Adventurous reading allows one to escape a little from the provincialities of one's home culture and the blinders of one's narrow self. Michael Dirda adventurousblinderculture Change image and share on social
For me, the two weeks between Christmas and Twelfth Night have come to be reserved for desultory reading. The pressure of the holiday is over, the weather outside is frightful, there are lots of leftovers to munch on, vacation hours are being used up. Michael Dirda christmasdesultoryfrightful share on social
Halloween isn't the only time for ghosts and ghost stories. In Victorian Britain, spooky winter's tales were part of the Christmas season, often told after dinner, over port or coffee. Michael Dirda britainchristmascoffee Change image and share on social
Many cultures believe that on a certain day - Halloween, the Irish Samhain Eve, Mexico's 'Dia de los Muertos' - the veil between this world and the next is especially thin. Michael Dirda culturedaydia Change image and share on social
I didn't work for any newspapers in college, never worked for any newspaper before 'The Washington Post'. Michael Dirda collegenewspaperpost Change image and share on social
I don't think of myself as a critic at all. I'm a reviewer and essayist. I mainly hope to share with others my pleasure in the books and authors I write about, though sometimes I do need to cavil and point out shortcomings. Michael Dirda authorbookcavil share on social
For even the ordinary well-read person, the French Enlightenment is largely restricted to the three big-name philosophes: Diderot, Rousseau, Voltaire. Michael Dirda bigdiderotenlightenment Change image and share on social
Like most people, I find watching the lazy and quiet underwater realm of a big aquarium exceptionally calming. Michael Dirda aquariumbigcalm Change image and share on social
Digital texts are all well and good, but books on shelves are a presence in your life. As such, they become a part of your day-to-day existence, reminding you, chastising you, calling to you. Plus, book collecting is, hands down, the greatest pastime in the world. Michael Dirda bookcallchastise share on social
People who've read my reviews know my tastes, know how I approach a book, know my background. I can write with believable authority. It doesn't mean I'm always right. Michael Dirda approachauthoritybackground Change image and share on social
