I don’t think Fyodor Dostoyevsky could get a publishing deal today. Agents want easy-to-digest stories with “pacing” and direct prose. I’ve been to writing conferences where you pitch your story ideas to agents, and they all want the same thing: something that will sell. It no longer matters if it’s good; it only matters ifContinue reading Fyodor Dostoyevsky Couldn’t Get Published Today
Last night, I had the privilege of exploring The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky with a group of curious, intelligent, and fascinating members of The Read Well Book Club. I walked into that meeting, like I always do each Tuesday, excited about the prospect of layers. What do I mean by layers? Well, a good bookContinue reading It’s an Honor to Read with You
There’s value in learning to read hard books. Perhaps the best way to explain this is with a ridiculous fitness metaphor. Sidenote. Yesterday, I talked about the hedonic treadmill of reading. I must subconsciously be trying to get ready for my summer bikini body. Anyway— I love going to the gym. I’m a powerlifter, whichContinue reading Why You Should Read Hard Books
You will either love or hate this book. It has very few lukewarm reviews. You’ll be disappointed if you read The Brothers Karamazov like a Stephen King novel or the latest Harry Potter adventure. While it is a work of fiction, it demands far more from the reader than a casual relationship. At its core,Continue reading What You Gain by Reading The Brothers Karamazov