To roll my eyes when someone says their favourite book is a classic

[Eyeroller100]

I'm an avid reader and I'm always looking for new books to read so I often ask people what their favourite books are. AIBU to roll my eyes every time someone mentions one of the classics.

I know people do love them and they may well be their faves, but I am quite skeptical as if they are saying it to make themselves sound better.

I've tried reading a lot of classics and I just can't get into them at all! They are pure effort

Why do you even care?

Above Llangollen asked this question about people judging adults reading books for children and I agree why does anyone care about what someone else is reading? How does it even affect you? Especially when talking about fiction - some non-fiction books could be questioned I suppose.

I know - I am a terrible person.......

LOL, for judging people who read classics - I don't think so.

Yes, they may be well written, but they're written for children and the way emotions and relationships are depicted (for example) reflects that.

To accept for a moment that your depiction is accurate, do you only read books with completely realistic adult depictions of human relationships? How... limiting. You must miss a lot of fiction ostensibly written for adults, too.

I gave my copy of Rebecca to a niece of 11 - she'd seen me reading it (for the nth time!) and asked what it was about.
For the next couple of days she could barely be dragged from that book at all. Lapped it up.

Other side of the coin, I still re-read the William books now and then - very old copies that belonged to my father - and they still make me laugh.

I think most classics are really good, that's why they're classics. People may read them less because they're more hard work but being hard work doesn't make them not good, if that makes sense? So when you put the effort in, you may well enjoy it more than the average book because they're generally good - that's why they've stood the test of time. I don't read a ton of classics myself but I read Jane Eyre last year and, though it took me ages, it was fantastic.

Another thing is that the level of adult illiteracy is much higher than most people seem to realise. If someone is trying to improve and reading a book, very good to them. It would be quite horrible to put them off by sneering over their choice of books.

I also find children books easier to read when I am not fluent in a language.

As well as personal taste, there are countless reasons why people read a book. I don't care what the OP or others think of my books, but it's unreasonable to mock others.

I do think some people don’t realise how much they are being manipulated by publishers’ marketing when it comes to judging other people’s reading tastes (“chick lit” is a prime example - it varies hugely and some I like, some I don’t). I know I’m as influenced by it as anyone else!

Ooh TheFirstMrsDV did you read the magic faraway tree books they are still one of my favourites?

Oooooooooh! The Magic Faraway Tree and The Wishing Chair - big red hardback book and a big blue hardback book! I loved them. I would probably re-read them, if I could get my hands on the same version I had, rather than the small paperback versions

@CrashBangWallop

But your reaction is why it's a meaningless question without following up why.

And I'd tell you about how grown up I felt the moment the English mistress said "right ladies, you can choose a class reader". The thrill I felt when I saw the cover (I have since rebought the same copy). How I thought Emily was the most beautiful name ever and how I would love to name a daughter that. How amazing it was to be reading a book based on a local place. The happy hours I've spent since reading the book. How it means different things to me from different times in my life.

That's what a favourite book is to me.

I was brought up in a family where there was a lot of snobbery, or insecurity, around reading. My DM, an avid reader in 15 languages (I kid you not!), still says she prefers reading older books, because then she knows that they have a quality that has withstood time. I don't know what terrible damage she thinks would be done to her if she ever read a book that wasn't timeless quality.

I don't think that insecure way of reading, which is how I started out, has ever made me understand anything better. Reading lots, reading for fun, reading without anxiety works for me. But I still end up reading a lot of the same books.

nanna yes I did.
All of them.
There was the Magic Wishing Chair as well wasn't there?
I read all the Mallory Towers too.

My mum got told I shouldn't be reading them. There was a backlash in the 70s.
Thing is, its pretty daft to tell a wc kid from the inner city they shouldn't be reading Enid Blyton because she is elitist. Its not like I didn't know about poverty, poor housing, race etc. I was living it.
Why shouldn't I read about children having very different experiences?

I still love all that old guff. Monica Dickens, Agatha Christie etc. Its pretty much all I watch on TV too. If I want grit and reality I will look out my window

@nakedscientist I've come back just for you

I think I opened a whirlwind here. And I do agree I got what was coming to me after being a judgey mcjudgerson. But I honestly don't regret saying it.

When someone tells me their favourite book is a classic, I have a knee jerk eye roll reaction because I feel like those who enjoy the classics "think too much" when it comes to reading. I enjoy reading for sheer escapism. The thought of reading a book to analyse its deeper meanings like I did in English Lit seems like too much effort for me. And that's fine.

To those saying I read a lot of books to make myself "feel smart" well no that's not what I do . I put my daughter to bed and curl up and get lost in a good story.

To those asking what my favourite book is. I can't really pinpoint it. Of the classics I've read and I've really enjoyed Great Expectations and The Great Gatsby, but I wouldn't class either of them as my all time favourite. With regards to Wuthering Heights, Jane Austen books etc, I just think they here is a disconnection there - I'm not one for period dramas, so reading books set in those times just doesn't appeal to me?

If we are going by books I've loved and have re read as "favourites" I'd have to say

The Kiterunner by Khaled Hosseni
One Day by David Nichols
All of the Harry Potter books - I read these when I was 11 and was always the same age as Harry when the new one came out.

But these are the only books I've ever really read more than once. I just like to read and immerse myself in a new story and not have to think for a few hours. And I'm ok with that!

I enjoy reading for sheer escapism. The thought of reading a book to analyse its deeper meanings like I did in English Lit seems like too much effort for me. And that's fine

It is fine. But why do you think people reading classics aren't reading them for escapism?

Result!

We are off to Hay on Wye in a couple of weeks time

We haven't been for a while but DH has missed it too! So, I need to find the big book bags for the car boot and the ones with strong handles for carrying back up the hill. Get there early, top of town before lunch; lunch at the Kilvert and below the castle afterwards - mainly cos I usually buy a whole load of 50s pulp sci fi at the Cinema

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

I'd really struggle to answer this question. I read loads, mostly from the library. I wouldn't be able to tell you the title or author of many of the books I've really enjoyed, so would have to give you the name of a "famous" book.

TBH, I'd find it a bit odd to be asked, like the asker was trying to check my education levels. I'm not sure how you've asked it so many times, you've got to a place where you have an opinion on the kinds of answers you get.

but.. but.. but The Kite Runner is a classic!

A modern classic!

My favourites are Tess, Captain Corelli, Beloved and God Of Small things .. all classics. Goodness, one is a Booker Prize winner!

I started a thread on books you are ashamed not to have read : a lot of classics come up on that. I am currently reading Middlemarch. Yes, its' hard going but very plot driven. A lot of recently written books are very badly plotted and written.

I roll my eyes that students doing A Level won't read the classics - modern or otherwise. Now that deserves an eye roll.

When someone tells me their favourite book is a classic, I have a knee jerk eye roll reaction because I feel like those who enjoy the classics "think too much" when it comes to reading. I enjoy reading for sheer escapism

It's absolutely fine to read for escapism - but what makes you think reading for any other reason, including "thinking too much" isn't fine? I often read because I want to be provoked in thought, or because I want to consider something in its proper (usually historic) context, and I don't think that's a bad thing either.

brizzledrizzle Yes, it was.

Someone mentioned films upthread. TBH I used o feel a bit eye rolly when people said Citizen Kane is the greatest film. Then I watched this classic at half term and thought it was actually a very enjoyable film. It's the same principal.

Surely the most escapism you can get is to get away from everything in the modern world. Therefore the classics. Although I buy old, out of print, books and some of those are better than the ones categorised as 'classics' (in my opinion).
Most people who read a lot don't have a favourite book.

YANBU to roll your eyes when someone lies about their favourite book, just to look more intellectual/cultured.

YWBU to roll your eyes if they were being honest about their favourite book being a classic, or if they said that it was, and you didn’t know for sure that they were lying.

I love reading Shakespeare. My dad is convinced it's the emperor's new clothes and nobody really likes Shakespeare

People have different tastes. I love some of the classics as much as I love modern books, but others are a massive uphill struggle. "Pride and prejudice" is a thing of great comedy and beauty, and I adore every line of "wuthering heights" - but "Pamela" and "Clarissa" can sod right off!

what is your definition of a 'classic'? Do you just mean old? If you want suggestions of what to read but you dont want certain types of books mentioned then you should just say that!! Say what type of thing you like and ask if they have any suggestions like that. People all have completely different tastes its not just 'trying to look clever'

My fave books are 'Steppenwolf' 'The Tin Drum' and 'The House Of Mirth'.... all could be considered 'classics' I suppose. But I do like some newer books as well so if were asked to suggest current books i could do that.... but if i were asked my favourites I would just say those old ones because they ARE my favourites! I think you are just asking the wrong question arent you!