I recently read a classic book only because a friend challenged me, saying I won't have the patience and discipline to do it. It was Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth. I had no interest in the book and found it depressing and tedious, but was able to finish it.
When I was discussing the book with someone online, he said being challenged to read a book is the wrong reason to read it. Just as it would be wrong to read a classic so you can call yourself well-read. That you need to be interested in the subject or have liked author's previous work.
I almost felt like the person who goes to a fancy restaurant and uses the wrong fork and gulps down what I should have savored.
What are your thoughts on reasons for reading a book. Do you think other well read people or the author of the book would be offended if you read it for the wrong reason?
by northamericana
1 Comment
There are definitely more enriching versus less enriching ways to read a book. I’m not sure if that qualifies as “wrong reasons”.
Plus, if you read *Mein Kampf* as a training manual, you’re probably reading it for the wrong reasons.