Five Ws of Reading
Date:
[]
Categories:
[Blog]
Tags:
[JulyReply2026],
[Books]
The Wry Writer posted an interesting blogging topic, Five Ws of Reading. I found this through Frances Crossley’s post, and thought I would give it a try.
WHO - An author you would love to have a ‘one to one’ with?
Kurt Vonnegut. I’d like to hear his opinions on the world today, he could perhaps find some humor in our slow-motion collapse. For living authors, it would be interesting to talk to Douglas Hofstadter about “AI” and the con game taking place.
WHAT - What genre do you most gravitate to?
Everything; classics, “literature”, science fiction, nonfiction. I’m also fond of ghost stories, especially from the 19th and early 20th century. No, I don’t believe in ghosts, but I love a good ghost story.
WHERE - Where do you prefer to read?
When I was younger I could read anywhere, but now I need quiet. So: stretched out on a comfortable couch in a quiet room.
WHEN - What time of day do you prefer to read?
Whenever I can find some quiet time, usually in the morning or early evening.
WHY - Why is your favorite book your favorite book?
I couldn’t pick a favorite book or a favorite author. I could maybe do a top ten or a top twenty. So many different qualities can make a book a favorite. A book that taught me something. A book that took me into a fascinating world. A book that made me laugh or cry. A book that was fun and entertaining. A book that was thoughtful and profound. A “comfort” book, read and re-read many times.
Bonus - How do you go about selecting what you will read next?
It’s sort of a directed randomness. I have a list in my mind of books or authors that I plan to read, but I’m often sidetracked. There are books I hear about by accident that jump to the front of the queue. Books I see at random in the bookstore or the library that catch my interest. Books that refer me to other books. Books my wife just finished that she knows I would like. Favorite old books I suddenly decide that I want to re-read.
P.S.
I guess I can list a few favorites.
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A book that taught me something: Gödel, Escher, Bach, Douglas R. Hofstadter.
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A book that took me into a fascinating world: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, David Mitchell.
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A book that made me laugh: Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut
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Or cry: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo.
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A book that was fun and entertaining: Mort, Terry Pratchett.
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A book that was thoughtful and profound: Underworld, Don DeLillo.
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A “comfort” book, read and re-read many times: Ubik, Philip K. Dick.