Anne Bogel's "I'd Rather Be Reading" is a delightful exploration of the joys, challenges, and quirks of being a devoted reader. This charming book celebrates the love of reading and the unique experiences that come with being a bookworm. Bogel's witty and relatable writing style makes this book a perfect companion for anyone who finds solace and excitement in the pages of a good book.
The Power of Books
Windows to the Soul
Books have an incredible ability to reveal aspects of our personality and inner thoughts. When someone asks about your favorite book, it's not just a casual question – it's an invitation to share a piece of yourself. Bogel recounts her own experience of being asked this question by a new friend over coffee, and the internal struggle she faced in deciding how to answer.
The books we love say a lot about who we are, and our preferences can change over time. Bogel contemplates whether to mention Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited" and risk seeming like a stuffy classics enthusiast, or to choose Marisa de los Santos's "Love Walked In" and potentially be seen as someone who only reads light fiction. This dilemma highlights how our reading choices can shape others' perceptions of us.
Time Capsules of Memory
Books serve as powerful memory triggers, transporting us back to specific moments in our lives. Just as certain smells can evoke vivid memories, the books we've read are intimately tied to the times and places where we encountered them. Bogel encourages readers to think about the books they associate with significant life events, such as a first trip abroad or a difficult breakup.
To preserve these connections, Bogel suggests keeping a simple reading log. While initially skeptical of the practice, she came to appreciate its value after seeing a friend's detailed record. Now, she maintains a basic log with the book's title, date read, and a star for favorites. This simple act helps her remember the books she's read and instantly recall the circumstances surrounding each one.
Companions Through Life
Books have the remarkable ability to mirror and enrich our life experiences. They can elicit strong emotions, from tears of sorrow to fits of laughter. Bogel shares her own experience of being moved to tears by Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove" while getting ready for church, demonstrating the powerful emotional impact books can have on readers.
More than just evoking emotions, books allow us to live vicariously through their characters. They expose us to new experiences, environments, and life events before we encounter them in reality. Bogel reflects on how she often found herself experiencing situations in real life that she had first encountered in books, wondering if this prior exposure enhanced or diminished the actual experience.
A pivotal moment came when Bogel watched the film "You've Got Mail," which features a bookworm protagonist. In one scene, the character reads about a butterfly and then sees one in real life. Years later, Bogel had a similar experience on a train in Colorado, and she realized that her knowledge of the film scene made the moment even more magical. This epiphany helped her appreciate how books can prepare us for and enhance our real-life experiences.
The Right Book at the Right Time
Bogel marvels at how books often seem to find their way to us at precisely the right moment. She recounts starting Dallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy," a book about living in the present, just before her son was diagnosed with a serious condition. The book's message proved to be exactly what she needed during that challenging time, illustrating how literature can provide comfort and guidance when we need it most.
The Evolution of a Reader
Early Reading Experiences
Bogel fondly remembers her first experience of being completely engrossed in a book – L.M. Montgomery's "Emily of New Moon." This childhood memory of reading under the covers with a flashlight marks the beginning of her journey as a passionate reader.
Coming of Age as a Reader
The author emphasizes that becoming a mature reader is a gradual process. In childhood and adolescence, our reading choices are often guided by others – parents, teachers, and school curricula. The pivotal moment comes when we start choosing our own books, a true rite of passage in a reader's life.
For Bogel, this transition occurred in her early twenties. She discovered the enchanting power of older books through Daphne du Maurier's "Rebecca," which she devoured at a rate of 400 pages a day. Similarly, Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre," a book she had long avoided assuming it would be boring, surprised her with its captivating story.
Layers of Reading Experience
As we grow and change, our reading experiences accumulate rather than replace one another. Bogel borrows a concept from author Madeleine L'Engle, who wrote that aging doesn't mean losing what we've already lived through. In the same way, our past reading experiences remain a part of us.
Bogel sees herself as still being the three-year-old girl begging her father to read "The Story of the Apple" one more time, the college freshman grappling with philosophical works, and the young mother reading "Frog and Toad" to her firstborn. Each of these reading experiences has shaped her and continues to influence her relationship with books.
Books and Relationships
Building Friendships Through Books
Contrary to the stereotype of the solitary bookworm, Bogel argues that books are inherently social and communicative. Sharing thoughts about a good book is one of reading's greatest pleasures. She introduces the concept of a "book twin" – a friend whose reading tastes align so closely with your own that they can reliably recommend books you'll enjoy and steer you away from those you won't.
The Power of Shared Reading Experiences
Bogel encourages readers to be open about their reading preferences, even if they seem unconventional or potentially embarrassing. For example, an English teacher who loves the "Twilight" series or an English literature major who doesn't enjoy classic novels like "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "The Great Gatsby" shouldn't feel ashamed. Sharing these opinions can lead to surprising connections with others who feel the same way but have been hesitant to admit it.
The Pitfalls of "Book Bossiness"
While books can strengthen friendships, they can also cause tension if readers become too judgmental about others' choices. Bogel warns against "book bossiness" – the tendency to criticize others' reading preferences or push books on them in an attempt to "fix" their tastes. Instead, she advises focusing on recommending books that you think a friend will genuinely enjoy, rather than trying to change their preferences or personality.
The Bookworm's Dilemmas
Organizing an Ever-Growing Collection
As avid readers accumulate more and more books, they face the challenge of organizing their growing collections. Bogel offers several practical tips:
- Ignore well-meaning advice about limiting bookshelves – embrace your collection and find creative ways to display it.
- Eliminate duplicates, keeping only the nicer edition or passing extras along to others.
- If a book is truly life-changing, consider keeping multiple copies to share with friends.
Managing the "Too Many Books, Too Little Time" Problem
Every book lover faces the dilemma of having more books than they can possibly read. Bogel suggests using deadlines as motivation:
- Utilize library due dates to create a sense of urgency.
- Join a book club to have regular reading goals and discussions to look forward to.
- Schedule coffee dates with friends to discuss recommended books, providing a social incentive to finish reading.
Creating a Personal Connection to Your Collection
Bogel encourages readers to find ways to make their book collection more personally meaningful. She suggests creating a special shelf for books written by people you know, even if the connection is tenuous. This might include books by friends, family members, authors you've met at readings, or even social media connections. This practice adds a layer of personal significance to your collection and celebrates the connections you've made through the world of books.
Beyond the Last Page
The Value of Acknowledgments and Author's Notes
Bogel admits that she used to skip over acknowledgments and author's notes, seeing them as unnecessary additions to the main story. However, she's come to appreciate the insights these sections can provide:
Acknowledgments can reveal touching personal details about the author's life and writing process. For example, Louise Penny's acknowledgments in "A Great Reckoning" thank those who helped care for her husband with dementia, allowing her to focus on writing.
Author's notes often shed light on the research process and unexpected sources of information. Bogel cites Laura Hillenbrand's notes in her biography of Seabiscuit, which describe the author's creative methods for uncovering historical details.
The Joy of Rereading
While it might seem counterintuitive to reread books when there are so many new ones to discover, Bogel argues for the value of revisiting familiar stories:
Each reread offers a new experience, as the reader approaches the book from a different perspective or life stage.
Rereading allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the story, characters, and themes.
Some books, especially those that begin in medias res (in the middle of the action), can be more rewarding on a second read when the reader is already familiar with the characters and context.
Bogel shares her experience with Wallace Stegner's "Crossing to Safety," which she found confusing on her first read but deeply moving on her second, as she approached it with familiarity and emotional connection to the characters.
The Social Aspects of Reading
Book Clubs and Shared Reading Experiences
Book clubs offer a unique opportunity to combine the solitary act of reading with social interaction. Bogel explores the benefits of participating in book clubs:
- They provide motivation to read regularly and finish books by set deadlines.
- Discussing books with others can offer new perspectives and insights.
- Book clubs can expose readers to genres and authors they might not have chosen on their own.
The Art of Recommending Books
Recommending books to friends can be a delicate art. Bogel offers advice on how to do it effectively:
- Consider the recipient's tastes and preferences, not just your own.
- Avoid being pushy or judgmental about others' reading choices.
- Frame recommendations as suggestions rather than mandates.
Navigating Differences in Literary Taste
Bogel acknowledges that even close friends may have vastly different reading preferences. She encourages readers to:
- Respect others' choices and avoid criticizing their tastes.
- Find common ground where possible, even if it's just a shared love of reading.
- Use differences in taste as an opportunity to broaden your own literary horizons.
The Physical Aspects of Books
The Charm of Physical Books
In an age of e-readers and digital books, Bogel celebrates the enduring appeal of physical books:
- The tactile experience of holding a book and turning its pages.
- The visual pleasure of a well-designed cover and spine.
- The satisfaction of seeing a personal library grow over time.
The Dilemma of Book Storage
As book collections grow, storage becomes a pressing issue. Bogel offers creative solutions:
- Embrace floor-to-ceiling bookshelves to maximize vertical space.
- Use books as decor, creating stacks on coffee tables or nightstands.
- Rotate books seasonally, storing some and displaying others.
The Joy of Bookstore and Library Visits
Bogel reminds readers of the pleasure of browsing physical bookstores and libraries:
- The serendipity of discovering unexpected titles.
- The community aspect of local bookstores and libraries.
- The sensory experience of being surrounded by books.
Reading in the Digital Age
Balancing Physical and Digital Reading
While celebrating physical books, Bogel also acknowledges the benefits of e-readers and audiobooks:
- The convenience of carrying multiple books on one device.
- The ability to adjust font size and lighting for comfortable reading.
- The opportunity to listen to books while multitasking.
The Impact of Social Media on Reading
Bogel explores how social media has changed the reading landscape:
- Online book communities and bookstagram accounts provide new ways to discover and discuss books.
- The pressure to keep up with trending titles and participate in online reading challenges.
- The double-edged sword of constant recommendations and "to be read" lists that grow faster than one can read.
The Personal Growth Aspect of Reading
Books as Tools for Self-Discovery
Bogel emphasizes how books can help readers understand themselves better:
- Identifying with characters and their struggles.
- Exploring different perspectives and worldviews.
- Reflecting on personal values and beliefs through literary themes.
Reading as a Lifelong Learning Process
The author encourages readers to view their reading journey as an ongoing education:
- Challenging oneself with diverse genres and styles.
- Using books to explore new subjects and ideas.
- Allowing reading preferences to evolve over time.
The Emotional Impact of Books
Books as Emotional Companions
Bogel delves into the ways books can provide emotional support:
- Offering comfort during difficult times.
- Providing escape and relaxation from daily stresses.
- Inspiring hope and motivation for personal growth.
The Bittersweet Feeling of Finishing a Book
The author explores the complex emotions that come with finishing a beloved book:
- The satisfaction of completing a journey with the characters.
- The sadness of saying goodbye to a fictional world.
- The excitement of choosing the next reading adventure.
Cultivating a Reading Life
Creating Reading Rituals
Bogel suggests ways to incorporate reading more fully into daily life:
- Establishing a dedicated reading time each day.
- Creating a cozy reading nook in your home.
- Pairing reading with other enjoyable activities, like having a cup of tea.
Overcoming Reading Slumps
The author offers advice for times when reading feels challenging:
- Giving yourself permission to abandon books that aren't engaging.
- Rereading old favorites to reignite your passion for reading.
- Trying a different format, like audiobooks, to vary your reading experience.
Balancing Reading with Other Aspects of Life
Bogel acknowledges the challenge of finding time to read in busy lives:
- Setting realistic reading goals that fit your lifestyle.
- Finding small pockets of time throughout the day for reading.
- Prioritizing reading as a form of self-care and personal development.
Conclusion: The Enduring Magic of Books
In concluding "I'd Rather Be Reading," Anne Bogel reaffirms the transformative power of books and the joy of being a lifelong reader. She encourages readers to embrace their love of books unapologetically, to share their passion with others, and to continue exploring the vast world of literature.
Bogel's book serves as a celebration of the reading life in all its facets – from the simple pleasure of cracking open a new book to the profound ways in which reading shapes our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. She reminds us that being a reader is not just about consuming stories, but about building a rich, interconnected life filled with imagination, empathy, and endless discovery.
Through her warm and relatable anecdotes, practical advice, and infectious enthusiasm, Bogel invites readers to reflect on their own reading journeys and to find new ways to deepen their relationship with books. Whether you're a casual reader or a dedicated bibliophile, "I'd Rather Be Reading" offers a comforting reminder that you're part of a vast community of book lovers, each on their own unique literary adventure.
As readers close this book, they're likely to feel a renewed appreciation for the books that have shaped their lives and an eager anticipation for all the reading experiences yet to come. Bogel's parting message is clear: in a world full of distractions and demands, there's something truly special about being able to say, with conviction and joy, "I'd rather be reading."