Phillip Larkin’s ‘The Pleasure Principle’ still holds, I’d say, and I always love the Butler quote at end of his short essay:
“I should like to like Schumann’s music better than I do; I dare say I could make myself like it better if I tried; but I do not like having to try to make myself like things; I like things that make me like them at once and no trying at all.”
i sucked at school, i thought i did okay as an adult, until i saw my transcript for the first time in so long. i realized then, i was so behind. i had life distractions, and i simply was not motivated to do well. now that i am an adult i have chosen to take pursuits of happiness. reading what inspires me, and educating my mind on topics i always wanted to understand. keep going, keep reading, keep writing. thanks for sharing!
“I’m learning, here on the cusp of fifty-years-old, to be carried away by a book.” — How absolutely wonderful. I am so happy for you, and almost envious that you’re discovering a sensation afresh that, to me, is just about one of the best things a person can experience. I wish you endless surprises and happy hours spent turning the pages of a book.
I really enjoyed this fresh and honest take on reading! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Great essay, Charles. Smart writing and enjoyable reading. Seriously. I've done a good bit of trying to wrestle with those books that weren't really interested in engaging with readers like me. These past few years, especially, I've been grateful for many stories that can take me into their worlds, and I've been happy to let them do so.
That is a great quote!
Phillip Larkin’s ‘The Pleasure Principle’ still holds, I’d say, and I always love the Butler quote at end of his short essay:
“I should like to like Schumann’s music better than I do; I dare say I could make myself like it better if I tried; but I do not like having to try to make myself like things; I like things that make me like them at once and no trying at all.”
i sucked at school, i thought i did okay as an adult, until i saw my transcript for the first time in so long. i realized then, i was so behind. i had life distractions, and i simply was not motivated to do well. now that i am an adult i have chosen to take pursuits of happiness. reading what inspires me, and educating my mind on topics i always wanted to understand. keep going, keep reading, keep writing. thanks for sharing!
“I’m learning, here on the cusp of fifty-years-old, to be carried away by a book.” — How absolutely wonderful. I am so happy for you, and almost envious that you’re discovering a sensation afresh that, to me, is just about one of the best things a person can experience. I wish you endless surprises and happy hours spent turning the pages of a book.
I really enjoyed this fresh and honest take on reading! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Great essay, Charles. Smart writing and enjoyable reading. Seriously. I've done a good bit of trying to wrestle with those books that weren't really interested in engaging with readers like me. These past few years, especially, I've been grateful for many stories that can take me into their worlds, and I've been happy to let them do so.