It is so appropriate that reader Zeke posted a Nabokov quote on re-reading in his comment about Hazlitt’s essay the other day because what should I read last night in Reading in Bed but the very essay from which the quote was taken. “Good Readers and Good Writers” is excerpted from Nabokov’s Lectures on Literature which I now want to read more than ever. If I moved to a planet with a 48-hour day would I have more time to read?
Nabokov says that to be a good reader we need to be re-readers and we need to “notice and fondle details.” A good reader also has imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense. I agree with the fondling of details most definitely. It also helps to have an imagination and a good dictionary is certainly helpful. But memory? What kind of memory and for what? Memory of details? Memory for the characters and the novel’s development as you read along? Historical memory? Some other kind of memory? All of the above? As for artistic sense, what does that mean exactly? But Nabokov doesn’t go into details. Perhaps he elaborates throughout the course of the lectures.
What I am going to steal from Nabokov is his “quiz” he gave to some students one time in which he listed ten things that a reader should be and asked the students to pick out the four definitions that would make a good reader. That’s where imagination, a dictionary, etc., comes from. Don’t panic, I’m not going to give you a quiz.
Some of you may recall that I have been mulling over ways to become a better reader. Nabokov has given me the idea to enlist everyone’s help in coming up with what we might be able to call a profile of an expert reader. It is, after all, hard to reach a goal of becoming better at something if you aren’t clear about what better looks like.
So, close your eyes or stare out the window and let your mind ponder a moment what the person awarded a coffee mug that said “World’s Greatest Reader” might be like. What skills, qualities, traits does this person have? What does being a good reader, an expert reader look like? What does it mean?
I don’t have a whole picture but I suspect a good reader pays attention and thinks about what she is reading. I’m not sure that what she thinks or how she thinks is that important, it’s just the fact of thinking that matters. I could be wrong. Tell me in the comments. Tell me what you think makes a good reader.
Love this. I so want to improve my reading. These are great reminders. I definitely want to “fondle details” more.
How wonderful! Nabokov definitely had it right in regards to the dictionary; I love above all else a book that forces me to expand and stretch my vocabulary. Perhaps the need for memory is in regard to remembering the small details and turns of phrases that make a writer’s voice unique, or maybe it’s the ability to notice a seemingly casual exchange of words between characters or idly mentioned prop that becomes a key plot point several chapters later…
Definitely food for thought! Thanks!
I’m not absolutely sure I want to fondle details – although I will give them a good prod with my little scapel!
Memory, I think I understand because you need to be able to recall all those details (to do what you will with them), and it helps to be able to remember other books for comparison (we all unconsciously read against a fantasy template of an Ur-book). To be a good reader, I think you need to be open minded – no point in looking just for what pleases you – and I think you have to be sensitive, receptive, sort of ready to hear whatever the book is telling you. I think that’s about it, really! The joy of it is the simplicity. 
Perhaps ‘artistic sense’ refers to the reader’s ability to analyse and appreciate the writer’s style, to be able to view them as the artist of their creation. We certainly use our critical reading skills all too often to deconstruct or to appreciate arguments, but I think this artistic sense is needed to value the construction of the argument (whether you agree with it or not).
Um, can I just take the quiz? I think that sounds easier than answering your question.
The problem is that different skills or actions would be necessary to fulfill many concepts of a good reader which come to mind, all of which seem like they could be a correct definition.
Comprehension – an ability to read through something and grasp what is meant.
Retention – an ability to keep the events and characters straight as the story progresses.
Speed – an ability to swiftly move through a work. Not very important in my evaluation, particularly if comprehension, retention, or enjoyment are reduced.
Imagination – an ability to envision the places, people, and actions in the story based on a written description; and further, to extrapolate possible future paths.
Vocabulary – knowledge of words, their usage, and definition. A tool necessary to comprehension, but which could be aided by having a dictionary on hand.
Desire – a drive to read, and to enjoy, and to be willing to start with a willing suspension of disbelief (which a good author will cherish, protect, and develop.)
Empathy – an ability to understand and share in the feelings of the characters.
The list could go on and on. I noticed that I answered on the assumption we were talking about fiction.
I like the comment above mine. That’s my answer too
Just kidding. it’s a hard question though. I think empathy is a big part of being a good reader! It encompasses comprehending and also retention.
Wow, that’s a toughie. A bit of a lot of things makes a good reader, I think. The mere loving to read being first and foremost. Being able to let go of the controls and allowing someone else to do the driving, so to speak, and not knowing where you’ll end up, but having faith you’ll land somewhere worthwhile. But I don’t really know.
I enjoyed reading your post, but also the quote of the month. And I just love the design of your blog with the painting above.
As being synesthete I live a life in colors. Synesthesia means that I see colors when I see words and numbers.
I transform this in paintings of names and birthdays.
Hmm. I think a good reader:
1. likes to read. no, LOVES to read
2. pays attention to the little things (will notice if a word is used incorrectly)
3. thinks about what they’ve read, afterwards
4. doesn’t mind pondering the nuances
5. has a genuine desire to learn
6. has good comprehension/retention
And so on. Personally I think that if you love to read, you’re a good reader.
I’m so flattered to be referenced. Especially if I helped prompt such a thought provoking post. But I can’t find a link to the quiz. Is there one?
I think Nabokov is onto something with the memory requirement, because a good reader does a lot of contextualizing – or at least, that’s one thing that’s very interesting and valuable to me about reading, and about observing the reading processes of those around me. Contextualizing whole works vis-a-vis the historical frameworks and other contemporaneous works, but also contextualizing details in the midst of other details within one work, and contextualizing themes across an author’s body of work, etc. I agree with him.
But, of course, it’s only one quality among many. Thought-provoking post!
I agree with you about readers who think carefully about what they read. I’d also add that good readers are willing and able to feel things about what they read and use their emotions to help them understand. Not that emotion is everything, but it’s a part of thinking and being sensitive and aware. Open mindedness matters a lot too — the ability to entertaining a whole bunch of ideas at once, even those you might not agree with or like.
Really, a good memory? I am sunk.
I agree with the people above who think you need to be empathetic and open minded to what the author wants you to think about and how they’d like you to think about it. But I think you also need some cultural awareness to be able to interpret, or identify things like bias and to provide a balance to the persuasiveness of the writer.
I’ve read a few of Nabokov’s comments about readers and thought he sounded a bit snobbish, but I do like his quiz idea.
I’d say imagination – to give life to the author’s words and fill in the missing details.
Everyone else has already given such good answers I’m not sure I can come up with anything better. I agree that being open minded is essential. And really thinking about what you’re reading and trying to make connections. Maybe knowing when to slow down and read deeply (something I don’t always do). Good things to think about!
Nabokov is such a gem/genius.
What makes a good reader?
I need only to think of my own Reading Partner. Together we have read almost 300 books.
Whereas I, the inferior reader — always apply what we have read together to my own experience, etc., she [an English teacher] is able to draw upon mythology, a wide range of history and other author’s works / poetry, etc. And so I have come to believe that a good reader is a reader like her.
Someone who can readily place a current work in its context — someone who can dialogue with a distant work because of a wealth of foreknowledge.
Time and diligence. Selectivity. Diligence. Discretion. Attention.
Sprinkle on all of the above what the uninitiated would call snobbitry.
This is the beginning of what it takes to be a good reader.
Claire, aren’t they great? I love the idea of fondling details too. It sounds so intimate and a little naughty
bibliovore, reading is definitely good for the vocabulary. I think you are right about memory, it makes sense.
Litlove, I like the idea of fondling, it is much gentler than dissection
I must have been having memory problems to be such a dunce about why memory makes a good reader. You are right, and I like that you add open minded too. It is simple though, isn’t it? For some reason I want a long and complex list, but simple doesn’t mean easy.
Claire (Captive Reader), oh, good point! I like what you say about artistic sense. We need to pay attention to the details but the artist sense will help us pull them all together and appreciate the manner in which they have been created.
Bikkuri, heh, taking the quiz is too easy especially since I already gave the answers
Oh yes, we are talking about fiction and I like your list. Desire is a particularly great addition as is comprehension.
Rebecca, LOL
Yes, empathy is good and a definite requirement. I think it plays a definite part in comprehension and retention. I wonder though if imagination can encompass empathy because we need to be able to imagine ourselves in someone else’s shoes in order to feel empathy. Or are they two distinct things? Hmm…
Grad, it is tough but we don’t balk at tough question, eh?
It sounds to me like you have a good idea. I like the thought that you have to let go and have faith.
Artist, thank you and thanks for your comment. Synesthesia is an interesting neurological phenomenon. It is great that you are able to use it to create art.
Daphne, nice list! I particularly like thinks about the reading afterwards and the desire to learn. If everyone who loves to read is a good reader, do you think there is a way for us to become better readers?
Zeke, I had to give you credit for your quote especially when I fortuitously read the essay after your comment!
The quiz is not online so no link, but maybe I’ll type up the list and post it to satisfy your curiosity.
Emily, you are right, memory is very important in being able to contextualize and being able to contextualize deepens our understanding or a work and provides a richer experience. I forget about things like that so it’s nice to have such great comments to help me remember
Dorothy, good point! Emotion is important both the emotions in the book and the one we feel about the book. They add so much more. You and Litlove both mention open mindedness. I hadn’t thought of it but so true, especially, as you say when the ideas are not ones you like or agree with.
bookgazing, heh, don’t feel bad, I’m teetering on the brink myself when it comes to memory. Good thinking on the cultural awareness, very important I agree.
softdrink, snobbish, really? But then I haven’t read much Nabokov so I don’t have much of an impression about him. I do agree on imagination. And I think the more we read, the more imaginative we become too.
Danielle, I think you have made a really good point about knowing when to slow down and read deeply. I don’t know about you but I can intend to read slowly and carefully and then I get swept away in the story and there goes reading slowly and carefully!
Cipriano, you and your reading partner have read almost 300 books together? Do you realize how amazing that is? Don’t sell yourself short on your reading ability! Time, selectivity, diligence, discretion, attention these are marvelous things. So simple but so hard!
A skeptical take on the original Nabokov quote.
http://tinyurl.com/ya9xlvp
The writer polls and asks whether, consigned to a desert island, you would take 100 books you had already read, or an assortment of 100 new books.
Zeke adds a unique twist. I think I would go with 100 new books on the condition that I chose them. (Not some random collection.)
I think I pretty much agree with Nabokov, though I might also throw in the ability to make connections, both within the text and with the literary/historical/author context. Maybe that’s what he meant by memory—guess I’ll have to read his lectures to find out!
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Zeke, thanks for that link. I think I’d want to be able to have a 50/50 mix. Well, maybe 80/20 of unread to read.
Bikkuri, oh yes, you’d definitely have to be able to choose your own books.
Sylvia, being able to make connections is very important, I agree. Since he doesn’t elaborate on what he means by memory we can make it mean whatever we want to
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