I read older books more because they tend to have a healthier, cleaner feel to them. I also really enjoy attempting to extend my vocab words. Also, in my humble opinion, they were better written :)
I read many more books published before 1920 than after. That’s definitely one of my preferences. =) In my opinion, book plots back then needed more digesting (rather than just surface reading). Not that I don’t appreciate some modern reading! I just prefer the deeper plots and spiritual themes from older books. =)
I enjoy old books and often they have better morals than recently published books, especially with "alternative" lifestyles showing up in even children's books. But sadly, the book I chose for this challenge contained some racism. I suppose we need to read with discretion whether we read new or old books!
In reading older books, I have noticed a lot bigger (in a way) variety of words used. And more words used in general, which after reading a modern book, takes some getting used to. But I do enjoy it! It's more stretching to read, but that's good!
Old books! For the past four years the majority of my reading focus has been on older classics. These “old books” written in the literary tradition can simply be enjoyed as story, but there’s also deeper levels. A studious reader can discover a wealth of symbolic meaning, frequent literary references or allusions, as well as thoughtful commentary on the issues of the day. The more I read the more I find myself making connections. Phrases and stories from the Bible, a few fairy tales, and legends that have been familiar from childhood are naturally appreciated as I come across them. My exposure to classical literature has been very limited, however a recent turn through Norse and Greek mythology has given me a chance at connecting hitherto obscured references. It’s exciting to sense the books “talking” to each other. That’s one of the reasons I love old books. Others have listed many other pertinent points.
I also love old books, I love how complex and deep they are compared to the books today. I feel like their slower pace brings you on more of a journey, where you get to know the main characters on a deeper level, like an old friend rather than a new acquaintance that you hang out with for a weekend. They also tend to portray themes of honour, unselfishness, and honesty that I love and are absent from much of todays literature. But I also notice how prejudiced some of them can be. Sometimes a book can use words for people that we don't today because they are racist, but you can get a feeling from it that the author respected those people and was simply using the term because that's what they used in those days. That is not what I am talking about. I'm talking about books in which the author did not respect the people he was referring to, but rather viewed them as inferior. Those are the books that I really hate. And I find that some of the best books otherwise can be the worst for this, because they have a "moral" and "honourable" main characters and they contrast them with "morally inferior" people of another race. Often, the main character isn't even the prejudiced one, it's the author and their description.
I love old books! There are good books written today, but they're much harder to find. However, time has done a great job of filtering out most of the trashy old books and leaving the classics. I'm reading several books that could fit the challenge, and I'm not sure which one to use to fulfill it yet 😁 Rebecca of Sunnnybrook Farm, Three Men in a Boat, Mimosa, or Beowulf.
Yes - if a book is still in print today there's usually a reason! Maybe that's why many of us see them as better-written than modern books. I think you bring out a great point that there were also "trashy" books written during the same time periods as the classics we now love.
This is a great point! There were likely many poorly written books in the past, but they have not survived. The old books that are still available are the cream of the top. I'm certain that most of the books published today won't be available in a hundred years.
With our shortened attention spans and content driven culture it can take effort to engage with the descriptive passages and complex word craft of older books. But I am learning that tastes can be cultivated, and my reading life is becoming much richer because of it.
Old books definitely use different wording. It takes some getting used to when reading them. I think I prefer recently published books for an easier read, but the content is sometimes more controversial!
I listened to He Fell In Love With His Wife. She was sickly from all the trauma in her life, and he bought and cooked her a big steak to make her stronger and told her to drink her milk. Not the current health advice! Really enjoyed the book and would recommend.
Thank you for shining a light on this fascinating life, and for the book recommendations! I’ll certainly be looking some of them up.
As for the book lore question — I tend to read a balance of old and new books. I notice with the older books that the language and sentence structure tends to be a lot more elaborate. This can be a bit intimidating at first, but when you get used to it, there are some beautifully poetic lines and word pictures in older reads.
I’m reading several books published before 1920. I love the history and the way the stories portray complexity of the characters and their thoughts and emotions more so than modern books I read. I just finished reading Wuthering Heights” and am now reading “A Little Princess “.
I like old books best, usually. They're so much.... better, for lack of a better word. Like most other old fashioned things, built to last, and quality. Not to mention the beautiful covers. 😊 ✨️ i suppose my opinion is also affected by my love for historical writing, fiction or very well done nonfiction.
Though the wordy old books (think Jane Austen) are irritating, to me, anyway.
I read older books more because they tend to have a healthier, cleaner feel to them. I also really enjoy attempting to extend my vocab words. Also, in my humble opinion, they were better written :)
I read many more books published before 1920 than after. That’s definitely one of my preferences. =) In my opinion, book plots back then needed more digesting (rather than just surface reading). Not that I don’t appreciate some modern reading! I just prefer the deeper plots and spiritual themes from older books. =)
I enjoy old books and often they have better morals than recently published books, especially with "alternative" lifestyles showing up in even children's books. But sadly, the book I chose for this challenge contained some racism. I suppose we need to read with discretion whether we read new or old books!
Discretion is key!
In reading older books, I have noticed a lot bigger (in a way) variety of words used. And more words used in general, which after reading a modern book, takes some getting used to. But I do enjoy it! It's more stretching to read, but that's good!
Old books! For the past four years the majority of my reading focus has been on older classics. These “old books” written in the literary tradition can simply be enjoyed as story, but there’s also deeper levels. A studious reader can discover a wealth of symbolic meaning, frequent literary references or allusions, as well as thoughtful commentary on the issues of the day. The more I read the more I find myself making connections. Phrases and stories from the Bible, a few fairy tales, and legends that have been familiar from childhood are naturally appreciated as I come across them. My exposure to classical literature has been very limited, however a recent turn through Norse and Greek mythology has given me a chance at connecting hitherto obscured references. It’s exciting to sense the books “talking” to each other. That’s one of the reasons I love old books. Others have listed many other pertinent points.
Fascinating!
I also love old books, I love how complex and deep they are compared to the books today. I feel like their slower pace brings you on more of a journey, where you get to know the main characters on a deeper level, like an old friend rather than a new acquaintance that you hang out with for a weekend. They also tend to portray themes of honour, unselfishness, and honesty that I love and are absent from much of todays literature. But I also notice how prejudiced some of them can be. Sometimes a book can use words for people that we don't today because they are racist, but you can get a feeling from it that the author respected those people and was simply using the term because that's what they used in those days. That is not what I am talking about. I'm talking about books in which the author did not respect the people he was referring to, but rather viewed them as inferior. Those are the books that I really hate. And I find that some of the best books otherwise can be the worst for this, because they have a "moral" and "honourable" main characters and they contrast them with "morally inferior" people of another race. Often, the main character isn't even the prejudiced one, it's the author and their description.
That is a great point.
I love old books! There are good books written today, but they're much harder to find. However, time has done a great job of filtering out most of the trashy old books and leaving the classics. I'm reading several books that could fit the challenge, and I'm not sure which one to use to fulfill it yet 😁 Rebecca of Sunnnybrook Farm, Three Men in a Boat, Mimosa, or Beowulf.
Yes - if a book is still in print today there's usually a reason! Maybe that's why many of us see them as better-written than modern books. I think you bring out a great point that there were also "trashy" books written during the same time periods as the classics we now love.
This is a great point! There were likely many poorly written books in the past, but they have not survived. The old books that are still available are the cream of the top. I'm certain that most of the books published today won't be available in a hundred years.
Older books are "cleaner" and the focus tends to be more religious and how to make the world better.
With our shortened attention spans and content driven culture it can take effort to engage with the descriptive passages and complex word craft of older books. But I am learning that tastes can be cultivated, and my reading life is becoming much richer because of it.
"Tastes can be cultivated" -- absolutely!
Old books definitely use different wording. It takes some getting used to when reading them. I think I prefer recently published books for an easier read, but the content is sometimes more controversial!
It would be interesting to know what some of the controversial topics were 100 years ago!
I listened to He Fell In Love With His Wife. She was sickly from all the trauma in her life, and he bought and cooked her a big steak to make her stronger and told her to drink her milk. Not the current health advice! Really enjoyed the book and would recommend.
Steak cures all ills? 😉
Oh wow, that's so good. More people should read that these days!
I read a mixture of old and new. I'm a re-reader, so I stay "behind" but I am trying to be more intentional about reading more frontlist titles.
A mixture is great!
Thank you for shining a light on this fascinating life, and for the book recommendations! I’ll certainly be looking some of them up.
As for the book lore question — I tend to read a balance of old and new books. I notice with the older books that the language and sentence structure tends to be a lot more elaborate. This can be a bit intimidating at first, but when you get used to it, there are some beautifully poetic lines and word pictures in older reads.
I’m reading several books published before 1920. I love the history and the way the stories portray complexity of the characters and their thoughts and emotions more so than modern books I read. I just finished reading Wuthering Heights” and am now reading “A Little Princess “.
I like old books best, usually. They're so much.... better, for lack of a better word. Like most other old fashioned things, built to last, and quality. Not to mention the beautiful covers. 😊 ✨️ i suppose my opinion is also affected by my love for historical writing, fiction or very well done nonfiction.
Though the wordy old books (think Jane Austen) are irritating, to me, anyway.
The ornate covers of old books are beautiful!
We'll let the Jane Austen comment slide. 🤔🤣
😁🫣