Timeless and Relevant: Why Classic Literature Should Have a Place in Modern Readers Advisory

 For my special topics paper, I wrote a persuasive paper detailing the benefits of reading classic literature, along with ideas for incorporating classic works into today's readers' advisory's and attempting to overcome the challenge of making classic literature entertaining, instead of obligatory. 

One key benefit of reading classic literature is the connection we are able to make with past generations. Classic literature dates even further back than the written word, with works like Beowulf, a story re-told countless times throughout history, originating as an oral poem passed down among generations before being set in stone. By reading classic literature, we allow ourselves to make that connection with the people of long-gone eras; we see the same struggles in their lives, the same hopes and desires, and the same triumph of good over evil that we long for today.

I love the idea of incorporating classic works into readers advisory by capitalizing on Banned Books week, even creating a permanent Banned Books display to continue to draw attention to these titles. I know for myself, and many others, a story becomes all the more compelling once it's challenged. Estab
lishing a banned books club could give some classic titles a bigger spotlight as well. 

I truly enjoy reading classics, for the most part (I could have lived my whole life without Heart of Darkness) and I believe that reading these works not only improves your understanding of how society and culture have changed, adds to your vocabulary, and gives you a sense of accomplishment but genuinely leads to a deeper connection to history. It's important to know where you've been, in order to move forward in the right direction. 

Comments

  1. Abigail SmithMarch 13, 2021 at 4:32 PM

    Hi Jennifer,
    I really like your choice of topic. I too enjoy the classics. I think sometimes our reader's advisory forgets about compelling books from previous decades, books that might not be "classics" necessarily but that were important at the time and still excellent reads today. I also think sites like Goodreads and Novelist are useful for turning up newer books and a real live readers advisor can help readers access older, semi-forgotten titles that might be exactly what a reader wants (especially if they've read extensively in a genre, you might need to take them further back).

    Your mention of Beowulf reminded of a book I enjoyed a few years ago called "The Mere Wife", sort of a retelling of Beowulf in the suburbs that would be fun to tie in with the classic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 14, 2021 at 8:50 PM

    This is a really interesting topic choice. I feel like I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with classics haha. There were certainly a handful I read in school that I enjoyed, like 1984 and Pride and Prejudice, but they're not a category I'd reach for on a lazy Sunday. Part of my resentment of the genre is because I think it's a bit overstuffed with books by white, male authors from the western hemisphere. Maybe that's just been my experience, but I think an expanded definition of classics could certainly be a compelling offering in terms of reader's advisory. A banned books club sounds like a fun idea as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melissa M.March 15, 2021 at 4:00 PM

    I really like your idea of using Banned Books Week as a way to bring attention to classics. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books of all time and it was defiantly a banned book. Creating a permanent Banned Book display is a great idea as well. I think that keeping the classics in a library collection is important, even if it is just a stored collection, but finding ways to attract new readers to old favorites is a great thing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Erin CataldiMarch 18, 2021 at 6:27 AM

    Great comments!

    ReplyDelete

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