I enjoyed this post, and it hit a number of fond memories for me. Books do so much for us in so many ways, as Michael expresses so well and so personally. Thanks, Michael, and thanks, Mary, for generously including guest posts on your site.
Thanks, Del! Appreciate that. Books changed my life, no question. Check out my Substack if you want to read my currently-unfurling "fictional memoir"! Consider subscribing :)
This post was a terrific read - thanks, Mary and Michael! So much to provoke thought and to ponder.
For a long time I was shockingly inconsistent with my reading, but when I started reading again with purpose (purposes being to learn something, to chill out, to find joy in the words of others, to challenge myself, plus about eight thousand others) my brain - and indeed my whole self - was reminded of what the heck I'd been missing.
I also find it quite true (at least for me, but I think for most people) that I learned to write early on in life, but I had to gain some life experience to have something valuable to say, something to write about.
Well said, Michael. If I'd written this piece, it might have sounded quite similar in our list of books -- not the same, but with significant overlap, even though I'm probably twice your age. Reading got me through childhood, teen years, college (dropped out so why am I not a famous author yet?). Writing got me through teen years and college, but then life interfered and I set it aside, sort of, for a few years. Then it hit again full force and I haven't stopped in 20+ years. The great authors speak to us across the generations. Technology changes -- humanity does not. Thank you, sir.
So agree, Robb. I started reading super young, then the writing came, then more books, then college and I had the miracle observation that one could major in reading, English Lit., sort of misnomer as we crossed all boundaries--and then writing had to take a break while life took its turns, but back I came!
I enjoyed this post, and it hit a number of fond memories for me. Books do so much for us in so many ways, as Michael expresses so well and so personally. Thanks, Michael, and thanks, Mary, for generously including guest posts on your site.
Thanks, Del! Appreciate that. Books changed my life, no question. Check out my Substack if you want to read my currently-unfurling "fictional memoir"! Consider subscribing :)
Michael Mohr
Sincere American Writing
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
This post was a terrific read - thanks, Mary and Michael! So much to provoke thought and to ponder.
For a long time I was shockingly inconsistent with my reading, but when I started reading again with purpose (purposes being to learn something, to chill out, to find joy in the words of others, to challenge myself, plus about eight thousand others) my brain - and indeed my whole self - was reminded of what the heck I'd been missing.
Yes! Glad you enjoyed the piece. Books are like eternal friends, always present with us :) Thanks for reading!
Michael Mohr
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
Ah, Rebecca, Been doing this kind of serious reading all my life -- and that has saved me time and time again. Great guest post by Michael!
Woot-woot!!
And thank you Robb :)
Thanks again so much for posting this, Mary! I hope people enjoy it!
Such a thoughtful post, worth all those moments of rereading, touching up and getting in all those fab illustrations that remind us why we read. xo
I also find it quite true (at least for me, but I think for most people) that I learned to write early on in life, but I had to gain some life experience to have something valuable to say, something to write about.
Exactly!!
Well said, Michael. If I'd written this piece, it might have sounded quite similar in our list of books -- not the same, but with significant overlap, even though I'm probably twice your age. Reading got me through childhood, teen years, college (dropped out so why am I not a famous author yet?). Writing got me through teen years and college, but then life interfered and I set it aside, sort of, for a few years. Then it hit again full force and I haven't stopped in 20+ years. The great authors speak to us across the generations. Technology changes -- humanity does not. Thank you, sir.
So agree, Robb. I started reading super young, then the writing came, then more books, then college and I had the miracle observation that one could major in reading, English Lit., sort of misnomer as we crossed all boundaries--and then writing had to take a break while life took its turns, but back I came!