Don’t read classic books because you think you should: do it for fun!

A new poll shows Britons are weighed down with regret over novels they haven’t found ‘time and patience’ for. Why do we shame ourselves over entertainment?

Is there something in the human soul that makes us want to castigate ourselves for not having read the books we feel we should have? A couple of years back, Amazon gave us a “bucket list of books to create a well-read life” (or at least to make us feel bad about not having read anywhere near enough of them). Last week, Sian Cain laid herself bare by admitting she hasn’t read Ulysses (nor have I, although I own two copies, which surely puts me a little closer to the goal of completing it).

This week, YouGov tells us that only 4% of Brits have read War and Peace, although 14% wish they had; 3% have read Les Misérables, although 10% want to; and 7% have read Moby-Dick, with 8% aiming to.

We really need to stop making people feel stupid because they haven't read certain things deemed classics. Nonsense. Read what you like.

TITUS ANDRONICUS "OMG srsly it's like REALLY disturbed" THERESE RAQUIN "DRIPPING. WITH. LUST." TALE OF TWO CITIES "Waargh such a romp"

I mean haven't we all been there? <halfway through Moby Dick or whatever> "Wait. This is....this is like a REALLY GOOD BOOK." *baffled face*

@SarahGPerry Wuthering Heights: Fifty Shades meets Location, Location

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