Books like The fine art of reading by David Cecil

A timeless lecture manual that examines reading through the lens of psychology, offering systematic strategies for adult learners and contributing to a broader understanding of civilization.

Francine Prose shows how studying great writers—from Dostoyevsky to Joyce—reveals the craft of storytelling, urging readers to analyze language and technique in order to improve their own writing.

An intellectual exploration of how we consider, absorb, and discuss books—especially those we haven’t read—examining the personal guilt of missing the ‘great books’ and the cultural value of literary conversation.

Alan Jacobs shows that reading is thriving in America and offers practical, playful advice to help readers enjoy books without judgment, covering literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction and digital reading.

Better known for her five volume portrait of English rural life, Our Village, Mary Russell Mitford (1787-1855) was one of the most prolific female writers of her day. Part critical essay, part autobiography, Recollections consists of a series of sketches on and selections from Mitford's favourite authors, stemming from her desire 'to make others relish a few favourite writers as heartily as I have relished them myself'. The collection is arranged according to Mitford's own eclectic system of categorization including 'fashionable poets', 'cavalier poets', and 'poetry that poets love'. Mitford wears her immense literary skill lightly and Recollections is masterfully written, full of lively wit and fascinating biographical detail. Published just three years before Mitford's death, it was based on earlier articles and letters. Authors included range from Chaucer to Sir Walter Scott and Mitford's friend Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

This book is a course in narrative comprehension and composition for caribbean secondary schools. These are compiled by Cecil Gray

"This research-based book is intended as a 'companion' or reference to enhance pre-service and practising teachers' knowledge about how literature is created. Offering practical insights, it supports teachers' understanding of the writer's craft related to the quality literary texts they read with their students. While the major emphasis is on the Literature Strand and its sub strands, the book takes the three strands of the Australian Curriculum: English as a starting point for the book's content and offers explanations, interpretations and examples for each strand."--Publisher.