Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Manguel Part Two
I honestly don't see why so many people in this class are having a hard time getting through A History of Reading. I have heard many mention that they think it is absolutely boring. Admittedly, I have been somewhat uninterested in certain parts, such as when Manguel takes five pages to get a simple point across. However, there are so many things I can relate to. When he talks about how people feel the need to read in certain places and in certain positions, I thought about how my favorite way to read is on my bed, on my stomach, usually kicking my legs, with the lamp right next to my bed on bright. Another thing I identify with is the attachment to books. My old room in my parents house is full of boxes containing my old books. Half of them are children's books, but I just don't have it in me to get rid of them. The other half are books that I had a terrible time deciding to leave behind when I moved out. I would have loved to take them with me, but my apartment is full enough of books and bookshelves as it is. It's exciting to me when I come across these little things in Manguel's book that I didn't know other people thought of.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like that you mention all the books you still hold on to. I have two wooden baskets full of books from my childhood, some of which I don't recall at all, but I don't doubt one bit they were read to me when I ask my parents and see the look in their eyes. I'll keep those books, even if I never even read the first page again because one day when my parents are gone, I can look at them and say "I don't even remember it, but mom always said this was the first book she ever read to me." I think that's my deepest connection with books. The ones I cherish the most are the ones my parents or grandparents bought or gave to me. I may enjoy reading a book I get for a class or for personal pleasure more, but they don't have that family connection that he others do.
ReplyDelete