Reading, just because
Intentionality, not drudgery, is the goal
I read a book recently because I liked the cover. Because it was set in Miami. Because I read a review that mentioned it referenced The Count of Monte Cristo. Because I liked the title. Because it was short. Because it was a debut author. Because I felt like it.
The book was Of Women & Salt by Gabriela Garcia. I liked, but didn’t love it. It was a solid debut that left me wanting more. The book is not the point. The point is that I read it just because I wanted to. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book so spontaneously, and I realized, I’ve missed that.
Regular readers know I don’t keep a TBR. I set general reading intentions each year, which I decide on after reviewing my reading from the previous year and looking for authors, genres, stories I’m missing. One of my 2021 intentions was to read more non-memoir nonfiction. Coincidentally, I also had several nonfiction books I needed to read for discussions or author talks at The Mercantile Library, where I work. So my reading list has been nonfiction heavy. I’d finish a book and reward myself with something light and easy — and often, not that great. Not bad, but not anything that’s sticking in my head after the last page. People kept asking me what I’d been reading and I’d completely blank.
This is why tracking my reading is so useful — and why my favorite tracking method is a simple list, organized by month, of title/author at the back of my planner. It lets me quickly see trends without getting bogged down in details.
Lately, in reading with purpose, I’d forgotten to leave room for serendipity. Nearly every book I’ve read this year was chosen for a specific reason: because I saw it on a list, because I needed to read it for work, because I thought someone at my library might be interested in it, because the author was representative of a demographic group I want to read more from, because the genre was one I’ve been meaning to get to, because I’ve been waiting for this author to release this book. Partly this is a hazard of my job, which I’ll happily take on because I am fully aware of how awesome a title “book advisor” is, but also, I never want to find myself dreading reading.
You all know me as a book-pushing feral librarian who has been tracking her reading for more than a decade; is dedicated to the mission of using reading as a tool for building compassion, critical thinking, and civil discourse; and believes using a tool effectively requires intent.
At heart, though, I’m just a kid who escaped into books. I’m a mood reader who loves revisiting comfort reads and picking books because of covers or last lines. I have read books literally just because they’re there. That strategy has ended poorly (worst book I’ve ever read was something called Mina, left by another student at my host-family’s house when I studied in Mexico) and also really great (on that same Mexico trip, I read Anna Karenina). That’s the kind of reading that made me believe in the power of books in the first place: random, varied, unexpected, all over the library shelves. I need to make space for this kind of reading. I’m not giving up my reading intentions, but I am trying to let “just because” be reason enough sometimes.
What’s the last book you read just because? Would you recommend it?
Reading links
More about the limitations of reading intentions: Yaa Gyasi wants white readers to know that books by Black authors are not medicine.
What kind of art might come out of and about the pandemic? From Emily Raboteau, here’s a poignant look at NYC in 2020.
Speaking of pandemic writing, if you haven’t yet read Min Jin Lee’s essay about reading and remembering, do yourself a favor and do it right now.
I was never a horse-girl, but I love this story about a Black cowgirl who started a horseback riding literacy program.
Elizabeth McCracken has a new story collection out, The Souvenir Museum. Here’s one of the stories: Robinson Crusoe at The Waterpark. (And, as Lauren Groff pointed out, it’s the rarest of things: a happy short story.)
How women invented book clubs, revolutionizing reading and their own lives. I can’t write a better headline for this Washington Post story, which also features one of my favorite feminists, Margaret Fuller.
Much as I love fairytales, I only recently learned about the woman who coined the term: Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, the Comtesse d’Aulnoy.
A zillion people have recommended this Brene Brown podcast episode with Hanif Abdurraqib. Now I’m recommending it to you. (And yes, I loved his book A Little Devil in America as much as I expected to. Hanif’s essays always send me down rabbit holes and Saeed Jones maybe summed up his writing best by saying that hides poems in his paragraphs. Go get it.)
What I’m reading1
Recent favorite: A Swim in A Pond in The Rain, George Saunders
Russian literature isn’t something I care about. But I savored this book because of Saunders’ smart criticism and teaching, his affection for humanity, and sense of fun and kindness. Reading this is like hanging out with your favorite professor or your smartest friend.
Up next: Gold Diggers, Sanjena Sathian
Love the cover, intrigued by the concept of gold diggers who can alchemically steal ambition, excited to read a debut and maybe discover a new talent.
What are you reading?
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Housekeeping note: Throughout this newsletter, I use affiliate links from Bookshop.org. If you purchase a book through these links, I will earn a small fee that I’ll likely use to purchase more books, usually for giveaways. I am not paid in any way for my thoughts on these books.
Hillary, enjoyed your post and it was just as I was starting This Tender Land by Krueger, which on the second page also references The Count of Monte Cristo. Looking forward to more posting.
Interesting that you mentioned that reading with purpose is an occupational hazard that has crowded out serendipity. Recently, I have found that the opposite is true for me.
Last year, I was pretty much able to stick to my reading resolution of concentrating on books I already own. I thought I'd carry that over to this year, but during my copious volunteer hours at the Book Depot, things keep crossing my path that I just *have* to have! I seem to be opening all bookish writing with: "I spotted this at Book Depot and it looked interesting."
Anyway, most of my reading seems to be "just because." I tend to avoid lists, and many recommendations strike me as the literary equivalent of "eat your broccoli." (And I actually *like* broccoli!) The link you shared about "black authors are not your medicine" comes close to that sentiment and was interesting to read. (The links you provide are always helpful!)
Anyway, my reading is eclectic, as you know. This week alone, I finished an audiobook of horror short stories by an old master of the genre, Richard Matheson. I also read a truly serendipitous Book Depot discovery called "Hope Never Dies" (2018) in which Obama and Biden become private-eye action heroes! I just started a history of the rise and fall of a movie studio (book) and a mystery by a favorite author, Anthony Horowitz (audiobook).
Congrats on your new-look blog/enewsletter! I like this format, especially for the ability to comment right at the end. -- Diane