Welcome to my stop on the Classic Reads Blog Hop, sponsored by Rachel Thompson, Christine Nolfi , Terri Giuliano Long, and Molly Greene.
During this hop, bloggers post about what we think makes a book a classic.
For me, a "classic" can have more than one meaning. I remember reading somewhere a humourous definition of a classic: a book that everyone praises but nobody reads. I don't think this is necessarily true.
Often I find that books I read in school were called classics and while I agree with some, I do not agree with others. I think books can be classics to some but not to others. To give an example, I read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in high school and I do believe that one is a classic. While it is not entirely timeless because times have indeed changed since then, I think the characters and their struggles and lessons are something that all generations can benefit and learn from. To contrast, I also read Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden in high school and while I didn't dislike the book, I don't consider it a classic because I think it lack the same widespread appeal and lesson-teaching aspect that TKAM has.
I don't believe that a book has to be old to be a classic. While recent books might not yet be considered classics, I think that if they have the potential to appeal to wide audiences and to truly teach them something, they very well could become classics. You never know; one day we may see the widely praised and well-loved Divergent by Veronica Roth or The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins one day praised as classics because they each have something important to say and don't restrict themselves to one age group.
I think the idea of a classic can be different to different people. This is simply my perspective. If you visit the other blogs on this hop, I'm sure you'll find many other perspectives of what makes a classic.
Keep hopping: http://terriglong.com/blog/2013/01/classic-reads-a-case-for-plurality-newclassicreads/
If you'd like to help spread the word about the Classic Reads Blog Hop, our lovely sponsors have provided the chance to win giftcards to Amazon or B&N!
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While you're here, take a look at our sponsor's books:
Broken Pieces - Rachel Thompson
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Pieces-ebook/dp/B00AR0T74S
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Pieces-ebook/dp/B00AR0T74S
Synopsis: Welcome to bestselling author Rachel Thompson's newest work! Vastly different in tone from her previous essay collections A Walk In The Snark and The Mancode: Exposed, BROKEN PIECES is a collection of pieces inspired by life: love, loss, abuse, trust, grief, and ultimately, love again.
In Leah's Wake - Terri Giuliano Long
Link: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG
Synopsis: A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace
Link: http://www.amazon.com/In-Leahs-Wake-ebook/dp/B0044XV7PG
Synopsis: A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace
At the heart of the seemingly perfect Tyler family stands sixteen-year-old Leah. Her proud parents are happily married, successful professionals. Her adoring younger sister is wise and responsible beyond her years. And Leah herself is a talented athlete with a bright collegiate future. But living out her father’s lost dreams, and living up to her sister’s worshipful expectations, is no easy task for a teenager. And when temptation enters her life in the form of drugs, desire, and a dangerously exciting boy, Leah’s world turns on a dime from idyllic to chaotic to nearly tragic.
As Leah’s conflicted emotions take their toll on those she loves—turning them against each other and pushing them to destructive extremes—In Leah’s Wake powerfully explores one of fiction’s most enduring themes: the struggle of teenagers coming of age, and coming to terms with the overwhelming feelings that rule them and the demanding world that challenges them. Terri Giuliano Long’s skillfully styled and insightfully informed debut novel captures the intensely personal tragedies, victories, and revelations each new generation faces during those tumultuous transitional years.
Recipient of multiple awards and honors, In Leah’s Wake is a compelling and satisfying reading experience with important truths to share—by a new author with the voice of a natural storyteller and an unfailingly keen understanding of the human condition…at every age.
As Leah’s conflicted emotions take their toll on those she loves—turning them against each other and pushing them to destructive extremes—In Leah’s Wake powerfully explores one of fiction’s most enduring themes: the struggle of teenagers coming of age, and coming to terms with the overwhelming feelings that rule them and the demanding world that challenges them. Terri Giuliano Long’s skillfully styled and insightfully informed debut novel captures the intensely personal tragedies, victories, and revelations each new generation faces during those tumultuous transitional years.
Recipient of multiple awards and honors, In Leah’s Wake is a compelling and satisfying reading experience with important truths to share—by a new author with the voice of a natural storyteller and an unfailingly keen understanding of the human condition…at every age.
Mark of the Loon - Molly Greene
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Mark-of-the-Loon-ebook/dp/B00838H1OY
Synopsis: What happens when a workaholic serial remodeler falls in love with an old stone cottage built by an ornithologist and his eccentric Irish wife? If you’re Madison Boone, you kick your budding romance with handsome Psych Professor Coleman Welles to the curb and lose yourself in a new project.
Madison renovates distressed homes in addition to her busy real estate sales career. When she hears about a quaint house on a private tract of land overlooking Lake Sonoma, she climbs in the window for a private tour and falls in love with the place. Good fortune enables her to purchase the Blackburne’s property, but far more than a new home and lush gardens await discovery during this renovation.
As Madison works on the remodel, she’s drawn into an old love story with dangerous consequences. She unearths buried secrets and discovers herself in the process. Good thing she has three wise, hilarious friends to advise her along the way! Mark of the Loon is the skillful combination of history, mystery, and romance in a novel that explores deep friendship, choices, and how individuals cope with loss.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Mark-of-the-Loon-ebook/dp/B00838H1OY
Synopsis: What happens when a workaholic serial remodeler falls in love with an old stone cottage built by an ornithologist and his eccentric Irish wife? If you’re Madison Boone, you kick your budding romance with handsome Psych Professor Coleman Welles to the curb and lose yourself in a new project.
Madison renovates distressed homes in addition to her busy real estate sales career. When she hears about a quaint house on a private tract of land overlooking Lake Sonoma, she climbs in the window for a private tour and falls in love with the place. Good fortune enables her to purchase the Blackburne’s property, but far more than a new home and lush gardens await discovery during this renovation.
As Madison works on the remodel, she’s drawn into an old love story with dangerous consequences. She unearths buried secrets and discovers herself in the process. Good thing she has three wise, hilarious friends to advise her along the way! Mark of the Loon is the skillful combination of history, mystery, and romance in a novel that explores deep friendship, choices, and how individuals cope with loss.
Second Chance Grill - Christine Nolfi
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Liberty-Series-ebook/dp/B009Y4ZSFK
Synopsis: Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
Welcome back to Liberty, where the women surrounding the town’s only restaurant are as charming as they are eccentric.
Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards Finalist, which The Midwest Book Review calls “A riveting read for those who enjoy adventure fiction, highly recommended.”
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Liberty-Series-ebook/dp/B009Y4ZSFK
Synopsis: Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
Welcome back to Liberty, where the women surrounding the town’s only restaurant are as charming as they are eccentric.
Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards Finalist, which The Midwest Book Review calls “A riveting read for those who enjoy adventure fiction, highly recommended.”
Jess, I love your explanation of a classic! I agree, I don't think the lessons change, and that's why we love these stories so much. Even if the times change as in TKaM. I admit, I have difficulties reading classics now. Maybe it's because there are just too many books to read, lol. But I do think someday, some of OUR beloved books will be read in high schools and revered as timeless and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteP.S. So I've been off the blogger for a long Christmas break, and just getting back. And look at you growin'that following! Rock on!!
Thanks Megan, so nice to have you back :) Hope your holidays were wonderful!
DeleteI find I have difficulty with some of them as well; it really depends. I do hope that some of the new books of today are one day treated with the same importance as those "literary classics" that everyone loves to talk about.
Completely agree. They've earned it!
DeleteAs long as a book speaks to you, it will be a classic to you. I agree that if the themes are relevant to the reader one hundred years later, it's a claccis. Whether it was published a hundred years ago or last week, if there is something that resonates with the reader, it's gonna be a classic to them. Java With Jambor
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that if a book speaks to you, it will be memorable to you. The relevance to any reader is such an important element of being considered a classic, in my opinion.
DeleteThanks for a great post, Jessica.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we all have our own ideas of what a classic really is. I've read many of the traditional classics, some I enjoyed, others I hated but it's far more interesting if readers can disagree on what are the best books.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a good choice and is proving popular in this hop so far. Think this is the third time it has been mentioned now.
Thank you, David.
DeleteI agree that some classics are loved, while others I love to hate. It doesn't surprise me that TKaM is a popular choice because first off, I think so many of us were forced to read it in school, but secondly because I've known people who rarely read but really enjoyed TKaM because something in it spoke to them. That, I think, is what really makes the impact. Having that quality that can apply to readers during the decade it was written as well as readers many decades later.
Perspective is everything. Nice post Jessica.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. Thank you!
DeleteThis is a wonderful post, Jessica. To Kill a Mockingbird has been mentioned several times and truly is a wonderful read. Thank you for joining us for the hop!
ReplyDeleteMy best,
Terri
Thank you very much, Terri! I think TKaM has such a widespread appeal and strong message that it's easy for so many people to love it. Thanks for a great hop idea!
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