The Other Life of Words

The life of words does not end when they are written. They become fully alive in the rituals of reading: the books we reach for instinctively, the ones we abandon without guilt, the moods we carry long after the final page, the sentences that can reorder how we see. In an issue devoted to words, it felt just as important to turn toward the people who live most intimately with them,  not as writers, but as readers whose relationship to language is shaped by habit, curiosity, memory, and return.

Columbus Moore, Jr. is one of those readers. Through his thoughtful Instagram presence, books emerge not as passive objects but as companions, atmospheres, and ongoing conversations. His reading life moves fluidly between literary fiction, biography, historical fiction, and a deep, abiding love of mysteries in all their forms—from classic noir to pulp crime and potboilers. What makes his perspective especially compelling is the way reading appears in his life as a genuine practice: immersive, intentional, and responsive to the emotional and political texture of the present moment.

For this conversation in the Words issue, we wanted to make space for the reader’s point of view: what draws someone toward a book before the first sentence, what makes certain genres endlessly re-readable, and why the most lasting experience is often not a single line, but the mood a book leaves behind.

What draws you to a book before you read a single page?

There are several things that draw me to a book: The genre is one. My preferred genres are literary fiction, historical fiction, and biographies. I certainly read other categories of books, but those are the ones I read more often. Also, I know the adage, “never judge a book by its cover.” However, I don’t always adhere to that credo. I have been known to read a book that I would otherwise bypass if it has an inviting cover. 

What kind of books do you find yourself returning to? 

Mysteries.  That includes cozy mysteries, classic/traditional, noir, pulp mystery crime (a true fave), and potboilers. I love them and return to them with much frequency.

Are there books you wanted to love but just couldn’t finish? What made you put them down? 

Yes, and it happens more often than not. A book has to grab me within the first 60-75 pages, or I will have to abandon it. I find that occurring more often now. In the past, I would NEVER not finish a book and would read it in its entirety, no matter how dreadful it was. Not anymore. Too many books, too little time.

What does a good reading experience feel like to you, physically or mentally? 

A good reading experience for me is one where I can’t wait to get back to the book when I put it down. Also, one where I’m oblivious to any background noise that’s going on around me. An immersive experience.

Is there anything different about how you read now than a few years ago? What shifted? 

I read a lot more intently now than I did a few years ago. I think that’s because of several things: the political climate, the fact that I read with literary discussion groups, and I’m expected to lead and/or offer my opinions on the book, etc.

What stays with you longer: a sentence, a mood, or an idea?

I love it when others can pull a sentence or phrase from a book and express how revelatory or special it is for them. But a mood is more euphoric for me. Because it encompasses much more– at least for me. It’s a feeling that’s long-lasting.

explore Columbus’ world of books here.