I think it was Schopenhauer who stated that a scholarly person does not read: He rereads. Many people find it odd seeing me rereading a book. Usually I tell them that in my view a book that’s not worth a second reading isn’t worth a single reading.
Lately I revisited Pirsig’s “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance“, for the fifth or sixth time – I’m not sure. I think it’s a good opportunity to examine the special relationship I have with a few books.
With the current rereading of “Zen and the Art”, it threatens the present champion, Calvino’s “Invisible Cities“, which I estimate has six or seven readings. Of course I do not include the record holders of my childhood (more…)
