“What Kind of Book Reader are You? A Diagnostics Guide” — The Atlantic Wire

I came across this hilarious article on The Atlantic Wire‘s website. It was posted back in August and was inspired from a blog post on The New Yorker‘s Page-Turner blog. In this article, Jen Doll lists a number of possible book reader types along with suggested reading for each.

I identified with them all. For each one I read, I kept saying, “Oh my gosh! That’s so me!” I began to despair that I am just too weird a reader to be able to find a description that totally matches my reading personality. For this reason, it’s good that I’m reading Doll’s article a few weeks late because at the end of the first article, I saw a link to a second one which lists additional book reader personalities.

I was finally able to find my match, at the end:

The “It’s Complicated” Reader.

You are a combination of many of these things and yet completely different, too. Each book means a new type of reader exists in your soul; you refuse to be defined or categorized. You are a freeform, wild, woolly entity. You do whatever you want. You’re probably a Pisces. You’re definitely a reader.

Suggested “it’s complicated” reads: We dare not to go there.

Yes, I am definitely an “It’s Complicated” Reader and it’s true, I am a Pisces; thus my inability to go strictly with any one type. Anyways, you should check out both articles and see which ones you identify with. Let me know when you find your match!

Here are the links to the articles by Jen Doll:

What Kind of Book Reader are You? A Diagnostics Guide

Many More Types of Book Readers: A Diagnostics Addendum

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“Classics for Pleasure” by Michael Dirda

Available on Amazon and at your local bookstore.

I’ve always thought of the classics as boring and stuffy books to which I would not relate and would not enjoy. I would hardly pick one up to read for leisure and would only purchase them to add to my bookshelves to show off to friends. My views changed after reading Michael Dirda’s Classics for Pleasure.

I first read this book last year when I rescued it from a Borders sale. Since I was broke with no job prospects, I thought it best to spend my time reading the classics. Being the impatient person that I am, I wanted to know what to expect before I begin. Would I like what I read or not?

I was sucked so deeply into this book that I believed that I would like all the works discussed. Dirda’s love for literature is apparent throughout. And his appreciation for the works selected for Classics for Pleasure drew me in and made me want to experience such magnificence for myself.

Fortunately, I got a job but became sidetracked and forgot about pursuing the classics. Now that things have settled down a bit, I’ve decided to hop on the bandwagon and join The Classics Club, which I believe will be a great way for me to stick to my plan to nourish my reading appetite with the classics. The Classic Club asks that members list 50 or so classics that they plan to read over a 5 year period. After completing a book, members discuss it on their blog and share the review with other members via The Classics Club’s blog.

It’s a great plan and helpful, especially if you’re reading a difficult book that might make you miserable. Misery does love company!