The Lost Art of Reading

Posted by Laura McCulloch on November 23rd, 2010 at 05:00 AM | | Tweet

The relentless cacophony that is life in the 21st century can make settling in with a book difficult even for lifelong readers and those who are paid to do it.

Last night Suzy and I braved LA rush hour traffic from my home in Pasadena to the hallowed halls of USC. We were headed to the Doheny Library at USC to attend a conversation between Suzy’s mentor, LA TImes book critic and author, David Ulin, and novelist Mona Simpson. Mr. Ulin was invited by the USC College of Letters & Sciences, the USC Master of Professional Writing Program and PEN to discuss his new book THE LOST ART OF READING: Why Books Matter in a Distracted Time with Ms. Simpson as interlocutor. The new book evolved from an essay Mr. Ulin wrote for The Times in 2009. Ms. Simpson did a fine job in her role as interviewer drawing out personal and often humorous stories from Mr. Ulin. One audience member remarked that it was refreshing to watch a novelist question a critic for once! It was a lively conversation followed by an animated Q&A. I won’t attempt to review the book here, since I haven’t read it…yet. I have my signed copy in tow and will give it a thorough read over the holiday weekend. The publisher’s description follows:

“Reading is a revolutionary act, an act of engagement in a culture that wants us to disengage. In The Lost Art of Reading, David L. Ulin asks a number of timely questions — why is literature important? What does it offer, especially now? Blending commentary with memoir, Ulin addresses the importance of the simple act of reading in an increasingly digital culture. Reading a book, flipping through hard pages, or shuffling them on screen — it doesn’t matter. The key is the act of reading, the seriousness and depth. Ulin emphasizes the importance of reflection and pause allowed by stopping to read a book, and the focus required to let the mind run free in a world that is not one’s own. Far from preaching to the choir, The Lost Art of Reading is a call to arms, or rather, pages.”

As an lifelong, avid reader I can hardly wait to take up David’s call to arms, or rather, pages.

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