Editorial Reviews. From the Inside Flap. ìThis book is as contagious as it was intended to be.î The Joy of Reading: A Passionate Guide to of the World's Best Authors and Like a professor whose enthusiasm enwraps his students, Van Doren . This engaging love letter to reading explores the work of the authors who.
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Well, it looks like my patented random selector selects my first selection, Robert Burns. One could certainly do worse than that. View all 3 comments. Feb 24, Julie rated it it was ok Shelves: So far, zero surprises. It's very standard stuff. If you want a bird's eye tour of Western classics in literature, I guess this is an okay place to start. Jan 21, James rated it it was amazing Shelves: There are many books about the enjoyment of reading.
Each of them share the joy gained from reading certain books the author has found to be uplifting or enlightening or simply entertaining. Emerson once said, "Tis the good reader that makes the good book;" as he shared his confidence in the reader to find a message in the book intended particularly for that singular reader. Whether the authors of books about reading find messages or merely memories, the words they write about their enjoyment an There are many books about the enjoyment of reading.
Whether the authors of books about reading find messages or merely memories, the words they write about their enjoyment and the books they accumulate in lists for other readers' pleasure are some of the most interesting words that I have encountered in my reading life. Charles Van Doren is one of the best of these authors and the title of his book says it all; the book is about the joy a reader experiences.
This joy is enhanced when exploring the best works of literature from the time of the Greeks and before until the twentieth century. Van Doren aims in particular at those readers with "the mind and heart of a reader of goodwill". That is the general reader who, like Charles Van Doren, finds reading their "favorite thing to do. The Joy of Reading follows a plan in that it includes only books that Charles Van Doren has "fallen in love with", and of those books he comments on both what the book is about and why one should read it.
The selected books span several genres including novels, plays, poems, history, philosophy, essays, etc. As with all good books there is a helpful bibliography that suggests, when it is important, editions that the author found particularly helpful. While this book did not begin my journey through great literature it has enriched it and provided a companion to turn to when I am in need of meditation on the favorites of someone who evinced what is truly the best in literature.
I sometimes feel that I am like the reader described by Malcolm Bradbury when he said, " A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators. No, but they are all worth considering, exploring, reading for a while to see if I can find some of what he saw in them. Some I have made my own with readings and re-readings and some have been reserved for what I hope will be a prosperous reading future filled with more joy. Perhaps you, too, dear reader will share in "The Joy of Reading". Jun 06, Charity rated it it was amazing.
I must own this book in my library. It starts with the beginning of written history and goes through today detailing authors, thoughts, and suggested reading. My apetite was whetted to know more about what has been written, thought, and created in the past. My reading list has grown exponentially and I am so excited to get going!
The author includes a 10 year plan fo I must own this book in my library. The author includes a 10 year plan for reading in the back. Once I get my own copy I intend to have this book as a companion to my studies. Jan 22, Kazen rated it liked it. A solid introduction to the classics. Some of the descriptions made me eager to read this or that book right now , Van Doren's enthusiasm is so contagious. On the other hand, it's obvious what books and authors he included out of duty instead of love, as the text becomes conspicuously terse. A good book to split up with other reading, use as a reference, or find a foothold in the wall that is The Classics.
Feb 19, Lostaccount rated it really liked it.
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I love books and so I love books about books. This is one of the better books about books.
Although some of the sections were a bit too heavy on the biography of the writers instead of their books. Overall though it was inspiring. I'd read a lot of the books Doren writes about before reading the Joy Of Reading but I still found it fascinating and it made me want to read them again. Thanks to Doren, I have a new list of books I want to read. Feb 04, David Ward rated it liked it Shelves: The Joy of Reading: The author advocates for his list of greatest authors and their best tales.
These are divided into chronological sections. I don't agree with him on very many of these selections. Feb 07, William Schram rated it it was amazing. Contains great selections and critiques of books you should give a chance at reading. Everything from Homer to J. Rowling is covered in the edition that I read.
Charles Van Doren gives a small essay or snippet of text to explain why he chose that particular work. Spoilers do not about in this book though, since the point is to read them for yourself. Jan 26, Seansurfgood rated it it was amazing. This book is truly a treasue! I am so pleased to have come across it..
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I owe a lot to Mr. This book reaffirmed in me the simple pleasure of reading, which unfortunately 20 years of standard education had dulled. Mar 23, Dante rated it really liked it Shelves: A good introduction to the history of Western literature Mar 17, James M. This looks like a good personal, albeit well-informed, list of works to read! Sep 09, Armatstorage added it.
Joy of Reading by Charles Van Doren
Skimmed most of it. Very fun to see the list of most important books to read over history of literature. Am trying to go through this list over the next ten years! Aug 12, Tfalcone rated it really liked it. Not only do I always get good ideas about what to read next, BUt I also get a huge case of guilt for not having read some of the world's greatest books. At least I know what they are about Jeffrey Oakes rated it really liked it Dec 28, William rated it it was amazing Sep 09, Vairagya Eiger rated it it was amazing May 13, Ryana rated it really liked it Sep 24, Ccmoore rated it really liked it Jul 06, Dinh Hang rated it it was amazing Mar 29, Katrina rated it really liked it May 05, Wayne rated it it was amazing Jul 23, The Joy of Reading: Sold by saanjhi and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
A History of Knowledge: Ships from and sold by Amazon. Customers who viewed this item also viewed. Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading. Past, Present, and Future. Great Treasury of Western Thought: The New Lifetime Reading Plan: How to Think About the Great Ideas: From the Great Books of Western Civilization.
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Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Van Doren has created a fantastic book that serves a much needed goal in our "on-line society. He explains why they are important, and his passion for each is clearly evident. He puts them into a meaningful context and connects them together to weave a tapestry of knowledge.
I'd thought that I was well read until I picked up this book. But instead of being dismayed at how little I really know, I have taken comfort from his suggested ten year reading plan at the back of the book as a useful path for discovering them for myself. This book can reveal a world that should be an inspiration for the pursuit of greater knowledge for any person who is at all serious about improving their knowledge of the world around them. This book is quite highly recommended. This is one of the finest book on literature ever written.
Never got me interested. Even though this is an excellent collection for what it sets out to do, one has to ask why, in this day and age, only 10 women writers are included among the nearly authors? When excellent writing by women throughout the last years from around the world is now easily found via the internet and in other more complete collections?
Taken together, these would then form a more complete and balanced collection. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. The Joy of Reading is a gift to readers everywhere. A book for the ages.
Joy of Reading
I bought this to help me prepare for my ELA praxis test. I like reading this book, I truly had fun while reviewing author's works. Some items came out in the test. This book makes you love reading. See all 10 reviews.