43 Comments
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Leonor's avatar

I loved this so much.

"I celebrated getting tenure by purchasing an entire print run of the defunct literary magazine Antaeus." -- this is the perfect celebration.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thank you and thanks for understanding!

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Joan Frank's avatar

Holy wow. Deeply inspiring and also consoling.

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Sara Castaneda's avatar

Such a personal story to me. It's amazing all the ways to find and fall in love with beautiful reads. Or maybe some you don't like so much. But you always gain something from them all. Thanks for sharing this.

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Ravynn K. Stringfield's avatar

I love this! It’s so helpful to detail what a deep reading practice looks like for a writer, I think! Especially when the number one piece of advice for writers is to read.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thank you, I’m realizing of course there’s more to say.

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Loretta Arvizu's avatar

i love listening to books first on library app libby then if i love it i buy it on i book then i buy the book... listening then reading helps me with more senses get what it is about and whether i need to own it... book podcasts are helpful for me as well ... 'aweeshkone xaa/thank you for your thoughtful and thorough essay ...

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

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Tisa Houck's avatar

I concur with all the praise and thanks given in these comments. Just let me add that I am thrilled that you have linked to some other pieces that I will add to my TBR list. I, too, like to know what writers read.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks Tisa! I hope you enjoy them.

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Alice Elliott Dark's avatar

I really loved the pace of this piece, it is very nurturing and supportive. Your student must’ve felt great when you gave your answer.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks Alice. I wrote it for the new crop.

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Laura Kennelly's avatar

Very relatable---perhaps explains why my spelling is so lacking (who has time to look at every letter in a word?)---Either you write as fast as you read or you had a little AI help there?

So many of us were corrupted for life in libraries---delightful. Thank you.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

I don’t use AI, very anti-AI. Please don’t ever accuse me of that.

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Laura Kennelly's avatar

OK, I won't. I so agree with your stance.

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Bonnie Garvin's avatar

I rely on my favorite sources like The Guardian, NYT Book Review, friends whose reading taste is like mine.

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Francesca's avatar

Thank you for writing, and for collecting so many links, as well! I’m very excited to add these (some old favorites, some new to me) to my bookmarks.

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Christine Sang's avatar

Wow. What an inspiring, nurturing, fun piece for my insomniac scrolling. Laying in bed, wide awake, but now with a feast of reading and dreaming. Thank you.

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aegor's avatar

what a beautiful read - and so happy to see our beloved moon palace books mentioned here in minnesota <3

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Amanda McTigue's avatar

Your joy and your boundless generosity with titles and links and forgotten rabbit holes of my own. Many thanks.

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Roddy Bottum's avatar

It's how I learn, other people's likes. What does that say about me? I like people. Also I have good taste, in people and in work. Thanks for your words. I loved your reading the other day. isn't Provincetown a kick? Come over for coffee, we're around the corner. Big love, Roddy

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks for coming, and for the invite—I do love it here. I’ll be back this fall for the book festival, maybe we can hang out then. XO

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Laura Baggett's avatar

Thank you so much! I am going to take notes and up my summer reading game. I recently became friends with my local library and now, going to check out books is a thrill! Now on to some used book stores thanks to your reminder!

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Adam Snyder's avatar

Speed reader, that explains it...

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