What do Sigmund Freud, Virginia Woolf and Jorge Luis Borges have in common? They were all avid readers: thoughtful, passionate, curious. Yet they also blundered at times—into distraction, unfairness or narrowness. This is a more general point: even at our most scholarly, careful and inquisitive, we can still fail to read well. But so what?

Drawing on his new book The Art of Reading, philosopher and author Damon Young explores the nature and value of this ancient pursuit. Featuring everything from poetry to superhero comics, literary essays to thrillers, Damon reveals why reading well is so important, and the virtues behind it: curiosity, patience, courage, pride, temperance, justice. He also highlights his own bad habits, the vices that undo the most well-meaning bibliophiles.

In an era that often lauds writing—tips, tricks, rules, courses—this is a celebration of the art of reading, and a defence of its contributions to life.