About Quiet Reading with Tara Penry
Quiet Reading is a weekly letter with a mission of inspiring confidence in our complex humanity through close attention to story and language.
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Who writes this thing, and why?
Hi. I’m Dr. Tara Penry (TAH-ruh PEN-ree), a professor of American literature with thirty-plus years in higher education.
I see literature as a rehearsal space for the problems we face in life. A good book usually does a better job than public discourse in helping us think about the problems we face, whether they’re problems of confidence in ourselves, political polarization, or countless other things.
Drawing on my experience as a literature teacher and scholar, most Quiet Reading letters center on the close reading of a book or author who inspires without simplifying us. Sometimes I’ll address other topics from a complex human point of view. (There’s no one I’d rather hear from on important topics than people with a wide reading of literature.) And sometimes I’ll invite a guest author or post a collaboration in the spirit of relishing our complex, variegated, sympathetic imaginations.
Books can bring us together. With the kinship of books, we can talk about difficult subjects that are hard to reach in other ways.
Who reads Quiet Reading?
I write for an intelligent reader willing to be surprised, to think, to feel, and to find inspiration from any quarter that helps us become better humans. Some readers are people of strong faith, and others people of strong skepticism. I relate to all of these supposed oppositions and believe we can talk to each other across differences if our talk begins in quiet and trusts our complexity.
In literature and quiet, there is room for common ground.
What do readers say about this publication?
“This is one of my favorite publications of Substack. I love it because I learn something new every single time I read it! I also love it because Tara is the best creator of community I've seen. She is a gifted gatherer of literature and people.” — Donna McArthur of The Bright Life.
“Tara always gives us something both thought provoking and lovely. Plus she has a sly sense of humor just waiting to come out of hiding.” — Switter of
.“Slow your pace and savor reading with this lovely newsletter.” — Evelyn Skye of
.“Intelligent and entertaining essays, which is hard to pull off.” — Peter Johnson of Old Man Still Howling at the Moon.
“If you want a break from hustle culture, a dose of optimism and humor, and quiet insights, Tara is the guide for you. A balm for the soul.” — Joshua Doležal of
.“Tara entertains, supports, and unites the dispersed. Highly recommended!” — Safar Fiertze of The Fiertzeside.
“A confluence of top-tier writing and commentary about American life.” — Kevin McSpadden of
.“Deep reader Tara Penry is a joy to hang out with. Connect with your reader-self.” — Sal Randolph of The Uses of Art.
“Quiet Reading brings a focus on amazement, reverence, and appreciation of the written word during all seasons of our lives. Highly recommended.” — Matthew Long of Beyond the Bookshelf.
“She did it again. She enchanted.” — Renée Eli, PhD of
.🙏 Thank you, eloquent friends!
Wondering where to start?
Make sure you’re subscribed, of course! It’s free. You can unsubscribe any time. And your email is not shared with anyone else:
After that:
Try a post about an inspiring author (“She Persisted”);
An archival conundrum (“A Christmas Eve Manuscript Mystery”);
A resonant line (“Highest Good Is Like Water”);
A humanist approach to a controversial topic (“Free Speech and Moral Boundaries” - originally posted at my companion newsletter).
Learn more about an author you know like Walt Whitman or one you may not, such as Ida B. Wells.
Or …
Every essay is written to inspire thought, reflection, or encouragement; to cut through memes and simplifications in search of a human truth.
🌺 If you’re new here, I hope you’ll join me and the others I’ve met through this passion project. I look forward to meeting you in the comments of any post. 📚 ✨
