bel canto ann patchettQuiet around here. Probably because my sinuses have blocked all neuronal activity. I’ve also been consumed all week with work; mean people who claim I violated their privacy when I publicly mention (not print in its entirety) their email that happened to be all about ME anyway hence the need for an editorial policy; crazy people who should walk around in bubble wrap in case anyone damages them; and, fortunately, a gorgeous book – Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

Usually I’m much more intrigued by nonfiction books than by fiction, preferring mostly memoirs, sociology, parenting, and popular science (I would most certainly have made Ann Althouse proud). For the last couple of months, though, I’ve been reading almost all fiction. Bel Canto, in particular, brought me some much needed beauty and peace.

So while Ms. Althouse has suggested that we teach reading using only nonfiction books, I’m not sure that’s the way to go. Fiction gives me another perspective on life that can be just as valuable as “history, science, law, and logic.” Janet at Adventures in Ethics and Science states the case for having children read fiction and hits it with point #5.

Reading novels may help kids cultivate empathy and understanding of people whose circumstances are very different from their own. In other words, novels may be a way to cultivate the cultural understanding needed by workers in a global economy — at least if those workers are going to be involved in more than assembly lines and call centers. So reading novels may well have an economic benefit!

And since I happen to be talking about reading, it’s a good time to finally respond to Robyn at Brain Based Biz who tagged me to list the magazines which push my thinking.

What books or magazines have you read recently that changed the way you think?

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