Anansi: You're an English PhD student. How does reading for school differ from reading for pleasure?
Stephanie Hart: It's a difficult balance, but I find this distinction usually works: If the highlighter comes out, it goes into the work pile. I also refuse to read anything with footnotes before bed; I like the idea of contained reading in a contained environment, if that makes sense.
Anansi: You're a fan of Ana Historic by Daphne Marlatt and LIAR by Lynn Crosbie. How do these books and authors appeal to you as a reader?
Stephanie Hart: I'm attracted to texts that play with the relationship between form and content and the idea that, as Dionne Brand says, "No language is neutral." Both display how the politics of identity and history are, in part, functions of language, but do so in an intensely personal voice. Plus, they're ideal when in need of a good cry.
Anansi: How do you connect with other readers? Is it important to you to talk with others about the books you like, or even dislike? What value does that conversation hold for you?
Stephanie Hart: I meet other readers primarily through work and local events. I love the idea of book clubs, but one of the drawbacks to being a PhD student is that people are hesitant to invite you for fear that you'll ruin the conversation with egregious windbaggery (which is a valid concern).
I place a tremendous value on conversations surrounding books; I love hearing about a formative moment in someone's life that was inspired by something they read. In that sense, I find a person's reaction to an individual book more interesting than their general preferences.
Anansi: Where can we find you on the Web?
Stephanie Hart: I currently have an essay online at the Centre for Cultural Studies Research (http://www.uel.ac.uk/ccsr/journals.htm) and a forthcoming review in Postmodern Culture (http://www.iath.virginia.edu/pmc/).
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