Literary Life: Ali Smith Reflects on the Authors Who Shaped Her as a Writer.
When I first read Henry James' The Golden Bowl, I felt like I was running down the garden path, shouting out loud to my partner about the significance of the golden bowl. It's a reaction that resonates deeply with me now, having spent years pondering over the intricacies of James' writing. Smith recalls her own early experiences with reading and how it had an impact on her life.
At three years old, I taught myself to read using labels from my favorite Beatles 45s. The moment I recognized words like "I," "Feel," and "Fine" was pivotal for me. It took some time to decipher the word "Parlophone." These early moments sparked a lifelong love for reading.
As I grew older, certain books left an indelible mark on my life. Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring was one of them. The poems in it captivated me with their Scottish English and powerful themes. Reading it twice that evening ignited excitement and hope within me. The book had a profound impact, changing what was possible for me as a reader.
Another author who changed my perspective was Toni Morrison. Her writing is a masterclass in capturing the aliveness of words, shifting energy in life. Muriel Spark's works, particularly Loitering with Intent, continue to inspire me with their unique style and wit.
Simone de Beauvoir's novels, such as Les Belles Images, are equally captivating. Her satire on postwar happiness is biting and poignant. I also find myself drawn back to Ovid's Metamorphoses, a timeless exploration of adaptability in an ever-changing world.
On the other hand, there are books that have eluded me for years. Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and Villette still occupy my 'to-read' list, but I'm willing to give them another chance someday.
Recently, I discovered new authors who have enriched my literary life. Vladimir Nabokov and Fyodor Dostoevsky are two writers whose works have opened doors to new worlds of understanding.
Currently, I'm reading Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here, a book that tackles difficult truths about Ireland and recent history with remarkable skill. It's a testament to the power of short stories in confronting reality head-on.
Lastly, there's The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, my comfort read that never fails to soothe my soul. Its poignant exploration of loss, light, clarity, and good nature is a reminder of life's beauty and fragility.
In Ali Smith's words, Henry James had me running down the garden path, shouting out loud. For many writers, it's these pivotal moments with an author that shape their perspective on literature and the world around them.
When I first read Henry James' The Golden Bowl, I felt like I was running down the garden path, shouting out loud to my partner about the significance of the golden bowl. It's a reaction that resonates deeply with me now, having spent years pondering over the intricacies of James' writing. Smith recalls her own early experiences with reading and how it had an impact on her life.
At three years old, I taught myself to read using labels from my favorite Beatles 45s. The moment I recognized words like "I," "Feel," and "Fine" was pivotal for me. It took some time to decipher the word "Parlophone." These early moments sparked a lifelong love for reading.
As I grew older, certain books left an indelible mark on my life. Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring was one of them. The poems in it captivated me with their Scottish English and powerful themes. Reading it twice that evening ignited excitement and hope within me. The book had a profound impact, changing what was possible for me as a reader.
Another author who changed my perspective was Toni Morrison. Her writing is a masterclass in capturing the aliveness of words, shifting energy in life. Muriel Spark's works, particularly Loitering with Intent, continue to inspire me with their unique style and wit.
Simone de Beauvoir's novels, such as Les Belles Images, are equally captivating. Her satire on postwar happiness is biting and poignant. I also find myself drawn back to Ovid's Metamorphoses, a timeless exploration of adaptability in an ever-changing world.
On the other hand, there are books that have eluded me for years. Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre and Villette still occupy my 'to-read' list, but I'm willing to give them another chance someday.
Recently, I discovered new authors who have enriched my literary life. Vladimir Nabokov and Fyodor Dostoevsky are two writers whose works have opened doors to new worlds of understanding.
Currently, I'm reading Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here, a book that tackles difficult truths about Ireland and recent history with remarkable skill. It's a testament to the power of short stories in confronting reality head-on.
Lastly, there's The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, my comfort read that never fails to soothe my soul. Its poignant exploration of loss, light, clarity, and good nature is a reminder of life's beauty and fragility.
In Ali Smith's words, Henry James had me running down the garden path, shouting out loud. For many writers, it's these pivotal moments with an author that shape their perspective on literature and the world around them.
it's like they're speaking our language or something! 
and honestly, i'm still trying to decipher the word "parlophone" btw 
. Sometimes I feel like readers are just trying to justify our love for a book by saying it 'changed our life'... newsflash, sometimes a book just blows your mind and that's enough 
. Ali Smith's essay is all about the nostalgic trip down memory lane, but can't we appreciate authors without feeling the need to wax poetic about how they 'shaped her as a writer'? It's like, hello, I'm reading for entertainment not to fill out some lit crit journal 
.
I mean I've read all of Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring like 5 times & it still gives me chills 
The way she writes about Scotland is just magic 
And Toni Morrison's writing is like nothing else, right? 
But what I love most is how Ali Smith reflects on her own experiences as a writer & it's so inspiring to see how it's shaped her perspective 
Like, I'm still trying to find my voice as a writer & reading about others' journeys makes me wanna keep going 
. It's awesome how her love for reading started from labeling Beatles 45s at three years old 
. It's totally okay to revisit those books later and appreciate them in a different light. Meanwhile, discovering new authors like Vladimir Nabokov and Fyodor Dostoevsky has opened up new worlds of understanding for her 
.
. And it's lovely to know that Tove Jansson's The Summer Book is a comfort read that soothes her soul 
. Overall, Ali Smith's story is a great reminder of how reading can shape us and enrich our lives 
.
I'm so down for authors who spark a lifelong love for reading! 
Ali Smith's reflection on her literary journey is totally relatable - who hasn't been obsessed with a book to the point of shouting out loud about its significance? 
Vladimir Nabokov's labyrinthine plots are like nothing else, right? 
And Tove Jansson's The Summer Book is basically the ultimate comfort read - I can see why it's a favorite for Ali Smith too! 
Its like she's taking us on this journey of discovery alongside her, you know? The Beatles 45s thing at three years old is just genius lolol its like that one moment can spark something so deep in our love for reading. And I love how she mentions Simone de Beauvoir and Ovid too - their writing is so timeless and thought-provoking 
.
. Here's to discovering new favorite authors and books that inspire us to see the world in a new light 
. For me, reading is like running down the garden path too 
... like when I discovered my favorite 80s tunes and could decipher words like "Parlophone" for the first time 
She's my go-to when I need a dose of sass and adventure!
. For me, reading is like discovering new worlds and meeting new people – it opens up so many possibilities! 
And Ovid's Metamorphoses? That book has been on my list for ages too! 
. Keep sharing those book recs, Ali - we need more authors like you! 
. Don't get me wrong, I love reading too, but sometimes I think people overthink it too much 
.
. It's amazing how one book can stay with you long after you finish reading it 
And Ali's love for Liz Lochhead's Memo for Spring is giving me all the feels - those poems are EPIC! 
. But I gotta ask, what about you guys? Who were the authors that changed your life as a reader? Spill the tea! 
️
.
.
. It was so cool to see how they all influenced each other. I mean, who wouldn't want to be inspired by Tolkien or Austen? But what I love is that it's not just about the books themselves, but the emotions they evoke. Like, I can totally relate to feeling like you're running down a garden path, shouting out loud about something 
. It's amazing how a good book can change your life, right?