This was lots of fun to read! I recognized myself in this (and laughed out loud):
"But I guess it’s basically because human beings are social. Most people who read books don't read that many books—if they're gonna sit down and read a book, they want it to be the same books other people are reading, because that confirms that these are the books that it's important to read!"
But with a twist!! See, I read daily, but most of what I read is Substack. Books? For the past decade or so, I've been averaging a little over 10 books per year. So, roughly one per month, though it's uneven (some months I read two or three books, and then I might go two or three months without reading anything). But yes, if I'm going to sit down with a book, I'd like to have decent odds of finding it worthwhile. And so, I mostly read novels that have "stood the test of time." Meaning, they are relatively old (written before I was born), but still famous. It's a little bit snobbish, I guess, but mostly, I don't want to waste time. Most new books that are big hits will turn out to have been passing fads. If something is still famous a century or two after it was written, chances are it's good. Which doesn't necessarily guarantee that *I* will like it, but - the odd are higher.
And well... I guess that means I'm a publisher's nightmare. :-P It's pretty hard to convince me to read anything new (at least when it comes to fiction), although I'm *considering* "the Last Samurai," since you recommended it so highly, plus it sounds like something a language nerd (that would be me!) might enjoy.
You'd probably love the Last Samurai. I mean...nobody who reads books is a publisher's nightmare =] But yes they'd probably prefer you to read a frontlist hardback once in a while.
Naomi, thank-you for the pessimism/humor/reality-check/ dialog. If you, in the style of many comics, could imagine the thought cloud above so many writers' heads, they wouldn't be filled with words like yours because they're too consternated (constipated) with frustration to even want to unwind those thoughts into actual words. You cut to the heart of artists without audiences feeling failed in this current culture. Writers that are doing the work, putting one word after the next each day, have no evidence of success other than they are still doing it. Except for those few moments of being plugged into that bit of in-the-flow magic, they're likely prefacing the open space with, why? Anyway, I appreciate your efforts to fill those clouds.
Naomi, very true, wittily done, and a little sad. The publishing industry, both trade and academic, is in difficult times. So I think the business/life model that many people have in their heads, probably reaching its apogee with Hemingway, of "the writer" who is a writer, a public figure/celebrity, and financially successful, isn't possible. I am not sure what this changing context means for your dharma, which as I understand it is always contextual. Substack, which you use effectively, is a partial solution, but i think only partial. Teaching might be a partial solution, as I suggested on a note (?) of yours to similar effect. And, you are not Melville, but you are Naomi, and you have always liked to write. Lots of people, some great writers, have always supported themselves in one way or another, and written what they want, even it it does not make enough to support themselves. I'd go ahead and write the literary fiction (or whatever) you want to write. With lots of exclamation points, probably! :) Anyway, encouragement, however it works out. Enjoy Thanksgiving.
It's true. I mean...for me the finances are not a concern, just a question of where I can actually be read and feel like my work has meaning. With big presses, I don't know--the work to suffering ratio is off. Hard to say.
Hm, I actually went backwards then: I read the book, then I gave it to my mom to read. It's excellent, but the political parts (sessions of parliament) are a bit of a drag and I only skimmed through them. I recently read and reviewed Yashpal's Jhoota Sach, which is set in partition and about as long, but I felt the 'better' novel of the two, though much more serious.
I hope it's a worthwhile read. I can't bring myself to say "enjoy", because the subject matter is tough, but it's a great read (also, I have a short review of it on my substack). It's one of those books that I wish was better known.
This was lots of fun to read! I recognized myself in this (and laughed out loud):
"But I guess it’s basically because human beings are social. Most people who read books don't read that many books—if they're gonna sit down and read a book, they want it to be the same books other people are reading, because that confirms that these are the books that it's important to read!"
But with a twist!! See, I read daily, but most of what I read is Substack. Books? For the past decade or so, I've been averaging a little over 10 books per year. So, roughly one per month, though it's uneven (some months I read two or three books, and then I might go two or three months without reading anything). But yes, if I'm going to sit down with a book, I'd like to have decent odds of finding it worthwhile. And so, I mostly read novels that have "stood the test of time." Meaning, they are relatively old (written before I was born), but still famous. It's a little bit snobbish, I guess, but mostly, I don't want to waste time. Most new books that are big hits will turn out to have been passing fads. If something is still famous a century or two after it was written, chances are it's good. Which doesn't necessarily guarantee that *I* will like it, but - the odd are higher.
And well... I guess that means I'm a publisher's nightmare. :-P It's pretty hard to convince me to read anything new (at least when it comes to fiction), although I'm *considering* "the Last Samurai," since you recommended it so highly, plus it sounds like something a language nerd (that would be me!) might enjoy.
You'd probably love the Last Samurai. I mean...nobody who reads books is a publisher's nightmare =] But yes they'd probably prefer you to read a frontlist hardback once in a while.
Naomi, I like the way you think and write. This post made me optimistic about writing and reading and substacking.
Thank you!
Naomi, thank-you for the pessimism/humor/reality-check/ dialog. If you, in the style of many comics, could imagine the thought cloud above so many writers' heads, they wouldn't be filled with words like yours because they're too consternated (constipated) with frustration to even want to unwind those thoughts into actual words. You cut to the heart of artists without audiences feeling failed in this current culture. Writers that are doing the work, putting one word after the next each day, have no evidence of success other than they are still doing it. Except for those few moments of being plugged into that bit of in-the-flow magic, they're likely prefacing the open space with, why? Anyway, I appreciate your efforts to fill those clouds.
Thanks =]
Naomi, very true, wittily done, and a little sad. The publishing industry, both trade and academic, is in difficult times. So I think the business/life model that many people have in their heads, probably reaching its apogee with Hemingway, of "the writer" who is a writer, a public figure/celebrity, and financially successful, isn't possible. I am not sure what this changing context means for your dharma, which as I understand it is always contextual. Substack, which you use effectively, is a partial solution, but i think only partial. Teaching might be a partial solution, as I suggested on a note (?) of yours to similar effect. And, you are not Melville, but you are Naomi, and you have always liked to write. Lots of people, some great writers, have always supported themselves in one way or another, and written what they want, even it it does not make enough to support themselves. I'd go ahead and write the literary fiction (or whatever) you want to write. With lots of exclamation points, probably! :) Anyway, encouragement, however it works out. Enjoy Thanksgiving.
It's true. I mean...for me the finances are not a concern, just a question of where I can actually be read and feel like my work has meaning. With big presses, I don't know--the work to suffering ratio is off. Hard to say.
feeling this very much
Hm, I actually went backwards then: I read the book, then I gave it to my mom to read. It's excellent, but the political parts (sessions of parliament) are a bit of a drag and I only skimmed through them. I recently read and reviewed Yashpal's Jhoota Sach, which is set in partition and about as long, but I felt the 'better' novel of the two, though much more serious.
I'd never heard of Jhoota Sach! Just bought it. Excited
I hope it's a worthwhile read. I can't bring myself to say "enjoy", because the subject matter is tough, but it's a great read (also, I have a short review of it on my substack). It's one of those books that I wish was better known.
I clicked on the Amazon link to the comic collection you mentioned and Amazon's AI prodded me to ask it "Are there themes of abuse or toxicity?"
Please explain why anyone involved with this should be allowed to live.
LOL! What did it say? Are there?