Posts in category “Reading”

A Reading Habit

Searching for a way to foster sustainable reading and recall habits.

Around the 2017–2018 transition, I wanted to improve how well I remembered the things I read. Up until that point, I’d go through bursts of reading all genres of books, but couldn’t retain much— often struggling to recall even the highlights after a week or two.

Like Jack, I was leaning on some kind of osmosis to hold onto anything valuable:

"While scrolling through the Books I’ve Read, I realized that I don't remember the first thing about most of them. There are a few standouts, of course, but for the most part reading feels like temporary entertainment. I hope some of it is absorbed and becomes a useful part of my brain, but it doesn't seem like that's happening."

Not satisfied with fully enjoying the process of reading, and retaining the content of much of the books I was picking up, I wanted something more to take away from the experience. I wanted to share thoughtful summaries of great books, avoid wasting time on forgettable ones, and capture how each book resonated with me in that moment of my life.

While I admire those who keep up with intense reading and note-taking routines, I realized that wasn’t realistic for me unless I had a specific goal, like finishing graduate school. So, I went for a simpler method— writing short, one-to-two paragraph reviews of every book I finish.

I call this practice A Reading Habit.

Usually, within a week of finishing a book, I review any marginalia I’ve left and then write a stream-of-consciousness reflection. After a quick edit, I tag and archive these notes for future reference. I've begun sharing more recent reviews on this blog under #Book Reviews, but my full reading list (dating back to 2011) and reviews (since 2018) are hosted on my personal archive site, here.

I’m not always prompt with writing these reviews, especially when I’m reading a lot, but I usually circle back to fill in the gaps. Their real value shows when someone asks for book recommendations or for a list on a particular topic— it’s effortless to open my text editor of choice and find exactly what I need.

Run Towards the Danger (2022) →

by Sarah Polley

Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with a Body of Memory is technically a memoir, though Sarah Polley herself doesn’t seem to see it that way. It’s unconventional compared to most memoirs I've read, focusing on a handful of key moments rather than a broad sweep of her life. Polley delves into periods where her body, mind, and spirit were deeply affected—through pregnancy, sexual assault, childhood trauma as a star, and a serious head injury. Her life appears filled with moments of agony that initially seem like defeat.

This is a book about memory and how we come to understand our own realities. It looks at the distorted realities we experience in the midst of trauma, and the clearer, more truthful versions we piece together later on, with the support of loved ones and trusted confidants. #Memory

I wasn’t too familiar with Polley’s work before this, nor her contributions to Canadian media and pop culture, but reading this made me realize I’ve enjoyed some of her most notable projects, like Take This Waltz (2011), Alias Grace (2017, miniseries), and Go (1999).

Run Towards the Danger (2022) is a deeply personal read that tackles tough topics, ones you need to approach with care. While it’s not a complete history, Run Towards the Danger offers insight into the development of a child star in the Canadian acting scene and the often harsh realities of life in the spotlight.

These days, I’m reading lots of memoirs from women who have led extraordinary lives in their own respects. Mid-level recovering Canadian actresses, poets who have started over after a marriage gone wrong, a young woman running away from all that she’s ever known.

While I am not certain what put me onto this path of reading, I do know that I’m intentionally staying on it.

Unfollow: A Journey from Hatred to Hope (2019) →

by Megan Phelps-Roper

I can't recall where or when I picked up this book. It likely came into my possession through our Little Free Library or from a bulk collection I bought at a good price. Regardless of how it came to me, I was disappointed by the time I spent reading it.

There’s no doubt that Phelps-Roper’s story is both important and interesting. I believe that wholeheartedly. However, the book felt lacking in substance and depth, and it simply wasn’t long enough to provide a fuller, more complete narrative to make it worthwhile.

At times, Unfollow felt too simplistic—a story that didn’t seem all that difficult or challenging, and where the process of overcoming obstacles didn’t feel particularly arduous. I don’t think this reflects the reality of the author’s experiences; rather, I feel that not enough time, care, or attention was given to telling the whole story in a way that would do it justice.

Perhaps this is more a reflection of poor editing—or a lack of proper editing—than a lack of a compelling story to tell.

Raise Some Shell: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) →

by Richard Rosenbaum

A quick, easily, enjoyable, and easily recommended read on a favourite piece of pop-culture from my childhood. Having grown up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (their 'kid friendly' and mass-marketed form), Rosenbaum's read brought me back to my childhood and brought to light both the history behind the Turtles, their wider social impact, and the critical underpinnings of the dynasty's initial creation and legacy on media across genres.

Aside from minor thoughts of nostalgia now and again, I have not engaged with the Turtles in anyway since my childhood. Now as an adult, and having read Raise Some Shell I am curious in revisiting TMNT with a fresh perspective to see if I might enjoy what the dynasty has to offer on a different, and perhaps deeper, level.

Learning about the darker roots of the series, the shifting personalities the Turtles take on with each new iteration, and the connection (or lack there of) of story lines across decades and mediums has offered a spark to a new entry point for me. Of particular interest is reading the collected Volumes (1, 2, and 4) which seem to have clear connections and stay closest to the original idea which the Turtles grew from. Never being one who has read comics, but as someone who loves reading, this may be a way to bridge a gap in my interests & knowledge.