In “7 Benefits of Reading Classics” Episode #060, Meredith Curtis inspires you to read classics by explaining how enjoying great literature and living books will benefit your heart, mind, and life. She will give you tips on how to choose great books to pull off the shelf and treasure for a lifetime.
Today’s sponsor is Powerline Productions. Powerline Productions wants to equip you to be a world changer and raise world changers. They offer curriculum, unit studies, high school courses, Bible studies, cookbooks, and How-to-Homeschool books. Find them at PowerlineProd.com.
Show Notes:
Why I Urge You to Read
I grew up surrounded by “bookophiles.”
I loved to read! In high school, I made a list of classics to read. When I was experiencing pregnancy sickness I finally read the Russians. (tip for Russian literature—list names on a notecard.)
Read the books the historians write about and talk about. E.G. Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Why Should Your Read Old Books instead of Just Books Written in the late 20th and 21st Century?
Books have been dumbed down.
Many adults would have trouble reading children’s books written in 1800s and early 1900s.
7 Benefits of Reading Classics
- Reading classics will make you smarter and strengthen your ability to think and make logical conclusions. A brain workout, flex your brain muscles. Improve your comprehension.
- Reading classics will improve your vocabulary. It will expose you to a richer, more intellectual vocabulary. In addition, there is more description, conversation, and character development.
- Reading classics will increase your attention span. Blogs are shorter. Commercials are shorter. Movie scenes are shorter. Trains our brain to focus for long periods of time.
- Reading classic books will help you understand literary references that used to go over your head. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
- Reading classics will have a deeper understanding of history with its culture, cultural context, beliefs, and values. Even historical fiction often puts values of today into the story set in yesterday.
- Reading classic books will develop your character and compassion. Times may change, but human nature and the problems people face don’t change. There is nothing new under the sun. Identifying with people from different times and places will stretch your heart.
- Reading classics will bring joy to your life. Everyone loves a good story. Everyone loves an intellectual challenge. Whether you are reading literature or living books, there is nothing like the pleasure of a good book.
Where Can I find classics to read?
Boy do I have reading lists for you! Check our reading lists for every age imaginable: http://www.joyfulandsuccessfulhomeschooling.com/books/reading-lists/
What if Classics are too Hard?
You may have to build up to reading some of the classics because the reading level of modern books is so low. Start with some children’s classics like Little Women or Hans Brinker.
Reading Lists & Places to Get Classic Books
Gutenberg: Free Classic E-books to download
Library of Congress Free Books to Read Online
Free Classic Books for Your Kindle
Planet E-book Free E-books to Download
Free E-books for your Nook Reader
Curriculum with Classic Books
American Literature & Research
Communication 101: Oral & Written
Who Dun It: Murder Mystery Literature & Writing
Podcasts:
Link Between Literature & Political Freedom
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