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Think Humanities

Episode 182 - Dwight Garner, Book Critic for The New York Times

May 12, 2021
Join Dwight Garner, a prominent book critic for The New York Times, as he shares insights from his literary journey. He discusses the historical significance of commonplace books and their impact on readers. Garner navigates the challenges of promoting his new quotes compilation during the pandemic and explores the unique book structure resembling poetry. He reflects on the art of book criticism, emphasizing its depth and cultural importance, while also inviting listeners to the upcoming Kentucky Book Festival.
32:34

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • The practice of maintaining a commonplace book allows individuals to reflect on their readings and revisit meaningful ideas from various authors.
  • The landscape of literary criticism has evolved, creating fewer platforms for reviews, thus increasing the significance of critics in shaping a book's legacy.

Deep dives

The Concept of a Commonplace Book

A commonplace book serves as a personal repository for favorite quotes, observations, and ideas drawn from a variety of readings. It has historical significance, with renowned figures like Virginia Woolf and W.H. Auden maintaining their own commonplace books. This practice allows individuals to reflect on their readings and revisit meaningful passages later. The speaker has cultivated a commonplace book since childhood, ultimately migrating it to digital format, leading to the creation of a published collection entitled 'Garner's Quotations.'

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