Maybe you don't think of them as classic. Maybe you can't get past the fact that they are just old. Old couldn't be relevant. Old means old words and old ideas. Right?
Is old bad? Is classic bad? There are quotes about this very idea. Things like...
Everything old is new again.
There is nothing new under the sun.
1. Yes, you'll gain a bigger vocabulary if you read older books. Book are going to vary over time. This is a good thing. If you feel like every TV show out this year or the past three years have been the same, you are probably right. If you feel like the TV shows from five, ten or fifteen years ago were different, you are probably right. Do you like a diet of the same or a diet of different?
2. Yes, you'll probably improve your writing and speaking ability if you read older books. They style, wording choices and grammar will rub off on you. Patterns are a great way to create clearer thoughts and clearer sentences.
3. Yes, you'll be exposed to different ideas if you read older books. Chances are the shows you watch, the music you listen too and the friends you hang around are very much alike. The best way to be exposed to different is to go searching for it. There are plenty of classic book choices.
4. Yes, you'll learn some history if you read old books. Books written from a different time will reflect the different culture, ideas, and details of life. History is more fun in this context. That's my opinion anyway. Who wants to spend all their time memorizing dates and locations?
5. Yes, you'll probably find some entertainment if you read old books. I'm not saying you'll love every book. You won't love every contemporary book you'll pick up either. Again, there are enough choices that you can find a classic book that will be fun to read.
Classic books aren't just for smart people, or college students, or high school students preparing for college, or for snobs, or for literary people, or for children in the fairy tale stage.
Classic books are for everyone. Grab one and start reading today.
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