Good Readers and Good Writers

     Nabokov believes that to be a good reader, a person must re-read. In doing this the reader gains a better understanding of what is happening in the story. Also, each time a reader re-reads something, the reader begins to see details and information that they missed when they first read the book. Nabokov also believes that to be a good reader, you must have an impersonal imagination when you are reading. He believes that the worst thing a reader can do is relate to the characters in a story and thats why he says to have an impersonal imagination.
     I agree that to be a good reader you need to re-read often. I've found that the more I re-read books, my  understanding and my comprehension become stronger. I do, however, disagree that a reader should have an impersonal imagination. A reader who connects to the characters or a character, has greater empathy and understanding of the characters. When a reader understands a character, the story also comes to life faster in the reader's mind.
     I like to think of myself as a good reader, but I know that I still have to work hard if I want to become an even better reader.

website:  http://avko.org/Essays/good_readers.htm

Image source : http://afondnessforreading.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/1717/

Introduction