The kinds of books that are categorized as classic seem to vary widely in content and style. I mean you got books like Homer's Iliad, the Great Gatsby, Animal Farm, Ulysses, and works of Shakespeare. Just because it's a classic, it does not mean reading one will make reading others easier. Except, of course, that if you start with the oldest works, then references to them in newer works will make sense. But still, I find it hard to decide where to start and the order to read them. So far I've been looking mostly at shortest books or ones that grab my attention from the start and are easy enough to understand….
by moonvolcano
4 Comments
I would just start with what interests you the most and go from there. A lot of classics can be quite dry and hard to slog through. Some of them hold up incredibly well with characters who feel modern and relatable. It depends on the book, the writer, and what kind of plot line or time period you’re interested in.
Honestly, the same way i go through regular books. Add them to my tbr pile and whatever feels right at the time, I’ll pick up. If I’m struggling, I’ll either dnf it or read a portion and maybe look it up (cliff notes) to make sure i grasped what i read properly. But yea, some books you’ll enjoy, some are too hard and some just suck.
I go by interest. I like fantasy and science fiction. I have gone through Shakespeare, most of the Greek/Roman myths and a lot of the old fairytales/folktale collections. These are the classics that impact what I read now.
The genre classics: Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Poe, Frankenstein, and such are also just fun to read.
I go based on vibes, suggestions, and accessibility!