Having started reading again just about a year ago now, I started with rereads - Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby - and felt I really took more out of them than I expected. Then I jumped around trying to read different things, but feeling I'd taken a lot less. I think I fell into the trap of "having read" instead of "reading" and it discouraged me lately. Hadn't even known I'd dome that until now. With you saying so, I think I'll give them another reread to see what sticks out this time and jog that enthusiasm again. I might even try As I Lay Dying again. Thanks as always, Tristan.
Fabulous! Reading is a skill to keep developing. Like muscles, those skills slacken after a hiatus. Heavens knows I struggle after a too long break. Love Mice and Men and Great Gatsby. As I lay Dying is a read to wrestle with.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Last year I reread As I Lay Dying having read it first 40 years ago. "As I lay Dying is a read to wrestle with." It is, indeed! Many events and insights forced me to set aside the book and allow the story or character or dialogue to simmer, especially after the river crossing; it was two or three days before I could return to my book.
I feel like I won the reading lottery when I found you. It's like a wonderful liturature class!! You've taught me so much and inspired my reading choices.
In 1966, when I turned 12, I was allowed to check books out from the adult section of the library. My first selection was “The Time Is Noon” by Pearl S. Buck. The book shattered me. The protagonist, a young woman in the 1920s, lives through several tragic experiences - the loss of her family, an unfortunate marriage, the birth of a disabled baby. I felt a depression as if I had experienced those tragedies myself. Having eagerly read only titles appropriate for a pre-teen girl previously, I saw this book showing me what life might hold in store just 10 years hence. I never told anyone about my reaction to the book. I thought I might not be allowed to read an “adult” book again. Sixty years later, I still vividly remember that book and how I felt about it. There have been many memorable books since then, but that first one was life-changing.
Pearl Buck is a brilliant author, and has so many insights about human nature that transcend time and culture. I didn’t know about this one. Sounds very interesting.
I think being well read requires a balance of opportunity and restriction. I chatted recently with my son who loves reading but thanks to Amazon can just get more and more of the thing he loves. In contrast I grew up reading the library books o could lay my hands on but after that having to make do with what I found in my parents’ library. I ended up reading across v broad subjects and styles and really stretching myself. With all the books of Amazon available to me I wouldn’t have bothered wrestling with Dickens or Dumas and would not have given JK Jerome or PG woodhouse a chance.
Sounds like my life story. Now a woman in the autumn in years, I am all alone. I think I have mental resilience to withstand all I have and still love this world and pleasures in simple things. I thank you for mentioning this read. I will have to take a look at it.
The first time I tried to read Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t pick up on how they were speaking to each other. I didn’t get the sarcasm and wit until after I watched documentaries on Jane Austen’s life and life in the Regency era. I also watched a recreation of what the ballroom scenes were thought to have looked like and doing all that prepped me for reading P&P the second time. The second time, I really appreciated and understood the novel far better.
I love the Internet for augmenting my reading. I am reading a history book on the Roman world, so I pulled up ancient Roman music on Spotify, and earlier when I was reading another book on this region I watched a few Lost Civilizations Podcast documentaries and other films that brought some of the places mentioned in that book to life in a way books just can't. When I was reading a lot of WW1 books I mixed in nonfiction and fiction, and also watched films online, listened to music from that era, and browsed art from that era. I can't do that much immersion for literally everything I read without adding extra hours to my days (a superpower I might want afterall) but when I can it is a much more satisfying reading experience.
Re-reading is huge for me. I get so much more out of the story after I read more other stuff. For example I started reading Shakespeare recently, now I’m rereading other books and I see soooo many references. It offers a new understanding!
i often like to read an author's favorite book and then re-read their work because often you can see a lot of influence there and i think thats so cool
as an English learner I blouse the story and check out unknown words for the first run, and go into tasting every single sentence for the second run. It really works to me :)
Maybe it's an age thing, but I do despair of some of the videos on booktube talking about reading as much as possible, or buying as many books as possible. We are all prone to these things, but I hate seeing them elevated as an end in themselves. Reading is a private thing in many ways. This idea of competitive reading doesn't sit well with me.
Agree with this. For me reading is a very personal endeavor and pursuit. Whether for enjoyment or learning - can be one in same. Why does everything have to be for acceptance or competition?
That's why channels like Tristan's are so valuable! I watch ridiculous amounts of Booktube. I find myself gravitating more and more to channels like his, which go deeper.
could be age but buying books without reading or wanting to read to have bragging rights for having read that specific book have always existed, i think. it has always been bizarre to me, an avid reader and customer of my local library 😅
@@nostradamus1162 I used to go to the library every week with my dad, and I loved browsing and finding new books by favourite authors. However, I also loved buying books with my pocket money. Libraries in Edinburgh just annoy me now. Everything is so subdivided that it's impossible to guess where any given book might be. And I really object to separating childrens' books into age categories - the opposite of "inclusivity"- actually shaming children with a younger reading age. But, yes, buying entire series of books you don't know you will enjoy reading seems mad to me!!
I spend too much time on book tube instead of actually reading books. The idea of someone telling anyone how to be well-read is so subjective and silly. If I only read Barbara Cartland novels does that mean I’m not well read. The idea of being well-read is based on a university education which I have two of-this elitism takes the fun out of reading.breading what you enjoy-don’t listen to people telling you what you should read.
I’ve been a reader my whole life but until I started watching your channel I definitely cared more about quantity than quality. You make me excited to change my reading habits!
I'm reading Paradise Lost for the first time right now. It was so difficult to understand in the beginning, but I'm starting to get a feel for the rhythm and meaning and pace of it. I feel like I'm getting maybe 20 percent of it. I'm not frustrated by that though. I think a reread of it will really bring more of it to light. I can see that this is a book to read more than once, more than twice, maybe several times in a lifetime. To me that's exciting!
Charolette Mason was a educator in the UK during the late 1800 early 1900’s that taught “living” books for children that brought wonder to the child’s mind. And short lessons, being outdoors everyday. When we start wanting to be well-read later on in life we can have the similar mindset. “Non-twaddle” but “living book” reading, think about the reading and always get outdoors if possible…🍂
You are the educator a needed when I was younger, which is stupid to say really as I’m pretty sure I am much older than you, but I hope you understand my appreciation of you. 😃
Fantastic video. For the longest time I have made the mistake of reading without reflecting on what I've read, so much of what I have read I have forgotten or only vaguely remember.
Thank you so much for this video, Tristan. I’ve decided to use your formula to become “well read.” I have created my categories list and now I’m having fun researching books that might interest me within those categories. “ Chantel Reads All Day” presented her DIY Literature degree on her TH-cam channel. I am using her suggestions to structure what books I read in the literature category that I chose. I like the way she breaks down literature based on a literature anthology she thrifted, so I will use some of her guidelines for my literature category. I am a recently retired woman in Connecticut in the US and I am thoroughly enjoying reading in my retirement and my reading is enriched by all these wonderful book tubers like you!
This is a brilliant video. Thank you. I'm probably doing it wrong, but I tend to make connections across a subject in different 'formats' as it were. Across different media. For example, I went to an exhibition of the art of William Morris and the art of Andy Warhol. I was most interested in the Grail tapestries of William Morris. The imagery of Sir Percival inspired me to read the Wolfram von Eschenbach Parzival poem which prompted me to watch the Wagner opera Parsifal. It just broadened my horizons from that one encounter in an art gallery. By seeing one opera, I then watched another, Andrea Chenier, which prompted me to read about the French Revolution which then promoted me to read about the Russian Revolution. The combination of these different media helped reinforce my reading and gave it a far greater depth.
I totally understand. Finding those threads that run through a variety of media is a glorious gift. All the hidden treasures are amazing. Enjoy the serendipity!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. In my opinion, one of your best videos to date. Bravo! You presented this topic extremely well and I have taken copious notes. After viewing the video at least 5 times, I spent several hours determining the categories that I want to endeavor to be well read in. I ended up with 4 specific categories, in addition to classic literature, to focus on. I had never actually considered exactly what areas I wanted to be more well-read in. For example, one category that I have an interest in is astronomy. However, after watching your video, I realized that I am actually interested in astrophysics which is more specific to what I am passionate about. The problem with this exercise is that I have now placed an order for about 20 new books covering my well-read categories and I cannot wait for them to arrive. It looks like becoming well-read is going to be an expensive endeavor. LOL! Thank you!
Beautifully done, and I say that as a lifelong reader. Reading has helped me manage and weather many of life's storms as well as navigate through daily life. Even if we don’t speak as a well read person, we have a lifelong filter through which to process this crazy world we live in. Thank you for a fantastic video.
I had a literature teacher in college that would get invited to parties because he was well read and interesting. He would usually know very few of the guests but he was able to bring them all together. Mike Voss was an incredible teacher!
I don't know if its kind of obvious for people who studied literature more directly but the biggest thing that helped me connect the dots between things and stay engaged was working on my note taking skills and researching all the subtopics or references I don't know off the top of my head, or don't full understand, which will frequently lead you off into other rabbit holes. Also take advantage of modern teaching resources! The video referenced reading the origin of species, but knowledge has come a long way since then and going through more modern and advanced textbooks or research journals will expand your knowledge further and more efficiently, and have questions to test your knowledge against to boot. Lastly to go with your the point of watching documentaries, there are many free lectures or video essays here on youtube or other platforms that might directly address topics you are interested in and will open up insights you likely will never run into on your own.
Excellent, Tristan! All great points. Regarding sharing your reflections on what you've read, of course, one effective method: write about the books you've read. I speak from experience having posted over 1,400 book reviews online - mostly on philosophy, literature, and the arts. BTW - I'm a slow reader, taking your tip to think about the book (frequently a novel) while walking and relaxing.
I'm working my way through this playlist (brilliant course, thank you!). I've been a bookworm since I came out of the womb but I have had periods of reader's block, periods of getting stuck with one difficult book for months (Moby Dick; Gravity's Rainbow, The Brothers Kharamazov - the latter, twice. I'm a recidive). I find your approach very honest and refreshing - more qualilty than quantity. I have been guilty in the past of counting the number of books I've read (damn you, Goodreads) and wanting to burn through a few more. These days I set a very low target (like 10 or 15) and then increase it as I go a long. It's a good motivator but without the strain of hitting an unrealistic target.
Thank you so much, Tristan, for this video! I paused and pulled out pen and paper- so helpful. I appreciate how you also included watching documentaries. I find documentaries can be a great overview of a topic and can also spark curiosity for diving deeper. I'm not ashamed to admit that as a former third grade teacher, I start with documentaries and middle grade level books. If I'm still interested, then I'll continue with more detailed accounts. I also made a note about the importance of rereading. I'm rereading Lord of the Flies for the third time and I'm amazed at how much more I'm seeing leap from the page. It's such a short little book, but wow, it packs a punch. I've been reading two Charles Dickens a year and I think I'm going to reread one a year once I've read them all. There's so much there! Again, thanks, Tristan! This was great!
I confess to being a number goal person instead of a reading retention person, although I gave to say when I was falling short of a number goal I would run to the public library and look for all the short books to meet my goal. I never would have read some of Steinbeck's less talked about little novels like The Pearl. Since I found your channel a few days ago and have been bingeing your content, I have found your excitement for digging deeper extremely infectious. I am learning so much. Thank you!
I wanted to add my two cents in this. Confucius, though more of a philosopher than at all a religious person, taught his students about reading as if it was a religious activity. To him, it was almost a holy ritual to 'read' or 'write'. I always brushed through this when I was a child, but as I read more and more, and having been not so fond of Confucius because of his irreligiousness, I found that his idea of reading to be a 'wholesome' or 'holy' activity to be very correct. Because to Him, in cultivating ritual, culture, and righteousness, the study of arts, words, and symbols were the basis. So reading was the basis for true social harmony and good manners in society. Looking at 'reading' in this context, I got a whole definition of what it meant to be 'truly well read' and it helped me a lot. By the way, I loved this video from you. Continue making these!
So interesting to hear your thoughts, Tristan. As you touched on I think the key is to be curious and excited and *want* to learn more, rather than wanting to impress. What I love most about reading is not only the knowledge and insights you get, but also that it demonstrates other gaps ("I wonder what that referred to... I didn't really understand that bit... Was this a general opinion in this time and place, or is it specific to this author?") The more you read, the more endless the questions become and the more value you find in the next book, and the next and so on... I often end up on wikipedia after finishing a book to learn more about the author and their influences - I love the idea of watching documentaries too :)
One of the most insightful videos I have ever watched related to "reading". It appears that the speaker is actually putting into practice what he advises in this video. I'll definitely be revisiting this in the future. Well done and many thanks.
Interesting topic. I found it difficult to choose "only" 3-4 categories. I´m a naturally curious and inquisitive person and I love to read and learn. I also annotate a lot when I read and write in the margins. That´s also a good way to process what you´ve read. And if you find it difficult to talk to people about what you´ve read you can always write about it afterwards. Just a few more tips to process and remember.
Oh, how I adore these Professor Tristan videos :) . These are excellent tips as always. I'm typing this comment as I watch , so forgive me if it is a bit disjointed... Patience is key. I have noticed that every single time I've found myself in a reading slump, it has been during periods where my patience is limited. During reading slumps I also struggle to watch full videos on TH-cam. I need to slow myself down in all aspects of life to get the most out of my reading. I am broadly read for sure. In any given month, I could be reading classics, poetry, thrillers and mysteries, historical fiction , and nonfiction on all sorts of topics . I am such a mood reader that if i did not read broadly, I probably wouldn't be able to read as much as I do. "read for appreciation and understanding " not to say you have read - this one hit me hard. Sometimes, when I look at my unread shelf, I find myself reading through books too quickly to get to the next one. Think over what you read - again, if i rush through a book I remember very little about it afterwards. I really like your idea of going for a walk after reading to think about what you've read. I am going to start implementing this with my morning reading time (not my bedtime reading of course , unless i sleep walk lol) Reread - I don't reread often , but I have made a point to do more of it in the last few years. Middlemarch is a book i hated in my 20s then re read in my late 30s and loved. I have re read it every 5 years or so since then . I'm now in my 50s and my love for it continues to grow. Creating a stack of books to reread is a great suggestion. I have recently done something similar to this. I have one shelf on one of my bookshelves that is dedicated to books I want to re read. Associated books - I do this a lot with non fiction. Sometimes, I will do this with fiction. One example is I recently re read Anna Karenina and re read The Elegance of The Hedgehog at the same time. These are two of my favorite books and are connected to each other. It enhanced my reading experience Watch documentaries - I love doing this with topics I'm interested in. I like to incorporate documentaries , as well as adaptations of fiction, along with my reading. Share what you've read with others - this one is tough for me . None of my friends are readers. My husband only reads mysteries and is not interested in me discussing the types of books I read. This is where I lean on TH-cam and online bookish friends. :) Great video, Tristan! For me, being well read all starts with slowing myself down then taking it from there. I will definitely be incorporating your tips more regularly.
So pleased that you enjoyed it, Christina. Also, I appreciate you encouragement. What you did in this comment was a case study in deepening our understanding. Rephrase or summarise in a way that relates directly to ourselves. Bravo!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 update - I have moved my daily walk to occur shortly after my morning reading session so that I can take the 30 minutes to reflect on what I've read. I've only been doing this for 2 days now and already I've noticed a difference in my reading experience. I'm currently reading "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss , in the mornings, and reflecting on that while I walk has deepened my love for the book.
This is a great video! You mentioned documentaries, and I wanted to share that I get a lot out of TH-cam lectures by the author of the book Im going to read. Watching Andrew Roberts give a talk on The Storm of War, for example, is a great intro to the book, and one can learn a lot from an erudite mind speaking more conversationally. Then I have to remember to get off TH-cam and go read the book! 😊 Thanks for the video.
I love your depth, Tristan. I find it so very hard to talk to anyone these days in any kind of depth. I have become even a much deeper person since I started reading. You are so correct. Deep thinking is necessary for me, but it is hard to find someone to have a deep conversation with. People seem so shallow today. Political correctness is partly the problem.
Excellent video! While some things you’ve said are obviously common sense, other things really sparked my desire for (re)reading my history books, my philosophy books, etc. It all makes sense. I noticed that I take forever reading new novels but when I am reading a classic novel or my history books I am way more motivated to keep reading and not watch tv. I have trouble connecting with contemporary stories and the obvious reason is I think that I learn less from them than my history/philosophy/classic novels. The “but everyone is reading this book!” seems not to work for me. Again, thank you for your videos, I really enjoy them.😊👍
Great video. I agree with what you said about rereading. I've read several books multiple times and I swear I pick up something different each time, or at the very least think about something more ceeply or in a different way. I also like what you said about watching documentaries. As a result of watching a lot of Lucy Worsley's documentaries on Agatha Christie and reading some of Christie's books, I went to hear Lucy Worsley talk about Agatha Christie and briefly met her in person afterwards and bought a copy of her book about the author. That was amazing. I'm now about to read it as soon as I get it brailled in the next few weeks and am thoroughly looking forward to it. I Ic I've read` a book I enjoy or find interesting, I look in the bibliography if there is one, then add some of those books to my reading list. I ind it amusing that people sometimes consider me very well-read just because I've read books they haven't, but I know there are probably so many books everyone else has read that I haven't.
I watched this and took notes, its a lot to chew on. Thank you for your frank honesty, I really enjoy watching and learning from your videos! This is like the classic literature courses I never got to experience in college.
in each category of books there are core books. For example in philosophy: Plato, Aristotle ... Science/mathematics you have Euclid Newton, Darwin. I think it's more important to read significant works, than an extensive list.
New subscriber here, and thank you for this video discussion, which is the most insightful look into the meaning of well-read. This was truly fascinating and helpful! I've been a reader my whole life (51 atm) and I need to get back into reading more non-fiction and revising my knowledge on my favourite subjects - archaeology, ancient history, art history and physical anthropology📚 We do live in an age of 'fast fashion reading' sadly, and so many booktubers and booktok and the like all promoting far too much mass consumerism and shallowness 😞
This is so well done. I just came across your channel a day ago and I’m loving every minute of it. You have inspired me to be more thoughtful in my reading and more consistent as well. Thank you for what you do!!
I like your point on reading for the sake of appreciating the story instead of just for bragging rights. I don't use Goodreads but I've heard there's a feature where you're supposed to track the pages or books you've read. On social media I see people complaining that they haven't met their reading goal, or gloating about surpassing it. It's such a dumb concept to me, but at the same time it's also so in character for Silicon Valley to want to try gamifying the reading process lol
The endless stats involved in a lot of online reading culture is baffling. One of the readalongs I'm part of are currently discussing whether it's ok to log each book individually, or whether they should wait till the end and log the single full volume. Madness! Don't get me started on people listening to audiobooks at 2x speed to cram more in for their reading goals!
Thanks for this comment. Appreciation is the critical component for happiness and contentment. Appreciate the grandeur of the great and the beauty of the simple. Knowledge has become the god instead of what it really is, the incense.
This video was awesome! I almost skipped it as I have been reading in this manner since a teenager but glad I did! It was so encouraging to see what I’ve been doing is apart of being well read!
@tristanandtheclassics6538 Patty- I've had this conversation with many people regarding reading or rewatching a movie is a waste of time because they've read the book once or have watched the movie once so why repeat the action? Too understand it better, maybe? I guess it's a personal choice, I opt for learning more. 👍🏽
Nicely done, quite well reasoned. Most helpful and certainly thought provoking. Thank you for your excellent work - it is a fantastic gift you possess and I sincerely appreciate your sharing your skill with us. Most helpful, indeed.
On that 7th tip, "Sharing what you have learned with others", I have also found that if I write something about what I have read, it helps. A book review, an essay on the topic, a test on the subject matter, a critical guide... it all helps me to focus, understand and retain.
such a treasure!!! .....thank you so much 💌... I am currently reading Harold Bloom's Possessed by Memory and for me Bloom is the example of 'well read'....the insights that he has elevate the reader....
I loved this perspective. It actually is built on some of the neurological research on the impact that building background knowledge, and vocabulary, can have on a reader's ability to comprehend. We did this a lot in school when I was younger. We would read fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc. all on one culture/country/time. I just never thought to apply it like that now that I am older. I think I need to go make a list :o)
It took me a year to read Anna Karenina (I completed about 40 books alongside it) but I didn't rush through that book. I would absorb the ideas of Levin, finding them interesting, sometimes boring but never ever did I try to rush through that book and that is now the book I remember the most and sometimes quote. Did the same with my all time favourite, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai and I felt like I was living the life of the character himself. Your advice is really helpful for new readers. Keep it up man.
Excellent ideas, thanks. I’m starting with Middlemarch and need to get a sense of place to help me appreciate the story better. Watching some virtual tours and documentaries is a great idea. Thanks for all you do. Tristan, your videos are some of the best out there…real information we can use straight away. God bless.
As an undergrad (1986-1990), I lived in the library. As a study break, I would read old car magazines (Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Automobile) which were bound by year in the "stacks." By graduation, I had read every word of every issue. I took great pride in it. Was I well read?
I would say yes, for certain. The depth of that amount of knowledge, concentrated in a topic like that, which will also be filled with repetitions and nuance, must have left you with a very extensive understanding of cars. It certainly would satisfy the first definition of well read. I never mentioned topic specific magazines and almanacs in my video, and your comments makes me wish I did. Magazines often condense a lot of knowledge by distilling principles, or by placing a focus on smaller details that larger works often gloss over. As a final thought, I want to say that I am not someone that judges what a person chooses to read. If someone gains real joy and satisfaction from reading endless murder mystery (for example), then I would tell that person to carry on without a care what others think. The purpose of this video was to speak to the topic of Well Read in the more classical sense, the sense that most are thinking of when using the phrase well read. I really appreciate this question and will make a video based upon it. It's such a valuable topic.😀👍❤️
Such a fortuitous find. Your channel is such a trove of insights, techniques and brilliant understandings that I truly can get enough. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts and knowledge . Brilliant
I feel like you are sharing so much wisdom with us. Thank you for taking time to make your videos. As I get older in life, I'm finding I don't have the wisdom that I wished that I had. So, I guess my goal in reading is wisdom and this video describes how to accomplish that within the reading realm.
Hi Tristan! I hope all is well with you. I really enjoyed your video! I look forward to your other videos. One video I would like to see you do is something I believe you started about a year ago and that was something about the history of the English language or something of that nature. You indicated at the end of that video that there would be a part two. Do you plan on continuing that series? Anyway, I look forward to you next video and keep of the good work. Have a great day!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I appreciate the response, Tristan. BTW, you mentioned discussing readings with other people. I'm in an area where I am not in any book clubs; most of the folks I know don't sit around and discuss classic literature. Do you know a way that your viewers might interact?
All my life I have used my time while walking my dogs in the country, to go over what I have recently read. It just comes naturally to me. Oh the arguments I have had in my mind sometimes, while wandering along the pathways. Wuthering Heights kept me going for days on end! I must look like a mad woman at times though. Hopefully only the dogs and the crows in the trees have observed this 😂.
Tristan, sometimes I begin to read a book and don’t like it. Then I don’t read it. I choose something else. Your opinion matters. You are my bookish friend!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Thank you. I graduated from what you would call university about 20 years ago and I’ve always wanted to return to the topic I majored in- British Lit. Your videos encourage me.
Thank you for sharing your marvelous mind! Finding myself an avid reader in retirement and so interested in great works. I appreciate your helpful guidance. As a side note, perhaps you can help TH-camrs the world over by defining how many other ways someone can say “Without further adieu…” 🤔
This is a great video though a tad long. What you're saying is, essentially, "Be Curious" and "structure your curiosity in X, Y, and Z ways to get the most out of it."
I have to say I'm well read in science,philosophy,art and theatre. Why these 4? 1. The practices and new discoveries by science through the years has really facinated me and its advances in the next 30 to 50 years makes me wonder what we'll discover in that new time span. 2. Philosophy it really helped me in the long run to look at both sides of an argument and fully listen to both sides before coming to a conclusion for points 3 and 4 I've always enjoyed figuring out the many meanings of a painting that I may have not seen or an artist I havent heard of; for theatre I have a minor in theatre performance and experiencing various different emotional and vocal ranges is such an adrenaline rush to me whenever I got on the stage to perform a Shakespeare monologue or ANY monologue in general. 🙂❤📚
I'd like to take the documentaries tip with a grain of salt. Although for genres like History and largely non-fictional texts this makes lots of sense, the intention starts to dwindle down slightly when it comes to literature (at least in my own opinion). When you see a movie adaptation of a book before or after you've read it, you should always keep it as it's own work of art. One of my least favourite things about film adaptations is that it ocassionally ends up altering your initial views about a book. I'm worried of posting this comment in the case that what you were referring to by "documentaries" had absolutely nothing to do with film adaptations, but i'm going to post it anyway. Besides from that, however, the video was incredibly well made, sharing some very good advice on the subject. I am genuinely saving this to my "favourite videos on TH-cam" playlist Lol. Thank you so much!
The book that made me a reader was Slaughter House Five. The latest book that I got kick out of is Gullivers Travels it's incredibility modern for being published in 1625. If you think you know this book, you don't.
Reading Anna Karenina or The Hobbit after watching the movie, helped me to very easily visualize the characters and scenes depicted in the books and that helped me a lot to read and enjoy the novels.
I'm the exact opposite. Years ago I read halfway through the Lord of the Rings books without having watched the movies. I was really into it. I had my own images of the characters and landscapes and was really enthralled and enthusiastic. Then I decided to watch the movies....what a huge mistake. It ruined my whole reading experience. The actors and actresses didn't live up to the characters that I visualized in my mind. I became disgusted with the whole enterprise and gave up on the read without finishing. I still despise Elijah Wood, Vigo Mortensen,etc. The movie sabotaged my reading experience.
@@phillipjordan1010 I felt the same. I read The Hobbit in college in 1989 then read The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2002/2003 when the movies were coming out. After watching the first two, I decided not to watch either The Return of the King or The Hobbit. Fortunately, I think the vast majority of the images in my head and the humor of Tolkien in the books remain. I read Anna Karenina last year, the Brothers Karamazov and Moby Dick this year, and I won't watch a film versions.
The movies are fantastic. But, yes, I would always encourage people to read any book before seeing its movie. There may be some exceptions here & there. (As the OP stated.) But generally speaking, even the best movie adaptation will rarely match what you're visualizing in your head while reading. @@phillipjordan1010
Having started reading again just about a year ago now, I started with rereads - Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby - and felt I really took more out of them than I expected. Then I jumped around trying to read different things, but feeling I'd taken a lot less. I think I fell into the trap of "having read" instead of "reading" and it discouraged me lately. Hadn't even known I'd dome that until now. With you saying so, I think I'll give them another reread to see what sticks out this time and jog that enthusiasm again. I might even try As I Lay Dying again.
Thanks as always, Tristan.
Fabulous! Reading is a skill to keep developing. Like muscles, those skills slacken after a hiatus. Heavens knows I struggle after a too long break.
Love Mice and Men and Great Gatsby. As I lay Dying is a read to wrestle with.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Last year I reread As I Lay Dying having read it first 40 years ago. "As I lay Dying is a read to wrestle with." It is, indeed! Many events and insights forced me to set aside the book and allow the story or character or dialogue to simmer, especially after the river crossing; it was two or three days before I could return to my book.
I am an avid reader, but like you, I fell into the same trap having read instead of reading. I am beginning re-reading also.
I feel like I won the reading lottery when I found you. It's like a wonderful liturature class!! You've taught me so much and inspired my reading choices.
In 1966, when I turned 12, I was allowed to check books out from the adult section of the library. My first selection was “The Time Is Noon” by Pearl S. Buck. The book shattered me. The protagonist, a young woman in the 1920s, lives through several tragic experiences - the loss of her family, an unfortunate marriage, the birth of a disabled baby. I felt a depression as if I had experienced those tragedies myself. Having eagerly read only titles appropriate for a pre-teen girl previously, I saw this book showing me what life might hold in store just 10 years hence. I never told anyone about my reaction to the book. I thought I might not be allowed to read an “adult” book again. Sixty years later, I still vividly remember that book and how I felt about it. There have been many memorable books since then, but that first one was life-changing.
Pearl Buck is a brilliant author, and has so many insights about human nature that transcend time and culture. I didn’t know about this one. Sounds very interesting.
I think being well read requires a balance of opportunity and restriction. I chatted recently with my son who loves reading but thanks to Amazon can just get more and more of the thing he loves. In contrast I grew up reading the library books o could lay my hands on but after that having to make do with what I found in my parents’ library. I ended up reading across v broad subjects and styles and really stretching myself. With all the books of Amazon available to me I wouldn’t have bothered wrestling with Dickens or Dumas and would not have given JK Jerome or PG woodhouse a chance.
Sounds like my life story. Now a woman in the autumn in years, I am all alone. I think I have mental resilience to withstand all I have and still love this world and pleasures in simple things. I thank you for mentioning this read. I will have to take a look at it.
The first time I tried to read Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t pick up on how they were speaking to each other. I didn’t get the sarcasm and wit until after I watched documentaries on Jane Austen’s life and life in the Regency era. I also watched a recreation of what the ballroom scenes were thought to have looked like and doing all that prepped me for reading P&P the second time. The second time, I really appreciated and understood the novel far better.
I love the Internet for augmenting my reading. I am reading a history book on the Roman world, so I pulled up ancient Roman music on Spotify, and earlier when I was reading another book on this region I watched a few Lost Civilizations Podcast documentaries and other films that brought some of the places mentioned in that book to life in a way books just can't. When I was reading a lot of WW1 books I mixed in nonfiction and fiction, and also watched films online, listened to music from that era, and browsed art from that era. I can't do that much immersion for literally everything I read without adding extra hours to my days (a superpower I might want afterall) but when I can it is a much more satisfying reading experience.
Re-reading is huge for me. I get so much more out of the story after I read more other stuff. For example I started reading Shakespeare recently, now I’m rereading other books and I see soooo many references. It offers a new understanding!
i often like to read an author's favorite book and then re-read their work because often you can see a lot of influence there and i think thats so cool
as an English learner I blouse the story and check out unknown words for the first run, and go into tasting every single sentence for the second run. It really works to me :)
Maybe it's an age thing, but I do despair of some of the videos on booktube talking about reading as much as possible, or buying as many books as possible. We are all prone to these things, but I hate seeing them elevated as an end in themselves. Reading is a private thing in many ways. This idea of competitive reading doesn't sit well with me.
Agree with this. For me reading is a very personal endeavor and pursuit. Whether for enjoyment or learning - can be one in same. Why does everything have to be for acceptance or competition?
That's why channels like Tristan's are so valuable! I watch ridiculous amounts of Booktube. I find myself gravitating more and more to channels like his, which go deeper.
could be age but buying books without reading or wanting to read to have bragging rights for having read that specific book have always existed, i think. it has always been bizarre to me, an avid reader and customer of my local library 😅
@@nostradamus1162 I used to go to the library every week with my dad, and I loved browsing and finding new books by favourite authors. However, I also loved buying books with my pocket money. Libraries in Edinburgh just annoy me now. Everything is so subdivided that it's impossible to guess where any given book might be. And I really object to separating childrens' books into age categories - the opposite of "inclusivity"- actually shaming children with a younger reading age.
But, yes, buying entire series of books you don't know you will enjoy reading seems mad to me!!
I spend too much time on book tube instead of actually reading books. The idea of someone telling anyone how to be well-read is so subjective and silly. If I only read Barbara Cartland novels does that mean I’m not well read. The idea of being well-read is based on a university education which I have two of-this elitism takes the fun out of reading.breading what you enjoy-don’t listen to people telling you what you should read.
I’ve been a reader my whole life but until I started watching your channel I definitely cared more about quantity than quality. You make me excited to change my reading habits!
Thank you so much for this, Sarah. That means the world to me. So pleased to meet a fellow literary friend. 😀❤️
I'm reading Paradise Lost for the first time right now. It was so difficult to understand in the beginning, but I'm starting to get a feel for the rhythm and meaning and pace of it. I feel like I'm getting maybe 20 percent of it. I'm not frustrated by that though. I think a reread of it will really bring more of it to light. I can see that this is a book to read more than once, more than twice, maybe several times in a lifetime. To me that's exciting!
Charolette Mason was a educator in the UK during the late 1800 early 1900’s that taught “living” books for children that brought wonder to the child’s mind. And short lessons, being outdoors everyday.
When we start wanting to be well-read later on in life we can have the similar mindset. “Non-twaddle” but “living book” reading, think about the reading and always get outdoors if possible…🍂
You are the educator a needed when I was younger, which is stupid to say really as I’m pretty sure I am much older than you, but I hope you understand my appreciation of you. 😃
Fantastic video. For the longest time I have made the mistake of reading without reflecting on what I've read, so much of what I have read I have forgotten or only vaguely remember.
I may never be well read but you are teaching me to read well. The difference has such an impact. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video, Tristan. I’ve decided to use your formula to become “well read.” I have created my categories list and now I’m having fun researching books that might interest me within those categories. “ Chantel Reads All Day” presented her DIY Literature degree on her TH-cam channel. I am using her suggestions to structure what books I read in the literature category that I chose. I like the way she breaks down literature based on a literature anthology she thrifted, so I will use some of her guidelines for my literature category. I am a recently retired woman in Connecticut in the US and I am thoroughly enjoying reading in my retirement and my reading is enriched by all these wonderful book tubers like you!
That's great to here. I hope your plans and reading give you infinite satisfaction 💛
This is a brilliant video. Thank you. I'm probably doing it wrong, but I tend to make connections across a subject in different 'formats' as it were. Across different media.
For example, I went to an exhibition of the art of William Morris and the art of Andy Warhol. I was most interested in the Grail tapestries of William Morris. The imagery of Sir Percival inspired me to read the Wolfram von Eschenbach Parzival poem which prompted me to watch the Wagner opera Parsifal. It just broadened my horizons from that one encounter in an art gallery. By seeing one opera, I then watched another, Andrea Chenier, which prompted me to read about the French Revolution which then promoted me to read about the Russian Revolution. The combination of these different media helped reinforce my reading and gave it a far greater depth.
I totally understand. Finding those threads that run through a variety of media is a glorious gift. All the hidden treasures are amazing. Enjoy the serendipity!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. In my opinion, one of your best videos to date. Bravo! You presented this topic extremely well and I have taken copious notes. After viewing the video at least 5 times, I spent several hours determining the categories that I want to endeavor to be well read in. I ended up with 4 specific categories, in addition to classic literature, to focus on. I had never actually considered exactly what areas I wanted to be more well-read in. For example, one category that I have an interest in is astronomy. However, after watching your video, I realized that I am actually interested in astrophysics which is more specific to what I am passionate about. The problem with this exercise is that I have now placed an order for about 20 new books covering my well-read categories and I cannot wait for them to arrive. It looks like becoming well-read is going to be an expensive endeavor. LOL! Thank you!
Beautifully done, and I say that as a lifelong reader. Reading has helped me manage and weather many of life's storms as well as navigate through daily life. Even if we don’t speak as a well read person, we have a lifelong filter through which to process this crazy world we live in. Thank you for a fantastic video.
I had a literature teacher in college that would get invited to parties because he was well read and interesting. He would usually know very few of the guests but he was able to bring them all together. Mike Voss was an incredible teacher!
I feel inspired to read all over again. Thank you. After watching a couple of your videos, I will consider subscribing.
I don't know if its kind of obvious for people who studied literature more directly but the biggest thing that helped me connect the dots between things and stay engaged was working on my note taking skills and researching all the subtopics or references I don't know off the top of my head, or don't full understand, which will frequently lead you off into other rabbit holes.
Also take advantage of modern teaching resources! The video referenced reading the origin of species, but knowledge has come a long way since then and going through more modern and advanced textbooks or research journals will expand your knowledge further and more efficiently, and have questions to test your knowledge against to boot.
Lastly to go with your the point of watching documentaries, there are many free lectures or video essays here on youtube or other platforms that might directly address topics you are interested in and will open up insights you likely will never run into on your own.
I don't know how you are as a man but as a lecturer you are superb.
Excellent, Tristan! All great points. Regarding sharing your reflections on what you've read, of course, one effective method: write about the books you've read. I speak from experience having posted over 1,400 book reviews online - mostly on philosophy, literature, and the arts. BTW - I'm a slow reader, taking your tip to think about the book (frequently a novel) while walking and relaxing.
Writing is possibly the greatest way to think clearly. You must be very perceptive after writing 1400 reviews!
I really love your videos!!!! Thank you for putting so much effort into each one and sharing your knowledge and insights. Appreciate it greatly!
I'm working my way through this playlist (brilliant course, thank you!). I've been a bookworm since I came out of the womb but I have had periods of reader's block, periods of getting stuck with one difficult book for months (Moby Dick; Gravity's Rainbow, The Brothers Kharamazov - the latter, twice. I'm a recidive). I find your approach very honest and refreshing - more qualilty than quantity.
I have been guilty in the past of counting the number of books I've read (damn you, Goodreads) and wanting to burn through a few more. These days I set a very low target (like 10 or 15) and then increase it as I go a long. It's a good motivator but without the strain of hitting an unrealistic target.
Thank you so much, Tristan, for this video! I paused and pulled out pen and paper- so helpful. I appreciate how you also included watching documentaries. I find documentaries can be a great overview of a topic and can also spark curiosity for diving deeper. I'm not ashamed to admit that as a former third grade teacher, I start with documentaries and middle grade level books. If I'm still interested, then I'll continue with more detailed accounts. I also made a note about the importance of rereading. I'm rereading Lord of the Flies for the third time and I'm amazed at how much more I'm seeing leap from the page. It's such a short little book, but wow, it packs a punch. I've been reading two Charles Dickens a year and I think I'm going to reread one a year once I've read them all. There's so much there! Again, thanks, Tristan! This was great!
I confess to being a number goal person instead of a reading retention person, although I gave to say when I was falling short of a number goal I would run to the public library and look for all the short books to meet my goal. I never would have read some of Steinbeck's less talked about little novels like The Pearl. Since I found your channel a few days ago and have been bingeing your content, I have found your excitement for digging deeper extremely infectious. I am learning so much. Thank you!
I wanted to add my two cents in this. Confucius, though more of a philosopher than at all a religious person, taught his students about reading as if it was a religious activity. To him, it was almost a holy ritual to 'read' or 'write'. I always brushed through this when I was a child, but as I read more and more, and having been not so fond of Confucius because of his irreligiousness, I found that his idea of reading to be a 'wholesome' or 'holy' activity to be very correct. Because to Him, in cultivating ritual, culture, and righteousness, the study of arts, words, and symbols were the basis. So reading was the basis for true social harmony and good manners in society. Looking at 'reading' in this context, I got a whole definition of what it meant to be 'truly well read' and it helped me a lot.
By the way, I loved this video from you. Continue making these!
So interesting to hear your thoughts, Tristan. As you touched on I think the key is to be curious and excited and *want* to learn more, rather than wanting to impress. What I love most about reading is not only the knowledge and insights you get, but also that it demonstrates other gaps ("I wonder what that referred to... I didn't really understand that bit... Was this a general opinion in this time and place, or is it specific to this author?") The more you read, the more endless the questions become and the more value you find in the next book, and the next and so on... I often end up on wikipedia after finishing a book to learn more about the author and their influences - I love the idea of watching documentaries too :)
Great comment! The awesome grandeur of realising how many wonders await our discovery 😀
I like to refer to Harold Bloom's The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages, to help guide my selections.
Thanks a lot Tristan for sharing such amazing tips and motivating not just to read, but read well. ❤
One of the most insightful videos I have ever watched related to "reading". It appears that the speaker is actually putting into practice what he advises in this video. I'll definitely be revisiting this in the future. Well done and many thanks.
Interesting topic. I found it difficult to choose "only" 3-4 categories. I´m a naturally curious and inquisitive person and I love to read and learn. I also annotate a lot when I read and write in the margins. That´s also a good way to process what you´ve read. And if you find it difficult to talk to people about what you´ve read you can always write about it afterwards. Just a few more tips to process and remember.
Oh, how I adore these Professor Tristan videos :) . These are excellent tips as always. I'm typing this comment as I watch , so forgive me if it is a bit disjointed...
Patience is key. I have noticed that every single time I've found myself in a reading slump, it has been during periods where my patience is limited. During reading slumps I also struggle to watch full videos on TH-cam.
I need to slow myself down in all aspects of life to get the most out of my reading.
I am broadly read for sure. In any given month, I could be reading classics, poetry, thrillers and mysteries, historical fiction , and nonfiction on all sorts of topics . I am such a mood reader that if i did not read broadly, I probably wouldn't be able to read as much as I do.
"read for appreciation and understanding " not to say you have read - this one hit me hard. Sometimes, when I look at my unread shelf, I find myself reading through books too quickly to get to the next one.
Think over what you read - again, if i rush through a book I remember very little about it afterwards. I really like your idea of going for a walk after reading to think about what you've read. I am going to start implementing this with my morning reading time (not my bedtime reading of course , unless i sleep walk lol)
Reread - I don't reread often , but I have made a point to do more of it in the last few years. Middlemarch is a book i hated in my 20s then re read in my late 30s and loved. I have re read it every 5 years or so since then . I'm now in my 50s and my love for it continues to grow.
Creating a stack of books to reread is a great suggestion. I have recently done something similar to this. I have one shelf on one of my bookshelves that is dedicated to books I want to re read.
Associated books - I do this a lot with non fiction. Sometimes, I will do this with fiction. One example is I recently re read Anna Karenina and re read The Elegance of The Hedgehog at the same time. These are two of my favorite books and are connected to each other. It enhanced my reading experience
Watch documentaries - I love doing this with topics I'm interested in. I like to incorporate documentaries , as well as adaptations of fiction, along with my reading.
Share what you've read with others - this one is tough for me . None of my friends are readers. My husband only reads mysteries and is not interested in me discussing the types of books I read. This is where I lean on TH-cam and online bookish friends. :)
Great video, Tristan!
For me, being well read all starts with slowing myself down then taking it from there. I will definitely be incorporating your tips more regularly.
So pleased that you enjoyed it, Christina. Also, I appreciate you encouragement. What you did in this comment was a case study in deepening our understanding. Rephrase or summarise in a way that relates directly to ourselves. Bravo!
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 update - I have moved my daily walk to occur shortly after my morning reading session so that I can take the 30 minutes to reflect on what I've read. I've only been doing this for 2 days now and already I've noticed a difference in my reading experience.
I'm currently reading "Stepping Heavenward" by Elizabeth Prentiss , in the mornings, and reflecting on that while I walk has deepened my love for the book.
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the new microphone. It's made a huge difference in the quality of your videos.
Wow, this is a bloody good video. You have put together a lot of excellent thoughts here.
I'm a new subscriber and am appreciating your videos so much! You deserve a lot more followers for the excellent content you put out. Thanks Tristan.
Thank you so muc, Jennifer, that's really kind of you ❤️
This is a great video! You mentioned documentaries, and I wanted to share that I get a lot out of TH-cam lectures by the author of the book Im going to read. Watching Andrew Roberts give a talk on The Storm of War, for example, is a great intro to the book, and one can learn a lot from an erudite mind speaking more conversationally. Then I have to remember to get off TH-cam and go read the book! 😊 Thanks for the video.
I love your depth, Tristan. I find it so very hard to talk to anyone these days in any kind of depth. I have become even a much deeper person since I started reading. You are so correct. Deep thinking is necessary for me, but it is hard to find someone to have a deep conversation with. People seem so shallow today. Political correctness is partly the problem.
Excellent video! While some things you’ve said are obviously common sense, other things really sparked my desire for (re)reading my history books, my philosophy books, etc. It all makes sense. I noticed that I take forever reading new novels but when I am reading a classic novel or my history books I am way more motivated to keep reading and not watch tv. I have trouble connecting with contemporary stories and the obvious reason is I think that I learn less from them than my history/philosophy/classic novels. The “but everyone is reading this book!” seems not to work for me. Again, thank you for your videos, I really enjoy them.😊👍
Great video. I agree with what you said about rereading. I've read several books multiple times and I swear I pick up something different each time, or at the very least think about something more ceeply or in a different way. I also like what you said about watching documentaries. As a result of watching a lot of Lucy Worsley's documentaries on Agatha Christie and reading some of Christie's books, I went to hear Lucy Worsley talk about Agatha Christie and briefly met her in person afterwards and bought a copy of her book about the author. That was amazing. I'm now about to read it as soon as I get it brailled in the next few weeks and am thoroughly looking forward to it. I Ic I've read` a book I enjoy or find interesting, I look in the bibliography if there is one, then add some of those books to my reading list. I ind it amusing that people sometimes consider me very well-read just because I've read books they haven't, but I know there are probably so many books everyone else has read that I haven't.
I watched this and took notes, its a lot to chew on. Thank you for your frank honesty, I really enjoy watching and learning from your videos! This is like the classic literature courses I never got to experience in college.
in each category of books there are core books. For example in philosophy: Plato, Aristotle ... Science/mathematics you have Euclid Newton, Darwin. I think it's more important to read significant works, than an extensive list.
Amazing, amazing, amazing!
Thank you once again for another thoroughly enjoyable video.
And thank you Lynn for your positivity and support.
New subscriber here, and thank you for this video discussion, which is the most insightful look into the meaning of well-read. This was truly fascinating and helpful!
I've been a reader my whole life (51 atm) and I need to get back into reading more non-fiction and revising my knowledge on my favourite subjects - archaeology, ancient history, art history and physical anthropology📚
We do live in an age of 'fast fashion reading' sadly, and so many booktubers and booktok and the like all promoting far too much mass consumerism and shallowness 😞
Patty- I love the topic of this video.
Thanks Patty
This is so well done. I just came across your channel a day ago and I’m loving every minute of it. You have inspired me to be more thoughtful in my reading and more consistent as well. Thank you for what you do!!
Thank you for sch a positive and encouraging comment. I hope that you find a gold bar buried in your back garden. 😀❤️
This was one of the most fantastic reading videos I’ve ever watched! Your channel is a gift!❤
I just stumbled upon your channel and I am inspired already speaking as a novice reader.
thoroughly enjoyed this video 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it!
I like your point on reading for the sake of appreciating the story instead of just for bragging rights. I don't use Goodreads but I've heard there's a feature where you're supposed to track the pages or books you've read. On social media I see people complaining that they haven't met their reading goal, or gloating about surpassing it. It's such a dumb concept to me, but at the same time it's also so in character for Silicon Valley to want to try gamifying the reading process lol
The endless stats involved in a lot of online reading culture is baffling. One of the readalongs I'm part of are currently discussing whether it's ok to log each book individually, or whether they should wait till the end and log the single full volume. Madness! Don't get me started on people listening to audiobooks at 2x speed to cram more in for their reading goals!
Thanks for this comment. Appreciation is the critical component for happiness and contentment. Appreciate the grandeur of the great and the beauty of the simple.
Knowledge has become the god instead of what it really is, the incense.
Love this. 😀
Love this
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 beautifully said.
There is so much here to think about, so many suggestions , that i look forward to watching this video several more times. And to makes notes!
This video was awesome! I almost skipped it as I have been reading in this manner since a teenager but glad I did! It was so encouraging to see what I’ve been doing is apart of being well read!
Patty-I find that every time I reread a book, I love that book more. I get so much more out of it. I look forward to your future videos.
Rereading is the not so secret great joy of literature. Yet so many people don't do it.
Re-watching this video might have the same effect. 😉
On a serious note, I agree with the impact of re-reading.
@tristanandtheclassics6538 Patty- I've had this conversation with many people regarding reading or rewatching a movie is a waste of time because they've read the book once or have watched the movie once so why repeat the action? Too understand it better, maybe? I guess it's a personal choice, I opt for learning more. 👍🏽
Thank you. This is incredibly valuable to me, and I look forward to your upcoming videos.
Nicely done, quite well reasoned. Most helpful and certainly thought provoking. Thank you for your excellent work - it is a fantastic gift you possess and I sincerely appreciate your sharing your skill with us. Most helpful, indeed.
Your insights are so valuable.
On that 7th tip, "Sharing what you have learned with others", I have also found that if I write something about what I have read, it helps. A book review, an essay on the topic, a test on the subject matter, a critical guide... it all helps me to focus, understand and retain.
Always uplifting talks. Thank you
such a treasure!!! .....thank you so much 💌... I am currently reading Harold Bloom's Possessed by Memory and for me Bloom is the example of 'well read'....the insights that he has elevate the reader....
I love your view on this. Thank you for all these tips. ❤
Thanks. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the video 😀
Love the video and the great tips...much appreciated.
Lampedusa - The Leopard - superb novel -- interesting channel.
I loved this perspective. It actually is built on some of the neurological research on the impact that building background knowledge, and vocabulary, can have on a reader's ability to comprehend. We did this a lot in school when I was younger. We would read fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc. all on one culture/country/time. I just never thought to apply it like that now that I am older. I think I need to go make a list :o)
It took me a year to read Anna Karenina (I completed about 40 books alongside it) but I didn't rush through that book. I would absorb the ideas of Levin, finding them interesting, sometimes boring but never ever did I try to rush through that book and that is now the book I remember the most and sometimes quote. Did the same with my all time favourite, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai and I felt like I was living the life of the character himself. Your advice is really helpful for new readers. Keep it up man.
Excellent ideas, thanks. I’m starting with Middlemarch and need to get a sense of place to help me appreciate the story better. Watching some virtual tours and documentaries is a great idea. Thanks for all you do. Tristan, your videos are some of the best out there…real information we can use straight away. God bless.
I found Middlemarch heavy going. I would never read it again. Much prefer The Mill on the Floss. Love that book!
Thank you once again for all ghe tbought and experience you' ve put into these tips!
And thank you, Mary, for your continued support and encouragement 🙏
As an undergrad (1986-1990), I lived in the library. As a study break, I would read old car magazines (Car & Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Automobile) which were bound by year in the "stacks." By graduation, I had read every word of every issue. I took great pride in it. Was I well read?
I would say yes, for certain. The depth of that amount of knowledge, concentrated in a topic like that, which will also be filled with repetitions and nuance, must have left you with a very extensive understanding of cars. It certainly would satisfy the first definition of well read.
I never mentioned topic specific magazines and almanacs in my video, and your comments makes me wish I did. Magazines often condense a lot of knowledge by distilling principles, or by placing a focus on smaller details that larger works often gloss over.
As a final thought, I want to say that I am not someone that judges what a person chooses to read. If someone gains real joy and satisfaction from reading endless murder mystery (for example), then I would tell that person to carry on without a care what others think.
The purpose of this video was to speak to the topic of Well Read in the more classical sense, the sense that most are thinking of when using the phrase well read. I really appreciate this question and will make a video based upon it. It's such a valuable topic.😀👍❤️
Well versed
Such a fortuitous find. Your channel is such a trove of insights, techniques and brilliant understandings that I truly can get enough. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your thoughts and knowledge . Brilliant
Suas orientações, pontos de vista e análises são preciosas.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You're accent is very elegant and precise. A true british one.
Thank you.
I feel like you are sharing so much wisdom with us. Thank you for taking time to make your videos. As I get older in life, I'm finding I don't have the wisdom that I wished that I had. So, I guess my goal in reading is wisdom and this video describes how to accomplish that within the reading realm.
Thank you so much for this video. These are all great and achievable steps you've shared; the context provided really hit home for me as well.
Loved it! It fits nicely with your advice about slow reading.
Thank you, I have been feeling that my reading was to broad and all over the place. This will help me to sort of organize my reading.
This was a lovely affirmation of my own approach to reading. Thank you!
l find this Video as l have a learning difficulty but can learn X your videos Malcolm
Thanks for this!! 😊
Hi Tristan! I hope all is well with you. I really enjoyed your video! I look forward to your other videos. One video I would like to see you do is something I believe you started about a year ago and that was something about the history of the English language or something of that nature. You indicated at the end of that video that there would be a part two. Do you plan on continuing that series? Anyway, I look forward to you next video and keep of the good work. Have a great day!
Yes I must get to that. Thanks for the reminder, David.
Yes, I would love to see that!
@@sarahannsmith3129 Me too!
Tristan, great video! I cannot tell you how much better the sound is with the mic....
Pleased you enjoyed it, Tom. I'll keep using the mic.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 I appreciate the response, Tristan. BTW, you mentioned discussing readings with other people. I'm in an area where I am not in any book clubs; most of the folks I know don't sit around and discuss classic literature. Do you know a way that your viewers might interact?
so great! I have been a big fan of this channel
Thank you Tayla, that's so kind of you.
All my life I have used my time while walking my dogs in the country, to go over what I have recently read. It just comes naturally to me. Oh the arguments I have had in my mind sometimes, while wandering along the pathways. Wuthering Heights kept me going for days on end! I must look like a mad woman at times though. Hopefully only the dogs and the crows in the trees have observed this 😂.
Retelling to others = narration (aka a Charlotte Mason homeschool technique). Great video, thank you!
Great video Tristan, this was very inspiring and helps me to pick the next books I want to read :)
Brilliant video and such helpful tips 👍
I often think about television shows and movies, remembering them often, and I try to use those techniques with my reading.
Tristan, sometimes I begin to read a book and don’t like it. Then I don’t read it. I choose something else.
Your opinion matters. You are my bookish friend!
Great video. Informative and inspiring.
Thank you, Juan.
@@tristanandtheclassics6538 Thank you. I graduated from what you would call university about 20 years ago and I’ve always wanted to return to the topic I majored in- British Lit. Your videos encourage me.
So true.
Excellent video. Lots to think about.
Really appreciated all this content. Thank you.
You are welcome 😊 I'm so pleased that you found it helpful 😀
Good and enjoyable Tristan, I enjoy reading history (undergrad major) especially France and Nappy. Chemistry, oh no!
Thank you for sharing your marvelous mind! Finding myself an avid reader in retirement and so interested in great works. I appreciate your helpful guidance. As a side note, perhaps you can help TH-camrs the world over by defining how many other ways someone can say “Without further adieu…” 🤔
Such a fantastic video, thank you so much. So helpful. 😊
This is a great video though a tad long. What you're saying is, essentially, "Be Curious" and "structure your curiosity in X, Y, and Z ways to get the most out of it."
Very interesting video!
Thank you, Eric. Pleased you thought so.
I have to say I'm well read in science,philosophy,art and theatre. Why these 4? 1. The practices and new discoveries by science through the years has really facinated me and its advances in the next 30 to 50 years makes me wonder what we'll discover in that new time span. 2. Philosophy it really helped me in the long run to look at both sides of an argument and fully listen to both sides before coming to a conclusion for points 3 and 4 I've always enjoyed figuring out the many meanings of a painting that I may have not seen or an artist I havent heard of; for theatre I have a minor in theatre performance and experiencing various different emotional and vocal ranges is such an adrenaline rush to me whenever I got on the stage to perform a Shakespeare monologue or ANY monologue in general. 🙂❤📚
Man why did i stumble on this video just now? This inspired me a lot. Can you be my mentor for this new-found journey of mine? 😅
I'd like to take the documentaries tip with a grain of salt. Although for genres like History and largely non-fictional texts this makes lots of sense, the intention starts to dwindle down slightly when it comes to literature (at least in my own opinion). When you see a movie adaptation of a book before or after you've read it, you should always keep it as it's own work of art. One of my least favourite things about film adaptations is that it ocassionally ends up altering your initial views about a book. I'm worried of posting this comment in the case that what you were referring to by "documentaries" had absolutely nothing to do with film adaptations, but i'm going to post it anyway. Besides from that, however, the video was incredibly well made, sharing some very good advice on the subject. I am genuinely saving this to my "favourite videos on TH-cam" playlist Lol. Thank you so much!
The book that made me a reader was Slaughter House Five. The latest book that I got kick out of is Gullivers Travels it's incredibility modern for being published in 1625. If you think you know this book, you don't.
1726, wasn’t it?
Reading Anna Karenina or The Hobbit after watching the movie, helped me to very easily visualize the characters and scenes depicted in the books and that helped me a lot to read and enjoy the novels.
I'm the exact opposite. Years ago I read halfway through the Lord of the Rings books without having watched the movies. I was really into it. I had my own images of the characters and landscapes and was really enthralled and enthusiastic. Then I decided to watch the movies....what a huge mistake. It ruined my whole reading experience. The actors and actresses didn't live up to the characters that I visualized in my mind. I became disgusted with the whole enterprise and gave up on the read without finishing. I still despise Elijah Wood, Vigo Mortensen,etc. The movie sabotaged my reading experience.
@@phillipjordan1010 I felt the same. I read The Hobbit in college in 1989 then read The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2002/2003 when the movies were coming out. After watching the first two, I decided not to watch either The Return of the King or The Hobbit. Fortunately, I think the vast majority of the images in my head and the humor of Tolkien in the books remain. I read Anna Karenina last year, the Brothers Karamazov and Moby Dick this year, and I won't watch a film versions.
The movies are fantastic. But, yes, I would always encourage people to read any book before seeing its movie. There may be some exceptions here & there. (As the OP stated.) But generally speaking, even the best movie adaptation will rarely match what you're visualizing in your head while reading. @@phillipjordan1010