Saturday, June 21, 2014

A Reading History

Invent Yourself with Books (M.A. Reilly, 2014)

In preparation for some work I will be doing with a school system next week, I created a reading history timeline. As I created this timeline I realized how hopeless the project really is. It's a challenge to capture eclectic read habits which best define my life as a reader. What is a constant though, regardless of the books I've mentioned, is that reading has helped me to live more deliberately.

Thoreau said it well: 

A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.

Beginning Reading History

The Middle and High School Years


College & My 20s


Dissertation Decade (30s)  & 40s+

4 comments:

  1. Our tastes are so similar.... I just recently discovered The Housekeeper and the Professor (along with a couple of other books of hers), and have also recently read 1Q84--and will wonder year after year when and if Murakami will get his Nobel.... I'm going to share this out, and invite others to do timelines; it's a very cool idea.

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    1. I do think the Nobel prize is headed his way. My husband is a huge fan of his. Tells me his latest book is his best.

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  2. Mary Ann,
    This just made me smile. First of all, we must have gone through school at a similar time. Yes, I remember Dick and Jane. Our class was the last to read it as first graders. I remember sitting in rows and reading in unison. Wow, reading instruction has changed. Those books were replaced by a reading series and to SignPosts I was moved. I think I read with the same group from 2 - 5th grade. In college I read many of the same books you have displayed.

    I may have to give this a try. I'm not sure I can recreate my younger years of reading, but am interested in seeing what stands out in my memory. What did you use to create your timeline?

    Loved this: " I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint."

    Thanks for, once again, inspiring me and making me smile all at the same time.

    Cathy

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    1. You'll be surprised how much you remember-- too much to actually capture. Hope you make it and post.

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