I'm an appreciator. I love all kinds of books, and I want others to love them, too. Michael Dirda appreciatorbookkind Change image and share on social
Young people looking for adventure fiction now generally turn to fantasy, but for those of a certain age, the spy thriller has long been the escape reading of choice. Michael Dirda adventureagechoice Change image and share on social
Deep in my cortex, the year is divided into reading seasons. The period from mid-October to Christmas, for instance, is 'ghost story' time, while Jane Austen and P. G. Wodehouse pretty much own April and May. Michael Dirda aprilaustenchristmas share on social
At any given moment, I've always assumed that nearly everyone around me was smarter than I was, more naturally gifted, quicker-witted, and probably capable of understanding Heidegger and Derrida. Michael Dirda assumecapablederrida Change image and share on social
With the possible exception of steampunk aficionados, many reasonable people must view my fascination with Victorian and Edwardian popular fiction - mysteries, fantasy, and adventure - as eccentric or merely antiquarian. Michael Dirda adventureaficionadoantiquarian share on social
To my mind, 'Dear Brutus' stands halfway between Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 'Into the Woods'. Like them, it is a play about enchantment and disillusion, dreams and reality. Michael Dirda brutusdeardisillusion share on social
I find that the Amazon comments often are exceptionally shrewd and insightful, so I'm not going to diss them. But you don't really have any guarantees that what you're reading wasn't written out of friendship or spite. Michael Dirda amazoncommentdis share on social
While Napoleon believed his fortunes to be governed by destiny, his real genius lay in self-control and martial daring coupled with an indomitable will to power. Michael Dirda believecontrolcouple Change image and share on social
Since I make my living as a literary journalist, not a book scout, I spend inordinate amounts of time either reading or writing. Michael Dirda amountbookinordinate Change image and share on social
Near my desk, I keep a large plastic carton filled with fresh notebooks and stationery of various kinds, sizes, and qualities. Michael Dirda cartondeskfill Change image and share on social
