Another suggestion, don't stick to a strict list, follow reading rabbit holes - you may find yourself entirely immersed in new ideas and cultures. Earlier this year, I was reading Wollestonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women, and she was critiquing a section of Rousseau's Emile, so I read that section, while, at the same time, on the recommendation of a relative, I was reading an autobiography of a Canadian suffragette. Currently, despite having listed a number of unread books the beginning of the summer, I've found another series of rabbit holes to follow, involving translations of Chinese literature, and I am thoroughly enjoying the pursuit.
About half-way through reading The Habit of Being (collected letters of Flannery O'Connor), I decided to pause and read the story she was writing about in her letters, then go back to the letters until I got to mentions of the next story, rinse and repeat. That gave context and greatly increased my understanding and enjoyment of both her work and her as a person. I need to do the same thing with Lewis's letters and books (although that's a must lengthier undertaking).
I always have a "Break in Case of Emergency" Georges Simenon or mystery novel on hand for when I am unable to get into the bigger fish. Currently, I am reading Monsieur Pain by Bolano.
Excellent advice to get more people to read. I would add "Red Badge of Courage" to that list of books you can read in a day. I've recommended the title to many reluctant readers over the course of my bookselling career and they always come back with requests for more books to read.
Another suggestion, don't stick to a strict list, follow reading rabbit holes - you may find yourself entirely immersed in new ideas and cultures. Earlier this year, I was reading Wollestonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Women, and she was critiquing a section of Rousseau's Emile, so I read that section, while, at the same time, on the recommendation of a relative, I was reading an autobiography of a Canadian suffragette. Currently, despite having listed a number of unread books the beginning of the summer, I've found another series of rabbit holes to follow, involving translations of Chinese literature, and I am thoroughly enjoying the pursuit.
I agree! Following your whims is among the best reading advice there is.
About half-way through reading The Habit of Being (collected letters of Flannery O'Connor), I decided to pause and read the story she was writing about in her letters, then go back to the letters until I got to mentions of the next story, rinse and repeat. That gave context and greatly increased my understanding and enjoyment of both her work and her as a person. I need to do the same thing with Lewis's letters and books (although that's a must lengthier undertaking).
I always have a "Break in Case of Emergency" Georges Simenon or mystery novel on hand for when I am unable to get into the bigger fish. Currently, I am reading Monsieur Pain by Bolano.
Excellent advice to get more people to read. I would add "Red Badge of Courage" to that list of books you can read in a day. I've recommended the title to many reluctant readers over the course of my bookselling career and they always come back with requests for more books to read.
I need to read that one myself!
You will be glad you did. It's a superb novel.