A Velocity of Being: Letters to A Young Reader

A Velocity of Being: Letters to Young Readers, a beautiful and huge, 280-page hardcover brick of a book compiled over eight years or more through their asking dozens of leading people in the public sphere—many of them not surprisingly writers—about the way reading had been central in the shaping of their lives (no one said it hadn’t been important, of course; I assume any such letters were respectfully not included. I was imagining some of the letters from some of my high school students many years ago as a counter-argument). . Some letters I liked came from Jane Goodall, Neil Gaiman, (educational psychologist) Jerome Bruner, Ursula K. Le Guin, Yo-Yo Ma, Judy Blume. I liked most of them, don’t get me wrong, but after a time I wondered about the audience for such a book. Pro-reading types, of course: Librarians, English/language arts teachers, Goodreads readers!! as well as the target audience stated in the title, young readers, but if they already like to read they would mostly rather read a book than talk about why books are so great. And the kids (or adults) who hate reading, well, this book ain’t gonna talk ‘em into it. But many of the statements are lovely, what any of us might have said, though why have a book what we said, we want to know what successful said about how reading help shape them and become world-renowned. It’s a kind of well-written confirmation of most readers’ generally held views, some of them a bit short and obvious. But this is one gorgeous artifact, a coffee-table book every school and library oughtta have on display. I’ll tell you why I would personally want it, though. Popova also knows thousands of terrific illustrators, and she gets some of the best I know, a one page illustration per letter: Isabelle Arsenault, Chris Ware, Oliver Jeffers, Maira Kalman, Shaun Tan, Art Spiegelman. Almost every page is gorgeous, just stunning, like visual poems about reading. That’s the primary reason why this book gets five stars from me. I loved Chris Ware’s two page illustrated story, one of my faves. I liked this story: Author Elizabeth Gilbert skipped school to stay home and read Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls. She got caught lying and was grounded. Yet she never forgot that day or that book. (How many days would I have preferred to stay home from school and just read a book all the way through!? Many of them!) Holocaust survivor Helen Fagin once lived in a Polish ghetto where reading was punishable by hard labor, even death (like slaves in this country!), but she risked her life running a secret school for kids, though it couldn’t be about facts, she soon realized: “What they needed wasn’t dry information but hope, the kind that comes from being transported into a dream-world of possibility. There are times when dreams sustain us more than facts.” Though I generally liked school, that’s why I would have wanted to stay home from time to time, as learning in school was often configured as an accumulation of facts and skills rather than passionate engagement with the world through the imagination. You and I already know this, but it is nice to see it confirmed here again and again in this book.

You find an essay about "reading" on left hand side of every page and on the right hand side, there is an illustration inspired by the text which all are so beautiful. As they are made by different illustrators, they appear in different styles. This is the best I love about this book. The essays probably are not all great but there are lessons to learn even from weak essays! what is fun is to investigate who is the author and again watch the illustrations. You don't know most of the authors, but that is alright. There is one short essay that I wish was placed at first. It says, books are like candies, don't feel you have to finish them when you open them ! so if you happen got this book, don't feel you have to read through all essays thoroughly, skip quickly the ones that you find boring ! that is what is called "velocity of being"

The book has great illustration and impowering messages for younger readers or those that enjoy inspiring words and wisdom, the book was delivered in good condition too by seller as it wasn't brand new, highly recommend

Absolutely beautiful. Give yourself an hour with this book and it'll feel golden. It's really quite simple, authors writing to young people about why reading and writing is of the utmost human dignity. This is something to treasure.

Love this book Amazing illustrations and beautiful words Great for over 9 Y old I would suggest.

The beautiful drawings, the introduction by Maria Popova, the inspiring stories!

My daughter loved this book - she is 20.

I love this book! Beautifully illustrated and great stories

Esta muy bonito pero el papel no me gusto, la calidad de las impresiones me las imaginaba mejor.

This book is a collection of articles, essays, poetry and pictures so enjoyable one item at a time. It gives insight into the importance of reading for brain development as well as for new ideas, places, experiences and insights into the human condition. Have purchased a copy for each of my stepdaughters and their families.

Excellent book

Every now and again a book comes along that is special. If only all books could delight like this. Great for your library and brilliant as a gift.

Love how every page brings a different story & illustration! Quite a treat! Good also to read one page a night as a different bed time story...