Victorians! discussion

How many of you divide your time between reading classic and modern? Do you move in and out of literary eras often? Do you stick to the same era, Victorian of course is an example? Or are you truly eclectic?

I always just say I am eclectic. Right now reading a good bit of Victorian, but also delving into newer fiction for young people and an occasional modern general fiction. I am very demanding when it comes to recent fiction though, mainly because there is so much "hook" in marketing of books.

I think I am eclectic, but I can't say that I'm interested in reading all genres, if that makes any sense. I read literature across timeframes, but I'm not much interested in science fiction or fantasy, for instance.

My reading "tilt" is towards "modern" fiction. These online clubs are largely what bring older literature into my life. My f2f book club is a big factor in sifting through the current literature choices, along with the reviews in good papers like the Guardian or NYT and the various systems of prizes, especially the Booker, but also the Nobel, the Neustadt, less so the Pulitzer, and sometimes the specialist genre or regional acknowledgements. We also make fairly heavy use of the reader reviews on Amazon.

I am definitely eclectic when it comes to time frames. I alternate books: modern, classic, modern, classic. I love reading classic literature, but I strongly believe there are many contemporary writers who deserve my attention, and consequently I try to divided it in the most appropriate manner, according to my standards.
sometimes i enjoy reading two books in the same time, just so I have the option to move from one to another and enjoy the past as well as the present.

Excellent question, Sarah and a great way for us to get to know one another better!

I, myself read everything so therefore being the eclectic I am, follow friends' suggestions, goodreads' book synopsis, amazon readers, and sometimes just the look of the cover. :)

I usually read two or three other books at the same time, so as Catalina mentioned I have options to go back and forth.I find it helps especially when reading a very long book as I need to feel that sense of accomplishment when one completes a book., so reading shorter books at the same time does that.

I have definitely found myself reading and enjoying greatly non fiction books, but have never liked much the religious themed books. (such as The Shack, or the Jan Karon series)

I'm quite eclectic - but I'm not really interested in science fiction, fantasy or YA!

I'm fairly eclectic, though I don't like horror.

I do read a lot of non-fiction, particularly history.

SarahC wrote: "How many of you divide your time between reading classic and modern? Do you move in and out of literary eras often? Do you stick to the same era, Victorian of course is an example? Or are you tru..."

I read almost no modern literary fiction. I do read quite a bit of modern non-fiction, because it benefits from the enormous advances in modern scholarship, but beyond that and the occasional modern mystery for "brain candy," virtually all my reading is pre-WWII and most of it pre-WWI. (And quite a bit of it is ancient classical.)

I'm pretty focused in my reading. Since the beginning of the year I've been reading all classic lit. Before that I read a lot of history, mostly ancient history. I've also read a couple Bill Bryson books, so I like travelogues.
I feel a little lost with modern fiction though. It is SO hit and miss. After I make a real dent in my classic lit collection, I would like to start reading modern fiction. But I need to do some research to see who deserves my time. What I love about classic lit is that it is almost a guarantee. Even if I don't love it, there was value in reading it

I'm eclectic as well. I used to concentrate on mysteries & history for the most part, but do bounce around. I loved classical lit in my teens and have returned to that reading due to friends here on GR. Actually, I had started with Austen prior to finding GR. I have read some science fiction and fantasy. While they are not my favorites, a good story is a good story (used to love Isaac Asimov). I do wish I could read more, but unfortunately I have to spend some time working.

I'm an eclectic "streak" reader. Years ago, I read every Zola novel I could find in translation. When I finished Zola, I shifted into British 1920-1960 mode, reading D. H. Lawrence,Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, Anthony Burgess et. al. Then I went Japanese Modern: Mishima, Kawabata, Tanizaki, Soseki and Haruki Murakami.

About four years ago I returned to the Victorians while doing research for my Neo-Victorian novel. In addition I re-read, or read, Henry James and Edith Wharton because my novel involved American expatriates in 1870's Europe, subjects very familiar to James and Wharton. So, pretty eclectic, I guess. ;)

My reading is mainly focused on pre WWII-readings. Like Shannon, modern fiction is very hit and miss with me, and I am often left disappointed or underwhelmed. That rarely happens with my pre WWII readings (The victorians, Austen, the Bloomsbury Group etc etc). There is something about the classics that "speaks to me". Plus, I like reading books that are on different "100 books you must read"-kind of lists. I want to know if they deserve to be on those lists:)

That said, I grew up on the Harry Potter series and do enjoy the occasional modern fiction. But my heart is in the classics.

I read mostly contemporary. My classics are limited to mainly 1 a year. Funny but I don't consider my reading to be modern, however. The writers are mostly more contemporary but the writing is half and half historical fiction and modern fiction. I don't read science fiction but there have been the odd bits of fantasy. Loved . But that was a rare one for me.

I relate to what you are saying. Nina, Harry Potter has so many classical themes, it may me modern in publication, but older in origin I might say. And then Lori, you are attracted to contemporary writing, but with older subject matter.

That was what I was wondering about everyone's reading. I actually find it hard to jump to really contemporary settings and subjects. Nina I am also interested in turn-of-the-century and early 20th century authors. That was never an official area of study in my classes in school and I just feel that era was so relevant to the later part of the 20th century (the beginning of my own lifetime)-- it just fascinates me. Especially the authors previously unknown to me. I have been reading Rebecca West, Elizabeth Bowen, E.M. Delafield, etc.

Everyman wrote: "SarahC wrote: "How many of you divide your time between reading classic and modern? Do you move in and out of literary eras often? Do you stick to the same era, Victorian of course is an example?..."

What classics do you have on the horizon in your other group or just in you own personal reading, Everyman?

And if you have an open profile, you know I will go browsing in your GR bookshelves everyone, right? haha

SarahC wrote: "What classics do you have on the horizon in your other group or just in you own personal reading, Everyman? "

We're reading Plato's Republic at the moment (only on Book 3, so plenty of time to join in if interested!) Then will come Proust's Swann's Way; we will definitely read that, and we'll put the next volume in the poll for the subsequent book to decide whether we want to continue that or go on to something else.

The Bookish group will be starting the Odyssey probably in September, which will be a third or fourth read for me but every read just gets better and better. It's one of those books you need to read once a decade.

Outside of book groups, I'm working my way through some Dickens that I haven't visited for a long time, and TWWLN has inspired me to move some of my unread Trollopes to my bedside table.

Well, Everyman, a finer plan of classic reading I cannot imagine.

I read both modern and classic literature; both italian and foreigner ...
Eclectic? Yes, maybe I am ...

I love talking about books with my friends so I'm a hopeless victim of literary fads and I've read a fair number of trendy contemporary writers such as Umberto Eco, Haruki Murakami, Salman Rushdie, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ian McEwan, Michel Houellebecq etc etc. But generally I have very little scruples as a reader. A few years ago I read books in a constant state of panic because I felt like my reading tastes were very inadequate, but now I don't really care that much. I have a few favourite writers to which I come back often and to which I look for book recommendations, but beside that I'll just read whatever looks interesting. Well, when school allows me to read simply for pleasure, which isn't too often.

SarahC wrote: "I relate to what you are saying. Nina, Harry Potter has so many classical themes, it may me modern in publication, but older in origin I might say. And then Lori, you are attracted to contemporary ..."

Hmm... I don't think I ever really thought about that, but I agree re: Harry Potter, though I always use that series as "proof" that I do read modern fiction:)

And yes, the early 20th century authors are fascinating. Virginia Woolf and EM Forster are my favourites so far. I had never heard of Bowen and Delafield. I'll check them out:)

My reading is very eclectic; Although I like to read Victorian literature, I am also heavily interested in British and American literature from the 1880s through the end of WWII. Lately, though, I find myself drawn to books written in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s as well, and have been reading many books from this period as well. I agree with Sarah in my love of Virginia Woolf's writing, both her novels and nonfiction, and I read the works of most of the writers from the entire Bloomsbury group. I guess one could say I am a dilettante, always exploring new kinds of books. Great topic, Marbear! Thanks!

I will read books from any time (I usually alternate between one classic, one modern, one classic, one modern, and so on). However, I have zero interest in science fiction, westerns or self help. I'm also not a big fan of fantasy, and I rarely ever read this genre. My favourites tend to be the classics, History, historical fiction, romance, mystery. I occasionally do venture into YA literature, but the paranormal romance subgenre has no appeal to me, I'm afraid. I'd much rather read about real people. The exception to that is the odd horror book, although I read so few of those that they don't even count much.