(The enter button should universally start a new paragraph and not post the comment or message or whatever...)
Stacking twelve books on a subject that you are researching is more valuable than reading one book on the subject, even if you only skim through the chapters and titles in those books. It will give you an overview and a general sense of what all those authors wrote about that subject. Some of them will stick out with a topic you hadn't thought. The majority of them will reinforce the ideas you had already started forming on the subject and you will feel more confident in your understanding of it. When one author uses the exact same idea you had on something is when you actually feel like winning.
Y’know I’m still a very young student. And I go to University in about a years time. All other subjects bore the crap out of me, the good paying subjects, economics, computer science, medicine, all of that stuff. And I literally love literature. Which is why I am 80% sure I’m going to take it as a degree at university.
Do you think this is a fair move, or do you think I should pursue something else? I just thought that a ex literature student’s perspective would be very valuable.
But other than that, great post as usual Robin, can’t wait for the next one!
I am so happy that you are at the point your comment suggests you're at before getting into the university. Let this be an encouragement for you, until Robin brings you a more reassuring and response. Thrive!
Yet another great post and one that I can relate to.
I have read the Lord of the Rings over 100 times since I first read it 44 years ago and I still find something new each and every time I read it.
For me at least, superficial reading works well and the more I read a book or article the more I get from it, as I struggle if I stop and try and digest the meaning of each and every sentence constantly try and take notes. This may be because I have never really learned how to take notes or read a book from an academic standpoint.
It's wonderful to read this. I used to be a bookseller, and I once advised a ten-year-old who wanted to read Jurassic Park that there are a few chapters full of dry scientific jargon and it's fine to skip over those parts. His dad was scandalised, but a month later the kid came back and asked if there was a sequel he could read. If he was anything like me, he read that book over and over, skipping a little less each time.
I hace fully embraced it. And i did notice that some realisations come later and that some stuff you figure out through later contrxt.
My "problem" is when someone asks how is the book or wants to discuss it and it's "empty" in my head as i was too busy following the plot to ponder or notice themes hidden meanings and such. And thus the other person is bummed or even frustrated when i have read stuff but can't talk about the stuff i read.
I feel related to this, that's why I usually don't drown myself in book clubs, I love them, but when the part "share your thoughts about the book" comes, I have to ditch it. I always found myself following the plot and forgetting about the deep meanings behind the metaphorical narrative. Even I saw most people take notes and share them but I can't do that, I'm totally engulfed in the plot to care about which, when, and how I should highlight something
Honestly that advice really goes well for me, sometimee I tend to be too caught up in if I am taking enough notes on philosophy texts I am reading too focused on nuances, but having realised I can get through a book with taking notes only on what sparks for me. And I can pass exams just fine considering most students dont even read the literature I am already just fine with reading shallowly to pass the exams anyways its 20% of effort that gets me the most results. However for a deeper look at an infuential book always helps, and noting more nuances in my vault.
Hi Robin! Thank you so much for this post. As a high school student, I often find myself dreading English class - not because I hate reading, but because I feel that my teachers take the fun out of it. It's hard to experience self-discovery, relate to, laugh, or cry at a book when all you're trying to do is cram every significant detail into your head for the next test. I've always held your same philosophy of "embracing the uncertainty", and walking away from the book having felt something - not having dissected each word, sentence, and page to oblivion. It was wonderful to see this sentiment reflected so eloquently in your work.
(The enter button should universally start a new paragraph and not post the comment or message or whatever...)
Stacking twelve books on a subject that you are researching is more valuable than reading one book on the subject, even if you only skim through the chapters and titles in those books. It will give you an overview and a general sense of what all those authors wrote about that subject. Some of them will stick out with a topic you hadn't thought. The majority of them will reinforce the ideas you had already started forming on the subject and you will feel more confident in your understanding of it. When one author uses the exact same idea you had on something is when you actually feel like winning.
Hey Robin. Great post.
Y’know I’m still a very young student. And I go to University in about a years time. All other subjects bore the crap out of me, the good paying subjects, economics, computer science, medicine, all of that stuff. And I literally love literature. Which is why I am 80% sure I’m going to take it as a degree at university.
Do you think this is a fair move, or do you think I should pursue something else? I just thought that a ex literature student’s perspective would be very valuable.
But other than that, great post as usual Robin, can’t wait for the next one!
I am so happy that you are at the point your comment suggests you're at before getting into the university. Let this be an encouragement for you, until Robin brings you a more reassuring and response. Thrive!
He has an podcast episode about this! Highly recommend listening to his pod on spotify if u can
Hey Robin,
Yet another great post and one that I can relate to.
I have read the Lord of the Rings over 100 times since I first read it 44 years ago and I still find something new each and every time I read it.
For me at least, superficial reading works well and the more I read a book or article the more I get from it, as I struggle if I stop and try and digest the meaning of each and every sentence constantly try and take notes. This may be because I have never really learned how to take notes or read a book from an academic standpoint.
I wish I had known about this book when I did my degree in literature.
It's wonderful to read this. I used to be a bookseller, and I once advised a ten-year-old who wanted to read Jurassic Park that there are a few chapters full of dry scientific jargon and it's fine to skip over those parts. His dad was scandalised, but a month later the kid came back and asked if there was a sequel he could read. If he was anything like me, he read that book over and over, skipping a little less each time.
I hace fully embraced it. And i did notice that some realisations come later and that some stuff you figure out through later contrxt.
My "problem" is when someone asks how is the book or wants to discuss it and it's "empty" in my head as i was too busy following the plot to ponder or notice themes hidden meanings and such. And thus the other person is bummed or even frustrated when i have read stuff but can't talk about the stuff i read.
I feel related to this, that's why I usually don't drown myself in book clubs, I love them, but when the part "share your thoughts about the book" comes, I have to ditch it. I always found myself following the plot and forgetting about the deep meanings behind the metaphorical narrative. Even I saw most people take notes and share them but I can't do that, I'm totally engulfed in the plot to care about which, when, and how I should highlight something
Honestly that advice really goes well for me, sometimee I tend to be too caught up in if I am taking enough notes on philosophy texts I am reading too focused on nuances, but having realised I can get through a book with taking notes only on what sparks for me. And I can pass exams just fine considering most students dont even read the literature I am already just fine with reading shallowly to pass the exams anyways its 20% of effort that gets me the most results. However for a deeper look at an infuential book always helps, and noting more nuances in my vault.
Hi Robin! Thank you so much for this post. As a high school student, I often find myself dreading English class - not because I hate reading, but because I feel that my teachers take the fun out of it. It's hard to experience self-discovery, relate to, laugh, or cry at a book when all you're trying to do is cram every significant detail into your head for the next test. I've always held your same philosophy of "embracing the uncertainty", and walking away from the book having felt something - not having dissected each word, sentence, and page to oblivion. It was wonderful to see this sentiment reflected so eloquently in your work.