Reading Lessons: An Introduction to Theory

Written by novelist Scott Dominic Carpenter (Theory of Remainders, This Jealous Earth), this book introduces students to different methods of reading. The underlying principle is that literary theory can enhance one's appreciation of a text, and Carpenter shows how one can read in ways that remain personal while being critically informed.

Reading Lessons focuses on the playfulness of theory and on the compelling questions it helps us ask, all the while drawing on popular examples from literature, film, advertising, television, and other media. For anyone interested in an introduction to literature and literary theory, this is a must read.