Journal - Used to Hate Reading

Now I understand why Jason say 'thanks for your essay' on the every head of his comments. It sounds habitual, but the pleasure of reading others' ideas and experiences through their enjoyable writings spontaneously induce this reaction. I remember I instantly closed this book just a few minutes after I tried. That was the most boring book ever tried. Since you went through the book,and the book must have its own reason for the literary significance, I probably can get some ideas about the book from you .

Inkab wrote:Now I understand why Jason say 'thanks for your essay' on the every head of his comments. It sounds habitual, but the pleasure of reading others' ideas and experiences through their enjoyable writings spontaneously induce this reaction. I remember I instantly closed this book just a few minutes after I tried. That was the most boring book ever tried. Since you went through the book,and the book must have its own reason for the literary significance, I probably can get some ideas about the book from you .

Hi Inkab and Namsook,

Yes, I write "thanks" because I really mean it. I do sometimes worry that it sounds - as you point out - 'habitual', but I think it is so important to express appreciation when people have gone to the trouble to dice and organize their thoughts and "etch them in paper" so to speak. I personally learn something every time I read a student's writing. I learn about a person and their world view. I benefit from seeing some aspect of the universe from a new and unique angle. For that I am genuinely grateful.

This diary entry is actually a very interesting topic: reading (and whether it is enjoyed or hated). Having studied a second language myself at university, which involved delving into all of its classic literature in the original language, I have to admit I found some texts just excruciatingly boring to read. In effect you are reading a book that another (or others) have decided to classify as a 'classic' and therefore compulsory reading in order to gain a deeper appeciation of the language and culture. I'd sort of prefer to make that choice on my own...

When Koreans ask me about what they should read in English, I often refer them to books in their natural zone of interest. A good example are the CSI novels. The CSI series are so popular with so many people (I myself am a huge fan!), I think by reading the novel versions these people would bring so much natural interest and schema to to process, that reading would be stimulating and natural. Another example is the Harry Potter series. They are huge books with some very advanced language and expressions in them, but they are like a garden of English development just waiting to be explored.

Nice to hear your thoughts, as always, ladies.

Good night!

~ Jason



***

Oh, yeah. it's a tough job especially when it's in the second or foreign language. This semester I'm assigned to read Jane Austen's and William Shakespeare's. Certainly, they are interesting to read, yet the process of reading and comprehending is so painstaking that it takes the pleasure of savoring their literary beauty. Despite such difficulty, I'm sure that it worths the trouble. As you mentioned, it will enhance linguistic proficiency and cultural understading as well as critical thinking abilities. I wish your success in your constant efforts in reading classics and your plans for cultural experience. Good luck.

Long time ago, maybe 10 years ago, I found my interest in the story of Great Gatsby through a movie. The film was old but fabulous to me.
It aroused my pity toward Great Gatsby when I witnessed the despair and frustration of the main character in pursuing his love materialistically.
Watching the video may help you to grasp the whole picture of the story if the video is available.

P.S. Alas! This is my second time to respond to your writing.
It's gone when I tried to post my response.