Reading (and discussing) is an act of rebellion
Hello you legend of zelda.
As I seem to be hammering on lately, life has been busy the past few months. There are many consequences to this state of being, both positive and negative, but one I do regret is that I have not been reading as many books as usual. In fact, I am suffering from an acute case of Tsundoku, which I recently learned is the amazingly apt Japanese word for acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them. While I am actually pretty good about releasing the books I have read (for those who have known me for a long time, I am STILL a bookcrosser), my shelves are starting to spill over, and there does not seem to be enough time in the day to read all of the awesome recommendations/ intriguing new reads/ classics that I haven’t gotten to yet.
Luckily, I am surrounded by lots of people who like read too-- and this week, not only did I attend another meeting of my long-standing reading group (we read Transcription this time-- I love Kate Atkinson's writing-- she is always in it for the long game in terms of her approach to story telling--- complex, with beautiful writing and always strong female protagonists), but this week I also attended the inaugural meeting of a second book club I will be joining this spring. Soon, my case of tsundoku will (hopefully) be cured!
However, bookshelf management is only one small part of why I enjoy coming together with other women to discuss books and ideas. Inspired by the double whammy of book club awesomeness this week, I have been reading a bit about book clubs as an act of resistance for women throughout history, as well as today. While sometimes thought of as frivolous (surprise, surprise), “no matter the venue or topic, women have historically clung to book clubs as a space for reading, learning, and making their voices heard”. I also liked this article which goes into the subversive history of women and book clubs.
The act of reading is such a study in contrasts when you think about it: it is a deeply solitary activity, but at the same time is enormously mind- and world-expanding. Discussing this solo experience with other readers helps to process and translate it into the real world--- a great example of playing with qualia, or ‘the way things seem to us’ as individual human beings (which I have recently been learning about as I explore the nature of consciousness-- but that is for another dispatch). By combining reading and discussion, we turn a private, internal experience into one that we can share, build with and-- most importantly-- act on. Because ultimately....
The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.
Paulo Coelho
I love reading, and I love discussing books and ideas with other readers. It was refreshing this week to be reminded of these two truths, and to connect with people who share this love.
Want to start your own act of rebellion?
Meetup.com has a list of book clubs you can join in your local vicinity
How to start a book club of your own if you can't find one you like
A bit about the benefits of reading every day
I liked this podcast about book clubs in Canada
I also love this overview of Proust on why we read
From one literature-loving person to another, I am glad that we can read, discuss and act together. I hope you enjoyed this dispatch, and have a revolution-filled week!
Until next Sunday,
The Earnest Platypus