If you are talking specific skills, probably nothing. I tend to learn best by doing, and by doing it on the job (thats how I learned to use a computer). That type of instructional reading is not something I'd consider using to learn from

That being said, I have learned tons from reading, not skills, but about everything under the sun.

The answer to that question could become a book in itself. From Michener I learned about the history, geography, and peoples of places in the world I will never see firsthand. From Sagan I learned about the Universe and the scientists who first explored it with their primitive telescopes. From Austen I learned about life in a previous age. And these are just examples for this brief paragraph.

Vocabulary, new points of view, philosophies, travels, a look at the world I would not have had otherwise. Without books a mind can be destitute.

Oops. I was thinking "What have you learned?" instead of "What have you learned to DO?" For that: I supposed I've learned to think more broadly, to understand the world a little better, and to marvel more at its mysterious and fascinating aspects.

Unfortunately, no handbook can teach me the mysteries of technology. For that I need a tutor who will speak SLOWLY and repeat himself often.

no handbook can teach me the mysteries of technology. For that I need a tutor who will speak SLOWLY and repeat himself often.

For me - I need cheat cards to follow. I learn best by "reading", by seeing the printed word. I don't do well with spoken instructions...my mind begins to wander, also, I usually get it with the first iteration, and my mind jumps to about 5 questions about all the next steps. I can see the needs, and the instructions come too slowly for how fast my questions arise, and I stumble over my own "feet".

I taught myself to touch-type with a teacher's manual which I found somewhere. I thought, 'you're a teacher; if you can teach other people, surely you can teach yourself......? Can't you......?' So I tried, and followed all the exercises, and did it. I am now a very fast touch- typist, and/but extremely innacurate! That is, if I get my hands in the wrong position on the keyboard, not looking, I can go for lines and lines, creating absolute gibberish. Could be disastrous for a writer.... but not so far, I'm glad to say. I cheat - that is to say, I Look, occasionally, at what I'm doing.

Dido

To cook, of course. I used to slavishly follow recipes when I was younger. Now that I am more confident and a better cook, I can improvise. But I still learn things from cookbooks all the time. I have also learned a lot about gardening--pruning and propogation, particularly--from books. My husband is currently teaching himself to speak French from a book.

I've learned to ignore the chatter and snickering of those fluffy little dust bunnies that insist on grabbing a ride on my slippers when I shuffle toward my favorite reading chair, steaming cup of chai latte in hand, to settle in for a good long read.

I have learned how to juggle. :)

griff-rhys - I am absolutely green with envy! Which book did you use?

I was a teenager when Lady Chatterley's Lover first came out. A most instructive guide to wild-flower collection and pheasant rearing.

Vee -

Your comment about LCL made me laugh out loud and blow popcorn all over my computer screen. You are hilarious!!

OT, but still... When I was 19, I went for a year in Israel with a group of Protestant seminary students; my father was one of their professors. At that time, LCL and Tropic of Cancer were still banned in the United States, but available in Israel (and most European countries).

You should have seen all those good Baptist ministerial students racing for the bookstores!

Thyrkas. Please forgive me, but I do not remember the book as it was about 20 years ago. I sill juggle though.

griff-rhys - Thanks anyway! I have seen a couple of books that hold out some promise: "Juggling for the Complete Klutz", and "The Idiots Guide to Juggling".

Through reading I have learned about history, geography, science, about different cultures and places, about human nature and how some strive to over come it, about the choices people can make, about being human in general. A few text books taught me about teaching, but more as references for activities rather than 'how to'.

Like some here, I learn skills best in an interactive situation where I observe, then try, then get corrections. But an instructor is not always available to me, and books work reasonably well when no teacher is available for the skills I want to acquire. And even when they are, books enhance and expand the learning experience for me. I prefer to have both, but will take either when that is all I can get.

What have I learned? Gardening, cooking, quilting, sewing were all skills I learned to varying degrees from books, though certainly I have had some instruction, too, particularly with sewing and tailoring. I'm getting mentally prepared to learn to knit, and I think I want to take up playing the recorder. I don't play any musical instrument. Knowing that I would give up quickly if I don't get to a rewarding level fast I thought, why not the recorder? Children learn quickly to play it on a simple level, yet this instrument is capable of producing lovely music in the hands of a musician. And best of all, no one could ever ask you to sing along!

Rosefolly

veer......

" wild flower collecting and pheasant rearing".
Great euphemisms!. LOL

Coincidentally, I am going to see Lady Chatterley ( the film) this afternoon and look forward to some very steamy "pheasant rearing" !

Brava!
Thanks for the chuckle.

Yvonne

I have never read Lady Chatterley, but I guess i'm going to have to go buy it now. Pheasant rearing sounds interesting.

What have I learned through reading? I have learned a lot about human nature and how isolated I am in my little comfort zone. Reading allows me to travel and learn about new places without leaving my home. I also learn new vocabulary words which helps with my witty repartee.

"I also learn new vocabulary words which helps with my witty repartee." Love it, nomer!

This past August, my DD, three of her children and I, all learned how to tie dye t-shirts. We had a great time! And if I could figure out how to attach a photo to this message, I would post a picture of the group in their beautiful creations. Guess I'll have to read up on how to do that...

nomer, if you really decide you want to read the unexpurgated version of Lady Chatterley and from what you wrote on the other thread about the small-minded, bigoted folk in your community, I would strongly suggest you don't order it from the local library, but send far away for it . . . and ask that it is posted in a plain envelope.

Oh I dunno - its about time people stood up to these folks. Go to the library and borrow it. If anyone says anything, tell them the last time you looked you lived in a free country.

I've learned about how tapestries are made by reading Traci Chevalier's excellent book about the famous Unicorn Tapestries. (she's the same author of Girl with the Pearl Earring)

Here is a link that might be useful: Lady and the Unicorn

I must be the only person here who could not get into "Lady Chatterly's Lover." I've tried to read it twice and hated the long sermons at the beginning on classes, Marxism, etc. so never got beyond that. Who would like to have my unexpurgated copy? I'll happily mail it to you!

Cindy, good point about the tapestries, in "Lady & the Unicorn." I learned a lot from that novel, too.

Reading Junior Woodchucks Guidebook(I knew it by heart when I was eight, give or take it),I learnt to get my bearings with the sun , and once I was able to say to my father , who was driving, that we were going in the wrong direction, we were on holiday somewhere near Venice. Gosh I felt so proud of myself.

grelobe

Oooohhh.."Lady and the Unicorn"...Hmmm..that sounds interesting. I'll have to try that one too.

Cindy, thanks for the tip. I'll definitely mail off for this one.