wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I love reading. I love books that grab you and take you to places that you just can't leave. Books are not there to be talked about. "Faking" having read a book is not any better than faking orgasms: you will never know what you are missing until you experience it whatever way it suits you. Reading, just like sex, should be enjoyed first hand, because faking it just doesn't cut it.

Thank-you, Professor.

I am a lifelong lover of books who,
though acquainted with many, mysteriously,
have collected books but can only rarely ever
seem to read them through.

You not only speak my truth,
your words help heal
my yearning reader's wound.

i like to listen to audo-books while i work during the day. BUT, for non-fiction books the references and foot-notes are missing from the process.

negative comments here are missing his point

Another reason to diminish the culture of reading. And, it's coming from exactly those that should be preserving it!

I can understand this.

In nonfiction, we can get so much information from BookTV and other interview situations, as well as op-eds, reviews, conversation, etc.

This information contributes to being able to partake in the dialogs of the day.

What we miss is the detail, of course, and the quality of the writing. The incredibly well-written "What's the Matter with Kansas?" for example.

In fiction, as in movies, yes, you can tell the richness, the quality of a work by just dipping in at random. And a unique experience it can be.

I have a friend who reads virtually no books. But LOVES to read the NY Times Book Review cover to cover. As would I, if I had time, but I'm in the middle of, literally, 20 books right now. I finished one this year .. .

We're not in college anymore; there is only so much time to read, unfortunately.

How do Brian, Leonard, and Charlie Rose et al talk about books with the myriad of authors they have on?

Do they really read them all? I wouldn't be disappointed if they didn't...I'd just feel better about myself!

How great is this guy?!! He is speaking about living with books, not just consuming them... it's beautiful.

I would read this book, but I'd much rather pretend like I read it in discussions with my friends.

Is anyone else really upset about this?

The comment Prof. Bayard just made about browsing in a library stacks perfectly encapsulates my favorite thing about research. Whenever I go looking for a particular book, I end up finding two or three on either side that are just as fascinating, none of which I would have found if I wasn't able to go browse the stacks.

I do what he is talking about with Proust with Richard Ford's Frank Bascombe novels. Following the arc of the story was great the first time through, but now I just open one of the books anyplace and enjoy the exquisite writing.

Oscar Wilde said something like "I never read a book I am to review. It prejudices one so."

Give me a break! What happened to truth? Why not admit you have not read a book but proceed to ask probing questions about the book of the person who has read it?

The ultimate irony-don't buy, borrow or read this book. You don't need to.

This segment makes me think of a comment someone made about presidential candidates talking down to us... Gee I wonder why they would do that.