I firmly believe high school English wasted a lot of potentially amazing books on all of us -- I can't do classics either. And maybe high school English scarred us all into thinking there were deeper meanings we were supposed to "get" every time we read and, more annoyingly, that what the author was trying to do matters more than how we felt about it or what we took from it. I ditch books (and movies and TV shows) I don't get all the time. Maybe sometimes what we get or don't get is more a matter of what we like and don't like? A preference instead of an ability? My hot take: if you don't get it, move on. Maybe you're not challenging yourself, but there are infinite other things you could read instead and enjoy a hell of a lot more. At least you're still reading :)
I hear you!!! There are actually some HS english books that I still love (lord of the flies, the sun also rises) and HS english books that i LOATHEEEE (Ethan Frome). But such an excellent point about everything needing to be dissected– i remember reading books and being baffled at the "symbolism" we discussed in class, thinking "Well that's not what I got from it.."
Def differences in taste/ability in there too. And definitely going to be some personal/lifestyle/where you are at mentally factors that go into reading as well. Some of the books I love most now are books that I once started and put down, only to pick up years later, ready to reckon with.
I am fully with you on the final point– reading is reading is reading, and any way you want to do that is GOOD! Just don't feel like it's something moral that you HAVE to do ;)
Tough to stay with a book all the way to the end if you don’t understand it. I wonder if the author could’ve explained things better. Haven’t read it, but saw the series. There’s some science, but also much fiction (additional dimensions, using the sun as an amplifier to speed a radio signal). And the plot has problems, asking readers/watchers to take leaps of faith on some things while ignoring others. Not unlike a psychological thriller where logic does not exist.
Thank you so much Kolina, that means so much!! And I HEAR YOU re classics. Im like I mostly can't do it. Just not interested 😂 and that's ok!! Choose your own adventure!!!
I firmly believe high school English wasted a lot of potentially amazing books on all of us -- I can't do classics either. And maybe high school English scarred us all into thinking there were deeper meanings we were supposed to "get" every time we read and, more annoyingly, that what the author was trying to do matters more than how we felt about it or what we took from it. I ditch books (and movies and TV shows) I don't get all the time. Maybe sometimes what we get or don't get is more a matter of what we like and don't like? A preference instead of an ability? My hot take: if you don't get it, move on. Maybe you're not challenging yourself, but there are infinite other things you could read instead and enjoy a hell of a lot more. At least you're still reading :)
I hear you!!! There are actually some HS english books that I still love (lord of the flies, the sun also rises) and HS english books that i LOATHEEEE (Ethan Frome). But such an excellent point about everything needing to be dissected– i remember reading books and being baffled at the "symbolism" we discussed in class, thinking "Well that's not what I got from it.."
Def differences in taste/ability in there too. And definitely going to be some personal/lifestyle/where you are at mentally factors that go into reading as well. Some of the books I love most now are books that I once started and put down, only to pick up years later, ready to reckon with.
I am fully with you on the final point– reading is reading is reading, and any way you want to do that is GOOD! Just don't feel like it's something moral that you HAVE to do ;)
Agree agree agree! And loved this newsletter ❤️
Tough to stay with a book all the way to the end if you don’t understand it. I wonder if the author could’ve explained things better. Haven’t read it, but saw the series. There’s some science, but also much fiction (additional dimensions, using the sun as an amplifier to speed a radio signal). And the plot has problems, asking readers/watchers to take leaps of faith on some things while ignoring others. Not unlike a psychological thriller where logic does not exist.
This is so great. I feel the same whenever people note how much I read. Like, you could do it too if you actually wanted to! But I don't think you do.
I feel very dumb while reading classics. In 2022 I read Anna Karenina and it was Struggle City for me!
Thank you so much Kolina, that means so much!! And I HEAR YOU re classics. Im like I mostly can't do it. Just not interested 😂 and that's ok!! Choose your own adventure!!!
Yep same! Like Jane Austen? Who?
I kid, but for real. She's hard to understand! I much prefer our contemporary authors. Feeling stupid isn't fun for anybody!
Loved this!!! I think you nailed it on all fronts and I loved the Casa Bosques pic!!!
this means so much!!! i really was not sure it was going to land 😂. And I knew someone would know!!