2 More Ways to Read Like a Professional Smart Person
Written by John Rozewicki   
Monday, 17 April 2006
Here is the second part of the article I wrote yesterday, 3 Ways to Read Like a Professional Smart Person.

4. Read Well-Done Fiction

Another misconception about reading that we're taught as children is that things that are nonfiction are true while things that are fiction are false. While this is true as it pertains to the facts it certainly isn't true as it pertains to emotions. You can write a book that's factually true but the reason for reading it, the emotions and interpretation, is false. Conversely you can write a book that's factually false, but that people will identify with because the human interaction is true. This is what fiction is. You can learn things from fiction just like you can from nonfiction because there has to be some basis in reality for fiction to make any sense or be good fiction. I submit 2 books and 1 series that I find to be incredibly truthful as fiction. First, the Harry Potter series. While the first few books are a bit shallow the later ones are incredibly complex and rewarding. Anyone who tells you they're fantasy fluff doesn't know what they're talking about. I've never read "children's books" that painted concepts such as prejudice, jealousy, and death so truthfully. JK Rowling uses and incredibly well-developed characters and settings to tell an intricate and epic tale. Next, The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides. I wouldn't be surprised if not too many people have read this one. It's easy, it's short, and it's probably one of my favorite books. The whole thing is written so lyrically and smoothly as to ease you in to the dreamlike state that the author intends. It's probably the best depiction of what it means to be both an adolescent male and an adolescent female. At first you'll think it is a book about the Lisbon sisters but then later you'll realize it is more about the boys' fixation on them and their peculiar deaths. Lastly, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. This is the most difficult of the three, but it's not too difficult. You probably know it only by its hype as a book about child molestation. Written in 1955, it is still just as relevant today. I can't think of a book that better details the disturbed thinking of a pedophile. As with The Virgin Suicides, it is a book that is more about who it is told by than its subject.

5. Ignore Most Recommendations(Including Oprah)

While somewhat contradictory I think it is important that you ignore most recommendations. It is very important to think about who the person is that is recommending it. Is it someone who knows you and what you might like? There are no recommendations that fit everyone. How much does this person gain by recommending a book? Do they have a vested interest in bringing that book to market? If that person is Oprah then you can easily answer all 3 questions. Oprah is using her clout as a personality to sell books. Think about who she is and what she stands for. She makes the cover of her own magazine every single month. Also, after she recommends something it will become difficult to find a copy that doesn't have her seal of approval taking up 15% of the cover. Oprah gets paid a lot of money to mention books on her show. This doesn't mean you shouldn't take her recommendations. I too feel that everyone should read some Steinbeck, but you should still evaluate why she might be recommending books in the first place. Mostly this is about evaluating whether or not you trust that person to be smart and informed. You'll only really need recommendations when you start reading. As you read what's recommended you will become more acquainted with what is available to you to read. Eventually you'll be making your own recommendations. You'll be the smart and informed person that you trust to know your tastes.

Overview

Ultimately, you need to think a little bit before you decide to read something. You need to step past the aisle pimping the bestsellers and pick up things that catch your eye. The new releases rack is a good place to start. It's not as dense as the general stock of books, but you'll be able to evaluate for yourself whether or not something is good and appropriate for you. This is how smart people read. They pick, and choose, and think about the things I've outlined here before they invest their time.
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