Pride and Prejudice
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What are you suppose to read?
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Are you trying to get into the habit of reading more? How much do you read now? Is your time for reading very limited?Have you enjoyed any classic you've already read?
Why do you read, for pleasure, for escape, for knowledge?
All of those things are important to know in deciding what you choose to read.
Without knowing more, I'd say find a classic that piques your interest and also pick out a current book that tickles your fancy and read the classic first and allow yourself to read the current book as a reward when you finish the classic.
Or just read what makes you happy. Never torture yourself with your reading material unless it is required for work or school!
Unless you are studying literature or something, you are not "suppose" to read anything.I have always just gone the library and browsed the shelves and also checked what the librarians have put on display. Sometimes I have watched a movie and wanted to read the book it was based on. Over the years I have heard of many classics that I want to read some day, I also like to read reviews from newspapers about books that have just been published or book blogs that review older books, too. Many nominees for different prizes are also often interesting, as are books by Nobel laureates. Sometimes I come across a book by chance, maybe in a book store or mentioned by a friend.
Usually I don't read books that are bestsellers and what everyone else is reading because I tend not to like them. I have different lists in GR so if I don't know what to read, I can check what others have recommended. If I ever ran out of reading there is this book brand under which they have published 463 quality books already. That should keep me busy for a while (and when that's finished, there are others like it). I also like to find titles from different countries so I could diversify my reading and also I try to read books published in different decades. My only problem is choosing what to read next from several interesting possibilites and finding the time to read them.
There are several bookgroups in GR, you can join one or two and read what they are reading.
You can do a little of all three; for a current book, I recommend joining a book club on a subject that really strikes you. People join book clubs to stay motivated, and to come across books that they would never have known about. For a classic, I'd suggest rereading one that you really enjoyed but haven't read in a long time, and from there making a list on goodreads of all the classics you've always wanted to read. Reading what you enjoy, I think, means basically reading books that help you process something that's been on your mind. So whatever you've been thinking a lot about lately (your heritage? computers? elves and dwarves?), I suggest going for books that help you process those thoughts.
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and encouragement. Now the kids are grown and I have free time, I would like to get back into reading.
So having read your suggestions, I have chosen a classic, Sense and Sensibility, and one based on my interest in the Laws of Attraction, The Gratitude Diaries.
Both are subjects I enjoy an I think this is a great place to start.
Thanks again!
I think you chose well. I would say, read whatever gets you to read and to enjoy doing it so for that is what will encourage you to go on reading on regular basis. Nevertheless, I would, of course, recommend you not to miss classics: They are still here for a reason. So then,“Sense and Sensibility” is a good option, “Emma” too, its narrative is less tangled with details. The other two books you mentioned sound interesting too, never read them but I will add them to my list. Good luck and enjoy!
I agree that you should be mixing it up between classics and current books. If you just continuously read classics eventually you are going to get bored and not want to read. Same would be true with current stuff. I would suggest looking at Rebecca, The Painted Veil and Gone with the Wind for classic suggestions.
Charlene wrote: "I agree that you should be mixing it up between classics and current books. If you just continuously read classics eventually you are going to get bored and not want to read. Same would be true w..."sort of like in weight lifting you need light and heavy days to make progress without burning out.
What an awesome question.Charlene's right. Alternating keeps everything fresh. I might add "Wind in the WIllows." It's classified as a kids' book, I suppose, but there is no denying the pleasure of reading an adventure that through its setting and characters reminds you of what it was like to read or be read to as a kid.
Another thing. Oftentimes, the written language of the classics (or any book) can make you forget that it is storytelling first, last and always. Hearing it read aloud can sometimes unlock what the written word squirreled away. To that end, check out The Big Read's group reading of Moby Dick. (http://www.mobydickbigread.com/). It's available as a SoundCloud link, iTunes podcast, and a bunch of other formats. What you get out of hearing Moby Dick read is how much humor is actually baked into the book.
I disagree that you HAVE to read both modern and classics. I think it has more to do with your own personal tastes rather than what a book is labeled. I for one prefer the classics and hardly ever read anything modern and I certainly don't get bored and not want to read because of it. IMO classics are usually better written, the words more elegant and the majority of modern books(unless children's books) are more often than not, vulgar in that they have far too much swearing and sexual acts or references. And others find the classics (like Great Expectations) to be long and boring and the language hard to follow. I hated Doctor Zhivago and found that I was trying to force myself to read it because everyone said what a wonderful book it was until I finally realized that reading shouldn't feel like a chore and put it down. Basically, you should read what you enjoy not what you think you should be reading because everyone else is. Try out both modern and classics and of different genres and see what you prefer. Life's too short to read bad books.
I'm going to be different and suggest reading a book that you have read before that you absolutely LOVED! Get started with that. Also check out some book clubs (online or in person) so that you have a book that you can discuss. You may not LOVE the book they chose BUT the interaction with people may bring it to a different level (and also give you recommendations from different people). Good luck!
sublimosa wrote: "Are you trying to get into the habit of reading more? How much do you read now? Is your time for reading very limited?Have you enjoyed any classic you've already read?
Why do you read, for pleasur..."
Yes, I am trying to get back into the habit of reading. The problem I have is that all too often, after reading I feel as though I have wasted my time. Fault in Our Stars was misery to me. Bought the 50 Shades series and after the first book, donated them all.
I am so tired of being disappointed with my selections.
But I will keep trying.
QueenAmidala28 wrote: "I'm going to be different and suggest reading a book that you have read before that you absolutely LOVED! Get started with that. Also check out some book clubs (online or in person) so that you hav..."The only book that I really loved, thus far, was the Time Keeper. For some reason it really touched me. Perhaps I will try that again.
Keri wrote: "I disagree that you HAVE to read both modern and classics. I think it has more to do with your own personal tastes rather than what a book is labeled. I for one prefer the classics and hardly ever..."Keri,
Thank you so much. I have felt exactly the same with regards to reading what everyone else says is a great book but it feeling hard and dreading each page.
Most of my friends read romance or YA and I would much prefer to read the classics or something more fulfilling. I want to walk away and the end of a book with a sense of time well spent; not wasted.
Cheryl
Cheryl wrote: "The problem I have is that all too often, after reading I feel as though I have wasted my time. Fault in Our Stars was misery to me. Bought the 50 Shades series and after the first book"That's why I don't read popular books. My prejudices protect me from reading YA and romance novels. I pick books that sound interesting and different and even if I end up not liking them, I rarely feel that I have wasted my time because if I hadn't read them, I would still be curious about them. Then again, YA or romance have never been that popular here.
Well, if your choices are between things like The Fault in Our Stars or Fifty Shades of Grey and classics, I'd pick classics every time!There's really no real need to read current fiction unless you wish to. It sounds like your tastes drastically differ from your friends' tastes anyway, so don't torture yourself and read whatever you like. If you really want to keep up with your friends, just watch the movies. That way you're just tortured for two hours instead of ten.
LMAO!!!Melanti,
Right now I have "The Martian" in my cart and after reading a sample, would really just prefer to see the movie. LOL Two hours of torture with popcorn. :)
Like some many before me i will say read a mix of classics and contemporary - just not 50 shades: soooo poorly written!Just don´t be stuck on a genre for being afraid to experiment - you know what tour tastes are like, but allow yourself to explore a bit - you might find books that you love in the most unexpected places.
I will tell you my personnal experience as a reader: for several years i would read nothing outside Hist-Fic; after a few foes on that genre, i almost gave up reading but, luckily, i went outside my box - i gave it a try at Game of Thrones for a change of pace...and guess what? I got hooked, read tham all, cover to cover and it enabled me to experiment other types or genres that i would not try, normaly.
Nowadays, i try what peaks my interest - if i´m not in to it, i just drop it and go to the next one.
Oh and an adding to your classics - Vanity Fair - so beautifully written.
Cheryl wrote: "Most of my friends read romance or YA and I would much prefer to read the classics or something more fulfilling. I want to walk away and the end of a book with a sense of time well spent; not wasted."I read several books per month, and at least one of them tends to be a book that a friend or family member highly recommends. Those are often big misses, but there have been a few very awesome exceptions. So, I read them mostly for social reasons. Especially if it's someone you want to get to know better, you quickly learn about their thought life by reading a book that they simply gush about.
One good thing about getting into the habit of reading, is that you can be working on different types of books at the same time, and a dud won't feel as big of a loss. After I write my review of the dud, I feel ready to discuss the book with the starry-eyed friend more on their terms and find some good things to say. I get two benefits that way: I learn how to articulate why I don't like something, and I practice how to be positive about something I otherwise wouldn't care for.
There was at least one time that I found a dud, but one that I knew another friend of mine would love. I recommended it, my friend read it, and it turned into one of their favorite books. I still dislike that book, but having given someone a book that they absolutely love was worth every page.
Reading more also helped me learn my limits. There are some types books that I'm simply not ready for that are either too insulting or too boring. But I keep in mind that that might change (and I hope it does). So, I don't follow every friend suggestion, but as I've come to learn more or less my limits, I'm able to take suggestions more judiciously.
blereader wrote: " you quickly learn about their thought life by reading a book that they simply gush about...."I have never thought about this, but it´s absolutly right.
Food for thought...
I love non fiction and memoirs. I almost always read non fiction then I realized how much I was limiting myself! Fiction is awesome! And really, isn't all fiction based on some form of truth anyway?? I have a classics list and a current list. I try to stay informed on what's best seller but like many, I'm often disappointed. I've narrowed it down to Pulitzer Prize winners and its hit or miss on some of those books too. Bottom line- read everything and anything that tickles your fancy! You don't need to follow any list or guide.
Never read the vapid, insipid fluff you see the other consumer sheep munching all around you! Always seek out the UN-advertised books. Believe me, anything which is part of some mega-franchise or poptrend is unutterable shyt. Its carefully engineered and rigged the way McDonald's food is. There's teams of marketers steering all those bland, unedifying products for the friggin' lowbrows out there. Let's face it.Fight back. Read used books, read library books, read nonfiction, stage plays, even poems. Books contain the soul of our civilization.
I'll toss out just one rec (I could easily contribute a dozen life-changing titles)
Beryl Markham's account of her life as a bush pilot in Africa. West with the Night
Girl power!
Hi Cheryl,Sometimes I've been in your same boat and it feels like life bounces around between days that you really want to read but don't have the time, and others when you finally find the time but don't know what to read.
So years ago, I picked up a little notebook (very old-school, I just liked it) and whenever an author or story peaked my interest I'd write down the name. (alphabetically because I'm a bit of an organizational nerd).
Now that my kids are older and I have more time I sometimes get to the books on that list whether they are at the library or at a charity used book table or whatever. I still love the classics and have started re-reading books as well.
And failing that I like to scope out a Ruth Rendell mystery because I love all the characters in her books and there's a pretty good chance that at least one of them will be having a tea.
When you are ready to read something your question will answer itself.
I'd say, look for themes that pique your interest, and read a random page or just a paragraph before you buy a book to check if the writing style appeals to you. It doesn't HAVE to be a classic or a modern book - I find that as long as the theme and the writing style suit my mood, I'll enjoy the book.If you like "The Time Keeper", am I correct in assuming you like fiction with a hint of fantasy? If so, you might like "The Golem and the Djinni". I picked up the book because I liked the idea of a story featuring creatures you don't typically find in literature - it turned out to be the best book I've read this year.
Cheryl wrote: "I know this sounds very basic but my question is just that...When you want to start reading, what do you read?
My husband said read what you enjoy. My brain says start with the classics. The litt..."
What do you hope to gain by reading? Last year, I wanted to learn more about science and medicine. As these are not my fields, I read popular books, like books by Dava Sobel and Simon Winchester. This year I am wanting tomfill in some blanks in my 19th-century literature reading, so that's what I'm currently reading. I suggest start by asking what your purpose is, and then start. You can always change your mind.
I have an "upstairs" book and "downstairs" book - upstairs is a light reading - mystery or popular writer. downstairs is a more serious book that requires more concentration.This lets me vary my interests and possible expand my mind!
Thank you Diane! That's a wonderful idea!!
Thank you Diane! That's a wonderful idea!!
Cheryl wrote: "I know this sounds very basic but my question is just that...When you want to start reading, what do you read?
My husband said read what you enjoy. My brain says start with the classics. The litt..."
Three thousand books are published every year. Unless you are a professor or professional, you might as well just read what you are curious about. Sometimes I read for research, sometimes I read because everyone is arguing about it. but most of the time I just read what I want.
Tytti wrote: "Unless you are studying literature or something, you are not "suppose" to read anything.I have always just gone the library and browsed the shelves and also checked what the librarians have put o..."
I went through a time when I only read books by authors whose names I couldn't pronounce just so I could make sure I was delving into foreign territory. I ended up reading a lot of African and Latin American literature, which was worth it.
blereader wrote: "You can do a little of all three; for a current book, I recommend joining a book club on a subject that really strikes you. People join book clubs to stay motivated, and to come across books that t..."I've tried book clubs but they lose focus easily. So did my first writer's group; it turned into divorce therapy group.
Great choices!NOTE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ ANYTHING. You're not 'supposed' to read anything, or supposed to force yourself when you don't want to.
However, classics are a good place to start. If you'll pardon me, I'll recommend 'Pride and Prejudice', by Jane Austen, the same author as of 'Sense and Sensibility'. I won't give you any spoilers, but I promise you, the wading-through-tons-of-words is damn well worth it.
I'll repeat what I posted once: "Pride and Prejudice is a beautifully romantic story with the moral of not judging people too quickly, as well as a timeless love at its core. For me, Pride and Prejudice is the rose of all the stories I've ever read." NOT a word-for-word copy but both completely original!
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When you want to start reading, what do you read?
My husband said read what you enjoy. My brain says start with the classics. The little voice on my shoulder says read the current stuff, what everyone else is reading.
HELP!