The Dust of Words Would Smother Me

I'd like to think that I have scaled up in terms of emerging media technologies , and that I am at least tech savvy if not tech trained. But guess I will always be more of a nerd than a geek in my fascination with books. You see, I read a book by approaching it like I would an unopened gift.  I certainly don't behave that way with my iPad.

Back in college, I used Sparknotes for my study guide which includes a plot summary, character study and notes on major themes and symbols. But I try not to be affected with structured analysis. To me, a narrative invites and escapes interpretation.

Something will often excite me about a book. For Anna Karenina, (re-reading and oh, long read,) its depiction of issues in 19th Century Russia, and thus quite daunting -- but the first sentence is of course inviting and itself a study in the best-known openings of any novel: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Such a pronouncement, holds the promise of a narration that will illuminate. It kept my night lamp burning.