WHY GARFUNKEL IS RIGHT TO READ THE CLASSICS.

January 27, 2008 at 12:01 PM · Literature

WHY GARFUNKEL IS RIGHT TO READ THE CLASSICS. When I retired, I thought, “Now, I have the time to read all the books I want.” I soon realized that I can’t even keep up with the new books I want to read. Garfunkel’s list is a sobering reminder that even reading at a steady pace, there is a limit to the number of books you can read in your lifetime. There isn’t time to read anything, but the very best books—or any kind of mystery story.

3 comments

Nick January 27, 2008 at 7:35 pm

I always have this thought, of being buried in books, when I go into a bookstore. Especially when I’m picking up required reading. I think, “I’m here to pick up this - but this and this and this look so much more interesting.”

Something about academic reading will never be the same as reading for pleasure. Is there any way to make a career out of reading for pleasure?

Lee January 27, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Time Enough at Last! Talk about sobering. I bet Paul Simon hasn’t got through half as many books as Art.

Mary Jane Schaefer January 28, 2008 at 5:01 pm

In response to Nick’s question: I suppose if you become an author yourself. But, then, you’d have a professional interest; so it still wouldn’t be the same. Perhaps we all have to content ourselves with reading only for pleasure only some of the time. I think your father always reads for pleasure because he finds everything interesting.