Classics Club: October Meme

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The October question for the Classics Club Meme is:  Why are you reading the classics?

I suppose I read classics because that's what I enjoy reading.  Classics are just books that have been important to many people, in many places, for a long time.   If that many other people have gotten so much out of them, then I figure I will too. 


This year, partly because of the Classics Club, I've been making an effort to be more picky about what I read and to pick up more classic literature.  For years, my reading habits have been fairly undiscriminating, and if something looked interesting, I would put it on the pile.  My criteria for picking up a book were 1) if I was in the mood for it and 2) how soon it was due back at the library.  I've read lots of great stuff this way, but I've also read quite a bit of mediocre fluff.  And while fluff certainly has its place on my shelf, I was letting it crowd out more worthwhile books, and I was a bit lazy about reading very long works (Anna Karenina, that sort of thing).

As I've worked on prioritizing my reading a bit more this year and actually picking up more classics rather than just meaning to get around to them, I've found that I'm enjoying myself more and I also have less patience with mediocre writing.  In fact, I have more appreciation for good writing.  I am really pleased about this.

How about you?

Comments

  1. PattyOctober 5, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    I fully agree on losing patience with mediocre writing - we're getting pickier by the minute! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 5, 2012 at 5:58 AM

    There is nothing more off-putting like a boring mediocre book. Looking forward to your reviews and thank you for the visit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AmyOctober 5, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    I am reading classics to get out of a reading rut and to build a list for my daughter.

    We home educate. We spend lots of time reading.

    My sister (who is a librarian) tells me that if I don't like a book, don't waste anymore time on it. There are too many great books to waste time on a bad book. LOL

    Have a wonderful afternoon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JeanOctober 5, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    Your sister is absolutely correct! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownOctober 7, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    I'm glad the club has helped you prioritize! I probably need to learn to prioritize a bit, too...when I get stressed out and stop prioritizing, I tend to read ONLY YA lit. ;) Of course, I suppose sometimes we need to give our brains a break when we're stressed...but, still. I don't like it when people tell me "you only read YA lit!" :p

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 7, 2012 at 5:09 AM

    Good point, we can find many things from classics :)

    ReplyDelete

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