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| By Ben Ostrowsky [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons |
Nabokov defines a good reader as
someone who not only reads a book once but also rereads the book to get a
better appreciation of the artistic value that the book has to offer. Nobokov also believes that a good reader
should possess imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense.
I agree with Nobokov’s definition of
a good reader. Being an avid reader
myself, I use my imagination to visualize what the authors describe in the
stories that they write and as I reread the material the picture becomes
clearer in my mind. Plus I always make
sure I keep a dictionary handy for the words I am not sure about like
“bourgeoisie” which I just learned means middle class. I believe I am a good reader because I use the
skills that Nobokov describes plus one characteristic that was implied but not
mentioned, a reader should have an open mind, especially when reading new
authors.
To see the full essay, click on the link below:
I got the same sense of what Nobokov believes as well. I agree with his opinions about what makes a good reader. I love to read, however, I am not always the best reader. Sometimes I skim just to get through it, but when I am truly interested in something I allow myself to fall into it. It is then that I become a "good reader".
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% a good reader should have an open mind when it comes to new authors. I myself have to remember that when I start a new book. I myself have an imagination when I read. One time I was at work in the lunch room on break and I was reading this love story and no it was not Fifty Shades of Gray, the way the author was describing a scene had be sweating buckets lol the embarrassing part the doctor walked in and and looked at me very strange. Let's just say never took that book back to work. I myself am a reader that has to have a dictionary or I Google a word that is not familiar.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is important for the reader to visualize what the author is referring to. I feel if you can picture the colors, people, and maybe the feel of a room while reading a book it makes it much more enjoyable. It is hard to do sometimes especially if the material is not completely interesting to you, but I feel it helps if the reader is able to do that.
Brandi
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI also had to look up that word "bourgeoisie". Yes, I keep a dictionary at hand - as I am sure many others do as well. And yes, keeping an open mind is extremely important not only for the author but also for the subject matter. We have to put our preconceived notions and ideas out of our minds if we are truly going to be able to see what the writer is telling us.
Debbie
I completely agree that a reader needs to have an open mind about new authors, though I must admit that in that case I am not always a good reader. I enjoy reading and can get into almost anything, but there are times that I find myself comparing writing styles between authors and that is something I need to work on as it affects the way I view the story. I also agree about it being important to visualize what the author is writing about, this helps me immensely, especially when doing school work.
ReplyDeleteAngie