Types Of Readers
Readers may be divided into 4 classes:
1) Sponges, who absorb all they read and return it nearly in the same state, only a little dirtied.
2) Sand-glasses, who retain nothing and are content to get through a book for the sake of getting through the time.
3) Strain-bags, who retain merely the dregs of what they read.
4) Mogul diamonds, equally rare and valuable, who profit by what they read, and enable others to profit by it also.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
I am a 1, and a 4.
Can I ask why you posted this?
"Loving people is like farting in the wind; You don't actually accomplish anything, but you feel better."
~The Great and Powerful Angelia~
How about coffee filters, who pass on good things but hold back the grounds?
Why did I post this? I assumed you could read? What a silly question.
Wait, I got it! A spoonerism: Leaper of the Kite, right?
< sig: the kite is slowly going out >
Rules Of Reading Rules Of Reading
The best rule of reading will be a method from nature, and not a mechanical one of hours and pages.
It holds each student to a pursuit of his native aim, instead of a desultory miscellany.
Let him read what is proper to him, and not waste his memory on a crowd of mediocrities.
The three practical rules which I have to offer are:
1) Never read any book that is not a year old.
2) Never read any but famed books.
3) Never read any but what you like;
or in Shakespeare's phrase,
"No profit goes where is no pleasure ta'en;
In brief, sir, study what you most affect."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
My soul rebels at the concept of rules of reading - there are too many rules one has to obey anyway, the thing about reading is you can, to a much greater extent than with almost anything else, go where you will without endangering your health, risking your relationships or spoiling anyone else's fun .
Do we need further proof of Coleridge's addiction to opiates?
I guess I agree that the thought of having rules is rather silly when it comes to reading, but perhaps that word could be replaced with "guidelines", I agree on the, not reading anything you don't like, well...that's an obvious one, but I seldom read anything recent. If I live to be 200 years old I still would not enough time to read everything, so why waste my time? I have to be particular about what it's going to be.
MARIAN'S RULES FOR READING (in progress):
1. There are no rules for reading.
2. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you can sometimes judge a book by its jacket copy.
3a. Never lie--even to yourself--about liking a book. It is your right as a reader to dislike any book, even a "classic." 3b. But give it another chance in five or ten years. Books have been known to improve greatly while just sitting on the shelf.
4. When you borrow a book, make sure the owner's name is written in it and be faithful about returning it.
5. Don't read in the dark, you'll strain your eyes.
6. Browse at Barnes & Noble if you like, but PURCHASE at an independently owned neighborhood bookstore.
OUCH!!!
Spoonerism? Do I detect a little hostility?
If I had a heart I would be deeply sadened by your remarks. Since I do not I will have to say that I still like you anyway.
Signing off now:
Leaper of the Kite!
"Loving people is like farting in the wind; You don't actually accomplish anything, but you feel better."
~The Great and Powerful Angelia~
"Books have been known to improve greatly while just sitting on the shelf."
LOL!!!
Rules of Reading According to Desi:
Start out by reading everything that crosses your path. Stop when you notice you really don't like it. (although I usually come to this conclusion after I finished the whole book.)
Read more of what you like.
Reread over and over and over again what you liked best.
Important: don't try to remember too much of what you liked best. You'll enjoy yourself better the next times you're reading it.
Okay, Rule 3 is a good one, but 'only read famed books?' Yuck.
pam
Rules, did somebody say rules for reading?
Great!!! I love making up rules. It makes me feel like God.
1. Read everything you can get your hands on, even the hard stuff.
2. Read everything your stupid teachers and stupid school makes your read. Read not just the required readings, but also the suggested readings.
3. Reread stuff you don't understand.
4. Read things that are not popular.
5. Read things that make you think.
6. Learn how to recognize trash. Don't read trash!
7. Read something new everyday!
8. Read for enjoyment.
9. Teach your children to recognize trash.
10. Teach your children to read for enjoyment! Turn off the TV once in a while.
I learned a little trick a long time ago to help me make more intelligent selections of what I read: Check out what critics say, or have said, about the book. It can save vast amounts of valuable time.
While I certainly don't base my choices solely on the criticisms, I have found them beneficial to the selection process. I particularly like it when the critics are split nearly 50-50...that usually makes for a great choice. If nothing else, after reading a couple of critiques, I can compare my own opinions to those in print. And some of the more well-written critiques make for enjoyable reading on their own...another bonus.
There's nothing wrong with reading trash, as long as you know its trash and it isn't the extent of your reading. A sufficiently bad book can get you through a streaming cold.
Marian, Bless you for your Rule #6 - all other rules of reading should be flown by the leaper of the kite
Haven't time to post on this one - head stuck in a very good book!
Don't tease us that way, marian2: share the joy. What's the name of the book?
Rule 7: There is no Rule 7.
pam
Tandy - Just a Winston Graham I'd not come across before - 'Stephanie' - high quality escapism, just what's needed when life is being a bit of a pain on several fronts.
It's easy to become a sponge-already overladen-when subjected to
years of schooling, which does not insist on understanding. Just as
true now as in STC's day. Thanks a telling quote. dlc
"For all books are divisible into two classes, the books of the hour, and the books of all time. Mark this distinction--it is not one of quality only. It is not merely the bad book that does not last, and the good one that does. It is a distinction of species. There are good books for the hour, and good ones for all time; bad books for the hour, and bad ones for all time."
John Ruskin
from SESAME AND LILIES