In addition I will be reading several books on the craft of writing, finish reading Speak up with Confidence (Kent), and read the Dekker series Black, Red, White, Green because our youth group keeps raving about it! There will certainly be more, as I read continuously, but this is my short list.

I often question though what makes these books, or any that are called classics, any better than others? Gone With the Wind is rarely called a classic. I just read The Call of Zulina. Well-written, wonderful story, moral quality — is it not a classic because it’s new?

I rarely hear anyone call H. G. Wells or Jules Vernes books classics. Why is that? They are foundational to much of today’s science fiction.

Amy suggest she’s shallow because she didn’t like Moby Dick. I’m not a fan of Dickens, but enjoy Shakespeare. I don’t think it says anything about depth of character, but personal reading enjoyment.

I think we’ve been taught to think because a book is required reading either in high school or college, it’s a classic. A classic is individual taste and shouldn’t be determine by another’s reading list.

I finished The Help a few days ago and it was spectacular! It made my top ten list. Can’t say enough about that book.

Ariel

I’ve also read lately both the first and second Friday Night Knitting Club books by Kate Jacob – about a community of women and their friendships, fun and light.

My husband and I have recently read all Malcolm Gladwell’s books – these are nonfiction and I don’t even know how to describe them other than to say they’re about fascinating social trends – I think that’s how you’d describe them. Very readable.

I also recommend Thomas Harding’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. It’s one of my favorites.