How to Get Close to Classics

Many people do not read the classics. Their reasons begin with the language being too difficult and end with the storyline too distant to the present context. 【小题1】. It is a gradual affair. We begin as acquaintances and eventually become close friends with private jokes between us. So how does one approach a classic?

Don’t be afraid to be confused.

We get it: it’s hard to power through confusion. It doesn’t feel great when a book makes you feel confused. Every reader has to start somewhere. 【小题2】. Instead, be proud of yourself for trying, and get excited about all the new things you’ll learn.

Research, research, research.

【小题3】. Researching the author and the time and place they were writing about can help you situate yourself during tricky passages. The author’s experience, viewpoint, and historical context might help you make the connections you might not have otherwise.

【小题4】.

This step is self-explanatory. While it ‘s not hard to just pick a book up, we know how difficult it can be to convince yourself to do so. Remind yourself that it’s a new learning chance. Take a deep breath, then leap onto the deck of Melville’s Pequod or step cautiously through the gates of Castle Dracula.

Remember: there is no right answer.

There is no perfect way to read a classic text. There is no fixed interpretation and no exact answer. Your goal as a reader is to discover what aspects are meaningful to you. Just enjoy the process. 【小题5】!

The Free Books Campaign was set up in July 2020 by Sofia Akel, a race equity (种族平等) researcher, when she decided to launch a fundraiser to get as many books as possible by authors of colour to people that can’t afford them across the UK and Ireland.

So far, this campaign has progressed smoothly and influenced profoundly. Over 1, 700 books have been sent to people who can’t afford them, and it has even caught the attention of the footballer.

Marcus Rashford who donated 400 copies of his children’s book You Are a Champion.

Some of the people who benefit from the campaign include children from working class backgrounds who have not been exposed to literature from Black or Brown authors at school or at home. “I’ve had emails from parents who weren’t aware of just how many amazing authors of colour there are, and who have said how much their child lit up seeing a book that reflected them,” Sofia says.

Explaining the need for the campaign, Sofia says: “Sadly, reading has become a luxury in today’s world. If you’re working two jobs just to put food on the table, having that time to sit down and read can be difficult. So, there is an element of privilege when it comes to even just finding the time to read. On top of that, the typical adult hardback book might cost you upwards off 15, which could put food on the table for a week if you were counting every penny.”

This is where the campaign hopes to step in. It operates on a trust basis, which means the campaign doesn’t exist to police people’s financial circumstances. “No one has to prove that they’ve not got money — even if some people volunteer personal information, we never ask for it. Everyone deserves to read books that they love.” Sofia adds.

In a highly technical world, there is something quite magical about the timelessness of the public library. And the impact and importance of libraries extends across decades, centuries even, dating back to 4th century BC in Athens. 【小题1】 They serve as community cornerstones and giving free access to books, resources, and information.

A study by Pew Research Center found that 94% of Americans agreed that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community, and 95% said that libraries give everyone a chance to succeed and promote a love for reading. 【小题2】 Here are a few of the reasons why they are so important.

Libraries promote education.

Beyond the free access to books and computers, many libraries also offer valuable services including tutoring, learning camps, and homeschooling resources. Many libraries host STEAM events for kids where they get to experience life as an astronaut, learning about the solar system and working together to build robotic, space-related projects. 【小题3】

Libraries build a sense of community.

【小题4】 So, whether you join a monthly book club or read book submissions from local authors, you’re broadening your horizons, making connections, and learning from other members — ones who you may have never crossed paths with otherwise.

【小题5】

Original documents are digitized and maintained at libraries. This helps preserve the nation’s cultural heritage, as well as provide an opportunity to better understand others’ points of view. If you ever get the chance, visit the New York Public Library to explore its database of over 1,800 newspapers, magazines, and journals, all published between 1740 and 1940.