I have recently found myself at several parties where the topic of favorite authors came up. Most people at these gatherings named authors from one of two categories – bestselling authors from the last year or two and classic authors of the kind that you’d read in college literature classes. I can’t say that I read a whole lot from either of these categories anymore.
I almost never read new bestsellers because I almost never buy books. One of my contributions to the green reading movement (and to my own personal need to save money where I can) is that I get my books from the library instead of from bookstores. It takes awhile for libraries to get new books so I don’t usually read anything that’s new on the shelves of stores.
And the classics? There’s nothing wrong with the classics, I guess. But most of them weren’t my thing. I’m not much of a fan of the female writers that I was supposed to like – the Bronte Sisters, Virginia Woolf … There are definitely famous authors that I like – Maugham, Nabokov, Rand … but I read most of their stuff years ago and don’t really feel the need to re-read it now.
So what do I read? People that aren’t famous and never were. People who have their books on the shelves of local libraries but who don’t have recognizable names. People who are writing locally now so their books get attention on the local scene. Random things that I find in bargain bins and giveaway piles. And lots of non-fiction.
I’m curious … are most other writers reading the classics or the bestsellers or are there people out there like me who prefer to read the random stuff?
Do You Read The Classics? has 5 Comments
Support me with Flattr!
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:53 am
I have made a point of reading the classics. I think it is important to have a strong literary culture, but then it also might be just snobbery, I don’t know. Reading the bestselling authors, I don’t know how much it can help. You can make an idea about what sells, but then, writing just for the market doesn’t make high quality writing, in my mind. Still, books that win awards and are recognized as literary achievements, can be of use, as well as obscure books that appeal to the public and are publicized by word of mouth.
I do still try to have solid and congruent lists of books I want to read, because I really hate to waste my time. There are just so many great books out there.
Very interesting post. Lots to think about.
@ Lori … Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I do think it’s good to have a literary background as you’ve said … I did read a lot of famous books for awhile but have since moved on to other things. You’re definitely right that there are a lot of great books out there!
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 am
The only place where I don’t save is bookstores. I try to buy 3-4 books every month and luckily for me, a lot of people choose books when there’s an occasion. I know it’s not very green of me, but I love books, the first word I ever read was the title of a book
I mix the classics, with books that caught my eye (older or newer), with what my friends recommend and with what my virtual friends recommend on their blogs.
@ Alina … I used to also really love owning books so I can definitely understand where this comes from. Over the years I started getting rid of them (too much trouble to move!) and now I just have a small collection that I keep but I can totally understand.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I have somewhat interesting, but probably not all that unique, reading habits. To start with, I have my favorite authors and genres, such as Dean Koontz in suspense/supernatural, and David Baldacci, James Grippando, and Robert Ludlum/Eric Van Lustbader in thrillers. The thing about my reading habits that is unique is that every time I check out books from the library, I pick out at least one book from an author I’ve never heard of. I’ve run across some real gems this way, such as Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips. I also try to read at least one non-fiction book each time I check out books, either on the writing trade, marketing, or one of my hobbies (there are a few).
But, I don’t really read the classics much anymore. I read many of them in high school and college, and though a few of them are still among my favorite books, I rarely read a book more than once. And, some of them, I’ve still not read, such as Moby Dick, despite several attempts at it. It’s just insufferably un-readable to me.
April 27th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I also don’t buy books very often, except for certain non-fiction books, and other reference-type books that I know I will use repeatedly, but even those I generally check out from the library first, to see if it’s worth buying. I do this first to try and do my part for the “green reading” movement, and secondly, it has helped me on my path to simplicity (which goes hand-in-hand with the green movement).
@ Will Irvin … I love the idea of checking a book out of the library first to make sure it’s worthy of being purchased. Great tip!
April 30th, 2009 at 3:49 am
There are classics that I like, but mostly I read random stuff that looks interesting at the time. I have been trying over the past two years to read more classics, but somehow the random titles find their way onto my coffee table instead.