The year of reading dangerously
Ratings10
Average rating3.3
"An editor and writer's vivaciously entertaining, and often moving, chronicle of his year-long adventure with fifty great books (and two not-so-great ones)-- a true story about reading that reminds us why we should all make time in our lives for books. Nearing his fortieth birthday, author and critic Andy Miller realized he's not nearly as well read as he'd like to be. A devout book lover who somehow fell out of the habit of reading, he began to ponder the power of books to change an individual life-- including his own-- and to the define the sort of person he would like to be. Beginning with a copy of Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that he happens to find one day in a bookstore, he embarks on a literary odyssey of mindful reading and wry introspection. From Middlemarch to Anna Karenina to A Confederacy of Dunces, these are books Miller felt he should read; books he'd always wanted to read; books he'd previously started but hadn't finished; and books he'd lied about having read to impress people.Combining memoir and literary criticism, The Year of Reading Dangerously is Miller's heartfelt, humorous, and honest examination of what it means to be a reader. Passionately believing that books deserve to be read, enjoyed, and debated in the real world, Miller documents his reading experiences and how they resonated in his daily life and ultimately his very sense of self. The result is a witty and insightful journey of discovery and soul-searching that celebrates the abiding miracle of the book and the power of reading"--
"A vivaciously witty and entertaining chronicle of one man's quest to better himself by reading fifty great books (and two not-so-great ones), The Year of Reading Dangerously--the grown-up version of a grade-schooler's reading journal--reminds us why we should all make time in our lives for books"--
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Not quite laugh-out-loud funny, but witty. Discovered this book after spending a full day (I have a cold) listening to the podcast Backlisted. It (the podcast) was recommended to me by my British friend, Matt, and I recommend it to you.
This was pretty good. Less about the books than I would've liked. And I'm not sure what “reading dangerously” means. But as a fan of Backlisted, it was fun to read Andy's book (I could hear his voice as I read). It's very rambling and a bit self-indulgent, but overall, fun.
First, let's make a few things clear: Andy Miller does not read dangerously. He does not save his life by reading. And he only reads fifty great books (and ONE not-so-great one).
Now that the lies in the title are set aside, I can tell you what this book really is: Andy Miller is a funny guy and you will love his yearlong trip through fifty classics. (Though, for truth-in-advertising reasons, I feel compelled to warn you that I completely disagreed with his opinions on every book: War and Peace is not an easy read...Middlemarch is not daunting...and, most of all, I loathed his favorite read of the year, Under the Volcano.) Take the trip with Andy and I suspect you will organize your own Year of Reading Dangerously soon.
