Dive into the rewarding yet challenging world of reading! The discussion spans from the shift from reading aloud to silent contemplation, exploring how historical changes shape our current literacy struggles. Discover the joys and pressures linked to childhood reading experiences and the decline in comprehension today. The speakers share strategies for enhancing reading stamina, especially with complex philosophical texts. Wrap it up with insights on rekindling a genuine love for books amidst modern distractions and the fascinating evolution of reading practices.
59:25
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Proust's Impact on Ellie
Ellie enjoyed reading Proust's "Days of Reading", relating to Proust's childhood joy of reading.
She describes reading as world-building and nest-creating, fostering imagination and a sense of belonging.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Beauvoir's Influence on David
David appreciates Simone de Beauvoir's memoirs about reading in nature as a young girl.
He connects this with his own love for reading outdoors.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Ellie's "Mandy" Memory
Ellie recalls her childhood obsession with Julie Andrews' "Mandy".
Finishing the 175-page book instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Mandy, a ten-year-old orphan, dreams of having a place to call her own. She discovers a hidden cottage in the woods and works tirelessly to make it her home. Through her journey, Mandy learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and belonging. The story unfolds against the backdrop of nature, mirroring Mandy's emotional growth as she navigates her secret life and confronts the challenges of honesty and trust.
Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée
Simone de Beauvoir
Dans « Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée », Simone de Beauvoir explore son enfance et son adolescence dans une famille bourgeoise conservatrice. Ce récit autobiographique est à la fois une introspection personnelle et une critique des normes sociétales et des rôles de genre qui ont façonné sa vie. Il jette les bases de ses futures œuvres emblématiques, notamment « Le Deuxième Sexe ».
A history of reading
A history of reading
Alberto Manguel
Alberto Manguel's "A History of Reading" is a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of reading practices throughout history. It examines the cultural and social contexts that shaped reading habits, from ancient times to the modern era. The book delves into the various forms reading has taken, including oral traditions and the shift towards silent reading. Manguel's work highlights the profound impact of reading on individual and collective consciousness. It's a rich and insightful study of the art of reading and its significance in human civilization.
Proust's Journée de Lecture
Proust's Journée de Lecture
Days of Reading
Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust's "Journée de Lecture" offers a glimpse into his childhood experiences with reading. It details the profound impact books had on his imagination, shaping his understanding of time, space, and belonging. The work showcases Proust's deep connection to literature from a young age, highlighting the transformative power of reading. It's a poignant reflection on the formative role of books in personal development and the creation of inner worlds. The book is a testament to the enduring joy and intellectual stimulation derived from literature.
The Spell of the Sensuous
Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World
David Abram
In this major work of ecological philosophy, David Abram draws on diverse sources including the philosophy of Merleau-Ponty, Balinese shamanism, Apache storytelling, and his own experience as a magician to reveal the intricate relationship between human perception and the natural world. The book delves into the character of perception and the sensual foundations of language, highlighting how even abstract language echoes the natural world. Abram argues that humans have severed their ancient reciprocity with nature and explores what it would take to recover a sustaining relation with the earth.
Proust and the Squid
Maryanne Wolf
In *Proust and the Squid*, Maryanne Wolf delves into the fascinating history of reading, from early writing systems to the neural pathways involved in reading. The book highlights how reading transforms our brains and culture, and explores challenges such as dyslexia. Wolf also discusses the implications of digital communication on reading habits.
This is one for the books. In episode 104 of Overthink, Ellie and David consider what makes reading so rewarding, and, for many people today, so challenging! How did society shift toward inward silent reading and away from reading aloud in the Middle Ages? How have changes in teaching phonics and factors of classism, accessibility, and educational justice made it harder for the young to read? Why is reading philosophy so hard, and how can we increase our reading stamina?
Marcel Proust, Journée des Lecteurs Simone de Beauvoir, Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter Julie Andrews, Mandy Adam Kotsko, “The Loss of Things I Took for Granted,” Slate Alberto Manguel, A History of Reading David Abram, The Spell of the Sensuous Maryanne Wolf, Proust and the Squid
Overthink 
