Trust Me - It's Time To Read A Classic

If you're young – and by young I mean in your teens or twenties, do yourself a favor and read. Not fluff, quality stuff. Pick up one of those classics you've heard so much about, one your teachers or professors haven't forced you to purchase.

Then dive right in.

For reading is essential to being a well rounded individual. Some ask why literature is taught in high school and college. Well, there's two reasons for it. First, literature is art, so literary classes are, in fact, art classes.

More importantly, though, literature teaches critical thinking skills better than any other discipline can. Math can teach you how a car is made. The sciences can teach you why it rides smoothly. But only literature can tell you how it feels to drive. Essential? You bet.

The reason it's good to start serious reading at a young age, however, is because youth offers both time and energy. Great literature is CHALLENGING. Believe it. You're not going to appreciate, say, “The Sun Also Rises” unless you've got the will and passion to. Once you appreciate it, however, you won't regret reading it. The same goes for all great works of fiction. For great fiction opens our eyes.

I've also argued that it's good to read great works on your own because acknowledged classics that are assigned are, well, assigned. And a personal achievement is far greater than an assigned one. Also, reading on your own gives you the freedom to appreciate the work on your own terms. In other words, there's no one to impress and no “right” way to interpret the piece.

So go, without hesitation, and pick a recognized classic to read. There's plenty of sites online to point you in the right direction. You may not like the book you choose. Finish it anyway. Sooner or later, you'll find a classic that speaks to you.

And then you'll be off and running.