I love this idea for a series. I can't commit to reading Resurrection, but I'm here for the interaction as you go along. I wish you and I could have a live conversation sometime...
I was exposed to some classic works in high school but did not take school seriously. In college, and when I took British Literature part one and two, I was exposed more and loved those classes and teacher. In my 40s, I began to read classic literature seriously, savoring and analyzing the stories. A few authors that I have recently began reading and love: Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O'Connor, and Thomas Hardy. This year I made a decision to add young adult stories to my reading adventure. Some of the stories are not written by authors that are considered classic. For example, Lenora Mattingly Weber. I have discovered great stories in this genre that I enjoy reading.
So, I never heard of Flannery O'Conner until recently. I know that might surprise some, but I was not in the world of reading for a long time. Which one of O'Conners works do you think I should begin with?
The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories. You might be able to find these books at the public library or through the Libby app. Her stories are short stories. They are not nice or feel-good type stories. Some readers do not like to read her stories. Keep us posted how you feel about her stories.
I hope it's okay to chime in. I find reading Flannery's essays on writing (Mystery and Manners) and her prayer journal alongside her diction incredibly clarifying if her writing itself is too baffling and off-putting at first. Although, of course baffling and off-putting do not necessarily mean without worth or meaning--and especially when it come it comes to her writing :)
My absolute favourite is Les Miserables, another great one is The Count of Monte Cristo, and I loved everything by Jane Austen. I also quite liked several gothic books such as Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Woman in White, Wuthering Heights, The Mysteries of Udolpho, Rebecca, and Frankenstein. As for books from much earlier times, I liked the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Prose Edda. The only classic I read during these years that I did not like as much as I had hoped is Anna Karenina. It wouldn't call it a bad book, I just personally didn't find it very interesting.
I’ve been a lover of classic literature for a long time. In my case I’ve had to learn to loosen up in my fiction reading a bit for books published less than 100 years ago. 😂 So fun to read about another reader’s journey!
I used to read those Christian novels until I tired of them. In the age of having babies I had a friend taking a university English Lit course so I read with her, book in one hand and baby in the other through all of Austen, all of Hardy, the Bronte Sistersa, a lot of Dickens, Eliot and much more. I figured it was higher education not just reading. Then I began to read more Christian books, Bible studies ect while extending my reading into Tolstoy and Dostovesky and some more modern authors. I read more doctrinal books now as I'm studying Covenantal eschatology. My guilty pleasure is Post-Apocalyptic fiction and I was reading around 50 a year but I use them as a carrot now to finish something. I'm at the age where I'm beginning to weigh if I should read something or pass. Lol
I have Prior's book-Reading Well and didn't get far into it. So you've encouraged me to pick that up again. Also Anne Lamott's Bird on Bird is excellent. I also enjoyed Stephen King On Writing and Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson is a great read on being creative in any genre.
I'm researching church hurt for a book so reading some in that vein and about addiction as my daughter is an addict and I advocate for and write about addiction and homelessness at Fed by Ravens. I just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I wouldn't recommend as a Chridtian read but very good insights into opiate addiction in the 90's and there were some very difficult parts that struck a nerve.
Thank you for a great post on reading. I'm going to add that Tolstoy to the pile!
Dear Mel, this is fascinating and informative and compelling on so many levels. I'm guessing many of us will walk away having had a peek at some moment in our our own stories as well as yours. And yes, there certainly was something that captured our hearts and shook them upside down in Beth Moore's memoir.
Oh my goodness, this describes my early teen years so well. Then I became an English major at my small Christian college and my professors BLEW open the door. Reading Literature helped me better understand the human condition and my faith in ways that neat and tidy Christian fiction never did. Eventually I learned to use the same skills to "read" pop culture as well. And I've learned to love nonfiction, so much so that my husband repeatedly tells me to read something fun 😂
I am typing on my phone on a Sunday afternoon so my comments will be brief.
Here's to the classics, Jane Austen at the fore...
I'm currently listening to Persuasion on audio, and goodness it's rich. I'm 71 and just made space in my brain for the books I should have read so many years ago.
Karen's work is definitely a gift. If you have a chance find her first book, simply called "Booked." That was the work that introduced me to classic literature and its power to change our life, taught through the lens of Professor Prior.
Jody, thank you for your comment. There is strength in sharing stories. I feel encouraged by you. Much of my journey has been built on loneliness. You sharing a little bit about yourself with me makes me feel less alone, I’m so thankful for your words. I do plan on reading “Booked”, I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Mel, you have had quite the journey.... mine is rather different and loneliness hasn't been a particular part of it. Recovering from early loss and abandonment in my life is what I'm exploring now :-)
And isn't the internet a remarkable way to feel less alone? Grateful to be connected here.
PS Here's something from my website archives about "Booked." I believe it's available on Abe Books or Thrift Books. Good luck!
I loved this post Mel! I'm really excited to follow along with your Teach Me series and see what you read. I was an English major and On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior is one of my favorite books about literature because of how she unpacks the themes of some lovely books and brings them back to Christianity. She also wrote the introductions to some classics which are extremely well done as well
Emma, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I remember when I read your first post on Substack via Karen’s restack of your first post. I have enjoyed following your journey.
I love this project so much, and I hope I'll have the time to join in! Tolstoy is so good! I'm a former full-time high school English teacher, and I find it one of the greatest joys to dive deep into works of literature alongside other people and uncover wisdom that enriches our vision of the world and, in turn, affects the way we live.
Wow, you have a big pile! Awesome. I am looking forward to your thoughts when the time comes. Post -apocalyptic movies are my FAVORITE. I love them.
I love this idea for a series. I can't commit to reading Resurrection, but I'm here for the interaction as you go along. I wish you and I could have a live conversation sometime...
Where do you live Jenn? Anywhere near Columbus? If not we can always zoom.
Further east--central New England. But yeah, I meet with people on zoom all the time. No rush. Just feels like we'd have a nice conversation.
When would you be starting that?
I was exposed to some classic works in high school but did not take school seriously. In college, and when I took British Literature part one and two, I was exposed more and loved those classes and teacher. In my 40s, I began to read classic literature seriously, savoring and analyzing the stories. A few authors that I have recently began reading and love: Ernest Hemingway, Flannery O'Connor, and Thomas Hardy. This year I made a decision to add young adult stories to my reading adventure. Some of the stories are not written by authors that are considered classic. For example, Lenora Mattingly Weber. I have discovered great stories in this genre that I enjoy reading.
So, I never heard of Flannery O'Conner until recently. I know that might surprise some, but I was not in the world of reading for a long time. Which one of O'Conners works do you think I should begin with?
The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories. You might be able to find these books at the public library or through the Libby app. Her stories are short stories. They are not nice or feel-good type stories. Some readers do not like to read her stories. Keep us posted how you feel about her stories.
I hope it's okay to chime in. I find reading Flannery's essays on writing (Mystery and Manners) and her prayer journal alongside her diction incredibly clarifying if her writing itself is too baffling and off-putting at first. Although, of course baffling and off-putting do not necessarily mean without worth or meaning--and especially when it come it comes to her writing :)
Fiction not diction haha
I got into reading classics three and a half years ago and have loved reading them ever since, so it's cool to hear about other people doing that too!
Yes, it is a cool journey. What have you read that you have surprisingly liked? Any that you did not like?
My absolute favourite is Les Miserables, another great one is The Count of Monte Cristo, and I loved everything by Jane Austen. I also quite liked several gothic books such as Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Woman in White, Wuthering Heights, The Mysteries of Udolpho, Rebecca, and Frankenstein. As for books from much earlier times, I liked the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Prose Edda. The only classic I read during these years that I did not like as much as I had hoped is Anna Karenina. It wouldn't call it a bad book, I just personally didn't find it very interesting.
I’ve been a lover of classic literature for a long time. In my case I’ve had to learn to loosen up in my fiction reading a bit for books published less than 100 years ago. 😂 So fun to read about another reader’s journey!
Tabitha, that is so cool. Please offer me some much-needed insight and guidance as I go on this journey.
I used to read those Christian novels until I tired of them. In the age of having babies I had a friend taking a university English Lit course so I read with her, book in one hand and baby in the other through all of Austen, all of Hardy, the Bronte Sistersa, a lot of Dickens, Eliot and much more. I figured it was higher education not just reading. Then I began to read more Christian books, Bible studies ect while extending my reading into Tolstoy and Dostovesky and some more modern authors. I read more doctrinal books now as I'm studying Covenantal eschatology. My guilty pleasure is Post-Apocalyptic fiction and I was reading around 50 a year but I use them as a carrot now to finish something. I'm at the age where I'm beginning to weigh if I should read something or pass. Lol
I have Prior's book-Reading Well and didn't get far into it. So you've encouraged me to pick that up again. Also Anne Lamott's Bird on Bird is excellent. I also enjoyed Stephen King On Writing and Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson is a great read on being creative in any genre.
I'm researching church hurt for a book so reading some in that vein and about addiction as my daughter is an addict and I advocate for and write about addiction and homelessness at Fed by Ravens. I just finished Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I wouldn't recommend as a Chridtian read but very good insights into opiate addiction in the 90's and there were some very difficult parts that struck a nerve.
Thank you for a great post on reading. I'm going to add that Tolstoy to the pile!
Dear Mel, this is fascinating and informative and compelling on so many levels. I'm guessing many of us will walk away having had a peek at some moment in our our own stories as well as yours. And yes, there certainly was something that captured our hearts and shook them upside down in Beth Moore's memoir.
The memoir, yes. I still think about it. Especially the ending… the church house 🧡🧡🧡
Oh my goodness, this describes my early teen years so well. Then I became an English major at my small Christian college and my professors BLEW open the door. Reading Literature helped me better understand the human condition and my faith in ways that neat and tidy Christian fiction never did. Eventually I learned to use the same skills to "read" pop culture as well. And I've learned to love nonfiction, so much so that my husband repeatedly tells me to read something fun 😂
Solidarity. 😆
I am typing on my phone on a Sunday afternoon so my comments will be brief.
Here's to the classics, Jane Austen at the fore...
I'm currently listening to Persuasion on audio, and goodness it's rich. I'm 71 and just made space in my brain for the books I should have read so many years ago.
Karen's work is definitely a gift. If you have a chance find her first book, simply called "Booked." That was the work that introduced me to classic literature and its power to change our life, taught through the lens of Professor Prior.
(PS Beth Moore's memoir completely undid me. Wow huh?)
Reread it Jody. I had a major typo in there 😂
Jody, thank you for your comment. There is strength in sharing stories. I feel encouraged by you. Much of my journey has been built on loneliness. You sharing a little bit about yourself with me makes me feel less alone, I’m so thankful for your words. I do plan on reading “Booked”, I’ll have to see if I can find it.
Mel, you have had quite the journey.... mine is rather different and loneliness hasn't been a particular part of it. Recovering from early loss and abandonment in my life is what I'm exploring now :-)
And isn't the internet a remarkable way to feel less alone? Grateful to be connected here.
PS Here's something from my website archives about "Booked." I believe it's available on Abe Books or Thrift Books. Good luck!
https://jodyleecollins.com/an-open-letter-to-karen-swallow-prior/
I loved this post Mel! I'm really excited to follow along with your Teach Me series and see what you read. I was an English major and On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior is one of my favorite books about literature because of how she unpacks the themes of some lovely books and brings them back to Christianity. She also wrote the introductions to some classics which are extremely well done as well
Emma, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I remember when I read your first post on Substack via Karen’s restack of your first post. I have enjoyed following your journey.
I love this project so much, and I hope I'll have the time to join in! Tolstoy is so good! I'm a former full-time high school English teacher, and I find it one of the greatest joys to dive deep into works of literature alongside other people and uncover wisdom that enriches our vision of the world and, in turn, affects the way we live.
After missing exactly this aspect of teaching, I just started a substack devoted to deeply exploring works of literature ❤️: https://open.substack.com/pub/gatheringlight/p/why-gathering-light?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3atow7
Dominik’s, yes! I want you to chime in and participate as much as you can. I value your insight and expertise, and for pointing me to your Substack.