Constant Reader discussion

A new topic for a new year. I thought I would start a thread that deals not with books but with interesting articles in periodicals. I hope that we try to stick with literary topics (in the broadest sense) but other topics dealing with media and culture would seem to be fitting. (I would suggest no politics and no sports ... those topics seem to bring out the worst when it comes to online conversations.) So here's the first posting (one that I actually copied from one of my own recent Facebook postings):

Look, I'll be honest. I find the digital vs. paper reading argument to be sometimes interesting but most often tiresome. It's usually just more of the same old stuff turned over and over. I just like reading. Few things are better than a beautifully created hardback book ... few things are more convenient than my Kindle Paperwhite. But when Michael Dirda writes, I am usually enthralled. When he writes on this matter of how we read, I know that I will end up being better informed. Read this article ... and think. It's a good way to end this year.

"Reading always seems to be in crisis. Two and half millennia ago, Socrates inveighed against the written word because it undermined memory and confused data with wisdom. When the codex—the bound book—appeared, some conservative Romans almost certainly went around complaining, ‘What was wrong with scrolls? They were good enough for Horace and Cicero.’ Gutenberg’s press gradually undercut the market for illuminated manuscripts. Aldus Manutius, inventor of the pocket-sized book, rendered huge folios a specialty item."

Here is the link to Michael Dirda's article:

http://www.neh.gov/humanities/2015/no...

What a great idea, Larry. Thanks for the link to start us off.

Not sure how avoiding politics works in actual practice. Is an article about the prejudices writers of color face in publishing political? How about the Atlantic's article praising unlikable female characters of 2015?

Kat, I don't mean to establish any prohibitions ... just to suggest to aim towards articles that are mainly literary in nature. I also am sensitive that any Currently Reading thread may pull some away from deeper discussions. Just use your own judgment. I think those kind of articles that you mention are really good. If the thread becomes a problem, I would accept guidance/recommendations from Sherry or the other moderators on what we should do.

Sara wrote: "I agree with Kat. It also, to be honest, irks me, Larry, that you have co-opted a number of threads--Jane was always our movie maven, yet she's been shoved aside, without any apparent explanation. You have taken a lot of control from all of the mods, and as far as I know, you are not one. Sorry to sound so negative as the new year starts, but this has bothered me for quite some time. ..."

No problem, Sara. I'll shut down all the threads I maintained as of the end of this month. This is my last posting.

Wait--deep breath, everyone! Larry, please don't respond as though Sara is speaking for everyone. I liked your answer to my question about politics, by the way, and like the idea of this thread.

Sara,
Larry gallantly took over the responsibility of these "Short Form" threads back around July of 2013. They were about to be discontinued by the moderators. It was thought that they were possibly stunting discussion in some way.
After some discussion it was agreed to continue them.

I for one appreciate their presence, and hope that Larry will continue the tradition.

I do not see how anyone is stopping Jane or anyone else from posting.

Sara wrote: "Cateline wrote: "Sara,
Larry gallantly took over the responsibility of these "Short Form" threads back around July of 2013. They were about to be discontinued by the moderators. It was thought that they were possib..."

I perfectly remember the circumstances, but thanks for the correction.

I never said that anyone stopped Jane--she always had the "responsibility" (as you put it) of the movie threads, but suddenly she was not starting them anymore. I asked about this in St. Louis, and there was apparently never any discussion or whatever--Larry just added them to his purview, for reasons of his own.

I also never said that I dislike the short form threads or wanted them to disappear. Please don't put words into into my mouth or assume motivations.

All I did was voice something that has been troubling me about the board and that I do not want to see mushroom. Clearly, I'm in the minority, but that doesn't negate my opinion or my right to voice it. Anyone is absolutely welcome to object, disagree or even take their marbles and go home...."

I don't believe I made any attempt to put words into your mouth.

Although I can't find it, I do recall some discussion in that time frame (of summer 2013) regarding these threads and their fate.

I think Larry's idea would be an interesting addition to the topics on the board. If CRs wish to participate they will and if they 're not, they won't. But I see no reason not to give it a try. I am always delighted to get a note on an article from a magazine I don't usually see on a subject that interests me. We don't discuss music very much, but if the Atlantic ran a story on the recent performance of a new opera, and someone mentioned it, I would certainly look for it.
Let's give it a try.

Sara wrote: I was referring to the current discussion only. I didn't ever say that I wanted the threads to disappear or for Larry to stop beginning them.

Oh, I was referring to your post #5 remark.. when you referred to the movie maven, Jane and her running of that thread. Plus of course the "taking control" remark (as follows):

Sara wrote: It also, to be honest, irks me, Larry, that you have co-opted a number of threads--Jane was always our movie maven, yet she's been shoved aside, without any apparent explanation. You have taken a lot of control from all of the mods, and as far as I know, you are not one.

Let's just consider the subject closed. If anyone wants to discuss this further, please do it in private. I see no reason why adding periodicals' discussion to our group would be a bad thing, but I do agree that politics and religion are not subjects I would like to see hashed out. Anyone can start a thread here. There are no rules about that.

Sherry wrote: "Let's just consider the subject closed. If anyone wants to discuss this further, please do it in private. I see no reason why adding periodicals' discussion to our group would be a bad thing, but I..."

Thanks for this, Sherry, it made me sigh with relief. Here's a short article about books to look forward to in 2016. http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/2015... The Queen of the Night looks interesting--I haven't read Chee's other novel. Do any of these sound appealing? Or are there other books you're looking forward to that are coming out in 2016?

Actually, I love it that Larry starts the movie and TV threads. He is much more prompt than I am. I am not on the board as often as I would like to be because I have taken on lots of volunteer work. It's too bad I'm not getting paid, because I would be rich!!

It looks like we have some similar tastes, Quanjun. I am also very interested in "Most Blessed of the Patriarchs": Thomas Jefferson and the Empire of the Imagination by Annette Gordon-Reed and Peter S. Onuf.

I read Gordon-Reed's The Hemingses of Monticello. Jefferson inherited the Hemings family through his wife, whom they were related to. They were all mixed race and served as house slaves. His longtime mistress was Sally Hemings, but Jefferson had close dealings with others in the family as well. By his own lights he tried to help some of them.

This is a fascinating book, but it is also an academic history so it is not quick reading.

I also have SPQR: A History of Ancient Romeon hold at the library.

I'm interested in SPQR also, especially because I'll be taking my first trip to Italy this spring. Although in general I don't do all that well with non-fiction.

Here's another article on books that will be coming out in 2016, this one's much more detailed. I've only gotten through January Fiction so far! I notice Tessa Hadley and Rachel Cantor both have new work coming out; I've enjoyed books by both of them.

http://www.themillions.com/2016/01/mo...

What a great list. Thanks for posting. I'm excited by what I see on the list.

I enjoyed the list, Kat. I'm especially looking forward to the new Julian Barnes and Richard Russo books.

Kat wrote: "I'm interested in SPQR also, especially because I'll be taking my first trip to Italy this spring. Although in general I don't do all that well with non-fiction.

Here's another article on books t..."

Stellar list--thanks for posting. Have a long list of my own now of what to look out for--