1: Start with your favorite genre.
Despite contrary beliefs, classics aren’t one genre! Classics can be historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, plays, poetry and more. So if someone is not a fan of romance, they won’t be a fan of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” or “Emma.” Classics are books that are not only significant at their time, but they are also often considered “the best” of their genre or are even the origin of a genre we read and love today.
2: Do your research!
A book written in 1851 is different from one written in 1960 in terms of writing styles, diction and settings. Before jumping into a classic, you must have some background information about the time period it took place in order to fully understand the intent of the author for writing the novel. Reading a small synopsis or introduction, a brief author biography, or checking the trigger warnings can help you find the story that truly speaks to you.
3: Listen to the audiobook.
Sometimes, it’s easy to start a classic novel and fall into the trap of reading the same sentence again and again, audiobooks can be a great way to avoid that. Audiobooks can make you imagine the characters better and learn to pronounce difficult words correctly. Another good thing about listening to classic audiobooks is that most of them are in the public domain and therefore free on apps like Spotify.
4: Read short stories or poetry.
This can be helpful for someone who is not used to longer novels. Classics are often difficult to read, so starting with a long one can feel intimidating for beginners. Taking baby steps with shorter stories and poetry can help you enjoy the journey even more and not feel pressured. Some classic short stories and poems you can start with are “The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry, a heartwarming Christmas story, and “Tulips” by Sylvia Plath, which is about the narrator receiving a bouquet of tulips in the hospital.
5: Start with more modern classics.
Any classic book written after World War II is considered a modern classic. Modern classics often have easier vocabulary and explore more relevant topics compared to books written in the 1800’s (even though every classic has a somewhat timeless aspect). Some modern classics you should consider are “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, which depicts a young woman’s mental breakdown and explores societal expectations of women in the 1950s through her journey, and “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, which is a futuristic dystopian story that shows a world where books are destroyed.
6: Read with a friend, have someone talk about it.
Someone — a teacher, family member or friend — who helps you stay on track, reads the book at the same time as you and is there for you to discuss the story or ask questions from can be very helpful, especially if you are reading a very long classic like “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy or “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell. Another alternative is to do some research and find people talking about the book in essays, YouTube videos, online discussions and lectures that will help you understand the theme on a deeper level.
7: Watch the movies.
Yes, the book is always better, but setting the movie adaptation of the classic as a reward for finishing it can be both motivating and interesting. To be able to see each character in real life and how they act can bring a new light to the story you’ve read on paper and also solidify the story in your mind. Watching the movie before can also help when it comes to visualizing each event and act as a reference when reading.
8: Pick a children’s classic.
Children’s classics have simpler diction and are often shorter and more straightforward, however, many still explore complex themes that can be just as enjoyable (if not more) for adults. Some good children’s classics to start with are “Peter Pan” by J. M. Barrie and “Charlotte’s Web” by E. B. White, both of which explore deeper philosophical themes in more approachable ways for both children and adult readers.
9: Take your time.
It is easy to get frustrated if you aren’t reading a book at your usual pace, which can happen with classics due to their diction, writing style, plot or themes. However, reading at a slower pace allows you to absorb yourself in the story and understand it to a deeper level, making your reading experience more enjoyable than you could imagine.
10: Have an honest opinion!
People often associate reading classics and understanding them with intelligence, which makes disliking them or leaving genuine reviews a difficult task. However, it is completely valid to dislike or not connect to some classics, even if they are considered to be literary masterpieces, because each person has their own taste.
Now that you know how to approach classic books, pack your bags, make sure you have everything you need and find the right classic to travel to a near or a far away past.
