Comments on: Read Any Classics Lately? http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/ "We are proof that God has a sense of humor" Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:29:16 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: dfallis http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-166 dfallis Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:05:01 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-166 My personal favorites (Trading with the Enemy & The Dark Side of Camelot) won't be among the "classics" because they do not show the best side of politicians--LOL--guess our grandkids can look forward to having read one of 15--that Barack Obama will have written by the time he finally falls out of power...God help them! http://gyroscope2000.today.com My personal favorites (Trading with the Enemy & The Dark Side of Camelot) won’t be among the “classics” because they do not show the best side of politicians–LOL–guess our grandkids can look forward to having read one of 15–that Barack Obama will have written by the time he finally falls out of power…God help them!

http://gyroscope2000.today.com

]]> By: xpressoutloud http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-163 xpressoutloud Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:25:51 +0000 http://simplethings.today.com/2009/06/05/read-any-classics-lately/#comment-163 I have a profile in a site called Shelfari.com. It’s one of those sites for bookworms. I love reading and knowing what other people read about. There was a discussion about the classics not long ago. This is what I wrote regarding what makes a classic. “In my opinion, for a book to become a classic it does have to stand the test of time. And to do so, it must leave something behind. 1- Weather it created unforgettable characters and I said unforgettable not likable (Romeo and Juliet are the eternal symbol of forbidden love). 2- Was set in a way that the reader can travel through time and be there (All quiet on the western front… I don’t know take your pick). 3- Or if it portrayed an event (fictional or real) that became a symbol (say Big Brother in 1984. Who doesn’t get that reference now, and not only due to the reality show, how about surveillance cameras in the bank or on the street and buildings?). 4- How about how a book influenced a generation or public opinion? (Uncle Tom’s Cabin). 5- Or simply because it speaks to the reader." I have to say that you are right there are so many books out there that many read the classics when they were in school and pick one up once in a while. But the discussion also talked about the books that readers consider will become the “new classics”. Regarding this you might want to read The Book Thief, many (I haven’t read it yet) think it will go on the list soon. As for me, I think The Boy in Stripped Pajamas will also be added to the list (FYI not the movie, the book). You will immediately notice the difference in styles when you open these books but the themes are timeless. Give them a try you might find that you are now more interested in the “new classics”. The Book Thief by Zusak Markus and The Boy In Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne Happy reading and if you feel like commenting on either of them (I plan to read The Book Thief soon) I’m a fellow blogger here www.xpressoutloud.today.com [I promise not to tell you if you are right or wrong. It's reading it’s always a matter of opinion] I have a profile in a site called Shelfari.com. It’s one of those sites for bookworms. I love reading and knowing what other people read about. There was a discussion about the classics not long ago. This is what I wrote regarding what makes a classic.

“In my opinion, for a book to become a classic it does have to stand the test of time. And to do so, it must leave something behind.

1- Weather it created unforgettable characters and I said unforgettable not likable (Romeo and Juliet are the eternal symbol of forbidden love).

2- Was set in a way that the reader can travel through time and be there (All quiet on the western front… I don’t know take your pick).

3- Or if it portrayed an event (fictional or real) that became a symbol (say Big Brother in 1984. Who doesn’t get that reference now, and not only due to the reality show, how about surveillance cameras in the bank or on the street and buildings?).

4- How about how a book influenced a generation or public opinion? (Uncle Tom’s Cabin).

5- Or simply because it speaks to the reader.”

I have to say that you are right there are so many books out there that many read the classics when they were in school and pick one up once in a while. But the discussion also talked about the books that readers consider will become the “new classics”.

Regarding this you might want to read The Book Thief, many (I haven’t read it yet) think it will go on the list soon. As for me, I think The Boy in Stripped Pajamas will also be added to the list (FYI not the movie, the book). You will immediately notice the difference in styles when you open these books but the themes are timeless. Give them a try you might find that you are now more interested in the “new classics”.

The Book Thief by Zusak Markus and The Boy In Stripped Pajamas by John Boyne

Happy reading and if you feel like commenting on either of them (I plan to read The Book Thief soon) I’m a fellow blogger here www.xpressoutloud.today.com

[I promise not to tell you if you are right or wrong. It’s reading it’s always a matter of opinion]

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