Reading for Pleasure as a Rip-Mix Experience

December 5, 2008 | | Leave a Comment

I just finished reading a post on WebLogg-Ed describing the Rip-Mix concept. I’ve been looking for the right terminology to describe an experience I’ve been having recently and “Rip-Mix” may be just the ticket…

Lately I’ve been reading Girls Like Us, a biography of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon. The book is laden with references to specific songs, regions in Canada, neighborhoods in NYC, musicians I’d never heard of, historical events, etc. What I’m finding is that it’s impossible to simply curl up with this book unless I have my laptop right next to me. As I read, I’m listening to snippets of songs in iTunes, looking up locations in Google Earth, searching for photos, reading articles, watching obscure vintage YouTube videos of these performers and listening to a custom-made Pandora station as the soundtrack as I read. I usually read as a way to “unplug” at the end of the day, but with this type of book I’m finding it virtually impossible.

Clearly, it’s time to switch to fiction for my next bedtime reading!