What do you think?
Rate this book
Celebrate the Classics: Why You Can and Should Read the Great Books
Celebrate the Classics is a short look at what makes a great book, why we should read classic literature, and how to go about reading and celebrating these book.
Whether you’re a teacher hoping to inspire students to love the classics or simply a curious mind looking to understand the great literature that has shaped the foundations of our society, this book will give you concrete tips for reading and enjoying classic literature.
This free guide has been made available to help people discover a love of reading classic books.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2017
179 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 23, 2018
I wanted pick this book up especially because today (23-Apr) is the World Book Day. I wanted to pick up my phase of reading classics and I wanted to take a symbolic start today by finishing this quick read. This book delivered the exact content it promised to deliver in the description. The Author goes on to relate her content to her own publishing company Xist (i.e. Exist) and their own book club of classics. But this does not diminish the core content of the book. I loved how precise and direct the content was, and for the most part of the book, it was a list of books one could keep as a point of reference to add to their own reading portfolio.
I got the Kindle version of this book for $0.00 from Amazon and I was fully satisfied that it did not waste my time. So if you are planning to pick this book up, I would recommend it on the basis that it gives you reassurances that reading classics is cool, and lists down like 100+ books to get you started.
I got the Kindle version of this book for $0.00 from Amazon and I was fully satisfied that it did not waste my time. So if you are planning to pick this book up, I would recommend it on the basis that it gives you reassurances that reading classics is cool, and lists down like 100+ books to get you started.
July 23, 2022
A relatable short read.
If you want a push to try out classics, this one is for you. Calee's writing style made me finish in a single sitting. A good guide to dive into the classics.
If you want a push to try out classics, this one is for you. Calee's writing style made me finish in a single sitting. A good guide to dive into the classics.
June 13, 2017
Interesting approach towards something as profound as Classics
Found the approach of the book quite interesting for something as profound as Classics. I did start reading it with certain expectations but few pages into the book I realised it may not fulfill my set expectations. I adjusted myself to the approach and style of the book. Still found it interesting and lot of take aways , though not the ones that I had anticipated earlier when I started reading it. Discovered many gems that I would read soon and the questions at the back are indeed very useful for multiple purposes. A nice read !
Found the approach of the book quite interesting for something as profound as Classics. I did start reading it with certain expectations but few pages into the book I realised it may not fulfill my set expectations. I adjusted myself to the approach and style of the book. Still found it interesting and lot of take aways , though not the ones that I had anticipated earlier when I started reading it. Discovered many gems that I would read soon and the questions at the back are indeed very useful for multiple purposes. A nice read !
February 5, 2017
A short exhortation to read more classics, some of which the author's publishing company is putting out on Kindle. A worry cause. Nicely written. Many links to mostly good books.
October 13, 2018
Informative and a great signpost.
Recommend to anyone wanting to broaden their literary education. Lots of classics recommended that I will put on my reading list.
Recommend to anyone wanting to broaden their literary education. Lots of classics recommended that I will put on my reading list.
October 22, 2021
A great guide to the classics.
A geeat book if you are wanting to get unto the claasics. Organized and informative. Would recomend it to anyone who is pursuing the Classics.
A geeat book if you are wanting to get unto the claasics. Organized and informative. Would recomend it to anyone who is pursuing the Classics.
December 31, 2020
For the one who enjoys the classics or want to enjoy them, this small guidebook is an excellent guide to your exploration into the classics, with reasons why are classics are so revered, why they are so relatable decades or centuries after their publication and even provides with a list of classic titles categorized according to their genre and location.
A guide to understand the book you are reading better is also provided.
It is a fast read and an excellent reference for anyone who is looking into classics and those who already enjoy them.
Because of this book and another, I have started reading some classics that have caught my interest in the past but never gotten into it - because of the reputation of classic literature.
While I still will read the books that catch my eye in terms of concept and theme - keep in mind that everyone has their own interests, so while one book will resonate with one, it wouldn’t resonate with another. Each individual is different - but hey that is what makes people interesting.
So please be respectful
Highly recommended along with I’d rather be reading by Anne Bogel if you are an absolute bibliophile like me.
A guide to understand the book you are reading better is also provided.
It is a fast read and an excellent reference for anyone who is looking into classics and those who already enjoy them.
Because of this book and another, I have started reading some classics that have caught my interest in the past but never gotten into it - because of the reputation of classic literature.
While I still will read the books that catch my eye in terms of concept and theme - keep in mind that everyone has their own interests, so while one book will resonate with one, it wouldn’t resonate with another. Each individual is different - but hey that is what makes people interesting.
So please be respectful
Highly recommended along with I’d rather be reading by Anne Bogel if you are an absolute bibliophile like me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2018
This book addressed the subject of reading classics. The author has her own experience in the field from her childhood and recently gets to realize the value of classics in human history and culture.
The book is brief where the author does not go in depth to cover the subject, starting up with what are the classics ? Why read them ? How to read them ?
The information in the previous mentioned three chapters is useful and inspiring.
The author then shares several lists of classic books title categorized by genre.
The subject of book clubs is then highlighted.
Finally the last part of the book named Book Club questions was the most useful to me. It mentions various questions that could be discussed in book clubs again categorized over several subjects. Such questions are practically very useful hints for beginners or non professional readers especially in the field of fiction.
A useful read that could be enjoyed and useful for readers who need some hints or inspiration to discover the world of classics..
The book is brief where the author does not go in depth to cover the subject, starting up with what are the classics ? Why read them ? How to read them ?
The information in the previous mentioned three chapters is useful and inspiring.
The author then shares several lists of classic books title categorized by genre.
The subject of book clubs is then highlighted.
Finally the last part of the book named Book Club questions was the most useful to me. It mentions various questions that could be discussed in book clubs again categorized over several subjects. Such questions are practically very useful hints for beginners or non professional readers especially in the field of fiction.
A useful read that could be enjoyed and useful for readers who need some hints or inspiration to discover the world of classics..
July 5, 2021
Just downloaded this gem and finished it. I love classic books, some of my top favorites being Treasure Island, Peter Pan, A Little Princess and The Chronicles of Narnia series.
This book not only provided an extensive list of the classics (a lot I've read, a lot on my to-read list and a good many I'd never heard of but am now very intrigued to check out) but also clearly explained the benefits to reading the classics and basically why you should give them a chance.
This book was exactly what I'd hoped for and I'm eager to explore new titles. Recommend for those who love the classics and those who aspire to read them.
This book not only provided an extensive list of the classics (a lot I've read, a lot on my to-read list and a good many I'd never heard of but am now very intrigued to check out) but also clearly explained the benefits to reading the classics and basically why you should give them a chance.
This book was exactly what I'd hoped for and I'm eager to explore new titles. Recommend for those who love the classics and those who aspire to read them.
March 25, 2019
A good resource and motivation for me to plan my classic reading in the future. It also includes questions and prompts to be used for book club and useful for reviews and activities too. Though certain parts of this book are written to promote the publishing company, for this is free guide, I shouldn’t complain about that but to feel grateful.
I appreciate the lists and recommendations.
If you want to dig into classics, have a quick look on this book. It’s brief anyway.
I appreciate the lists and recommendations.
If you want to dig into classics, have a quick look on this book. It’s brief anyway.
March 19, 2024
Celebrate the Classics is a short book about the great classics, and a good guide to start reading them. The author begins with showing the importance of classics, giving guidelines to how to read them. Then, for the most part of the book, she gives a list of books as references to different genres.
April 8, 2018
Excellent List of Books
Good reasons to read a good book. But, I read mostly just for pleasure and to escape. I don't see how reading has made much of an impact upon my life.
None of the links to Xist Publishing seemed to work. All I got was a static page.
Good reasons to read a good book. But, I read mostly just for pleasure and to escape. I don't see how reading has made much of an impact upon my life.
None of the links to Xist Publishing seemed to work. All I got was a static page.
January 16, 2019
Really enjoyable guide with interesting insights into the important role of Classics over the centuries. Left me inspired to dive in and read everything from Dickens to Dostoyevsky. Pity about several repeats of titles and links that did not work.
March 25, 2022
A nice little book that encourages one to read classics. Its not anything that will really buy or sell anyone. I already thought classics are very much worth reading. I think the awesome advice to not read things you hate is always good advice.
February 5, 2025
This book is a helpful guide for those who enjoy classics but feel confused about how to read them or which books to choose. It includes recommendations across various genres, making reading classics easier.
Ps: the writing style pushed me to read this book in a single sitting.
Ps: the writing style pushed me to read this book in a single sitting.
February 6, 2019
Interesting
It has helpful hints on how to enjoy the classics. Discussion questions helpful too, even if not used for book club.
It has helpful hints on how to enjoy the classics. Discussion questions helpful too, even if not used for book club.
March 4, 2019
It is quite informative for readers who want to generally start a new genre, and instructional for readers who want to start a book club.
There’s nothing more for me to get from this book.
There’s nothing more for me to get from this book.
November 9, 2019
Quick Read
This is a quick read on why you should read the "classics", as well as perspective on what the classics are and how to approach them. A good primer.
This is a quick read on why you should read the "classics", as well as perspective on what the classics are and how to approach them. A good primer.
December 26, 2025
Very insightful about why we should read the classics which I thoroughly enjoy. Many great books to be read, but unfortunately not in my lifetime. Get started now!
July 10, 2017
Enjoyable book with practical ideas for anyone who loves the classics or feels badly about having missed reading some of them. It's not too late.
April 16, 2017
I liked the concept for the book. But the poor editing merits the low rating.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews