Dolores Park, a beloved gathering spot in San Francisco, has become an informal reading lounge for a handful of locals eager to catch up on books they missed during busy careers. In a series of short conversations, park visitors explained what drew them to the classics and contemporary titles they are currently exploring.
Returning to the Page After Years Away
One participant, a 33‑year‑old USC business graduate, admitted she hadn’t read a book since before college. “I just decided I wanted to learn how and see what I was missing,” she said, noting that she feels she has a lot of catching up to do. She is currently working through How to Read a Book by Charles Van Doren and Mortimer J. Adler, hoping to build stronger reading habits.
Women Journalists in the Arab World
Nairi, an Armenian‑Lebanese woman who previously worked in public health, chose Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World, edited by Zahra Hankir with a foreword by Christiane Amanpour. She highlighted the challenges female reporters face, noting that many cannot work without a male protector. Though she is currently unemployed, Nairi hopes the book will inspire a new career direction.
Design, Travel, and a Love of Cars
Arden, a car designer, proudly mentioned seeing his work on a Volvo truck cruising the highway. When asked about the purpose of his journal, he simply answered, “Life.” He also commented on recent events in Minneapolis, describing the situation as “crazy” and “scary,” reflecting the way current news filters into everyday conversation.
Planning a Light‑Hearted “Survivor” Party
Friends Josie and Maxine are organizing a playful “Survivor”‑themed party for 18 friends, joking about brainstorming the “worst things” they could do to each other. Their laughter underscores how community gatherings can blend humor with the simple pleasure of reading together.
Literary Classics on the Road
Kendrick, a Reuters journalist covering technology, shared his recent reading of Malcolm Lowry’s Under the Volcano. He recalled reading the novel in 1965 while serving in the Peace Corps in Nigeria, followed by a translation of Dante’s Inferno. The experience, he said, gave him a vivid case of culture shock.
Train Journeys and New Horizons
Another park‑goer recounted traveling west on Amtrak’s Zephyr from Chicago, meeting interesting people and planning a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. A computer‑science graduate from Wesleyan, he expressed concern that artificial intelligence might eventually replace his job, yet remains optimistic about building predictive models.
Faith and Existential Thought
Provatti, originally from Nepal, described the park as a “low mountain” compared to his homeland. He is currently reading Sartre’s Existentialism and Humanism and Nausea, with plans to move on to Camus’s The Stranger. He uses his journal to reflect on the books and on the uncertain political climate, noting that reading offers a passport beyond everyday boundaries.
Connecting Through Books
Across these brief interviews, a common thread emerges: books serve as a bridge between personal histories, professional aspirations, and the broader cultural landscape. Whether revisiting classic literature, exploring the lives of women journalists, or contemplating existential philosophy, the readers of Dolores Park illustrate how a shared love of reading can foster community, strengthen family values, and nurture faith.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
