While the amount I read stays roughly the same, the number and type/genre of books I've read has ebbed and flowed. No deliberate play, but what works at the time. I'm in a lengthy phase of having dropped fiction almost entirely, for instance. It just happened, although you're right that a strong emphasis is on handling the time available and prioritising.
One thing is for sure—we're not going to run out of books to read.
Great story, Matthew. Thank you for sharing yourself and your history and evolving way of seeing the world. My parents had one of those encyclopedia sets on a bookshelf in our living room as well (Colliers). I loved flipping through them, thinking up something to look up and then learning about it. My family wasn't that focused on reading and books so I am lucky the encyclopedia was present. They must have fallen for a sales pitch at some point haha!
Keep up the great work, Matthew. What kind of plans do you have for the future of Beyond the Bookshelf? Anything exciting coming up? 🙂
- a look at the genre of magical realism and how its imaginative nature is related to our reality. This will include some insight into Haruki Murakami, my favorite author in the genre.
- a dive into Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy
- The History of Coffee - my favorite transformation story
Not sure yet what 2025 will hold other than I am planning a year long read-through of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
I enjoyed re reading this article, Matthew. Your love of books has always been a constant in your life. It’s lovely that your family always encouraged this love and I’m sure you also encouraged it in your children. It’s so fitting, that in this next stage of your life, you will have the time to further enjoy, explore and spread this love of reading even more.
A really interesting read. Charlotte's Web one of the first books I can remember reading, too, and magical, I agree. Reading for pleasure and reading to extend myself began only once I finished university. A severe case of glandular fever in my early twenties allowed me the time to read Melville's great book and many other lengthy classics followed from there. These days I read a lot less fiction, which I recognise as something that is missing from my cultural life that I keep on meaning to make good on. So much of today's reading inspires or informs the material I like to write. But as Martin Hughes mentions, above, we're unlikely to run out of things to read any time soon...
Love this essay Matthew, and re-learning more about you. I have really slacked in my reading habits in the past year or so and I am slowly finding my way back to it. I have so many small piles of partially read books all around the living room - office, its a bit overwhelming! My parents both loved to read. I am so glad it was instilled in me as child and I passed that along to my daughter is well.
What a beautiful life story, Matthew! Thanks for sharing it with us. I listened to you reading it, and I have to say it's a unique feeling to listen to a person talk about their own lives. I usually prefer reading a piece, but when it comes to something so personal, it's wonderful to listen to you. The only thing missing was us being around the fire in a backyard, with a cup of hot cocoa (or a glass of wine) while you told your story... :)
So wonderful to read more about you and your history; thank you for sharing. Time has been on my mind lately, too, as I seem to be running out of it in my day to day. So thank you for the post to refocus my time on things that matter. Enjoy your summer/retirement/vacation!
I loved reading this, Matthew. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was so beautiful, and the impact that literature has had on your life really resonated.
So glad I caught up with this in its long form, Matthew. Such a comprehensive overview of the range of your life and experience. I was thinking through the first half what an American life you lived with your family, in the best sense, and later adversity doesn't change that. And look where you've taken yourself from it. I envy your relationships with your grandparents. Your description of reading with your grandmother is beautiful. I also think it some of your best writing. Keep going, my friend. Your creating something.
Thank you for sharing your reading life story with us Matthew! I have also had a long relationship with books and writing, as both of my parents were writers. When I look back at my life, I can see a theme of books always being constant. I never really put that together until I read your story. Thank you for giving me a beautiful image of my story by sharing your story.
Thanks for reading Ryan! I really appreciate it. Sometimes it requires us to slow down and reflect a little to recognize the totality of the story and the many influences on our lives. It can be a truly beautiful thing. All the best!
While the amount I read stays roughly the same, the number and type/genre of books I've read has ebbed and flowed. No deliberate play, but what works at the time. I'm in a lengthy phase of having dropped fiction almost entirely, for instance. It just happened, although you're right that a strong emphasis is on handling the time available and prioritising.
One thing is for sure—we're not going to run out of books to read.
Great story, Matthew. Thank you for sharing yourself and your history and evolving way of seeing the world. My parents had one of those encyclopedia sets on a bookshelf in our living room as well (Colliers). I loved flipping through them, thinking up something to look up and then learning about it. My family wasn't that focused on reading and books so I am lucky the encyclopedia was present. They must have fallen for a sales pitch at some point haha!
Keep up the great work, Matthew. What kind of plans do you have for the future of Beyond the Bookshelf? Anything exciting coming up? 🙂
A few things I have coming up this fall are:
- a look at the genre of magical realism and how its imaginative nature is related to our reality. This will include some insight into Haruki Murakami, my favorite author in the genre.
- a dive into Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy
- The History of Coffee - my favorite transformation story
Not sure yet what 2025 will hold other than I am planning a year long read-through of the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Sounds great, Matthew!
I enjoyed re reading this article, Matthew. Your love of books has always been a constant in your life. It’s lovely that your family always encouraged this love and I’m sure you also encouraged it in your children. It’s so fitting, that in this next stage of your life, you will have the time to further enjoy, explore and spread this love of reading even more.
A really interesting read. Charlotte's Web one of the first books I can remember reading, too, and magical, I agree. Reading for pleasure and reading to extend myself began only once I finished university. A severe case of glandular fever in my early twenties allowed me the time to read Melville's great book and many other lengthy classics followed from there. These days I read a lot less fiction, which I recognise as something that is missing from my cultural life that I keep on meaning to make good on. So much of today's reading inspires or informs the material I like to write. But as Martin Hughes mentions, above, we're unlikely to run out of things to read any time soon...
Love this essay Matthew, and re-learning more about you. I have really slacked in my reading habits in the past year or so and I am slowly finding my way back to it. I have so many small piles of partially read books all around the living room - office, its a bit overwhelming! My parents both loved to read. I am so glad it was instilled in me as child and I passed that along to my daughter is well.
What a beautiful life story, Matthew! Thanks for sharing it with us. I listened to you reading it, and I have to say it's a unique feeling to listen to a person talk about their own lives. I usually prefer reading a piece, but when it comes to something so personal, it's wonderful to listen to you. The only thing missing was us being around the fire in a backyard, with a cup of hot cocoa (or a glass of wine) while you told your story... :)
So wonderful to read more about you and your history; thank you for sharing. Time has been on my mind lately, too, as I seem to be running out of it in my day to day. So thank you for the post to refocus my time on things that matter. Enjoy your summer/retirement/vacation!
I loved reading this, Matthew. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was so beautiful, and the impact that literature has had on your life really resonated.
So glad I caught up with this in its long form, Matthew. Such a comprehensive overview of the range of your life and experience. I was thinking through the first half what an American life you lived with your family, in the best sense, and later adversity doesn't change that. And look where you've taken yourself from it. I envy your relationships with your grandparents. Your description of reading with your grandmother is beautiful. I also think it some of your best writing. Keep going, my friend. Your creating something.
Thank you for sharing your reading life story with us Matthew! I have also had a long relationship with books and writing, as both of my parents were writers. When I look back at my life, I can see a theme of books always being constant. I never really put that together until I read your story. Thank you for giving me a beautiful image of my story by sharing your story.
Thanks for reading Ryan! I really appreciate it. Sometimes it requires us to slow down and reflect a little to recognize the totality of the story and the many influences on our lives. It can be a truly beautiful thing. All the best!