English 102 Welcome Video

I was having major issues with You Tube so I tried a different way... I hope this works!

Nabokov and Good Readers

                                                                            Nabokov

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Author-Vladimir-Nabokov-Reading-a-Book-Posters_i5326656_.htm

           

            Nabokov thinks that a good reader has “imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense.” He also talks about how the reader should be able to be objective in order to truly create the world around him that the particular book is describing. Nabokov also discusses two different varieties of imagination in the reader’s case. First there’s the emotional reader that is reminded of something that happened to them or someone they know or knew when they read. Or the reader might be reminded of a time and place from their own past. Second, and he claims this is the worst thing a reader can do which is identify himself with a character in the book. He claims this is not the kind of imagination he thinks readers should use. He also talks about the importance of re-reading a book and how that is the best way to really take in all of the details. I do completely agree that this is important, but I rarely re-read books myself because I just want to get started on a new one already. If I do re-read a book its because its one of my favorites, I usually don't re-read something that I didn't really like or understand, even though I might end up understanding it better.

            I think that I agree to some extent with what Nabokov is saying about a good reader, but I also disagree with some of it. I agree that a good reader should have the characteristics he listed, but I disagree with his ideas of it being a bad thing to identify with the character in a book. I understand that he’s saying this doesn’t leave much for the imagination and/or doesn’t allow the reader to take in what the author is trying to describe. I have to admit though, that sometimes I enjoy when I can relate to a character in a book I’m reading. Sometimes being able to relate to a character in a book is what draws you into the book in the first place and holds your attention.

            I think that a good reader should understand what they’re reading, have an imagination as Nabokov claims, as well as his opinion of having a good memory. I don’t know if I agree with the artistic sense because I do consider myself a good reader, but I don’t consider myself artistic in any way, so I’m not sure how that really works. I am by no means a perfect reader; I definitely have room for improvement. I can also work on increasing the types of books I like to read and not just stick to the same kind all of the time. I imagine to Nabokov I am probably not a “good reader”. I like to read though, so that’s got to count for something.

http://artofmanliness.com

            I will admit this website grabbed my attention with the title alone, “The Art of Manliness”, what man wouldn’t want to check that out, right? When I did I found that I had read several of the books on this 100 must read books for the man’s library. I’m pretty sure every one of them was required for school such as Lord of the Flies (did not like this one) and Catcher in the Rye (really enjoyed this one but barely remember it). I also found out that I’ve seen more of them as movies than read the actual book.  I consider myself somewhat of an avid reader, but I’m not known to read much classic literature for pleasure. Every once in a while I’m assigned a book from school and I enjoy it, but I have to admit I’m drawn to Harry Potter, James Patterson books, and murder/mystery or thriller type books. Occasionally I will enjoy more emotional books such as Marley and Me (I’m a dog lover and this made me cry!) or The Lovely Bones, and for my more feminine side I have read the Twilight books (I actually enjoyed them, don’t judge!). I read for entertainment. When I read a book it plays in my mind like a movie. I usually read books by my favorite author, James Patterson, or books that are recommended to me. After reviewing this “must read” list I’m starting to wonder if I should broaden my literature horizon? I just hope that I can pass a love of reading on to my son some day because I know this will not only make him a better student, but probably a better person.

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/?p=5555

            I’m also including this link to a website with lots of articles discussing the importance of reading to your children. This really speaks to me because I want to create the habit of reading to my 10 month old son every day, he already loves to look at books and listen to my wife and I read to him.