Alan Jacobs on how to read at whim

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Alan Jacob's book "The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction" has an interesting initial suggestion. Don't read the books which others say you should read. Read at whim. Michael Stewart Robb says he disagrees but he does qualify that disagreement and shares how whim can be very healthy with a certain kind of book.
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[@paulrahner4609]

A few observations:
1. Cool library/office! A great place to read, I'm sure.
2. I really appreciate this video and your perspective. A man of refreshing candor. Suggestion: get rid of your intro or make it less than 10 seconds. Imo, one-cut videos are more elegant!
3. I love the idea of reading vis-a-vis the "whimsical" approach. I think it is always good to ask "why." And also to use prudence when deciding what your time and your mind consume. You're definitely right to say that some books--I think the best books--combine pleasure and education, and this can take many forms. Works by Homer, for instance, teach moral lessons, character, and storytelling itself!
4. Along the lines of your point, I'm fond of keeping 3 books on rotation: 1 spiritual, 1 professional, and 1 fictional. The fictional book usually takes precedence, but I think it helps get the momentum going.

[@LizBromstrup]

I have a little hack that serves me well. I have Amazon Prime and for many books in the Kindle version you can request a sample. They will send a sample to your Kindle. There it sits until I read it and decide if I want to buy it or borrow it. Cheers!

[@RiverheadSkate]

I'm almost done reading Pride and Prejudice and while it is not my cup of tea and I found the first 2/3 to be boring as hell, it is rewarding to get through a text I'm not thrilled with. I may even learn a thing or two by the time I'm done.

[@SanctusInstitute]

Nice. My wife just finished Middlemarch which I failed twice on and then gave to her. She had the same experience but then said the last 1/3 made it worth it.