My reading list.
Unfortunately, in my work, I have to read tons of newspaper & journal articles -- by no means the best prose.
That tends to affect my own prose (for the worse). In my experience, the better the prose that you read, the better you write. (Good writing stimulates one's own creative imagination.)
As a corrective to my newspaper diet, for bedtime reading I generally select favorite poems and short stories. They don't keep me up too late. Among my bedtime favorites: T. S. Eliot; Yeats; Chekhov; Cheever (JUST the stories, NOT the novels).
Has anyone noticed that contemporary American writers are generally much better at short stories than at novels (in my opinion)? One example: Joyce Carol Oates, who has written many magnificent stories, but some dreadful novels. Or, for that matter, Hemingway. Who has actually finished "For Whom the Bell Tolls"? (Great title, though.)
Two genres that in recent years I have developed a real taste for: travel literature ("armchair" travel, that is) and memoirs. There are some real, beautifully written, but little-known classics in both genres. Actually, the latter genre (memoirs) is temporarily in fashion right now. May I recommend Mary Karr's (sp?) "The Liar's Club," which somehow or other made its way onto the bestsellers' list. It was given to me for Christmas. It is the type of book I would never have bought for myself: the story of two little girls brought up by an alcoholic mother. So? But the language is truly extraordinary! I read the darned thing in one gulp, and was really sorry when I reached the end.
jbe
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