Back Quote by Zadie Smith
“I think of reading like a balanced diet; if your sentences are too baggy, too baroque, cut back on fatty Foster Wallace, say, and pick up Kafka as roughage.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Podcast, 2015
Reading should be balanced like a diet; avoid overly ornate prose and include both challenging and simple authors.
In simple terms: Read varied styles for a balanced literary diet.
Key Takeaway
Mix complex and simple reading.
Themes
reading
literary balance
style
Mood
thoughtful
curious
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- choosing books
- academic study
- personal reading list
Key Concepts
literary criticism
diet metaphor
Practical Applications
- Focusing too much on balance may limit deep immersion in a single style.
Questions to Reflect On
- How does varied reading affect writing?
A Different Perspective
What genres do you need more of?
