So at the beginning of the year I decided to switch this blog to strictly classic literature, and like any new year’s resolution I failed miserably. Of course as soon as I made the decision I saw all the great books that were coming out that year and I sat there salivating. I found it stunted my reading. I’d look at the new releases i.e. Tana French’s new book, but then I’d think to myself, “but I can’t review it on my blog because its not a classic, and then I slog my way through Doctor Zhivago. I couldn’t take it anymore, I set aside Russian literature and picked up The Hunger Games instead. I still love the classics and plan on having an emphasis on them but I will not devote the blog to them, it is too restrictive. Besides, I did join The Classic Club this year, a group of readers working their way through 50+ classics (of which I have already removed Doctor Zhivago). I’ll get my fill that way. I still adore the classics and will make sure they take a recurring role here but they will not always play center stage.
To quote Shakespeare “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
It's absolutely understandable. Usually, no sooner does one make a resolution than one is sorely tempted to break it. I've tried too, and it hasn't worked. Besides, it's always good to be well rounded with one's reading, no? 😀
I love to read the Classics as well but find I do get burned out if I read too much of them. I like to mix it up with lots of genres so I do not get bored with what I am reading.
Haha, glad to know it's not just me – by now I really should HEAR the alarm bells ringing as soon as I make any kind of reading resolution! That said, I'm aiming to go the OTHER way with my reading from now on; I haven't been reading anywhere near enough classics, even though I love 'em. May we both find a happy medium in 2013! 🙂
"A" for effort my friend! The beauty of the blog is that we can try new things. Hats off to you for your honesty.
In the end, you must do what is right for you. In my opinion, it's a good idea to mix it up. That way you won't get burnt out on one genre.
I love reading classics, but I will never limit my blog to that. I'm one of the Classics Club moderators, but there are too many other genres I enjoy and I think limitign myself would make reading classics feel like a chore instead of a joy.