I always wonder how some people are able to read so many books in a year, especially with young children! Do you happen to have any tips or techniques for reading, or recommendations on guides to reading e.g. Mortimer Adler? I have an infant child myself, so free time is scarce.
So sorry for my delayed response, Yunus! It's always changing, and always a challenge for me. But I have found that listening to books while I do dishes, drive the car, etc. has been helpful. I've also been trying to read right before bed, even if it's just a few pages! I would love to hear your tips and thoughts.
As to guides to reading—I would recommend Karen Swallow Prior's On Reading Well!
Thanks Gracy! Like you, I try to read at night. Depending on the book, I might annotate my thoughts after each chapter (I use the productivity app Notion which is remarkable flexible and allows you to create bespoke templates, and I use this for note-taking, especially as it can be used on a smart phone which makes note taking easier) as a means of retaining important insights, though this means that getting through certain books takes longer than I'd like. I'd love to tackle more of the great books of both western and eastern canons but my university degree was science based so I unfortunately do not have the experience and skills of those who have undergone humanities degrees in reading and digesting large amounts of material.
I will check out Karen Swallow's book. I hope you enjoy your stay in the UK! You might enjoy a short trip to the North East (i.e. Northumberland) as it was important historically in the spread of Christianity in the UK (Lindisfarne, Jarrow and other places). There is also Iona Abbey in West Scotland founded by St Columba which is worth a visit, though that is generally the case with Scotland.
Totally agree with you about Thomas Newman's Little Women soundtrack. The beginning track is so American with its brass notes -- yet an undercurrent of gravity. Then, there's the music that accompanies the scene after Beth's death where the housekeeper (Hannah, I think) places the dolls on the bed and scatters blossoms. So poignant! I think the music is one reason (and the absence of that scene) is why I do not prefer Greta Gerwig's Little Women. You've given me a lot to think about in this post as my hometown in Indiana has lately lost several women like Hannah Coulter who were part of my history there in that place.
Thank you so much for this comment, Lori! I did like the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig's "Little Women," but don't know if it'll ever match my love for the older soundtrack (and the older film). I'm so sorry to hear of the losses in your hometown—will be praying for you and others as your mourn their passing.
Oh Gracy, I've been under a rock and hadn't realised you'd moved to Oxford! How wonderful—part of my heart belongs to the city, where we were married and Will, my husband, grew up (this goes back to the sense of history and place you write about so beautifully). Every visit now to see family feels like home—I'm sure it always will to you all, too! ❤️
So wonderful to hear about your experiences of the city! It has, indeed, begun to feel like home, and we feel incredibly blessed to get to live here, even if only for a short while. It would be lovely to meet you at some point while we're here — hope you and your family are well!
That would be so lovely! Maybe in the spring we could get together for a cuppa and an Oxford walk! (In the meantime, keep cosy - I know how chilly Oxford winters-into-spring get!).
I always wonder how some people are able to read so many books in a year, especially with young children! Do you happen to have any tips or techniques for reading, or recommendations on guides to reading e.g. Mortimer Adler? I have an infant child myself, so free time is scarce.
So sorry for my delayed response, Yunus! It's always changing, and always a challenge for me. But I have found that listening to books while I do dishes, drive the car, etc. has been helpful. I've also been trying to read right before bed, even if it's just a few pages! I would love to hear your tips and thoughts.
As to guides to reading—I would recommend Karen Swallow Prior's On Reading Well!
Thanks Gracy! Like you, I try to read at night. Depending on the book, I might annotate my thoughts after each chapter (I use the productivity app Notion which is remarkable flexible and allows you to create bespoke templates, and I use this for note-taking, especially as it can be used on a smart phone which makes note taking easier) as a means of retaining important insights, though this means that getting through certain books takes longer than I'd like. I'd love to tackle more of the great books of both western and eastern canons but my university degree was science based so I unfortunately do not have the experience and skills of those who have undergone humanities degrees in reading and digesting large amounts of material.
I will check out Karen Swallow's book. I hope you enjoy your stay in the UK! You might enjoy a short trip to the North East (i.e. Northumberland) as it was important historically in the spread of Christianity in the UK (Lindisfarne, Jarrow and other places). There is also Iona Abbey in West Scotland founded by St Columba which is worth a visit, though that is generally the case with Scotland.
Totally agree with you about Thomas Newman's Little Women soundtrack. The beginning track is so American with its brass notes -- yet an undercurrent of gravity. Then, there's the music that accompanies the scene after Beth's death where the housekeeper (Hannah, I think) places the dolls on the bed and scatters blossoms. So poignant! I think the music is one reason (and the absence of that scene) is why I do not prefer Greta Gerwig's Little Women. You've given me a lot to think about in this post as my hometown in Indiana has lately lost several women like Hannah Coulter who were part of my history there in that place.
Thank you so much for this comment, Lori! I did like the soundtrack to Greta Gerwig's "Little Women," but don't know if it'll ever match my love for the older soundtrack (and the older film). I'm so sorry to hear of the losses in your hometown—will be praying for you and others as your mourn their passing.
Oh Gracy, I've been under a rock and hadn't realised you'd moved to Oxford! How wonderful—part of my heart belongs to the city, where we were married and Will, my husband, grew up (this goes back to the sense of history and place you write about so beautifully). Every visit now to see family feels like home—I'm sure it always will to you all, too! ❤️
So wonderful to hear about your experiences of the city! It has, indeed, begun to feel like home, and we feel incredibly blessed to get to live here, even if only for a short while. It would be lovely to meet you at some point while we're here — hope you and your family are well!
That would be so lovely! Maybe in the spring we could get together for a cuppa and an Oxford walk! (In the meantime, keep cosy - I know how chilly Oxford winters-into-spring get!).