5LQ Episode 351: On Reading Well With Karen Swallow Prior

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Todd Adkins and Daniel Im are joined by Karen Swallow Prior, professor of English at Liberty University and author of On Reading Well. During their conversation, they discuss the following questions: Why did you write a book on reading and what have you learned from reading widely? What does it mean to read well? What benefit does reading literature have to leading? You encourage individuals to read slowly, why and how do we do that? Explain the virtues you discuss in the book. BEST QUOTES “The art and the skill of reading literature suffers with the digitization of the material we take in.” “Literature is an art. It’s indirect and doesn’t tell you what the moral is.” “Reading well in the literal way is reading to comprehend the text, but beyond that is interpreting and applying that meaning to our lives.” “When we read well we are practicing being human.” “By it’s very nature, written words require us to think abstractly and in a more linear fashion than images supported by dramatic music in the background.” “There is so much research to show how reading literary fiction actually cultivates empathy.” “You aren’t reading just to get the information, you are reading to engage in the art of language and human experience.” “According to Aristotle, every virtue is a mean or moderation between two vices – an excess and a deficiency.” “Oftentimes prudence is recognizing all the variables in a situation and doing what is wise in that situation.” RECOMMENDED RESOURCES Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me by Karen Swallow Prior Fierce Convictions by Karen Swallow Prior Group Answers Podcast This Episode’s Sponsor: Feeling unequipped for marriage ministry? Woo Marriage is here to help. Backed by research and designed with your church in mind, Woo Marriage provides Christ-centered marriage coaching for your entire church. Get your first month free with offer code LEADERSHIP at WooMarriage.com/FreeTrial.