So. You know you want to read the classics. You want to read the greatest books that have been written. You understand that these books can help you get a world class education, gain perspective, understand human nature and seek virtue in your life.
You also have limited time to pursue this type of education, and a million other things to do. So what’s a self motivated learner to do?
As a self motivated learner, you want to make good use of your educational leisure time. You want to pick the right books at the right time. But oh my! There are so very many books out there. And so many definitions of what makes a book worth reading. Even the word “classic” has different interpretations.
And so it’s easy to get stuck in decision paralysis. To waste time deciding – and then too often, not reading at all. Which just ends in frustration, educational goals not met, and a lack of accomplishment.
I promise you, it is possible to get a great education, one book at a time. And it’s much easier than you think.
If you can find direction in your education – if you can get past that decision paralysis – you will find your time multiplied and your life filled with all the great books have to offer – increased insight and perspective, personal growth, and more stories to add to your reserve. (You know, the reserve of stories that keep you going, gives you heroes to look up to, and that immeasurable feeling of if they can do it, maybe I can too.)
May I give you three specific suggestions on choosing your next good read?
An easy way to start
You might think what I’m about to say is tongue-in-cheek before I can even tell you why, but stay with me here. Doing this one thing can make you more well-rounded, better educated, a better thinker, with a better understanding of human nature. It sounds too simple to be true, but, in my experience, it’s not:
When in doubt, pick up some folk tales.
While you are pondering your next full read, read some folk tales! This is a perfect way to ‘fill the gap’ with something enjoyable, quick, but oh so meaningful.
Folk tales and stories have much to offer. They have endured across generations and cultures. Here are a few reasons they are included in the category of timeless classics worth reading, for me:
Universality
When you read folk tales from a variety of cultures, you’ll find universal themes such as love, courage and wisdom. They resonate with fundamental human experiences, even if the details are foreign or even magical. Because they resonate, they have relevance across cultures and ages. You are never too old or young for folk stories.
Cultural Insight
Right on the heels of universality, and almost in opposition to the idea, is this idea of cultural insight. Studying other places and other times helps us understand each other, and also to adopt the things we love best and leave the things we love least, thereby helping each of us claim our own chosen culture. You’ve likely heard me talk elsewhere about choosing your own culture – choosing your way of being and moving in the world. Folk stories are an accessible way for each of us to gain insights into cultures around the world. Folk tales are rooted in traditions, values and beliefs of the society where they originate. You can learn a lot about a culture by reading their stories. You can also learn a lot about yourself by noting what resonates – and what does not.
Moral Lessons
Folk stories are often told to teach lessons to the younger generations. By reading them, we can learn lessons about virtues such as kindness, honesty, and perseverance through accessible and fun-to-read stories. (Stories teach better than lecture anyway.) Through the story, we start thinking about reflecting about our own moral choices, what we would do in that situation, and what the consequences we might get as a result.
Plus, they are fun to read!
Folk tales are engaging and entertaining! They are full of relationships and plot twists and interesting characters, making them enjoyable to read (and to share). And they fit in the cracks of a busy schedule.
Where to find folk tales? There are so many free anthologies online to get you started. Here’s a few that I have enjoyed:
A collection of folk tales from around the world (not free)
And picking your next long good read
The easiest way to get targeted with your next good read is to find a good list from a source you trust, and go from there. Here’s one I like:
You can also join a class, which not only gives direction on what to read next but provides discussion on the books you are reading. (See mine here.)
But if you are looking on your own, here’s my best tip:
Look for authors who have stood the test of time, who have been discussed since they were first written, and are still part of our cultural tradition.
And after that criteria is met, just pick the first one that looks interesting to you!
The reasons books and authors that fit this criteria are worth reading will remind you of the list above for folk tales and stories:
Timelessness
These books were mostly written in the past, but the themes and issues they address are relevant to all of us. Whether exploring love, courage, identity, or societal issues, the universal truths conveyed in these stories continue to resonate across generations.
Cultural Insight
Like the folk tales, we can learn a lot about a culture and/or a time period by immersing ourselves in their literature. (I was shocked, by the way, when I read the literature of the Renaissance and got a fuller picture of what knights were all about, for example.) These works can offer valuable insights into the values and cultural norms of the era. The way they see the world, the way they approach problems, the family and societal norms are all instructive to help us understand what is commonly human, and what is unique to that culture or time. We can start a discussion here with the authors as we gain more understanding of the human experience and the complexities of the world. As we do so, we also develop greater empathy and understanding for people from backgrounds different from their own.
Thought-provoking Themes
These works grapple with a wide range of themes and ideas, from love and redemption to power and corruption. They challenge readers to contemplate deep philosophical questions and ethical dilemmas, sparking meaningful discussions and introspection.
Language, Imagery, and Influence
One reason these author’s works still are being read and discussed is because they are good writers! They have a way with language, using rich and beautiful prose and imagery. It’s a delight to the senses. Even the way they speak has influenced the way language has evolved. But more than that, many of the themes, motifs, and narrative techniques found in contemporary literature can be traced back to these classic works. They have influenced the way we speak, the way we write, and most importantly, the way we think. Diving into them helps us understand the roots of this, thus opening our mind to the possibility that this is either a very human experience shared by all throughout time and place, or a very cultural experience, assumed to be shared by all but in reality, simply part of our own personal cultural heritage. Thinking through these things helps us, once again, find real truth and guidelines for our own applications in our own lives.
These reasons, and others, make these classics important reading for anyone seeking to explore the breadth and depth of human experience through literature.
Here’s a list of authors (mostly American and English) that fit into this category, along with some of their works I enjoyed thinking about and discussing the most:
- Any set of scripture
- Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, MacBeth
- Jane Austen: Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Emma
- Charles Dickens: Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield
- Louisa May Alcott: Old-Fashioned Girl, Little Women
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: Little House series
- Elizabeth Gaskell: North and South, Wives and Daughters
- J.R.R. Tolkien: Lord of the Rings, Hobbit
- C.S. Lewis: Narnia series, Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters
- Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
Mix it up!
Read something easy and short (a folk tale), then pick up a classic novel (Jane Austen or J.R.R. Tolkien) and then dive into philosophy or nonfiction. When you do this, it gives direction of what you are looking for (I’m looking for a novel this time) and narrows it down that way.
Here are some of my favorite reads in the nonfiction and philosophy genres:
Biographies:
Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas
Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Philosophy:
Nichomachean Ethics Aristotle
And just to make it clear:
I’m not ever going to tell you that you can’t ever pick up a ‘fluff’ book and enjoy it. It’s okay to pick a book up just because it sounds fun. I am also never going to tell you that you need to finish every book you pick up. The reading and the learning should be enjoyable, at the right timing and the right pace for you.
The most important thing is that you notice, reflect, and discuss with the author so you recognize the lessons the author is trying to teach you, even indirectly. Noticing these and gaining an experience with the wonderful world of literature will inspire good choices in the future.
In summary:
In a world full of so many choices of books (what a good problem to have!), the quest to explore the classics can feel daunting. But it isn’t as hard as it might seem.
When in doubt, choose a folk tale, those age-old stories that speak to the core of our humanity with their universal themes and cultural insights. They are the perfect remedy for decision paralysis, offering both wisdom and entertainment in bite-sized doses.
And when it comes to longer reads, seek guidance from trusted sources, delve into the works of authors who have shaped civilizations, and dare to mix genres to keep the journey stimulating.
Remember, the pursuit of knowledge is not just about the classics—it’s about finding joy and growth in every page turned. So, don’t overthink, just begin, one story or book at a time.
