Yesterday in my review of Sula I linked to a Toni Morrison "Reading Pathway" on Book Riot and I wanted to talk more about those. Of all the fun and interesting things posted on Book Riot, Reading Pathways are my favorite. As a reader there are often prolific authors who I'd like to get acquainted with, but I don't know where to start. Often beginning with the earliest works and moving forward isn't the best route to take. Enter Reading Pathways, in which a reader who is very familiar with a certain author's work suggests a series of three books to read in succession to best introduce a new reader to said author's oeuvre.
I myself am two-thirds of my way though the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Reading Pathway and have found it quite helpful. I've always been intimidated by Marquez, so the pathway makes me feel more confident about tackling his works. I started with Memories of My Melancholy Whores, moved to Love In The Time of Cholera (which I completed yesterday) and will tackle 100 Years of Solitude Next. If you're looking to conquer a new-to-you author, I really can't recommend reading pathways enough.
There are a wide variety of authors represented, including but not limited to Zadie Smith, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Trooper, Jane Austen, John Irving, and Haruki Murakami. You can pursue the ever evolving list of authors here. Let me know if you try one!
I hadn't realised, but I'm well on the way to following the Murakami Reading Pathway! I started with Norwegian Wood and I have Kafka on the Shore all ready to read next! Also, I agree: Reading Pathways are probably my favourite feature on Book Riot (other than your's, of course :) )
ReplyDeleteHaha well thanks, Laura ;)
DeleteThat's great you're on your way through the Mruakami pathway. I read Norwegian Wood last year but haven't picked up anything else of his. When I do, it will definitely be Kafka on the Shore. I look forward to your thoughts on that one! I'm sure you'll read it before I do.
That's a great concept Brenna. I've bookmarked the pathways page for future reference :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteOh, this is exactly what I needed with Marquez! I'm Mexican and yet still find Magical Realism so hard to get through. The long sentences are quite the journey for me...
ReplyDeleteAnd so many other authors I've heard of but have never actually read.
This is great- awesome post!
It really is helpful for tackling unfamiliar authors. Good luck with Marquez!
DeleteThis is so neato! Thanks for sharing about BR's Reading Pathways...I'll definitely be making use of them!
ReplyDeleteGreat I'm happy to hear that Kat!
DeleteThese pathways are great - thanks for pointing them out!
ReplyDeleteSure thing :)
DeleteOh my gosh, oh my gosh! This is such a great idea! I'd never heard of this, but it's such a wonderful idea. I agree with many of the paths I've already read and will be using some of the others. I want to start reading Murakami and will use the path they made. I wish I'd seen this before I started reading Atwood. I didn't start with A Handmaid's Tale and I really wish I had. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteOooh, so glad you are getting into Marquez! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on 100 Years of Solitude. I actually read those three of Marquez's in the exact opposite of the recommended order, but I love magical realism so it worked for me. I'd also recommend Chronicle of a Death Foretold, which may be one of my favorites of his.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to check out the pathways for a few others... Irving, for one!
I love Reading Pathways too. I've consulted it many times. I read Memories of My Melancholy Whores and Norwegian Wood because both were suggested first steps. I haven't read all three from any author yet, though, but I intend to!
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