Hey, readers! A consistent quandary we hear from listeners, friends, and fellow bookworms is “I feel like I can’t read anymore. My brain is broken! How do I get back to remembering what I read, focusing on the page, and getting to deeper analysis while reading?”
We’re with you, friends. Since having Lou & Theo, not to mention the pandemic of it all, we’ve experienced the same thing. We’re still experiencing the same thing. However, we’re determined to draw on our teaching backgrounds and get back to a more focused, fulfilling space in our reading lives—and we’d love to help you along the way. Read on to learn three tips for finding your way back to the books this year.
Engage your brain
Activate the learning centers of your brain and notice how it feels. Invigorating? Motivating? Like you want to learn (and read) more?
At Novel Pairings University, we not only learn about the context around classic literature—we also learn methods for reading classic AND contemporary literature on a deeper level. We have a whole catalog of classes devoted to helping you concentrate, comprehend, and think critically about what you’re reading.
Readers tell us these classes have enhanced their reading experiences with classic literature and beyond. If you would love to learn with our community, check out our foundational backlist classes:
Literary Theory 101 - Literary theory is the cornerstone of any English department and a term that rarely leaves those hallowed halls. But lit theory is a useful tool for any reader and in this class we explain what it is, consider reasons for using it, and give practical advice on applying it to your reading life.
Discovering Theme - If you ever find yourself wanting to discuss what a book is about beyond the plot itself, this is the class for you. We teach you some of our go-to strategies for identifying and describing theme, and even provide a printable handout with 100 theme ideas to help you apply your learning to any text.
Literary Devices in the Real World - Lots of readers tell us they hated identifying things like symbols and metaphors in their books at school. We get that! But literary devices can be helpful in getting more out of a book if you know not just what to look for, but why. We get real in this class, focusing exclusively on the writing devices we genuinely find useful.
Deciphering the Classics - Most readers discovery Novel Pairings because they want to read, understand, and form opinions about classic literature. In this lecture, we provide you with our best strategies—derived from years of studying and teaching—for doing just that .
Author Voice, Style, and Tone - This class is designed to help you describe prose and articulate what you do and don’t like in a piece of writing. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to think critically about craft whether that’s as part of a book club, for writing reviews, or simply to better identify books that will work for you.
NEW! Reading Children’s Literature with a Literary Lens - This semester is all about classic children’s literature, and, in addition to indulging in some cozy vibes, we’re also getting super nerdy with it (of course!). In this class, we review the concept of literary theory, explore why reading kid lit with a literary lens is useful, and suggest six lenses to use with our spring line-up and beyond.
Connect with your friends
Remember that feeling of hearing a classmate talk about a book and something just lights up in your brain? Or piecing together the meaning of the book with a smart reader friend over coffee?
In our Novel Pairings book club, we’re helping each other get more out of every book we read. Book club gives us the motivation to make it through some dense and dusty tomes, and a greater appreciation for those books after a lively discussion. Plus these meet-ups mean it’s okay if you didn’t understand or even remember everything you read—your book club buds will help you fill in the gaps!
Novel Pairings book clubs feel like our podcast brought to life—they’re cozy, nerdy, and abundantly welcoming. Each month we discuss one book covered on the podcast during a Zoom gathering. These take place after the episode airs so you can respond to our thoughts, ask follow-up questions, and discuss topics we didn’t get a chance to cover in our recording. We love the seminar feel of these events because we all learn so much from each other and get the opportunity to bond over our shared love of good books. It feels like being back in class with the smartest, kindest peers—and no cold calling!
Whether you’re an English major missing your college days or a reader rediscovering your passion for a good story, this group is certain to ignite your intellect.
Revisit your reading roots
What made you fall in love with reading? Was it an escape into a magical land? An exploration of lives unlike your own? A recognition of yourself in the pages of a great novel?
Returning to the books that made you a reader, the stories you fell in love with, the books you just got (and the ones you didn’t!) is great way to refresh your reading life. Rereading can remind you of what first inspired your bookworm tendencies and give you the opportunity to investigate an old text with new eyes.
In our Spring Semester of Novel Pairings, we’re reaching back to the beginning of our reading journeys with a focus on children’s literature. Reading books that go down easy but still allow for critical thinking, emotional connection, and robust conversation has proven to be a delightful and stimulating addition to our reading lives.
We would love for you to join us on our reading journey, however that works best for you. Subscribe to Novel Pairings in your podcast app, join our Patreon community, or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.
Until next time, remember: there is no enjoyment like reading. How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!
XO,
Chelsey & Sara