on reading - h.p. lovecraft

All attempts at gaining literary polish must begin with judicious reading, and
the learner must never cease to hold this phase uppermost. In many cases, the
usage of good authors will be found a more effective guide than any amount of
precept. A page of Addison or of Irving will teach more of style than a whole
manual of rules, whilst a story of Poe’s will impress upon the mind a more
vivid notion of powerful and correct description and narration than will ten dry
chapters of a bulky textbook.

Let every student read unceasingly the best writers.

- H.P. Lovecraft

By Dean Cornwell