I have been working on getting a little bit more into the book blog thing this week (new year's does that to me for some reason) and I thought I would give the literary blog hop hosted by Blue Bookcase a try to see if I can meet some like minded bloggers (that would not include the YA fanatic down the block).
So the question up for discussion for the hop is: Do you like to supplement your reading with outside sources, like Sparknotes, academic articles, or other bloggers' reviews? Why or why not?
I have about two resources I count on when reading classics:
1. a dictionary or footnotes (if necessary) - pretty self explanatory.
2. the book 1001 books to read before you die. This one is for no other reason than to discover just how far off base they are on their reviews. I have discussed it before on Goodreads group for this book, but seriously, I would think the literary "experts" they got together would remember a basic thing like plot line or denouement. I oftentimes think wrong and enjoy calling them on it in the quietness of my own mind.
Otherwise, I tend not to read other academic articles or reviews by other bloggers because I have a serious fear of finding out what is going to happen before I read it. This happened to me one time and I was bitter about it for quite some time.
So, yeah, that's how I do it. What about you? Are you interested in what others have to say or are you a solo-going, my-thoughts-are-the-best-thoughts-so-why-read-anyone-else kind of person? Discuss.
Hi Leah! Thanks for joining our hop. Like you, I love reading annotated editions of classics, and I have a great dictionary app on my iPhone that I consult often.
ReplyDeleteI also have a fear of finding out spoilers before I read ... so I ALWAYS avoid reading anything until after I finish the book. :)
Aaah yours sounds like a match made in heaven - with regards to the premise behind your blog. Apparently I'm of a mixed marriage, at least that's how it was described in another blog. This is when one person is a reader and the other isn't. I found this very funny at the time!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, regarding your post, I always save any extra-curricular reading for after I've finished the book. I can completely understand your bitterness!
New follower. :)
Thanks for the warning about 1001 books to read--maybe a good list of books but not one to take too seriously? I also read reviews with trepidation and sometimes don't read them all the way to the end if it looks like their going to give too much away. If I read too many reviews of a book, I lose interest in the book. I feel like I've already heard the story.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think to list a reference book like a dictionary--my reading frequently takes me to a dictionary!
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe 1001 Books would get so much wrong! Shameful.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about it until I read your response, but yes I definitely consult my dictionary app a lot! And yes, good editions make a huge difference- I LOVE a good introduction.
@Ingrid: yeah, spoilers suck! And thanks for having us.
ReplyDelete@ Scribeswindow: I don't think Drew and I knew we were such readers when we met, but it is fun to have a common interest in reading, even if we don't normally read the same types of books. There's hope for your mate: anyone can become a reader, they just have to find what interests them. Thanks for the follow!
@Susan: Not all the reviews in 1001 are bad, just the small portion of the ones I have read (I only read the reviews for the books I have read, so we are talking a small sample). This does not keep me from wanting to get 1001 Children's Books you must read before you Grow up.
@As the Crow: Have you read your blog's namesake book by Jeffrey Archer? Highly recommended (I reviewed it a long time ago on this site).
@Christina: Yes, indeed, it is shameful. Experts get it wrong too. I love a good introduction as long as it does not discuss plot at all.