I enjoyed reading this, Ben. Reading Jacobs ' book a few years ago also inspired me to get into reading. The main reason I hadn't earlier was the very things you talk about - the bar being set too high over and over. It felt good to freely read at whim and as I have kept at it, I have been able to swim instead of flounder or sink in more complex "Great" works.
I love Jabos, but he also hammers the "1001 Books to Read," and the title is very different than the book itself. My wife read it over the course of two years, and founds the short essays evocative and inspiring -- almost love songs to books. And she found some books to read that she loved. In other words, the book worked as a curated smorgasbord. I see nothing wrong with that.
Interesting. I’ve never personally seen Jacobs hammering on 1001 Books to Read before you die. His book and interviews and blog seem to still be pretty pro-Whim. I felt the book was about the Pleasures of Reading, but perhaps I’ve missed other things he’s done!
I love Jacobs, and his book is very much a hymn to Whim (see what I did there?), but he sees the title of “1001 Books…” as being the antithesis of Whim — too directive and goal oriented. He doesn't discuss the book's content, just the title, which seemed somewhat unfair. Maybe he talks about “1001 Books” in “Breaking Bread with the Dead.” Can't remember now. I've read both recently. Anyway, yay you and Jacobs. Long live the Whim!
I enjoyed reading this, Ben. Reading Jacobs ' book a few years ago also inspired me to get into reading. The main reason I hadn't earlier was the very things you talk about - the bar being set too high over and over. It felt good to freely read at whim and as I have kept at it, I have been able to swim instead of flounder or sink in more complex "Great" works.
I love Jabos, but he also hammers the "1001 Books to Read," and the title is very different than the book itself. My wife read it over the course of two years, and founds the short essays evocative and inspiring -- almost love songs to books. And she found some books to read that she loved. In other words, the book worked as a curated smorgasbord. I see nothing wrong with that.
Interesting. I’ve never personally seen Jacobs hammering on 1001 Books to Read before you die. His book and interviews and blog seem to still be pretty pro-Whim. I felt the book was about the Pleasures of Reading, but perhaps I’ve missed other things he’s done!
I love Jacobs, and his book is very much a hymn to Whim (see what I did there?), but he sees the title of “1001 Books…” as being the antithesis of Whim — too directive and goal oriented. He doesn't discuss the book's content, just the title, which seemed somewhat unfair. Maybe he talks about “1001 Books” in “Breaking Bread with the Dead.” Can't remember now. I've read both recently. Anyway, yay you and Jacobs. Long live the Whim!