I'm pretty omnivorous - in fact, I don't think of books in terms of genres. J. K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' books are no more Y.A. reading, to me, than John le Carre's 'Smiley' novels are spy stories.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the idea that books should not be limited by genres, reflecting a broader appreciation for literature.
Michiko Kakutani expresses her belief that the categorization of books into specific genres is unnecessary and restrictive. She argues that literature can transcend these boundaries, as evidenced by her enjoyment of both J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series and John le Carré's spy novels, which she views as equally valuable and enriching, regardless of their labels. This perspective encourages readers to explore a diverse range of literature without being confined by traditional genre classifications.
In practice
During a book club, you could use this quote to encourage members to explore books outside their usual genres.
If a novelist had concocted a villain like Trump - a larger-than-life, over-the-top avatar of narcissism, mendacity, ignorance, prejudice, boorishness, demagoguery, and tyrannical impulses, she or he would likely be accused of extreme contrivance and implausibility.
With his mendacity and increasingly virulent attacks on immigrants, Muslims, women, the press, the judiciary, the intelligence services, the F.B.I. - any group or institution that he finds threatening or useful as a scapegoat - Mr. Trump is attempting the Orwellian trick of redefining American reality on his own terms.
For most of us, art is supposed to do something more than simply mirror the confusions of the world.
One of the most important things that teachers teach students is you, you can work harder. You are mentally tougher than you think.
If intellectual curiosity, professional pride, and ambition are the dominant incentives to research, then assuredly no one has a fairer chance of gratifying them than a mathematician.
It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me.
Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.
True education is awakening a love for truth...opening the eyes of the soul to the great purpose and end of life.
We need to tell young people that America was built by men and women of all colors and that the future of this country is dependent on the participation of all of our citizens.
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