The book to the left is a recent scholarly book on the work of my friend Raymond Federman, who passed away a couple of years ago. He had asked me to write a chapter about his work as metafictioneer. I was happy to do so. The book was published by SUNY Press, New York.
For too long, our educational system has oversimplified the practice of reading while pretending that only one method works: Read as fast as you can, from beginning to end, in a straight line, without skipping anything. The fastest reader is the best reader and gets the gold star and the certificate for free ice cream! This, of course, punishes deliberate, careful students and booklovers who delight in the process and incorporate what they read into their everyday lives. The dominant method of reading works for simple linear texts, but it is by no means the only way to go about reading and excludes many other types of texts. In How to Read, veteran novelist, editor and educator Eckhard Gerdes reveals 81 different approaches for reading, opening up new horizons that restrictive educators have been blocking from view for far too long. This innovative guidebook will enrich the experience of textuality for young and old readers alike.
Eckhard Gerdes
Novelist
Welcome to my home page! This is the right place to find out a little about my work as a novelist. If you are looking for information about the journal I edit, The Journal of Experimental Fiction, please see the journal's site at www.experimentalfiction.com. If you are looking for a list of reviews of my novels, you can find that on my wikipedia page. But, in any case, I am glad you've stopped by, and I hope you enjoy your stay. Feel free to drop me a line at egerdes@experimentalfiction.com if you have any questions about my work. I am always delighted to hear from readers!
Book Review
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
How to Read by Eckhard Gerdes is an interesting book that covers the topic of reading. This book works as a guide for young and old readers alike and speaks about reading habits and encourages fast linear reading. Reading only one way is like blocking the mind and the book tells readers the different ways and approaches to reading which many educators have been blocking for a long time. Most readers complain that they are taught only one way of reading. The author, who is an English teacher, is passionate about reading and writing and opens up new horizons for readers.
There are nine types of readings: aligned, backwards, circular, dappled, excerptive, flooded, granted, hunting, and imaginative. The author has illustrated each of these type of readings and the book covers extensively and in detail all the nuances related to these types of readings. All the explanations are detailed and they give clarity to readers who are interested to know more. I liked the topic because of its originality - the author explores in depth about reading, how to read texts, and reading habits that are not known to many.
The book opens up new vistas for the reader who is restricted by educators and teachers who do not give them proper guidance in reading and writing using different ways. The illustration of using tables is also very useful in understanding this educational and informative book.
How to Read by Eckhard Gerdes is an interesting book that covers the topic of reading. This book works as a guide for young and old readers alike and speaks about reading habits and encourages fast linear reading. Reading only one way is like blocking the mind and the book tells readers the different ways and approaches to reading which many educators have been blocking for a long time. Most readers complain that they are taught only one way of reading. The author, who is an English teacher, is passionate about reading and writing and opens up new horizons for readers.
There are nine types of readings: aligned, backwards, circular, dappled, excerptive, flooded, granted, hunting, and imaginative. The author has illustrated each of these type of readings and the book covers extensively and in detail all the nuances related to these types of readings. All the explanations are detailed and they give clarity to readers who are interested to know more. I liked the topic because of its originality - the author explores in depth about reading, how to read texts, and reading habits that are not known to many.
The book opens up new vistas for the reader who is restricted by educators and teachers who do not give them proper guidance in reading and writing using different ways. The illustration of using tables is also very useful in understanding this educational and informative book.