I’ve been meaning to participate in Weekly Geeks but you know how it goes sometimes, by the time you think up of a post it’s time to move on to another one. But, I couldn’t pass up the post this week as it’s on a subject I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately — the Classics.
You can see all the details of the assignment here. I’ll answer the first question and then I’ll modify the second question to fit something I’ve been thinking of. First, I’ll tell you that while I’m not necessarily intimidated by the classics unfortunately they aren’t my go-to choice for reading either. Every year I say I want to read more but I don’t quite meet my goals and I’ll be lucky to at least get one book in. In the past couple of years I’ve read Great Expectations and Emma and sadly I think that’s it.
But, recently I’ve been contemplating the idea of doing my own personal challenge. I know there are reading challenges that are covering the classics and those sound really great but I kind of want to keep this just for myself. Well, and with the help of Michael Dirda’s book Classics for Pleasure. Yes, as I’ve been skimming this book that’s what’s got me thinking about the classics and I think having this book as a guide will be helpful. I already know that I’d love to discover Eudora Welty, Henry James, Anton Chekov, oh so many more. So, I don’t know how many books I’ll try to strive for but hopefully more than one.
I debated whether to post this or not because what if I don’t read any at classics at all this year? Well, that won’t be good but nothing will happen and all those classics will still be there waiting for me. But, on the other hand, by having put this out there perhaps that helps make me more accountable to myself.
And, as if I needed any additional encouragement Barnes & Nobles has their Classics Series on sale! I love these editions and have bought a couple. I guess now is the perfect time to go look for some new ones to stock up my shelves.
To tell you honestly, I was a bit intimidated by classics initially as I thought they’re more for serious readers, not reader like me who read as pleasure and to pass time. ;P But ever since I started reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, it changed my opinion of classics and from then onwards, I’ve started to check out more of them.
I haven’t read Emma yet but I’m looking forward to it. 🙂
There are many classics that I enjoyed, but everytime I put a new one on my list I’m still intmidated and I put off starting it. I always think that it will be too heavy or something… I’m with you on trying to discover more classic authors!
I don’t know whether this will make any sense, but I do like reading Classics. I just hate starting them. For some reason, I have a hard time motivating myself. I always find initially I have a hard time getting into them. I think I just like the instant gratification.
I loved Great Expectations!!
I’m not intimidated by Classics, but having majored in English, with an MA in English, and having taught English for years, I don’t gravitate to them as I once did. Even in high school, I’d look at the “lists” and make them my personal agenda. I wouldn’t change that for the world, but neither do I look to them as a major source of reading material any longer.
I do like the idea of Self Challenges because then I don’t feel as if I’ve failed if I don’t follow through, nor do I feel required to read a particular book (even if I chose it myself).
I always intend to try to read more classics each year too but don’t necessarily get around to reading them. This is a nice idea for a personal challenge. Good luck! I hope you find some fun classics to read this year.
I’ve recently added Tess of d’Uberville and Wuthering Heights to my list of must reads. I haven’t read all that many classics, although am continually impressed by the writing when I do – no wonder they are classics!
I’ll cheer you on for your Self Challenge and I promise not to bring it up if you miss the goal. Just do what feels right. 🙂
I definitely feel the same as you when it comes to classics. They don’t tend to make it to the top of my reading pile. For some reason this year, I have been inspired to go back to the classics. I have all the novels of Jane Austen on my shelf and I have never read her novel Lady Susan. After just watching Lost in Austen I really must go back and read Pride & Prejudice. I really want to read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. There are other books but I think I might put a challenge to myself as well and post about it!!
Good luck, perhaps you will inspire yourself and read many classics this year!
I wish you luck in your personal challenge. I read a great many classics as a teenager on my own and then again in college. I just have some favorites these days…those that I can read again and again.
A personal challenge sounds like a good idea. I’m sort of doing that myself this year, trying to get classics back into my diet. Dirda’s book sounds awesome. I’ll have to check that out.
I love reading the classics and usually read quite a few each year. I also love the B&N classic series. They usually have great introductions and other ancillary materials.
Thanks for reminding me of Classics for Pleasure! I think I’d find that book very useful too. And plus Dirda is always such a joy to read.
Those B&N editions really look great.
Melody – I totally understand. I think my biggest complaint is that through my high school and university education, my classes seemed to miss a lot of the classics. Glad you are enjoying Jane Austen and I thought Emma was so fun. I hope you’ll enjoy it when you get to it!
Joanna – Right, you almost feel as if you’ll have to work to understand it right? I wonder if this is because we associate classics with school.
Stephanie – It makes sense to me. I’m that way too. I have all of these books waiting for me, I read the blurb and think it sounds good but I put them back. Once I read one I wonder why I waited so long! I really liked Great Expectations a lot too – I was pleasantly surprised!
Sassymonkey – Ooh, can’t wait to read your post 🙂
jenclair – I liked the idea of a self challenge because after all that’s why I started my blog. To record my life through books 🙂
Tanabata – thank you! I hope it goes well and I’ll keep you guys posted 🙂
Stephanie – Yep, I guess they’ve endured the test of time for a reason, right. I’d like to read Tess one of these days too!
Care – yay, thank you 🙂
Christine – I’ve enjoyed your posts on the Austen book and the dancing! I think all signs are pointing to you picking up a classic soon 🙂
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) – In a way don’t you think reading them on our own makes it a bit more rewarding? In a way that’s what it feels like for me. thanks for the encouragement 🙂
Andi – Oh yes, check out the Dirda book if you can. It’s interesting too that some of the classics he lists are a bit different from the ones you find in all of those lists.
Lisa – I’ve been very impressed with the B&N classics books. I have a couple – usually try to buy them when they’re on sale – so I think this is a good excuse for more shopping 🙂
Nymeth – This is my first intro to Dirda but I think I’ll have to look for more of his books! and, maybe I should read his online column too – I just always forget!
An advice that you can ignore: Wait until 2010.
You have a lot to do this year.
That’s why I won’t begin my Latin American reads (in a serious mode) until next year.
I make it a point to read a classic every now and then. I’m working on Doctor Zhivago right now. It’s tough, because I don’t think I know enough about the Russian Revolution to fit the book into its context. But I think it’s like vegetables, good for you, although you may not always understand why.
I always incorporate classics into my reading. I have this nostalgia of the artistry of the prose in classics, a sense of aplomb and staidness that modern literature lack.
Geesh, I should try this challenge. It looks like I would be able to complete it just by default through the semester. But that would be cheating…
Isabel – Haha… I get the feeling I’ll find many other things to take up my time in 2010 anyway 🙂
Lexi – That’s great. Doctor Zhivago is a chunkster too isn’t it? Hope you enjoy the story and looking forward to your post!
Matt – I think that’s a wonderful thing. I’m trying to incorporate a bit more variety in my reading – short stories, graphic novels, etc. so hopefully classics are next 🙂
Jessica – well, you can try it on your own and we won’t tell if you finish or not 🙂
I always want to read more classics, but like you, they’re not my go-to book of choice when I’m reading to begin a new book. Maybe I’ll tag along with your personal challenge, not officially making a commitment, but trying to read a few more that have been lurking on my shelves.
And, yes!! Stock up on those classics at B&N. The sale won’t last much longer!! 🙂
I think a classics challenge sounds like fun — there are certainly so many that are not difficult at all. Lots of them weren’t really considered great literature during their time, especially 19C novels. They were considered light reading.
Les in NE – I knew I should have asked you about the sale 🙂 I know I can order online but I am waiting to go to the bookstore. It’s so much more fun!
Dorothy W. – You are right. I don’t know why immediately I think they are going to be hard going when in fact some I’ve read have had a lot of humor and are just not that difficult. Makes you wonder what will be considered literature 100 years from now!
I’m doing a personal challenge for the classics, too. Mine is to always be in the process of reading a classic, interspersed with my other books. This way, I can’t fail, right? If it takes me all year to finish David Copperfield, ‘ll still have been in the process of reading it that whole time!
Ali – I like the way you think! 🙂 Good luck with your personal challenge. I need to drop in on your blog and see how that’s going!
I’ve been reporting on my Dickens read in my Sunday Salon post. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that this week, though my Sunday’s looking mighty full, so it’ll be tricky to fit that in!
Well, it’s not like you’re being graded or will be thought less of if you don’t read the classics you promise to read. Don’t feel guilty! Enjoy what you can when you can. Reading should never be an obligation. And thanks for the tip on the BN classics sale. I love their editions too!
Ali – I got a bit behind on my blog reading this weekend but I’ll be checking in on your Dickens post.
Stefanie – True dat! 🙂 I did go to B&N but apparently the classics sale was over. What a bummer!