Springboard Reading, or Chain Letters.

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Springboard Reading, or Chain Letters.

January 14, 2008 by prospectus

While I was reading last night (The Mission Song, John le Carre) I daydreamed my way into a reading project for the year. Springboard reading.

In essence, it goes like this. Once I have read a book, I pick up one of the things touched on in it and follow it up with the next book I read. The link can be as tenuous as can be – the setting, the protagonist’s job, a philosophical theme, a style of music – and the follow-on book can be fiction or non-fiction.

So for instance, I’ve finished The Mission Song now. I now have to find a book on, in or about Africa or Congolese history. Or one with a hero who is an interpreter. Or maybe something else. Think of it as a book version of browsing the web – after a few aimless clicks you may end up with something completely different.

The point? Well, the first is to see where I end up in my reading journey. The second is to read books about things I may never otherwise have done, and to learn about lots of strange and wonderful new things, places and people. If I get really stuck I’ll start a new chain, but the goal is to keep the chain up for the whole year.

Each time I add a link to the chain I’m going to record it here. I’m looking forward to this!

Link 1: The Mission Song, John le Carre [Africa, Congo, interpreting, civil war, conscience].

Posted in Fiction, Springboard Reading, blogging, books, literature, reading | 10 Comments

10 Responses

on January 15, 2008 at 4:38 pm Springboard Reading II: The River Congo « Prospect Street

[...] 15, 2008 by prospectus So we’re off on the 2008 Reading Challenge. I’m off the springboard and it’s juddering in the air behind me as I plunge into the [...]
on January 17, 2008 at 1:41 am Jeff

Great idea Prospectus. Looking at your link, I can’t help but suggest “a long way gone” by Ishmael Beah. It covers 3 of your 5.
on January 18, 2008 at 6:06 pm prospectus

I’ve begun to realise this could be quite expensive – I’ll have to add a lot more books to my unread pile if I don’t have anything which links in with the last book I’ve read!

Thanks for the recommendation too, Jeff. I wasn’t very familiar with the name at first, but after having a look at it, I think the book will definitely be worth a read.
on January 19, 2008 at 1:06 am Jeff

I wish I could lend you mine, but I’m afraid Ireland is a bit too far Ireland is a place I’d truly love to visit, though. I loved the story about war between Ireland and France being averted. I recognize many of my ancestors in that pub!
on January 22, 2008 at 12:34 am dayya

I love this idea, and have sort of done it myself without really making it concrete in the way that you have. Read on! d:)
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