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.
There is considerable evidence that women's education and literacy tend to reduce the mortality rates of children
True education is the ability to discern the difference between what you do know and what you don't.
First, we parents have to back up school authority and quit making excuses for our kids when they misbehave.
It is easier to build a boy than to mend a man.
I do not write for this generation. I am writing for other ages. If this could read me, they would burn my books, the work of my whole life. On the other hand, the generation which interprets these writings will be an educated generation; they will understand me and say: 'Not all were asleep in the nighttime of our grandparents.'
My message was 'Think African. Make schools read African history.'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.