Why Reading?



What makes us read certain books? Do we read them because the subject matter capitvates us, or perhaps it's because we simply ADORE the author and will read everything they've written? Maybe it's because we've heard so much about them and want to know why they are loved. Or hated. Or even feared. No matter the reason, we read because . . . we can. This morning, I got into a discussion with my boyfriend regarding the authors we read. I started reading David Foster Wallace (I'll have a somewhat review of his book Both Flesh and Not on my YouTube channel!) this morning. An essay regarding Wimbledon seemed simple enough, yet as I read I noticed that I was engrossed in his words and that I had forgotten to make my morning cup of French Roast with hazelnut creamer. And yes, as much as I adore tea, I just can't give up the Bean quite yet! But I digress. Here were the words of a man who committed suicide in 2008, a man that many in the literary world continue to adore. And . . . . a man who also was abusive to several women, according to several articles I read. So - do I stop reading him because of his past actions, or do I continue reading him because I honestly want to read him? As readers (and writers), should we overlook an author's personal life for the sake of their glorious tomes? Does their personal life have any bearing on us reading them? I will admit that one of the reasons why I don't read Lovecraft is because he was known to be a horrific racist. However, he didn't live during my time, so do I have any right to judge him? I adore Hemingway and yet he was a rake. I can't get enough of Patricia Highsmith's work, yet she was known to be somewhat racist and eccentric in a bad way. Since when did reading a book for pleasure come with baggage? I love to read. If a book grabs my attention, I will read it. Sometimes, I will do a little research on the author, just to see what kind of person they are/were, and then I usually return to their books. I read books to expand my knowledge on a subject, to give in to pleasure and relaxation, or to gain a different perspective. Some of the authors I read are long gone, yet their words live on so long as we continue to read them. I will continue reading David Foster Wallace, knowing what I know, and I will enjoy his books in my own way. 

In France, a reader of books is known as an Ink Drinker. My belly doth overflow with the ink.



Viridian Tea Company - Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual!


(Tea of the Dominant - from the White Door Erotic Tea Collection)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bibliophile Tea Meditation

Image
Books and tea always go well together - try this mediation and see how you feel afterward!   Click the link below for the Viridian Tea Company Etsy Store! Viridian Tea Company - Tea Blends for the Strange and Unusual! (Colorado Sunrise Rooibos Blend)
Read more

For the Love of Bookstores - Blue Cypress Books

Image
 I spent most of my life harboring a love for New Orleans, so much so that I knew I had to eventually move there. Many of my friends and life experiences were in New Orleans. Me becoming a part of that city was the logical next step. And I did, right at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Some timing, huh? Still, I'm glad that I finally moved there, if even for a short time. Thanks to a good friend of mine who passed several years ago, I learned about Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street. When I moved to NOLA, it became my go-to place on Sundays right after some time spent in Rue De La Course down the street. I have no photos of the bookstore but I have a lot of quiet memories of that place. Blue Cypress is a quirky bookstore, complete with used and new titles, LOTS of NOLA-related items, and a cat that owns the place. No really.  NOLA is a literary city. And a musical one. And a party one. And a historical one. And that is what you'll find in Blue Cypress. Their selection of boo
Read more

Lesson Learned - CONTRACT

Image
  It was a day like any other - I had taken a break from work to talk with my boyfriend at the time. I knew he'd been with friends after a job interview. He had plans to return to his home city after being away from it for over ten years. I wanted to hear his voice, and my anxiety wanted to make sure that we were still cool with each other. Imagine my surprise when not only did he say that he was no longer interested in me, but he was telling me, "since so many guys flirt with you, why don't you pursue one of them?" I had told him that I met many men (and women) at sci-fi conventions while selling my books, and of course, many guys flirted with me. However, I wasn't interested in any of them because I was happy with my relationship. I couldn't believe what he was telling me, and twenty minutes later, I returned to work with tears streaming down my face. Years later, I wish I could tell him THANK YOU for what he did. Yes, he was afraid to continue the relations
Read more