Welcome! And a small story.

Hi, everyone!  And welcome to CitizenReader, which I hope will not be as technologically challenged a blog as Nonfiction Readers Anonymous was.  But, let's face it, I'm still me...so it probably will be.

Why the change?  Well, NRA wasn't working anymore, for one thing.  For another, I just wanted a change that reflected my changing reading habits.  CitizenReader will still primarily be about nonfiction.  But I'll be including fiction reviews, too, and hopefully more thoughts about reading in general.  I have come to realize (only took me about a third of a century) that reading is really the only thing I'm good at.  And I'm going to try and do a lot more of it.

And now?  A story!

I don't know where I came up with the name "Citizen Reader."  My sister commented that it was vaguely Communist, so in her honor, I've used a red theme for the layout.  It's also loosely based on Thomas Jefferson's idea that the nation should be filled with "citizen farmers," people who could feed themselves and take care of their own but who were still engaged with the larger world.  That's what I'd like to be, only with reading.  I'm still working on how to feed myself.

When I researched the name Citizen Reader, I came across an article by David Castronovo and Anne Whitehouse that discussed the literary critic Edmund Wilson's correspondence with one of his readers, who he referred to as his "citizen reader."  I thought that was interesting and went to get a biography of Wilson, randomly selecting Edmund Wilson, by Jeffrey Meyers, from the library.  Then, of course, I didn't get time to read it, but when I opened it up, a piece of paper from the book's former reader fell out.  I'm providing it in full here, because it made me laugh.

"Edmund Wilson, Jeffrey Meyers.

Edmund Wilson drank to help his train of thought.  He never stopped reading, writing and thinking.  He wanted to know it all.  Nothing human is without connection.

When Dorothy Parker, Benchley and Sherwood resigned from Vanity Fair, Frank Crowninshield recruited Edmund Wilson to fill the gap.  'Vanity Fair' was a cross between today's Esquire and New Yorker.  Wilson published the work of Edna St. Vincent Millay.  He introduced readers to Freud, Proust, Bergson, Eliot, Fitzgerald.  He disliked the poetry of Frost and Pound and Wallace Stevens.

Edna Millay published her first poem in Vanity Fair in July 1920, shortly after Wilson joined the staff.  During the next three years she brought out all her poetry and prose in that magazine and reached a much wider audience.  Photographs of Millay fail to capture and convey the strange magnetism that attracted and inspired so many men.  She was the most passionate love of Wilson's life.  She was bisexual, loved sex and, in the true style of the bohemian twenties, seemed willing to sleep with everyone.  Wilson lost his virginity to her."

Well, frankly, I don't think I need to read the biography after that.  Although I may actually have learned more about Edna SVM than Edmund.  Whoever wrote this handy summary also has a future in writing, I think.  I love the first-line punch of "Edmund Wilson drank to help his train of thought." 

So, welcome, citizen readers.  Thanks for sticking it out with me.  I'm so glad to be back.

Comments

[Formerly known as momanon]

So, now I'll have to come up with a new name too, or feel even more dowdy than usual.

Great to see you back up. Citizen Farmer, Citizen Reader, interesting. I'm off to set out broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi, though I wish I could sit on the deck with a book, so I guess there's a connection. At least you didn't name your site Nazi Reader or Fascist Reader. Read Garrison Keillor this week; he wisely points out that the Stalinists/Communists were the worst, but they had the ring of community and communion in their name, and so fared better.

Where are my books on Jefferson? Please start making suggestions!

[Mholles]

Found you and I'll get you in my Bloglines.

[CitizenReader]

Might I suggest Citizen Mom?

I've decided my fastest route to becoming a citizen farmer is to keep in good with you. I'm very excited you're planting kohlrabi and brussels sprouts, can I come over and steal some from your garden like an oversized Peter Rabbit?

Let's face it, any "ism" deserves less blind obedience, more concerned questioning. This includes patriotism as well as Communism.

I'm on the Jefferson thing. First I've got to find a good one, I've never read much about him myself.

[CitizenReader]

Yay, Scrapping Librarian! Welcome, and thanks for adding me to Bloglines. Let me know if it gives you any problems, will you? This is a new platform for me so I'll be working out the kinks for a while.

I see on your site you're reading "Bridge of Sighs" by Russo. How is it? I've been wanting to read some Russo for a long time but didn't get around to it yet.

[Brandon]

I had a feeling you'd pop up on TypePad. I love the new name, by the way, you Communist, you. FOR RUSSIA, THE MOTHERLAND!

How's the platform workin' out? I'll bet you three books that the tech difficulties end now. Whaddya say? We on?

[Pop Tart (or should that be Citizen Pop Tart)]

Love the new name and I can't wait for more. Have to bring a small technical glitch to your attention (sorry sorry). Co-worker tried to add your feed on his Google Reader and it said no feed existed. I tried same with GR and Bloglines and had similar results. Bloglines added it but with an error message saying there was no feed.

I'm sure this will be a very small bump on what will be a fabulously smooth road. Metaphors, I got 'em!

[Care]

Looking forward to this! I love reading about what you read. Thank you, Care

[Katharine]

I might have to start writing poetry and calling myself Edna from now on, her story sounds intriguing. Glad to see you back, love the new name...Citizen Reader...reminds me of a really cool superhero with a big R on her chest, keeping the world a safe and literate place. Good luck with the new site!

[CitizenReader]

Citizen Pop Tart!
Of course, there's a technical glitch! I'll look into the feeds problem as soon as I can--although I chose today to switch over, right when (sucktastic) TDS is down for all their internet customers! Thanks, TDS! (Sure, it's a "fiber that was cut in Chicago." Uh huh..) But I'll get on it.

Hey, Brandon,
See above re: feeds problem. You still want to take that three-book bet? :)

Katharine,
I've been meaning to read about Edna St. Vincent Mallay for some time--and I think that synopsis pushed me over the edge into wanting to read about her RIGHT NOW!

Care,
Glad to see (read) you again! I hope this site sticks around a long time so I never have to move again!

[Matt]

Hello to you.

[Venta]

Welcome back!!! I've been anxiously waiting.

If you are planning to read Russo, may I suggest Straight Man. My husband and I still can't look at geese without thinking of this book.

[CitizenReader]

Matt,
Hello right back at you. Loved your Sarvas post, by the way.

Venta!
Good to be back. And thank you for the "Straight Man" suggestion. I've had it home from the library like three times and have never gotten it read--fourth time's the charm?

[The Laundress]

well, welcome back and good bye and hello,

like the new name, the new home and the new energy level!

damn, how am I going to cope, stranded out in the Middle of Hell without your grounding digs and wisdom? Miss you already and happy that you are building a new home.

Also, love your sharing that note and loving whoever wrote it!

your sad laundress

[heidi]

OK - we made the change over at twokitties.typepad.com - your link is up to date!

[CitizenReader]

Laundress dearest,
I thought you'd like the summary story. I'm keeping it, and still laughing about "in the true style of the bohemian twenties, seemed willing to sleep with everyone." Good stuff.

Incidentally, I will miss you. We will lunch, perhaps at the Three Sisters in Middle of Hell?

Heidi:
Thanks for the link! I've got to get yours up too.

[Rick Roche]

Comrade, I too like the new name and look.

American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis was a candid yet still sympathetic book about Thomas Jefferson. There are many more titles to choose, and Jefferson seems almost a different person in each one.

I'm glad your back.

[citizen rambler]

Good to see you established in your new empire!