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When Was the Last Time You Read Outloud?
I’m in a wonderful book group. Right now, we’re reading The Waves by Virginia Woolf, which I find pleasurable, but difficult. Last night, when we assembled for our monthly discussion, someone suggested we each take a character and read passages of the book out loud. It was an inspired way to absorb Woolf’s complicated prose. Try it sometime with other adults (or by yourself). It’s liberating.
Illustration by Tom Gauld
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I often read out loud when I like the way the prose sounds and feels or it’s difficult or both. Love hearing about your experience. Virginia Woolf is a favorite.
It was great reading and listening to others read, as well. Really fun!
Your bookclub does sound wonderful! I’m in a bookclub too with the same core group of women for almost 8 years. Alas…the dynamics have changed quite a bit and now everyone is either a very new mother or expecting, and no one has time to read! I enjoy these women’s company, but I’m on a lookout for another REAL bookclub where were tackle the tough reads. Its harder to find then it sounds
One of the women in our book club has 16 month-old twins, so we don’t commit to as much reading each month. I kinda like that.
I’m a school librarian, so I read aloud on a daily basis. And even the “big kids” like you to read to them!
Big kids? What do you mean?
I love to read poetry aloud myself. We do occasionally at our club read passages aloud too and I think it enhances the overall bookclub experience. BTW, don’t you just LOVE that NEW YORKER cover??
I’d be laughing about the new New Yorker cover if it wasn’t so sad.