Thorsday: Book Guilt?

Last week, while Miss Baby and Miss Puppy were visiting, the Wall Street Journal. ran an article about book guilt: do you feel guilty about not reading classic books? Do you read them out of guilt?

Like most people, I read some classic books which were assigned in high school and college.  I've read many of the books assigned to my boys in high school - to be fair, some have been classics, and some have been a contemporary subject that the teacher wanted to highlight.The article talked to various ordinary people, and many people opined on the website; the consensus was that some poeple read classics because they "ought to," while others read, or re-read many years later, classics because they wanted to - Moby Dick was highlighted as an example.  Some opined that they don't have time to read everything, so they read what appeals to them.  One even suggested reading an abridged version of a behemoth like Moby Dick if you feel you "must."

The relative from Denver was here in August, and she brought me a copy of Go Set A Watchman which she had found for $2 at Goodwill.  Usually, I'm the one sending her books; I think she was delighted to bring me a book.

Having read it, I have to say that the original publisher was correct to reject this and accept To Kill a Mockingbird.  This was well written, but not as engaging.  I've seen reviews which said that Atticus Finch was racist in this book, but I disagree.  Nonetheless, it isn't nearly as  good a story as Mockingbird; the characters don't stay with you.  I do think this book was rather autobiographical for Harper Lee in that I believe she was very much like Jean Louise, or Scout, at that time.  Has anyone else read it?  What do you think?

This episode of Thorsday Book Review, or Book Guilt, is hosted by Miss Penny, who spent a lot of time winding herself around my chair and needing to be untangled,

and by her little friend, who was very happy sitting up in her nice, new walker (although she's not strong enough to really move it yet).

Happy Thorsday, everyone!