Nabokov

Nabokov believes first a good reader is a reader that suspends his beliefs.  A reader should approach a read as if exploring a new world for the first time.  My family and I saw the “Avengers”.  A wonderfully entertaining movie I enjoyed very much.  I had to suspend my beliefs that there is no international peace keeping agency that consists of Marvel Super Heroes, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow.  If I had not let the writer of the film take me on a wonderful journey of Super Heroes and Villains I would not have enjoyed the movie.  This is exactly what Nabokov believes must happen for a reader to be a good reader.  Nabokov continues by saying that a good reader is one that rereads.  He supports this idea by saying just the act of reading takes away from the writing.  The reader should give the writer more of his time to be a good reader.  Nabokov concludes his beliefs of what a good reader should look like by stating a good reader should have imagination, memory, a dictionary, and have some artistic sense.

Prior to reading this article I had not placed much thought on what makes a good reader.  After reading Nabokov’s article I would have to say I agree with him.  Thinking of some of the books I have read I did in fact need to leave myself so to speak and enter the writer’s world.  When I am able to accomplish this I enjoy what I reading much more that if I had not left myself behind.

I believe the characteristics of a good reader are to respect the writer.  You don’t have to agree with what the writer has to say but the reader should consider there are many ideas.  A good reader should read with an open mind.  We all have different experiences in life.  These experiences effect how we see the world.  Even if we don’t see the world as the writer does, be open to see that this is the way the writer sees the world.   Lastly, a good reader is a kind reader.  A writer writes from the heart.  Their emotions are in their words and a good reader should be mindful of this.  

I do not consider myself a good reader.  I read from my point of view.  I don’t look into a writer to see their world without the influence of my world.  I will try to let myself go while reading.  I believe only then can I learn to be a good reader.