I think this is a belated New Year’s Resolution post to myself.
I’ve been perusing various reader blogs lately and this is a question that I keep asking myself. Are these people better read that I? They are reading classics, best sellers, the avant garde, things that sound funky fresh and awesome…and I’m reading young adult literature and graphic novels. I will admit it, I generally detest classics. They are a few I have loved; The Scarlet Letter, Tess of the D’Ubervilles, The Great Gatsby. Does the fact that I have never read James Joyce, Henry James, or Wallace Stegner make me ‘not’ well read? Are the people who struggled through any of the “greats” really better read than I am because they read such difficult work? There were SO many people in my college classes acting like they absolutely worshipped the ground these people walked on. I couldn’t get what was so amazing about them.
I have been a bit of a book snob in the past. I’ll admit it. Hell I still am. I just called a comic book a graphic novel for pete’s sake. But I found that reading what the “better read” people were recommending was making me read slower, enjoy it less, and feel just plain awful. At some point last year I decided the hell with it, I was going to read what grabbed me and if it didn’t grab me within the first few pages I was chucking it. And for the first time in 3 years, I met my reading goal; 52 books for the year.
I think what I am trying to say is that it doesn’t matter how well read I personally am. I have enjoyed every single book I’ve read this year. I will continue to try new things. I plan on reading more by Joyce Carol Oates this year. I plan on trying Margaret Atwood, who scares the bejesus out of me. But I’m not going to make myself miserable anymore. I’m not in college. I’m not writing reviews for anyone but myself really. I do have an awful tendency to worry about what other people think, but I’m working on that too. I don’t care if I’m well read. I care if I read well.
Do you ever read Stephen King?? Hands down, he's my favorite author.
I don't generally read the "classics" as you refer to either, I get bored easily. War and Peace?? Forget it!
Classics I like would be more like Tom Sawyer, Little Women, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, etc…
If you haven't before, you should give Stephen King a chance. My favorite? Rose Red. Needful Things is a good one too.
MamaK,
The only King I have read is Misery. And his book on writing, which was extremely interesting. I liked Misery, but I generally don’t like violent or gross stuff. I tried to read the Gunslinger last year and it failed to grip me.
I agree with you on the classics. I loved Tom Sawyer and Little Women. I had a hard time with The Grapes of Wrath. Of Mice and Men was good too.
I will look into Rose Red. I love recommendations!
heather -
Even though I'm one of those crazies trying to catch up on some classics I've missed, I think your perspective is very, very reasonable and is likely to make you a happier person.
I think what draws me to read what others have deemed classic is a feeling that perhaps I am missing out on something truly great. And of course, I'd hate to do that. Sadly, I seem to end up "kissing a few frogs" in an effort to find those beauties. I didn't expect that. I mean how can everyone say certain books are fantastic and important when they suck.
The other reason I like to stretch myself when reading is that I hope to someday be an author. I'm under the delusion that reading great classics may somehow transform my writing in the long haul.
Ironically, the novel I'm writing is young adult so perhaps that is what I should really be reading!
All in all, I think you are smart to simply follow your heart when it comes to reading. May you read and enjoy every minute.
And do try The Stand – Stephen King! When you get a chance
I haven't read the Gunslinger series myself. But yeah, Misery, though a very good book (the movie wasn't too bad either) is a bit on the violent side.
Do give Rose Red a chance! Not all of King's books are gross and violent. It's his fabulous descriptive imagination that really gets me.
And The Stand is an excellent one too!
Anita, I've been reading so much YA fiction because I started a YA novel as well. I figure I should read what I wanted to write, ya know?
I do plan on trying more classics, but I'm not going to push myself to finish anything that is making me miserable. I don't mind missing out on those headaches!
And I will definitely look at The Stand!
Fence, that makes sense! I don't feel so pretentious now, thank you
And yes, I always try to push myself. I'm just not going to push too hard.
I always think that people should read what they like. Try a few new things now and again, but why read something you aren't enjoying if you don't have to?
I tend to use graphic novel to mean the collected comics all in the one vol. and comics for the weekly/monthly issues. Maybe thats just me?
I try to read a real mix. There have been some classics in there, but I find these easier to read in a group than by myself!
What does it matter if you don't read the classics? Some people like them, many people don't. Why suffer through something that isn't your thing? Reading should be enjoyable, so I think people should just read what they like. You could have been one of those kids that turned into an adult that doesn't read at all, and that would be the real shame.
I run a teen group at the library I work at, and I often find myself thinking that I ought to be reading more graphic novels and YA lit to keep up with what they like to read. I've found looking through your blog to be helpful, so I appreciate you for that because I'm not a big YA reader myself
Heather – If you are actively working on your YA novel, you should join my critique group. We have seven women, two of whom have agents already for their YA stuff. It's a pretty YA oriented bunch.
I know I should read more YA, but I don't know exactly where to start. I'd love your suggestions.
If reading the Classics makes you "well read", then I am far from it! LOL
You wrote **I don't care if I'm well read. I care if I read well.**
Amen! I so totally agree!