Our book group choice for January 2023 is The Year of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller. A working father whose life no longer feels like his own discovers the transforming powers of great (and downright terrible) literature in this laugh-out-loud memoir.
Andy Miller was a working father who felt like he was losing himself in the daily grind. He had a job he quite liked, a family he loved, but he felt like something was missing. He wanted to be more than just a husband and father, he wanted to be a reader.
Miller had always loved to read, but as he got older, he found himself reading less and less. He would start books but never finish them, and he would often find himself zoning out while reading. He knew that he needed to do something to change, so he decided to embark on a year-long reading challenge.
Miller’s challenge was to read fifty great books. He didn’t just want to read any books, he wanted to read the books that had shaped the world and changed the way people think. He wanted to read the books that would make him a better person.
Miller started his challenge with a copy of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. He was immediately hooked, and he soon found himself devouring books at a rate he never thought possible. He read everything from classic literature to modern fiction, from poetry to philosophy.
As Miller read, he began to see the world in a new way. He learned about different cultures and different perspectives. He found himself questioning his own beliefs and assumptions. He even found himself laughing out loud at some of the books he read.
The Year of Reading Dangerously is more than just a book about reading. It is a book about self-discovery. It is a book about finding your place in the world. It is a book about the power of books to change lives.
Miller’s journey is engaging. He is honest about his struggles and his successes. He is also passionate about the books he reads, and he does a great job of conveying his love of reading to the reader.
In addition to the personal journey that Miller recounts, The Year of Reading Dangerously also includes discussions of the books that he read. Miller shares his insights on the themes, characters, and plot points of each book, and he provides context for the books within the larger literary canon.
Here are some additional thoughts on the book:
- The book is full of humor and wit. Miller has a gift for finding the funny side of even the most serious books.
- The book is also very thought-provoking. Miller raises some important questions about the nature of reading and the role of books in our lives.
- The book is a great reminder of the power of books to change our lives. Miller’s own journey is a testament to the transformative power of reading.
Discussion Questions
- What did you think of the selection methodology? Was there one?
- Books have to be alive and speak to you, did TYORD? Is quoted
- Did you come out of this wanting to read any of the books? For me it was Under The Volcano.
- Books you would never in a million years dream want to read but he made a good case for? Krautrocksampler and Houellbecq (even I don’t annotate my footnotes)
- Did you have a favourite passage – War and Peace told about history of the book and Tolstoy and T’is marriage and his own marriage
- Least favourite bit, Douglas Adams a bit disappointing
- Favourite anecdote: Ragged Trousered Philanthropists the publishing story.
- Did you vote for this one? If so why?
Individual Ratings
Willow's Rating 
Kelby's Rating
Baljit's Rating
Anthony's Rating
Jo's Rating
Catherine's Rating
DKB's Rating