Show Notes/Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lappin speaks with novelist and international book blogger Ann Morgan about her book ‘RELEARNING TO READ:Adventures in Not Knowing.’ They explore the transformative power of reading, the impact of personal experiences on understanding literature, and the importance of humility and curiosity in both reading and writing. Morgan shares insights from her childhood, her experiences volunteering, and her journey through diverse global literature, emphasizing the collaborative nature of storytelling and the freedom it brings to writers and readers alike.

Keywords

reading, writing, literature, Ann Morgan, Relearning to Read, storytelling, cultural understanding, education, gender dynamics, global literature

Takeaways

Reading requires humility and openness to different perspectives.

Volunteering can reshape one’s understanding of narratives.

Childhood experiences significantly influence writing and reading habits.

Children’s reading habits reflect a natural acceptance of stories.

Relearning to read involves embracing childlike wonder.

Education can impose restrictive reading frameworks.

Gender dynamics affect academic performance in reading and writing.

Creative interpretation is essential in understanding literature.

Digital reading influences reader engagement and collaboration.

Curiosity fosters deeper connections with diverse cultures.

Titles

Relearning to Read: A Journey of Discovery

The Art of Reading: Embracing Curiosity

Sound bites

“I decided to revise like a man.”

“Reading is a creative process.”

“The writer is very selective.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:16 Exploring the Concept of Reading

03:45 The Impact of Volunteering on Reading Perspectives

06:04 Childhood Experiences and Early Writing

09:04 The Influence of Children’s Reading Habits

10:58 Relearning to Read with Childlike Wonder

12:17 The Role of Education in Shaping Reading

15:13 Gender Dynamics in Academic Reading and Writing

19:03 The Art of Creative Interpretation in Reading

22:23 Openness in Reading and Understanding Different Cultures

27:03 Reading from Diverse Global Perspectives

30:04 The Writer’s Freedom and Boldness in Storytelling

31:36 The Collaborative Nature of Reading and Writing

34:57 The Influence of Digital Reading on Reader Experience

38:34 The Universality of Literature and Reader Engagement

44:54 Personal Stories and Connections Through Literature

50:32 Curiosity and Learning from Others

52:13 Current Projects and Future Endeavors

Keywords

understanding, validation, academic success, personal growth, reading, cultural openness

Takeaways

• Reading international literature was an incredibly formative experience.
• In school and academia, I became very fixated on this idea of needing to be right.
• It laid the groundwork for some pretty troubling reading.
• Understanding everything became a personal obsession.
• Academic success can lead to troubling patterns in thinking.
• The pressure to excel can hinder genuine learning.
• Struggles in one subject can overshadow strengths in another.
• Personal growth is often tied to our academic experiences.
• Reading is an adventure in learning what we don’t know

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