BTT: Old Books or New?

http://btt2.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/now-or-then/

Do you prefer reading current books? Or older ones? Or outright old ones? (As in, yes, there’s a difference between a book from 10 years ago and, say, Charles Dickens or Plato.)

I like to read a mix of current and older books. Even a few 'outright old ones' now and then; although reading only those would get a bit too heavy, I think ;) But I do enjoy reading and re-reading some of the classic novels from the late 18th, 19th and early 20th century. British and Swedish authors especially, but also some of the Russians and the French (in translation). I never read Plato, but I did read (for example) Confessions by St Augustine of Hippo (354-430). I don't think I've read every novel by Dickens, but some of them I've read twice. But then I've been reading for a long time by now... ;)

Currently reading/listening to:


Unseen Academicals (2009) by Terry Pratchett  - No 37 (!) in the Discworld series.

Barn av sin stad ('Children of their City') (1962) by Per Anders Fogelström  - second in a series of historical novels about Stockholm; this one covering the period from 1880-1900.

Curious Myths of the Middle Ages by Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) (a chapter now and then).

BTT: Restrictions

http://btt2.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/restrictions/

God* comes to you and tells you that, from this day forward, you may only read ONE type of book–one genre–period, but you get to choose what it is. Classics, Science-Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Cookbooks, History, Business … you can choose, but you only get ONE.

What genre do you pick, and why?

*Whether you believe in God or not, pretend for the purposes of this discussion that He is real.

At first this looked like a really tough one to answer, because I like all kinds of books. However, looking at the examples listed above... No doubt in my mind - I'd choose Classics, feeling quite confident God would have to smile and approve. Even the Bible includes more than one genre of literature! History, politics, romance, adventure, mystery, poetry; even science-fiction or fantasy (in the form of apocalyptic prophecy)...

Definition of "classic" from About.com  :

So, what is a "classic"--in the context of books and literature?

• A classic usually expresses some artistic quality--an expression of life, truth, and beauty.
• A classic stands the test of time. The work is usually considered to be a representation of the period in which it was written; and the work merits lasting recognition. In other words, if the book was published in the recent past, the work is not a classic.*
• A classic has a certain universal appeal. Great works of literature touch us to our very core beings--partly because they integrate themes that are understood by readers from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience. Themes of love, hate, death, life, and faith touch upon some of our most basic emotional responses.
• A classic makes connections. You can study a classic and discover influences from other writers and other great works of literature. Of course, this is partly related to the universal appeal of a classic. But, the classic also is informed by the history of ideas and literature--whether unconsciously or specifically worked into the plot of the text.

* Actually in many people's opinion, and in mine as well, it is possible to regard certain books as "modern classics" on the basis of a fair evaluation of criteria which seem likely to make them "last" and be remembered as classics in the future.  

PS. I do hope other people will make other choices though, including New Books; or else there will be no new additions to the Classics list in the future. Which would be a shame, really!