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Great stuff, Blake. I also like reading deeply in certain countries. Were the minds that produced Ulysses and 2666 influenced by and inspire other great writers? Yes and yes!

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amen!

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I am so jealous that you have a list you’ve been keeping for so long. I hate knowing there are so many books I don’t remember reading.

This is fab advice. I’ve relegated reading to nighttime of late, which makes it feel less like part of being a writer, an afterthought. So thanks!

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i owe thanks to my mom for encouraging me about the list since very young, both as a motivating factor and because she recognized the future value of it - i'm with you as otherwise i'd totally forget half of what got uploaded hahha

nighttime reading is the best! <3 <3

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Oh good on Mom. Did she keep lists of any sort for herself?

Nighttime reading would be great if I didn't fall asleep 10 minutes after starting. 🩵🩵

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Like Paul, I found this piece through The Browser. I've always had an allergy to poetry, but you offer an excellent and very pedistrian-in-a-good-way rationale for reading (more of) it. I skip it in the NYRB and Liberties. I shouldn't!

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Found this post via The Browser newsletter which encourages discovery in precisely the way you're advocating. Thanks for making me conscious about wanting to up my reading game.

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