I can not remember a time when I didn’t enjoy reading. When I was really little, it was Dr. Seuss books. (I especially loved There’s a Wocket in My Pocket and Wacky Wednesday – they must have appealed to my budding appreciation for the bizarre.) As I grew, I found endless pleasure in Nancy Drew Mysteries, the Little House series, the Chronicles of Narnia, books about the Black Stallion…the list goes on and on. I often smuggled a flashlight to bed so that I could continue reading long after the lights went out. And back in those days, I had no idea how to get anywhere, since as soon as I got in the car, I stuck my nose in a book. (We went to the same amusement park every single summer and I didn’t learn how to actually find my way there until I was 16, and even then I needed a map.) Many of my books were creased and dog-eared, the signs of wear obvious, since I re-read books without hesitation.
For all of my thirty-some years, books have been a constant companion, my bed-time winding down ritual, my escape, sources of enjoyment, learning, challenge, and growth. There’s always a small book tucked away in my purse, several (aka “a teetering pile of”) books on my nightstand, and “current reads” scattered throughout the house, particularly anywhere I spend any significant amount of time. I would say that I am leading “a well-read life.”
But my definition might differ from that of others. Some people might insist that in order to claim a well-read life you have to:
…read a certain number of books per year (or week)
…have read “the classics” – all of them
…prefer “literary” books to “genre” books
…have read certain landmark books, that everyone who is anyone has surely read
Me? My guidelines are much more flexible.
Do you love books? I mean really love them?
Do you prefer reading over many, many other activities (such as housework, for instance)?
Do you always have at least one book in progress?
Do you try different authors and genres?
Is Amazon.com one of your favorite websites?
Given a few hours to yourself, would you choose to browse in a bookstore?
Are you sad when a wonderful book comes to an end?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you, my friend, are also leading a well-read life.
No literary snobbery here. I’ve read As I Lay Dying and The Grapes of Wrath, but to be honest, I’d often rather get lost in a thriller than consult Faulkner or Steinbeck. And if you don’t have time to read three books this week, that’s okay. And if you didn’t enjoy the great classic, Moby Dick, you will receive no condemnation from me [true confession: I couldn't make it through that one, myself].
So if you are leading a well-read life, check in here. Let me know in your comment what book(s) you’re reading right now, what book you almost couldn’t bear to see end, and how you feel about quitting in the middle of a book that is just too horrible for words. Or just share one of those things. After all, I wouldn’t want to keep you from getting back to your current book!
Oh yeah. I love books too. Yes, love them.
Am willing to spend $50-100 for a personalized book stamp if I ever find one I like.
Hate when people dog-ear books or otherwise mistreat them.
Am especially drawn to old hardbacks – pre-1950.
Love book sales.
Used to lug bags of books back to my dorm in college and stash them under my bed.
Love sets of books. I might have to buy a whole ‘nuther Jan Karon series because I don’t think they’re going to make the last 2 in the Penguin imprint and I NEED the set to match. Really I do!
Don’t feel obligated to read every book I buy.
Am currently reading: Boundaries in Marriage, Every Woman’s Marriage, The Well-fed Writer, and Light From Heaven (Jan Karon).
I tend to buy more non-fiction than fiction.
I am probably going to get my money’s worth out of my B&N membership this year.
Buy books as gifts as often as is practical.
Just don’t “get” people who don’t like to read!
Oh – btw – now I understand why I used to be so bad at getting anywhere. Like you, I always had my nose in a book. Pathetic, I tell ya!
I like your definition of well-read! I think I qualify, although I do have a dream also of reading all the classics of western civilization. Someday…
This summer I read two of the “Shopaholic” books by Sophie Kinsella – not something I would regularly pick up, but my younger sister recommended and they were cute and funny light reading – kinda grown-up Amelia Bedelia sometimes, and great British humor.
I also read “The DaVinci Code” just to see what the ruckus was all about. Also not my regular genre, but, I must admit, it was a read that I couldn’t put down.
“To Hell With All That” by Caitlin Flanigan was a thought-provoking read on modern motherhood (and not as brash as teh title sounds)- didn’t agree with some of what she said, but it made me look at things from a different angle and I liked it a lot.
Books I read over about once a year include My Antonia, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Cold Sassy Tree, at least one Jane Austen (love P&P and Persuasion) and at least one of the Little House Books (Farmer Boy is my favorite since I was seven).
And several of the times that I’ve hired a babysitter for a little break this summer, it’s been so I could go to B&N in peace. Just to SMELL the books and run my hands along the shelves of neatly stacked volumes.
Love this post and love the comments.
You also gave me an ah-ha about being directional challenged as a youngster. My English teacher (who also went to my church) gave me a ride home in 9th grade, and I sort of got us lost.
My husband told me just this weekend as we were driving to his parents’ house to “get my nose out of my book and help me find a place to stop for dinner.” Isn’t 35 too old to be told that??
I answer yes to all of your criteria and yes! to some of them.
Currently I am reading The Greatest Generation and just finished a fiction book, so I will have to decide which one to start, hopefully today.
Love, love, love to read! And I love books! I love how a new one smells and it’s a certain thrill to be the first to crack open a brand new one! My hubby thinks I’m nuts! But you get it, right? Right, Katrina?!
Right now I’m reading “Hidden in Time” by Michael Phillips. Sequel to “Rift in Time”. If you like adventure and mystery with a little romance and biblical perspective thrown in, these are great! One of my faves is “Redeeming Love” and “Ribbon of Years”. And also “A Man on the Moon” by Andrew Chaikin, ’cause I’m just fascinated by the whole man on the moon thing.
Great post! I love love to read but you will rarely find me reading a book that requires me to have a dictionary beside me (well except maybe the bible..lol) Anyway I also LOVE the smell of books…I’m with you on that one Susanne!
Oh, I loved this post! Yes, I am a life-long reader and lover of books…the sad thing is, I’m the only one in my immediate family who is, the only one who needs to read almost as much as I need to eat and breathe. I truly don’t understand how someone can NOT like to read. Does not compute.
Last year I set a goal to read 50 books in ’05 and JUST made it. This year it was 60 in ’06 and I’d met my goal by May 26! Since then I’ve only read one book, but in my defense, I’ve spent the time making jewelry and cards for a bazaar I have every November. Lately though I’ve been feeling the pull from the library, so I’m going to have to go soon.
I enjoy many of the classics and did more of that sort of reading when I was younger. (like you though I never made it through Moby Dick and I don’t feel a bit sorry about it either.) I love mysteries and thrillers, biographies, fiction set in the South, non-fiction, almost anything if it’s well-written.
Amazon.com and Half.com are favorite bookmarkes on my computer, but money has been tight lately so I’ve been getting a lot of use out of my library card.
Some of the books/authors I’ve loved recently:
Marley & Me by John Grogan (my pick for favorite book of 2005 — try it!)
Jan Karon’s Mitford series
Dennis Lehane
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith (maybe my favorites from 2006)
1776 by David McCullough
The Harry Potter books
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
So many more! I listed many that I read in 2006 and whether or not I recommended them on my blog — back in May or June, I think.
Great topic, thank you!
I’ve always said if I had an extra $1000 dollars, all I would need is a bookstore and a few hours. Notice it’s not $20 or $50 or even $100 dollars…no siree, I would need $1000. And trust me, it would all be spent too.
I am currently reading Winter Wheat by Mildred Walker
Feelings Buried Alive Never Die
Writer’s Market 2007
Leadership (Sterling W. Sill0
and a few varied magazines.
I actually should check my own teetering nightstand pile because there are probably a couple more.
Your description of a well-read person is so me! Love. It.
Right now I’m working through:
~ Ambassador Families by Mitali Perkins
~ Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
Just finished several of the Sisterchicks books by Robin Jones Gunn … loved them … everyone made me want to call my best friend immediately and schedule a crazy trip with her.
Also read Pride and Prejudice this summer and was heartbroken when it ended and there was no sequel. It was so wonderful!
Wow – these comments are wonderful. I’m so excited about all the books you all have mentioned – I’m going to make a list and check them out! Thanks, everyone!
Code Yellow Mom – yes, you most certainly do qualify! You’re definitely allowed to read and love the classics; it’s just not a requirement for having a well-read life.
Oh, Susanne – I am right there with you, girl. There’s nothing like a brand new book!
Laura – I had to smile at your comment. I’m usually not crazy about books (especially fiction) that require the use of a dictionary, either!
Southern Girl – I am highly impressed with the fact that you’ve read 60 books already this year! I can’t compete with that!
Kristine – Thanks for stopping by! I’m pretty sure I could pick out $1000 worth of books without too much trouble, too!
And to everyone – This has been great, seeing your love for books and reading, and I’m so glad you all commented. Thank you!
I am an official book lover. I always like to have a book to read, it’s a necessity for me. I am like you and reread books I like over and over.
Currently I’m reading Light on Snow by Anita Shreve. It’s pretty good. Books that I hated to see end include Lonesome Dove, Divine Secrets of the Yaya Sisterhood and Gone with the Wind. I read them all over again about once a year.
I’m a little OCD about my reading and once I’m mid book I can’t make myself stop even if I don’t like it at all. One that comes to mind is She’s Come Undone. It’s 4 days of my life I’ll never get back.+
Oh gosh I LOVE to read. Right now I’m getting ready to read The Feminist Mistake (not mystique). I started it a few weeks back but got sidetracked.
Here lately I’ve been reading lots of magazines, I’m a glutton for those too.
right now i’m reading Saturday by Ian McEwan, How Now Shall We Live by…hum, I can’t remember…he’s known for that book, i just can’t remember…
and i can’t decide if i’m going to finish reading “flags of our fathers” or not…
hum?
love your criteria.
–RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
Wow, what a bunch of nerds. You people need to watch more TV.
But keep the volume down, I am trying to read.
OK, someone said that I should mention that I am just kiddin’. And of course, I was just kidding.
Your definition of well-read reminds of what someone once told me about how to appreciate wine… “If it tastes good, then it’s good.”
That’s how I feel about reading. If it was a good read, then it was a good book. My mother tells me I was born with my nose in a book.
When I was in Grade 5, my younger sister, who was in Grade 2, was having terrible problems with her spelling. So her teacher told my parents she needed to read more.
Imagine my horror when my parents offered her $1 for each book she read. I was in shock… and terribly insulted that I did not receive the same payment. My dad claimed I’d bankrupt him in a week!
I am never without a book… ever. No purse or bag is so small that I cannot fit a good size paperback in it.
Right now I’m reading the Sunday Morning Philosophy Club by Scottish writer Andrew McCall Smith. I just finished a biography of Marie Antoinette and plan to treat myself to the new Marion Keyes over the long weekend.
Happy reading to all!
Love books! And like you, started on Dr. Seuss…read Little House books…oh, just too many to name! And as an only child, they truly were friends!
I so agree with you…about whether or not one is reading only high literary classics, if you love to read, then you are a book lover!
I know some people look down on certain genre books, (and that’s OK if they don’t personally like them) but I like….dare I say…inspirational romances! Yes, sometimes, even those paperback Christian novels that are cranked out…some turn out to be not-so-good, but sometimes there’s nothin’ like them when I want light reading.
Of course, I do choose to read the classics, and “heavier” books that make you think. It just depends on my mood!
And I echo the replier, Stephanie…I love, love Robin Jones Gunn and the Jane Austin books!
I no longer like mysteries, but there was a time, in my 20′s, that all I read were Victoria Holt novels.
I hope to someday…someday write a book. It may be only classified as a paperback romance, but that might be OK…because even those “fluffy” books have been known to point someone to Christ while entertaining them.
Anyway…great topic! I think a lot of people have a lot to say on this!
One thing I wanted to add…last year was my first year homeschooling and our group at church did a monthly book club with the kids- all ages. It was a wonderful way to get them excited about books in general, reading…and getting up in front of peers. And I think the parents had fun, too!
My favorite book of all time is “Pride & Prejudice.” I also loved Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series. I’m always reading several books at once. The last fiction I read was “The Secret Life of Becky Miller”, and it was great.
I also love Nicholas Sparks.
Yes, your definition of a well-read life certainly describes me. I can’t go anywhere without having a book to read. Some of my all-time favorites have been the Anne of Green Gables series, Chronicles of Narnia, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (and The Atonement Child), Mixed Signals by Liz Curtis Higgs, And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado, Living above the Level of Mediocrity by Chuck Swindoll, Redemption series by Karen Kingsbury, A Woman’s Journey to the Heart of God by Cynthia Heald. I breathe and live books. Guess the library ministry at my church is a good fit for me, huh?!
Hi Katrina,
Just found your site through Jennifer’s Snapshot blog. I definitely qualify for your definition of a well-read life. I nodded my head to each and every one of your criteria. (You might also check out Steve Leveen’s book, The Little Guide to your Well-Read Life if you haven’t already, because he is a similar proponent of reading because you love to read, and choosing the books that you enjoy.
I read different genres, but mostly mysteries and children’s books (yes, I’m in my 30′s, but I adore children’s books, and I have a blog about that). I’m always reading at least one book, usually more, and my “to read” stack is now on several shelves.
I’m currently reading Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian, but I’m about to start New Moon, a young adult book by Stephenie Meyer. I also re-read Pride and Prejudice every year.
When I go on business trips I always look up bookstores before I go, so that if I have any free time in a stange city, I can entertain myself looking at books.
Anyway, thanks for a neat post. I enjoyed reading what all of your book-loving commenters had to say, too.