Becoming the Grandma Moses of Literature....

On at least three separate occasions in the past few weeks, my attention had been alerted to My Reading Life by Pat Conroy.  Finally I requested it at our local library, and it arrived last week.  Oh...my...goodness!  As is my practice, while reading I jotted down page numbers of quotable passages on my book mark.  After thirty-one references, I stopped.  To go back and recopy them would be too time-consuming and to select only a few an impossibility.

Conroy's descriptions are vivid.  His insights stunning.  All mothers should read this book to understand the potential of their influence to shape their offspring.  All teachers should read this book if only the chapter titled "The Teacher".   All writers should read this book to be whipped into excellence.

I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read any of Conroy's fiction--YET!  I will begin with The Great Santini for further insight into the descriptions of his growing up years in a complex home environment that were introduced  in Reading.

Conroy's immersion in significant poetry and prose--past and present--is matched by the size of his personal library.  He said he has read 200 pages every day since his introduction to great literature in high school.  It was Mr. Norris, his high school teacher, who insisted that he (Pat) put his thoughts in shipshape order and hold up his end of the conversation with both wit and decorum.  Norris told him, "To be boring is not just a sin; it's a crime."


"Because I was raised Roman Catholic, I never feared taking any unchaperoned walks through the fields of language," Conroy said referring to the Latin deposits of dark minerals of its rhythm on the shelves of his spoken language   "Words lifted me up and filled me with pleasure.  I've never met a word I was afraid of, just ones that left me indifferent or that I knew I wouldn't ever put to use."

Fueled by this reading, I have aspirations of being the Grandma Moses of literature!  I'll spare you the play by play of this book, but not without urging anyone who loves literature or aspires to write to read it for yourself!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Rebecca,
    First of all I love the new look of your blog,
    very very pretty. Sounds like you are really enjoying this book. I love when you read something that just ignites you with great thoughts and quotes. We have several books that we love for the same reason, and have learned a ton from. Reading is such a delightful blessing, isn't it!! and such a blessing that we can see to read and are able to read.
    Hope you are doing well hon,
    Blessings, Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Nellie. The look of my blog is one thing I'm never quite satisfied with. While I know what I like when I see it, it is hard for me to CREATE it, so I'm always tweaking, it seems.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, I'm going to have to get this book! It sounds like just what I am looking for!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like a very good book Rebecca. I am such a slow reader. Actually not slow, I just read a little each night so it takes me awhile to get through a book. I have one to read after Eat,Love,Pray that my daughter wants me to read. Then maybe I'll try "My Reading Life". I have stacks of unread books that I've bought at the library! Love Di ♥

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! I want to start off with that word because when I clicked over here, I was so excited to see another beautiful blog by you! Wonderful look, my friend.
    I have not read Conroy, but I am going to check our local library. What an avid reader he was!
    Thank you for the recommendation, my friend.
    Love,
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Di, I think I told you that I really liked EAT, PRAY, LOVE.... Hope you enjoy it, too.

    Jackie, Me, too. I am interested in reading his fiction after I read this book about why/how he writes. What an interesting man. Powerful in words!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks...I have been trying to read more and this is inspiring.
    One of my favorite fiction authors...I must say I don't read a lot of fiction, is Penelope Wilcox...The Hawk and The Dove Trilogy. That book inspired me to try reading more fiction.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sharing about this book. It sounds like the kind of book I will enjoy reading and benefit from.

    Love
    Lidj

    ReplyDelete
  9. ok, I'm feelin' the pressure! LOL...I have a stack of "must reads" but I will check this one out as well. How anyone could have time to read 200 pages a day is a totaly mystery to me. Don't I wish! I am anxious to see this book, thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete

Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)