Show Notes/Summary
In this episode, host Elena Lappin welcomes novelist and international book blogger Ann Morgan to discuss her thought-provoking new book, Relearning to Read: Adventures in Not Knowing. The conversation delves into the transformative power of reading and the importance of humility and openness when encountering unfamiliar narratives. Morgan shares her personal journey of unlearning traditional reading habits shaped by academic expectations and the liberating experience of engaging with literature from diverse cultures. Through anecdotes from her time volunteering with the Samaritans and her encounters with extraordinary individuals, she illustrates the profound connection between reading and understanding others' stories. This episode invites listeners to embrace the adventure of reading with curiosity and an open mind.
Keywords
Shop Talk With Writers, Ann Morgan, Relearning To Read, Adventures In Not Knowing, International Literature, Samaritans, Emotional Support, Reading Experience, Curiosity In Reading, Children's Literature, Graphic Novels, Literary Analysis, Writing Process, Cultural Perspectives, Literary Traditions, Book Blogging, Cross-Cultural Reading, Humility In Reading, Reader-Writer Collaboration, Creative Writing
Takeaways
Reading requires humility and openness to different perspectives.
Volunteering can reshape one's understanding of narratives.
Children's reading habits reflect a natural acceptance of stories.
Relearning to read involves embracing childlike wonder.
Education can impose restrictive reading frameworks.
Gender dynamics affect academic performance in reading and writing.
Creative interpretation is essential in understanding literature.
Digital reading influences reader engagement and collaboration.
Curiosity fosters deeper connections with diverse cultures.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:16 Exploring the Concept of Reading
03:45 The Impact of Volunteering on Reading Perspectives
06:04 Childhood Experiences and Early Writing
09:04 The Influence of Children’s Reading Habits
10:58 Relearning to Read with Childlike Wonder
12:17 The Role of Education in Shaping Reading
15:13 Gender Dynamics in Academic Reading and Writing
19:03 The Art of Creative Interpretation in Reading
22:23 Openness in Reading and Understanding Different Cultures
27:03 Reading from Diverse Global Perspectives
30:04 The Writer's Freedom and Boldness in Storytelling
31:36 The Collaborative Nature of Reading and Writing
34:57 The Influence of Digital Reading on Reader Experience
38:34 The Universality of Literature and Reader Engagement
44:54 Personal Stories and Connections Through Literature
50:32 Curiosity and Learning from Others
52:13 Current Projects and Future Endeavors
Keywords
understanding, validation, academic success, personal growth, reading, cultural openness
Takeaways
- Reading international literature was an incredibly formative experience.
- In school and academia, I became very fixated on this idea of needing to be right.
- It laid the groundwork for some pretty troubling reading.
- Understanding everything became a personal obsession.
- Academic success can lead to troubling patterns in thinking.
- The pressure to excel can hinder genuine learning.
- Struggles in one subject can overshadow strengths in another.
- Personal growth is often tied to our academic experiences.
- Reading is an adventure in learning what we don't know
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