Plotting the Reading Experience: Theory/Practice/Politics

by Paulette M Rothbauer (Editor), Kjell Ivar Skjerdingstad (Editor), Lynne (E.F.) McKechnie (Editor)

This book is about the experience of reading–what reading feels like, how it makes people feel, how people read and under what conditions, what drives people to read, and, conversely, what halts the individual in the pursuit of the pleasures of reading. The authors consider reading in all of its richness as they explore readers' relationships with diverse textual and digital forms. The first section provides insights into ways of seeing, thinking, and conceptualizing the experience of reading. The second features a variety of individual and social practices of reading. The third explores the political and ethical aspects of the reading experience, raising questions about the role that reading plays in democracy and civic participation. With contributions from multidisciplinary scholars from around the world, this book provides provocative insights into what it means to be a reader reading in and across various social, cultural, and political contexts. Its unifying theme of the reader's experience of reading is put into dialogue with theories, practices, and politics, making this a rewarding read for graduate students, faculty, researchers, and librarians working across a range of academic fields.

430 pages, Paperback

First published February 29, 2016

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays that came out of a conference, and as such reflect a wide variety of approaches to studying reading. The delineations between theory, practice, and politics aren't always clear-cut (but such was the intention of the editors!), but there are a lot of good suggestions and references to draw on for others studying the activity of reading.

Read for my dissertation on immersion

PopSugar 2017 Reading Challenge: A book with multiple authors

[Airaology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and thorough