The Books of Our Lives
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“In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.” — Mortimer J. Adler
Information is easily obtainable. Sound bites, 30-second video snippets, and picture-perfect moments caught for the camera. Instant gratification is the norm for many—an unreal representation of life. Delayed gratification is a dying art.
Even the proliferation of books can be overwhelming. An estimated four million books are published yearly, with a quarter of those through traditional publishing houses and the remainder through self-publishing. Worldwide, it is estimated there are more than 160 million books in print.
How do we decide what to read and when? Books are often found through friends and family. Browsing the local library or bookstore shelves can provide serendipitous moments of discovery. Encountering the right book at the right moment can have a lasting impact.
Reading requires slowing down - to pause and catch our breath. It is a conscious act of engagement - dialog between author and reader. A relationship is established. Trust is built when the writing is good. Entertainment is only a tiny part. Readers gain insight into the lives of people and cultures different from themselves. This opens the door to a broader worldview and empathy for others. Reading informs, educates, expands vocabulary, and improves writing skills. When we read, our focus and concentration are enhanced, allowing us to be better analytical thinkers. Reading creates an environment in our minds conducive to life-long learning.
“I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.” - Roald Dahl
About Me
I am a husband and father who has been an avid reader my entire life. I was raised in rural communities in Missouri and Colorado, but for the past 24 years, I have been on active duty in the U.S. Navy. No matter where life has taken me, I have maintained an abiding love for the written word and a passion for sharing that with others.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King
This space will be an ongoing discussion among a community of readers who fervently believe an intersection exists between our lives and the books we read. Let’s explore these ideas together:
The intersection of life and literature
How does what we read influence how we live our lives?
How do our life experiences influence what we read?
We will undertake this exploration through detailed book reviews, author profiles, and essays showcasing the intersection of life and literature.
Writing a newsletter is a commitment. Growing together as we dialogue is the goal. As with all relationships, this requires consistency. My part of this includes:
A weekly newsletter released each Saturday focused on the intersection of life and literature.
The Reading Wrap-up will be released on the last day of each month and will provide a short synopsis of everything I read during the previous month.
The Steinbeck Review will be released one Saturday each month during 2024, covering my year-long project to read all of John Steinbeck’s work chronologically.
What I would ask of you, the reader:
Join the conversation! Engage in the comments each week. We want to hear about the books of your life.
Have a topic you would love to discuss? Let me know, and we will find a place to fit it in. This space must be about the things you are interested in as they relate to the intersection of life and literature.
Interested in doing a Guest Post? From time to time, I will feature other writers discussing their thoughts on life and literature. If you are interested in writing a guest post for The Books of Our Lives, please click here for more information.
I have chosen not to have a paywall on my content as I want it to be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial situation. My paid tiers function like a tip jar. If you find value in my content and can support my work financially, it is genuinely appreciated. Paid subscribers receive some additional benefits, including:
Curated Book Recommendations sent via email in the Spring and Fall
A chance to win a copy of my Book of the Year (announced each December).
Literature Lovers who subscribe at the highest tier also receive the following:
A handwritten letter
A copy of my Book of the Year
Personalized Book Recommendations twice per year upon request.
It means everything that you have taken the time to read these words. There is much to discover in the world of reading, and it will be an exciting adventure. I look forward to having you along for the ride.
Brand new subscriber here, thanks to John Halbrooks’ recommendation.
Me: retired professor (fashion/textile history, random American Studies courses), 74, Indian film fan, knitter, Unitarian Universalist, rhubarb lover. I have written too many scholarly articles and read too many “monographs” and other things with footnotes. Now trying to read and write things with no footnotes. My daily writing practice is transcribing my old journals, adding comments, and posting the whole mess on Substack. I am supposed to be working on a collection of essays about my work on dress and gender, but I am not. (Don’t tell my publisher.)
Dad - I'm proud of the work you're doing with this newsletter and I am excited to see what is to come soon. I'm hoping the weekly posts inspire me to pick reading back up as a consistent hobby, and I'll most definitely add to the conversation in the comments section. Love you, Dad.