himself.'
There are so many well-written but not mind nourishing books out there that we should be cautious of.
What an important piece of writing. I appreciate you sharing this here and giving me as well as so many others the chance to read it.
Over the past couple of years I have tried more conscientiously to read a combination of classics and contemporaries. It has surely done wonders, and I do recommend reading well more than I do reading many!