A wonderful reflection Joel. It says a lot about your father and about you. And about keeping the company of writers who distil their experience and share it with us, as you're doing here in your reviews. I wonder if I don't enjoy your perspectives on "my life with books" as much as the reviews themselves.
Andrew, thank you! I enjoy writing those “life with books” posts as well. Connecting with others over useful bits of reading and experience is the whole point of this project. I’m delighted you’re enjoying it.
Love this. Same experience for me only it was my mom not my dad. Mom was/is an author. She had an incredible library. I grew up reading Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, etc. Books have always been my sweet spot, my great escape from the tortures and complexities of daily life. True now even more than as a child. And: The Sowell and especially Mencken are 👍👍👍
While my dad was a high school English teacher, I never read much classical literature. I remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird in those years, same with some Shakespeare. I’m playing catch up nowadays.
They’re all so different. Right now my youngest son is a crazy reader, but my oldest and middle have seemed to wane a bit on reading. But you never know: Maybe it comes back as life nudges or requires.
Thank you, Joel! I agree with Andrew, I think I enjoy your posts about your life with books the most. My children have grown up surrounded by my books and the ideas in those books, and many of them are readers. Half of them have rejected the Catholic faith they were raised in, but I hope they will be open and find their way back.
Thanks for saying that, Arlene. I know those departures are painful to a parent. But it’s amazing how deep seated so many of those ideas can be. And you never know what they might prompt later down the road.
Wow, a Libertarian and a Christian! Your dad was my kind of guy. This world would benefit from much more of this kind of thinking. We lost a great one this month with the passing of the great David Boaz from Cato. RIP!
Good one, Joel. You were a lucky boy, growing up with all those giants of freedom in your house -- Hayek, Mises, Bastiat, Nock .... It took me 50 years to find some of those guys and your dad made them part of your upbringing. My dad gave me a regular dose of the WSJ, National Review and the Sporting News, but it was a good start.
This was so sweet to read not least because it reminded me of how much my father, an army officer, loved reading about language, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Tennyson. He would do most anything to prompt intellectual curiosity including coming home early to take me to see plays.
A wonderful reflection Joel. It says a lot about your father and about you. And about keeping the company of writers who distil their experience and share it with us, as you're doing here in your reviews. I wonder if I don't enjoy your perspectives on "my life with books" as much as the reviews themselves.
Andrew, thank you! I enjoy writing those “life with books” posts as well. Connecting with others over useful bits of reading and experience is the whole point of this project. I’m delighted you’re enjoying it.
I love the idea that he was investing in you. That’s perfect!
I’m not sure it felt like that at the time, or that I would’ve had any categories like that for it. But all these years later, that’s how I see it.
Love this. Same experience for me only it was my mom not my dad. Mom was/is an author. She had an incredible library. I grew up reading Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, etc. Books have always been my sweet spot, my great escape from the tortures and complexities of daily life. True now even more than as a child. And: The Sowell and especially Mencken are 👍👍👍
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
While my dad was a high school English teacher, I never read much classical literature. I remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird in those years, same with some Shakespeare. I’m playing catch up nowadays.
I occasionally disagree with Mencken, but man, is he an inspiration.
Agreed. I still get a kick out of him and love dipping into his books a few times a year.
Mencken is one of those writers where even a page or two can really feel like a shot in the arm. I need to get back into his work more often.
I love this! I hope my love for books rubs off on my kids as much as it has for you.
They’re all so different. Right now my youngest son is a crazy reader, but my oldest and middle have seemed to wane a bit on reading. But you never know: Maybe it comes back as life nudges or requires.
What a wonderful tribute to your father on this Father’s Day weekend.
Thank you! He’s a wonderful man.
Thank you, Joel! I agree with Andrew, I think I enjoy your posts about your life with books the most. My children have grown up surrounded by my books and the ideas in those books, and many of them are readers. Half of them have rejected the Catholic faith they were raised in, but I hope they will be open and find their way back.
Thanks for saying that, Arlene. I know those departures are painful to a parent. But it’s amazing how deep seated so many of those ideas can be. And you never know what they might prompt later down the road.
Love it.
You grew up with quite the treasure trove!
Yes! It was incredible, actually. There were shelves and shelves of good stuff. I slowly worked my way through pretty much all of it.
I hope my son (almost 3) appreciates our too many books the way you do! Beautiful piece.
Wow, a Libertarian and a Christian! Your dad was my kind of guy. This world would benefit from much more of this kind of thinking. We lost a great one this month with the passing of the great David Boaz from Cato. RIP!
What a lovely tribute to your literary father!
Good one, Joel. You were a lucky boy, growing up with all those giants of freedom in your house -- Hayek, Mises, Bastiat, Nock .... It took me 50 years to find some of those guys and your dad made them part of your upbringing. My dad gave me a regular dose of the WSJ, National Review and the Sporting News, but it was a good start.
And for your father, we are grateful he shared his splendid gift with you, through you to us.
Your father sounds like a great dad. You hit the lottery! Good for you.
Wonderful. A model Dad. Happy Fathers' Day to all here!
A wonderful tribute to someone who was clearly a wonderful man.
This was so sweet to read not least because it reminded me of how much my father, an army officer, loved reading about language, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Tennyson. He would do most anything to prompt intellectual curiosity including coming home early to take me to see plays.