I wanted to try Moby Dick this summer, but it’s such an intimidating book, I knew I’d put it down if I tried to read at my normal pace. Instead, I pledged to read a chapter a day (chapters are short: they take 5 to 30 min.). It’s been amazing. Not only is the book amazing, but slowing down has been so joyful and upped both my enjoyment and understanding of it.
Anyway, I think I’m going to keep doing this. Maybe always have one book going that I read at a very slow pace, even if I simultaneously have more of a quick read going at the same time.
Anyone else try this? Got me thinking about all those Dickens and other classic books published serially at the pace of a few of a few chapters a month…maybe this was the intended way to take them in.
by Gee10
2 Comments
I tear through Dickens myself, his books move right along. That said, I always have a nightstand book where I do this, but I generally go for nonfiction.
Your experience is something I learned and internalized. It also taught me what I see as the mark of a good book: one that I don’t want to end.