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Vladimir Nabokov has a very detailed description of a "good reader". Nabokov believes that a good reader should have an imagination, a memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense. He also thinks that in order to be a good reader one must not just read a book once, but three or four times. He states that the mind should be the only instrument used when reading a novel. I definitely agree that one must read a book more than once in order to get all that he or she can from the reading. Personally, some of my favorite books that I connect with are ones I have read many times over the years. I believe that in order to be considered a good reader, one must explore not only reading that they are comfortable with, but go outside one’s comfort zone to explore different authors and their styles. This is extremely important because it is relatively easier to read something very similar to what you have read before, but something new is always more of a challenge.
I consider myself an okay reader. I tend to steer clear of authors or subjects that I am not used to, and therefore I feel I probably miss out on some great reading. I also am guilty of a “lowly variety of imagination” according to Nabokov. I tend to emotionally read. I make personal connections with the novel’s storyline and characters. Nabokov says that one should stay a little aloof and learn to know when to curb one’s imagination. I am not sure that I agree with all that Nabokov has to say, but I believe that he makes some valid points on what a good reader is.
Here is a link to a site called "The Good Reader's Guide". They have resources such as organizers to help you connect as you read as well as recommended readings. They have really useful resources that I am definitely going to try as we begin to read our first novel!
