Getting Back to the Classics

This is one I've wanted to read since high school, but it never managed to work its way in to my reading schedule. So how did I actually manage to get it under my belt? Easy - on a recent hiking trip, someone was talking enthusiastically about The Brothers Karamazov. My hiking companion's enthusiasm for this book became infectious, and led to a rectification of our library's lack of Dostoevsky on its shelves. It also led to a friendly reading challenge between myself and a co-worker (and whoever else we can persuade) to actually read the classic sometime in the next year. It's mammoth size and literary regard were daunting enough to require some "gearing up" for both of us; I had the idea to read the much shorter Notes from Underground first, but I had a copy of Crime and Punishment on hand, and just started reading.

Turns out, it's a very interesting, involving story. Classics tend to be "classic" for a reason, and doesn't always mean they're "difficult." So much to think about when reading, and between readings, to keep one in its spell. Getting through a somewhat intimidating book like this compelled me to discipline my reading habits more than usual: I found myself staying up far too late to keep up my self-imposed quote of pages. The thing was, I enjoyed doing this; it felt like an accomplishment, an experience to treasure. I feel quite ready for The Brothers K now, though I'll likely slip one or two other titles in beforehand.