"What does it mean to be well read?"...very interesting question. As an english philologist myself I would say-having the incessant urge to pursue the noble knowledge of truth through the written word. No text is off limits to obtain the truth (aesthetic purity, historical accuracy, spiritual elevation, philosophical understanding, narrative playfulness) every text should be approached with the understanding that it may very well shift your perception of an aspect of reality you considered a certainty. With all of this in mind, one is left with an undeniable understanding that most truths are interconnected throughout authors, separated by centuries and continents. More questions that lead to more questions...the nature of the nexi, the implications, the significance they hold not only for myself but for society as a collective. As always, answers are few and far between. The ultimatum? Return to the books, continue the pursuit of the noble knowlege of truth. This leads one to "becoming" well read. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee you are any closer to a so called finish line (in my socratic perspective)...as Harold Bloom once said "You can read merely to pass the time, or you can read with an overt urgency, but eventually you will read against the clock".
Honestly, I think it comes down to the insights/knowledge gained from reading, doesn't matter what type of book-- fiction or non-fiction. Obviously with non-fiction you will gain practical knowledge. But if you're reading fiction, you will learn about people and the world through stories and characters.
I'm currently in my McCarthy phase as a reader - currently on Cities of the Plain and re-reading Blood Meridian for my third time. This is coming from a tenth grader btw. BM was the novel that got me interested in literature. Last year I just read Moby Dick, Paradise Lost, Divine Comedy, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Light in August, As I lay Dying, Suttree and All the Pretty Horses. This year I finished Child of God and The Crossing by CMC. I'm literally and simultaneously reading 1984 (for English), The Sound and The Fury, The Sun Also Rises, COTP and BM. Yeah, that's a lot. It sounds unbelievable that I read all those other books just last year - Moby Dick took me 4 months to finish, which I shouldve given myself more time but I didnt. My readings for this year is to read more McCarthy, read more Faulkner, start to read Dostoyevsky, Steinbeck, and maybe Dickens. Even classical literature like Don Quixote, The Canterbury Tales, Beowulf, the Tales of Genji, heck I ordered Gargantua and Pantagruel for that sake. All of that seems wild, I'm doing this to improve in my writing. I've two short stories for myself and one for school. I'm currently starting to write a novel/novella and give myself enough time to understand my characters and story. Reading is literally a thing I do almost everyday. And I honestly want to get all of this out of the window. Yes all of this seems impossible to do in a year but this is more a further-future goal, if that makes sense.
I forgot to add that I also read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Those books I kind of read 😅. Finished Suttree and Huck Finn on the same day lol
@@kingsleycasper I thought it was pretty alright. For me, some moments were pretty interesting while some I didnt understand and thought were boring. But overall it was not a bad read. Might reread it to give it a fairer takeaway.
I’m of the opinion that a wider pool of shallow(er) reading is better than a narrow deep(er) pool of read works. I guess it depends on the sorts of conversations you want to have. I’m just more excited about making connections across various genres and disciplines than becoming an expert in only 2-3 specific genres or writers. This wider, shallow pool of reading gives you wider slice of life!
My brother graduated in English. I was a poor reader but I’ve been really trying to catch up. Pro tip though, I’ve tried Ulysses and failed miserably. My brother told me you have to read the oddesy and the illiad before hand or else you won’t be able to understand it
I love this question! I think some avid readers aspire towards a “well read” status, but I think what you said about conversation and connection through literatures is most important.
Robin Waldun has a pretty good video on his thoughts on being well read. For me, being well read is being widely read and having been affected by those texts in a way that has developed my ability to understand, interpret, and thoughtfully respond to life. It helps to read the works that influenced books you love, or works that are connected to the topics or ideas in those books. But my first degree was in comparative literature so I’m biased
Great video. Lately I've been tackling the anthology: "The Art of The Short Story: 52 Great Authors and Their Insights on Writing" By Dana Gioia as well of other short novels and some non-fiction. I think in the case of literature, being well read means having read a range of literature from authors of different backgrounds and experiences. Reading great works that leave the reader reflecting upon his or her life, upon society and humanity in general. Reading a great work of art that has the ability to change you for the better as you gain insights and even a new mode of seeing. I want to read more William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, Angela Davis, and discover more Latin-American literature including poetry. Thank you for the video and I hope you continue to spread this love for reading.
well read for me means reading widely and often and applying what we learn from books in our day to day problems and decisions. i’d say also that it means reading authors whose views we wouldn’t typically agree with, this way we prevent our perspective from stagnating, distorting, etc. some books on my radar! Return of the native, Middlemarch, My year of rest and relaxation
I want to get into the classics and enjoy what I am reading. I’m working at a bookstore near me this summer and it has opened my eyes to classics and made me realize that it’s ok to not like thriller and romance books. I love reading and am excited to read more classics this year
One thing I am always struggling with is reading to learn more in the sense of reading books even I am not a fan of so I can offer my personal private critique. There are so many books where I am like how do people like this and I drop it. Also, I want to get better about reading longer form books. Additionally, I struggle with annotating and "tracking" my thoughts. So when I finish I just remember those longing feelings. I want to remember more and be better at relaying more. Also challenging myself to read longer books. Like 500+ pages. Good video!
I'm looking forward to having another go at "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". Last time I got probably 2/3 of the way through it. I read "Nineteen Eighty-four" a few years ago, but might reread it at some point in the future.
I definitely like reading the greats vintage classics books because I love seeing the perspectives and historical aspect of stories. But I also try to shoe horn in Sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy, biographies, horrors, YA and fun chick-flick books (Such as the devil wears Prada or gentleman prefer blondes). So I definitely try to be well-read haha. I just thinking the more you read the more your knowledge will increase and so is your empathy. I trying to get into just be able to comprehend difficult texts. Like if it written on old English or translation from other languages. I tried to read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and I was so bored I ended up not finishing it. So right now I’m trying to get into more philosophy, more other countries literatures (such as Russian, Spanish…) and have a better reading stamina
I like to read old and influential classic books, regardless of whether i think I'd like them or not because of how they've impacted literature in general. But it has also helped me to better understand the kinds of literature that i actually like. For me, being well read comes down to a combination of scope (as in how many and how far back you go in terms of influential literature, and how much those books influenced literature and culture as a whole), diversity (as in the variety of genres, mediums and diversity of authorship) and depth of understanding (as in how well have you been able to gain understanding of how literature exists, how it has been formed, what influenced what and why). Being well read can come with caveats like within a certain time period or genre, but as well as pointing out that being too niche restricts your view, being too broad in focus also restricts your ability to draw inferences as the books are too disparate and don't have direct influence or overlap, there's no ability to form a cohesive narrative. I suggest if people want to become well read they should treat it as a lifelong project, and look at what their interests and goals are. Nobody can read all the classics, so pick ones that interest you and that you think may have impacted your favourite modern books, read the most acclaimed authors or books within the genres you're interested in, and intersperse these with random and only tangentially related books just to branch out a bit. Within genres gettibg different perspectives is better, by having diversity in the gender, race, nationality, politics and sexuality of writers. At the end of the day though, the important thing is understanding. It doesn't matter how many books you've read if you didn't learn anything. I find seeking out other people's opinions (both academics and leymen is important) on the books that you read is the best way to develop better analytical skills, and to plug gaps in your understanding.
I feel the same way. All I want to do is connect with and talk to people about books. I love hearing about books that have been impactful to people and what they learned from them. Sometimes books can be like albums or movies that we listen to or watch at certain times of our life and they help shape a phase, or stage of life we’re going through at the time. Being well read to me means having read books from a variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction. But, like you said, you could narrow it down and apply that definition to a specific field, like being well read in physics, as you said. But I think overall, it’s having a more well rounded knowledge. I’ve been wanting to read more classics and philosophy, like some Pulitzer Prize books (Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc). I want to know why these books are considered classics. Also want to read more Dostoevsky. And I want to read everything I can on philosophy. Nietzsche in particular has been sounding intriguing lately. 😄 Thanks for sharing! Always love your book recommendations. 🙂
My journey started with mostly non-fiction until well into my 30s when I finally read a novel that moved me and affected me profoundly. I finally understood everyone who had an early and passionate experience with fiction. I've tried to catch up on more classics (all genres) but I also now realize that I will not come close to reading 'everything'. Now, I spend an immense amount of time reading ABOUT books (and watching TH-cam videos) so that I don't waist my time on humdrum reading experiences. I especially relish Dostoevsky, Dickens, Austin, and McCarthy while having a particular annoyance at people who put up an artificial barrier between 'literature' and genre fiction. Finally and most importantly William, WAHOOWA!
I want to get more Faulkner under my belt. And explore more American Gothics. And I have an entire Joe Haldeman stack after falling in love with The Forever War years ago and giving it to every veteran I know that reads. So like you topics that interest me and that I want to talk with others about
My anchor for reading is Russian literature, I actually even have been studying the language the past year too. Then I read bits of other areas I like (English, Spanish, French, American, Norwegian lit). The main one I have been putting off to read is probably In Search of Lost time… hopefully that changes soon. I definitely relate to what you say about wanting to have conversations and hear people’s enthusiasm on these works.
I would so like to read all of Philip Roth’s novels, especially the Zuckermann series. I think being well read correlates with your ability to indulge in a lot of different types of literature, not just the generally acclaimed pieces of work. I think if you read a base of classics then jump into novels that you are excited about, you have a general understanding of the influence of generally acclaimed works. Great video👍
As someone who pretty much stopped reading classic lit in my early 20s and have only recently decided to pick it up again, I’ll admit there is no real rhyme or reason as to how I pick what books to read. My classic lit TBR includes Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamazov, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Northanger Abbey, The Catcher in the Rye (a reread), Vanity Fair, and Middlemarch. I guess it all comes down to what catches my fancy. You gotta start somewhere, right?😊
I didn’t enjoy reading until I was 19 ngl, it started with H.P Lovecraft short stories then to Stephen King; I think my true anchor hit when I read Infinite Jest. It took me four months to finish the whole thing and I took my time because there was something about the humanity of the characters that just absorbed me. Ever since then I began reading stuff that fit in his vicinity of meta modern or postmodern absurdity. I read Don Delillo, Some pynchon (I have a copy of Gravity’s Rainbow that will forever rot) Dostoyevsky, Palahniuk, and Bret Easton Ellis. It did burn me out though, like strictly limiting myself to those genres and themes alone; it made me stop reading for a while. It wasn’t until I read Sylvia Plath’s Bell-Jar that it made me realise the thing that I was looking for in books was about how it tackles what it means to be like a human being. Being well-read was my main priority and concern back then but right now I’m invested in stories that tackle a person and how they deal with relationships, their actions, their flaws, and psychology. I just go with whatever interests me. Right now, I’m currently interested in Blood Meridian because of your shorts and I kept hearing a lot about it back then. I’m buying a copy just waiting for it now ,If i like it I might either go for No Country for Old Men or The Road (I watched your videos about McCarthy) yeah I don’t want to jump into a rabbit hole and dedicate myself to one writer so I always limit myself like 1-2 of their works in my shelf.
Infinite Jest is on my list as well, mostly because I have a buddy who's been trying to get me to read it for years now. I also want to finally finish Gravity's Rainbow and maybe read Absalom Absalom. Besides that, I might try finish what I have left of Vonnegut's stuff. Recently read To the Lighthouse and One Hundred Years of Solitude as well and loved them both, so will be seeking out more from both of those authors.
I've been in the STEM field for all of my higher education and adult professional life, so as I approach 30 I'm trying to fill in my gaps in literature. This year I've got Chaucer, Malory, Montaigne, Spenser, and Shakespeare on the list. What do you love and hate about these authors?
I really want to make my way through Richard Powers' stuff. I like his writing and I'm going to a discussion held by him in February, so knowing what he has written would benefit me a lot. Plus, all of his books just seem super interesting.
Well Read, to me, means to be able to be a part of the conversation, within your OWN world, not necesarrily THE world. As an American, i would consider reading anything that has influenced western philosophy and culture, down to modern day American Literature. This would include epics by Homer, The bible, Divine Comedy, Shakespeare, all the way to a more acute selection reflecting your own culture, through different genre, starting with The big Names within each genre, and then pursuing with more assiduity, those that intrigue you, so that when you ARE a part of the conversation, you can bring to the table something that reflects your own identity, and interests. I always like to read "favorite books" of my own favorite authors.
I find my self very divided in reading, their are three big areas of books I want to read: informational books like , rich dad poor dad, atomic habits, a economist walks into a brothel, and I also want to read books about theology such as Jesus in the Talmud and the writings of the church fathers, but i am most most intrigued in fantasy books like the leviathan book series or the classics like Fahrenheit 451 books like that keep me reading and coming for more and is the most enjoyable. But feel it is as more of a to do list to read more important topics such as the informational or theological books although they are books I have goals for to accomplish but I don't enjoy them as well as fantasy its not like my life is gonna end or anything but feels stressful not reading them although I don't enjoy them as much . thank you for reading my ted talk ig godbless
Hahah same here with infinite jest, have picked up so many times and then didn’t came far but I will keep trying because I know I like his style through some short stories I’ve read from David Forster Wallace Also somehow everytime I picked up the brothers Karamasoff I didn’t come far, but Im looking forward to finish it one day
i think it would be when you can have a fluent conversation with someone who’s ideas interest you and you also bring new ideas that are valuable to them
When I was younger, I considered being well read as consuming a lot of American classics, but probably because that was what was encouraged in my honors English classes in high school. But who cares if you've read them all if you have nothing interesting to say about them? I think having a wide range of genres that you enjoy and having opinions and deep understandings of novels get you on the right track to being "well read." To an extent, it's also important to read the novels that are hot of the modern time for the sake of having moments to discuss those opinions with other readers. My reading goal this year is, ironically, to read the longer classics I've been putting off for ages due to their size. Anna Karenina, The Stand, Moby Dick, Gone With the Wind, etc. If I'm feeling brave I'll try Ulysses. But I'm starting off the year almost 1/3 of the way through Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It's not necessarily a standard American classic, but it's my dad's favorite book. And thus it is essential reading. Love your vids!
I suggest everyone look at Tristan and the classics and his video on how to be well read. This sounds exactly what a 20 yr old that just got out of college with a lit degree would define well read.
Awesome! I just picked up The Shining. I have been trying to find more of that cosmic horror and feeling of dread and mystery I suppose in literature. I also picked up The King in Yellow recently.
I don’t believe reading massive tomes equates to being well read either. However, I also don’t believe the size of the book makes a difference. If The Catcher in the Rye or Pride and Prejudice adds to being well read, then surely well known classics like The Count of Monte Cristo and War and Peace do to? I do understand what you are saying though, that just because you’ve read the “tomes” doesn’t make you a better or more well read reader. But I wouldn’t discount reading any, because they are classics for a reason. Maybe 1 a year? That’s what I started doing 😁
Becoming "well read" has always seemed a Sisyphean task to me. First of all, you can't read everything, and with more new and worthy literature being published every year, I feel I'll never catch up. Second, some might define "well read" as having pored through the canonical works of Western literature, but the canon has always been a moving target, and cancel culture on both ends of the political spectrum in recent years hasn't helped any. Case in point: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" probably would have been on your list of essential American novels 50 years ago, but now the book is radioactive. Third, although I've read a lot over the years, there remain big holes in my reading resume -- especially literature in translation and female authors -- that might never be filled because of my tastes. And finally, for sentimental reasons, I keep one bookshelf reserved for college books I was assigned to read 40 years ago but never got around to: Plato's "The Republic"; Faulker's "Light in August"; Lawrence's "The Plumed Serpent"; Cooper's "The Deerslayer" among them. Maybe when I get through that shelf, I'll consider myself well read.
I would love to read at least 100 more classics. I need to read much more poetry. I’m an okay poet but need to read much more to sharpen my craft. And the clock is ticking.
If you want to broaden your education, perhaps consider reading the literature of other countries, such as that coming out of Europe in the early 1900s through the two world wars and the Communist era, and even more, learn the language(s) that the originals were written in so that you can read it in the original.
I don’t think you can properly be well read without reading the Bible. Especially since all of western literature is a cross reference to it. But I would include Homer, Dante, Milton, Cervantes in there too. These are foundational, so necessary for one to be acclaimed as “well read.” Then there’s the conception of a person who knows about books that most people don’t know of. That’s another notion of being well read. Who has read niche writers who are titans in their country but didn’t achieve the same global fame as others.
"What does it mean to be well read?"...very interesting question.
As an english philologist myself I would say-having the incessant urge to pursue the noble knowledge of truth through the written word. No text is off limits to obtain the truth (aesthetic purity, historical accuracy, spiritual elevation, philosophical understanding, narrative playfulness) every text should be approached with the understanding that it may very well shift your perception of an aspect of reality you considered a certainty.
With all of this in mind, one is left with an undeniable understanding that most truths are interconnected throughout authors, separated by centuries and continents.
More questions that lead to more questions...the nature of the nexi, the implications, the significance they hold not only for myself but for society as a collective. As always, answers are few and far between.
The ultimatum? Return to the books, continue the pursuit of the noble knowlege of truth. This leads one to "becoming" well read.
Nevertheless, there is no guarantee you are any closer to a so called finish line (in my socratic perspective)...as Harold Bloom once said "You can read merely to pass the time, or you can read with an overt urgency, but eventually you will read against the clock".
Honestly, I think it comes down to the insights/knowledge gained from reading, doesn't matter what type of book-- fiction or non-fiction. Obviously with non-fiction you will gain practical knowledge. But if you're reading fiction, you will learn about people and the world through stories and characters.
I am definetly in a Cormac McCarthy phase. I just finished Blood Meridian and I want to start doing video essays about books.
I'm currently in my McCarthy phase as a reader - currently on Cities of the Plain and re-reading Blood Meridian for my third time. This is coming from a tenth grader btw. BM was the novel that got me interested in literature. Last year I just read Moby Dick, Paradise Lost, Divine Comedy, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Light in August, As I lay Dying, Suttree and All the Pretty Horses. This year I finished Child of God and The Crossing by CMC.
I'm literally and simultaneously reading 1984 (for English), The Sound and The Fury, The Sun Also Rises, COTP and BM. Yeah, that's a lot. It sounds unbelievable that I read all those other books just last year - Moby Dick took me 4 months to finish, which I shouldve given myself more time but I didnt.
My readings for this year is to read more McCarthy, read more Faulkner, start to read Dostoyevsky, Steinbeck, and maybe Dickens. Even classical literature like Don Quixote, The Canterbury Tales, Beowulf, the Tales of Genji, heck I ordered Gargantua and Pantagruel for that sake.
All of that seems wild, I'm doing this to improve in my writing. I've two short stories for myself and one for school. I'm currently starting to write a novel/novella and give myself enough time to understand my characters and story.
Reading is literally a thing I do almost everyday. And I honestly want to get all of this out of the window. Yes all of this seems impossible to do in a year but this is more a further-future goal, if that makes sense.
I forgot to add that I also read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Those books I kind of read 😅. Finished Suttree and Huck Finn on the same day lol
*kind of forgot
All this by tenth grade? I’m very impressed. Keep reading and living your life and your writing will only continue to improve
What did you think of Portrait of the Artist? I read it as well I’d love to know your takeaways
@@kingsleycasper I thought it was pretty alright. For me, some moments were pretty interesting while some I didnt understand and thought were boring. But overall it was not a bad read. Might reread it to give it a fairer takeaway.
I’m of the opinion that a wider pool of shallow(er) reading is better than a narrow deep(er) pool of read works. I guess it depends on the sorts of conversations you want to have. I’m just more excited about making connections across various genres and disciplines than becoming an expert in only 2-3 specific genres or writers. This wider, shallow pool of reading gives you wider slice of life!
My brother graduated in English. I was a poor reader but I’ve been really trying to catch up. Pro tip though, I’ve tried Ulysses and failed miserably. My brother told me you have to read the oddesy and the illiad before hand or else you won’t be able to understand it
All of John Cowper Powys’ works, all of William Blake’s poetry and Tolstoy’s writings on the Gospels are this year’s goals.
I love this question! I think some avid readers aspire towards a “well read” status, but I think what you said about conversation and connection through literatures is most important.
Robin Waldun has a pretty good video on his thoughts on being well read. For me, being well read is being widely read and having been affected by those texts in a way that has developed my ability to understand, interpret, and thoughtfully respond to life.
It helps to read the works that influenced books you love, or works that are connected to the topics or ideas in those books. But my first degree was in comparative literature so I’m biased
Great video. Lately I've been tackling the anthology: "The Art of The Short Story: 52 Great Authors and Their Insights on Writing" By Dana Gioia as well of other short novels and some non-fiction. I think in the case of literature, being well read means having read a range of literature from authors of different backgrounds and experiences. Reading great works that leave the reader reflecting upon his or her life, upon society and humanity in general. Reading a great work of art that has the ability to change you for the better as you gain insights and even a new mode of seeing. I want to read more William Faulkner, Cormac McCarthy, Angela Davis, and discover more Latin-American literature including poetry. Thank you for the video and I hope you continue to spread this love for reading.
well read for me means reading widely and often and applying what we learn from books in our day to day problems and decisions. i’d say also that it means reading authors whose views we wouldn’t typically agree with, this way we prevent our perspective from stagnating, distorting, etc. some books on my radar! Return of the native, Middlemarch, My year of rest and relaxation
I want to get into the classics and enjoy what I am reading. I’m working at a bookstore near me this summer and it has opened my eyes to classics and made me realize that it’s ok to not like thriller and romance books. I love reading and am excited to read more classics this year
One thing I am always struggling with is reading to learn more in the sense of reading books even I am not a fan of so I can offer my personal private critique. There are so many books where I am like how do people like this and I drop it. Also, I want to get better about reading longer form books. Additionally, I struggle with annotating and "tracking" my thoughts. So when I finish I just remember those longing feelings. I want to remember more and be better at relaying more. Also challenging myself to read longer books. Like 500+ pages. Good video!
I'm looking forward to having another go at "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists". Last time I got probably 2/3 of the way through it. I read "Nineteen Eighty-four" a few years ago, but might reread it at some point in the future.
I definitely like reading the greats vintage classics books because I love seeing the perspectives and historical aspect of stories. But I also try to shoe horn in Sci-fi, fantasy, philosophy, biographies, horrors, YA and fun chick-flick books (Such as the devil wears Prada or gentleman prefer blondes). So I definitely try to be well-read haha. I just thinking the more you read the more your knowledge will increase and so is your empathy.
I trying to get into just be able to comprehend difficult texts. Like if it written on old English or translation from other languages. I tried to read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and I was so bored I ended up not finishing it.
So right now I’m trying to get into more philosophy, more other countries literatures (such as Russian, Spanish…) and have a better reading stamina
A tail of two city’s and all homers the odyssey. You always have such interesting topics!
I like to read old and influential classic books, regardless of whether i think I'd like them or not because of how they've impacted literature in general. But it has also helped me to better understand the kinds of literature that i actually like.
For me, being well read comes down to a combination of scope (as in how many and how far back you go in terms of influential literature, and how much those books influenced literature and culture as a whole), diversity (as in the variety of genres, mediums and diversity of authorship) and depth of understanding (as in how well have you been able to gain understanding of how literature exists, how it has been formed, what influenced what and why). Being well read can come with caveats like within a certain time period or genre, but as well as pointing out that being too niche restricts your view, being too broad in focus also restricts your ability to draw inferences as the books are too disparate and don't have direct influence or overlap, there's no ability to form a cohesive narrative.
I suggest if people want to become well read they should treat it as a lifelong project, and look at what their interests and goals are. Nobody can read all the classics, so pick ones that interest you and that you think may have impacted your favourite modern books, read the most acclaimed authors or books within the genres you're interested in, and intersperse these with random and only tangentially related books just to branch out a bit. Within genres gettibg different perspectives is better, by having diversity in the gender, race, nationality, politics and sexuality of writers.
At the end of the day though, the important thing is understanding. It doesn't matter how many books you've read if you didn't learn anything. I find seeking out other people's opinions (both academics and leymen is important) on the books that you read is the best way to develop better analytical skills, and to plug gaps in your understanding.
I feel the same way. All I want to do is connect with and talk to people about books. I love hearing about books that have been impactful to people and what they learned from them. Sometimes books can be like albums or movies that we listen to or watch at certain times of our life and they help shape a phase, or stage of life we’re going through at the time.
Being well read to me means having read books from a variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction. But, like you said, you could narrow it down and apply that definition to a specific field, like being well read in physics, as you said. But I think overall, it’s having a more well rounded knowledge.
I’ve been wanting to read more classics and philosophy, like some Pulitzer Prize books (Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc). I want to know why these books are considered classics. Also want to read more Dostoevsky. And I want to read everything I can on philosophy. Nietzsche in particular has been sounding intriguing lately. 😄
Thanks for sharing! Always love your book recommendations. 🙂
My journey started with mostly non-fiction until well into my 30s when I finally read a novel that moved me and affected me profoundly. I finally understood everyone who had an early and passionate experience with fiction. I've tried to catch up on more classics (all genres) but I also now realize that I will not come close to reading 'everything'. Now, I spend an immense amount of time reading ABOUT books (and watching TH-cam videos) so that I don't waist my time on humdrum reading experiences. I especially relish Dostoevsky, Dickens, Austin, and McCarthy while having a particular annoyance at people who put up an artificial barrier between 'literature' and genre fiction. Finally and most importantly William, WAHOOWA!
Wahoowa!
Can you help with non fiction as I am planning on reading some of them but don't know where to start.
I want to get more Faulkner under my belt. And explore more American Gothics. And I have an entire Joe Haldeman stack after falling in love with The Forever War years ago and giving it to every veteran I know that reads.
So like you topics that interest me and that I want to talk with others about
My anchor for reading is Russian literature, I actually even have been studying the language the past year too. Then I read bits of other areas I like (English, Spanish, French, American, Norwegian lit). The main one I have been putting off to read is probably In Search of Lost time… hopefully that changes soon.
I definitely relate to what you say about wanting to have conversations and hear people’s enthusiasm on these works.
I would so like to read all of Philip Roth’s novels, especially the Zuckermann series. I think being well read correlates with your ability to indulge in a lot of different types of literature, not just the generally acclaimed pieces of work. I think if you read a base of classics then jump into novels that you are excited about, you have a general understanding of the influence of generally acclaimed works. Great video👍
This channel is so comfy
As someone who pretty much stopped reading classic lit in my early 20s and have only recently decided to pick it up again, I’ll admit there is no real rhyme or reason as to how I pick what books to read. My classic lit TBR includes Anna Karenina, The Brothers Karamazov, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Northanger Abbey, The Catcher in the Rye (a reread), Vanity Fair, and Middlemarch. I guess it all comes down to what catches my fancy. You gotta start somewhere, right?😊
I didn’t enjoy reading until I was 19 ngl, it started with H.P Lovecraft short stories then to Stephen King; I think my true anchor hit when I read Infinite Jest. It took me four months to finish the whole thing and I took my time because there was something about the humanity of the characters that just absorbed me. Ever since then I began reading stuff that fit in his vicinity of meta modern or postmodern absurdity.
I read Don Delillo, Some pynchon (I have a copy of Gravity’s Rainbow that will forever rot) Dostoyevsky, Palahniuk, and Bret Easton Ellis. It did burn me out though, like strictly limiting myself to those genres and themes alone; it made me stop reading for a while. It wasn’t until I read Sylvia Plath’s Bell-Jar that it made me realise the thing that I was looking for in books was about how it tackles what it means to be like a human being.
Being well-read was my main priority and concern back then but right now I’m invested in stories that tackle a person and how they deal with relationships, their actions, their flaws, and psychology. I just go with whatever interests me.
Right now, I’m currently interested in Blood Meridian because of your shorts and I kept hearing a lot about it back then. I’m buying a copy just waiting for it now ,If i like it I might either go for No Country for Old Men or The Road (I watched your videos about McCarthy) yeah I don’t want to jump into a rabbit hole and dedicate myself to one writer so I always limit myself like 1-2 of their works in my shelf.
I really want to read more nonfiction by our most popular fiction writers
Infinite Jest is on my list as well, mostly because I have a buddy who's been trying to get me to read it for years now. I also want to finally finish Gravity's Rainbow and maybe read Absalom Absalom. Besides that, I might try finish what I have left of Vonnegut's stuff. Recently read To the Lighthouse and One Hundred Years of Solitude as well and loved them both, so will be seeking out more from both of those authors.
Right on. You can’t go wrong with any of these authors and titles
I've been in the STEM field for all of my higher education and adult professional life, so as I approach 30 I'm trying to fill in my gaps in literature. This year I've got Chaucer, Malory, Montaigne, Spenser, and Shakespeare on the list. What do you love and hate about these authors?
I really want to make my way through Richard Powers' stuff. I like his writing and I'm going to a discussion held by him in February, so knowing what he has written would benefit me a lot. Plus, all of his books just seem super interesting.
I need to read more of his stuff too. I loved The Overstory
Well Read, to me, means to be able to be a part of the conversation, within your OWN world, not necesarrily THE world. As an American, i would consider reading anything that has influenced western philosophy and culture, down to modern day American Literature. This would include epics by Homer, The bible, Divine Comedy, Shakespeare, all the way to a more acute selection reflecting your own culture, through different genre, starting with The big Names within each genre, and then pursuing with more assiduity, those that intrigue you, so that when you ARE a part of the conversation, you can bring to the table something that reflects your own identity, and interests. I always like to read "favorite books" of my own favorite authors.
I find my self very divided in reading, their are three big areas of books I want to read: informational books like , rich dad poor dad, atomic habits, a economist walks into a brothel, and I also want to read books about theology such as Jesus in the Talmud and the writings of the church fathers, but i am most most intrigued in fantasy books like the leviathan book series or the classics like Fahrenheit 451 books like that keep me reading and coming for more and is the most enjoyable. But feel it is as more of a to do list to read more important topics such as the informational or theological books although they are books I have goals for to accomplish but I don't enjoy them as well as fantasy its not like my life is gonna end or anything but feels stressful not reading them although I don't enjoy them as much . thank you for reading my ted talk ig godbless
Best article I’ve read on this topic as honest broker’s lifetime reading plan. It real put it into perspective for me
Hahah same here with infinite jest, have picked up so many times and then didn’t came far but I will keep trying because I know I like his style through some short stories I’ve read from David Forster Wallace
Also somehow everytime I picked up the brothers Karamasoff I didn’t come far, but Im looking forward to finish it one day
i think it would be when you can have a fluent conversation with someone who’s ideas interest you and you also bring new ideas that are valuable to them
I like this take
Have you not read the Count of Monte Cristo?? It's incredible.
When I was younger, I considered being well read as consuming a lot of American classics, but probably because that was what was encouraged in my honors English classes in high school. But who cares if you've read them all if you have nothing interesting to say about them? I think having a wide range of genres that you enjoy and having opinions and deep understandings of novels get you on the right track to being "well read." To an extent, it's also important to read the novels that are hot of the modern time for the sake of having moments to discuss those opinions with other readers.
My reading goal this year is, ironically, to read the longer classics I've been putting off for ages due to their size. Anna Karenina, The Stand, Moby Dick, Gone With the Wind, etc. If I'm feeling brave I'll try Ulysses. But I'm starting off the year almost 1/3 of the way through Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It's not necessarily a standard American classic, but it's my dad's favorite book. And thus it is essential reading. Love your vids!
“And thus it is essential reading.” Love it. Glad you’re getting something out of these videos!
How to become well read? I won't give you a simple definition, but there's so many books to read and so little time William.
I suggest everyone look at Tristan and the classics and his video on how to be well read. This sounds exactly what a 20 yr old that just got out of college with a lit degree would define well read.
If you want to read American lit.. read Steinbeck he’s my favorite.
East of Eden was by far my favorite read of last year, top 3 best books I've read.
East of Eden is for sure top three ! Amazing
I am entering a McCarthy phase myself right now. I had a Lovecraft phase last year. Ever read any of him, William?
I’ve read a little HP but more Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe
Awesome! I just picked up The Shining. I have been trying to find more of that cosmic horror and feeling of dread and mystery I suppose in literature. I also picked up The King in Yellow recently.
I don’t believe reading massive tomes equates to being well read either. However, I also don’t believe the size of the book makes a difference. If The Catcher in the Rye or Pride and Prejudice adds to being well read, then surely well known classics like The Count of Monte Cristo and War and Peace do to?
I do understand what you are saying though, that just because you’ve read the “tomes” doesn’t make you a better or more well read reader. But I wouldn’t discount reading any, because they are classics for a reason. Maybe 1 a year? That’s what I started doing 😁
You are goated
For me it's going deep on Dostoevsky, but starting is just so intimidating.
He’s a titan for sure. Some other Russian greats who wrote shorter stuff include Chechov and Gogol and Turgenev
@@williampdozier Just recently grabbed The Master and Margarita as well. Will have to find time soon to start them.
Becoming "well read" has always seemed a Sisyphean task to me. First of all, you can't read everything, and with more new and worthy literature being published every year, I feel I'll never catch up. Second, some might define "well read" as having pored through the canonical works of Western literature, but the canon has always been a moving target, and cancel culture on both ends of the political spectrum in recent years hasn't helped any. Case in point: "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" probably would have been on your list of essential American novels 50 years ago, but now the book is radioactive. Third, although I've read a lot over the years, there remain big holes in my reading resume -- especially literature in translation and female authors -- that might never be filled because of my tastes. And finally, for sentimental reasons, I keep one bookshelf reserved for college books I was assigned to read 40 years ago but never got around to: Plato's "The Republic"; Faulker's "Light in August"; Lawrence's "The Plumed Serpent"; Cooper's "The Deerslayer" among them. Maybe when I get through that shelf, I'll consider myself well read.
I would love to read at least 100 more classics. I need to read much more poetry. I’m an okay poet but need to read much more to sharpen my craft. And the clock is ticking.
Continuing foundation series
Reading dune series
Reading a song of ice and fire
Dostoevsky's books
Camus also
AND I ALWAYS THOUGHT YU WERE WARM
If you want to broaden your education, perhaps consider reading the literature of other countries, such as that coming out of Europe in the early 1900s through the two world wars and the Communist era, and even more, learn the language(s) that the originals were written in so that you can read it in the original.
Karl Ove Knaussgard!
Day two of asking for bookshelf tour round 2 😏
👀
I don’t think you can properly be well read without reading the Bible. Especially since all of western literature is a cross reference to it. But I would include Homer, Dante, Milton, Cervantes in there too. These are foundational, so necessary for one to be acclaimed as “well read.”
Then there’s the conception of a person who knows about books that most people don’t know of. That’s another notion of being well read. Who has read niche writers who are titans in their country but didn’t achieve the same global fame as others.
I agree with you about the relationship between the Bible and western literature. The two are inextricably linked