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Meet Author Susan Orlean

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BOOK CLUBS

Book Club 2 Go Kits

Peruse the latest Book Club 2 Go Kits. Each kit comes with 10 books and a discussion guide. Fiction and nonfiction. All ages.

Did you know your book club can receive personalized suggestions for what to read next?

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GRAPHIC NOVELS

Want graphic novel reading suggestions? Get personalized reading recommendations for any age, any reader and any interest.

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NoveList

Libby

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LIBRARY STORIES

"THE LISTENER"

Meet Judi and her husband, Ernie. Audiobook listeners, "world travelers" and longtime library users.

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CLASSICS COLLECTION

Hemingway. Austen. Steinbeck. Dickens. Woolf. Fitzgerald. Bronte. Hardy. Vonnegut. Wharton. You've probably heard the names. Now it's time to read the books. From romance to horror and every genre in between, classic novels span centuries, countries and all walks of life. Some classics are controversial and some are beloved.

What classic novel will you read? Not sure where to start? Fill out the Need Suggestions form for personalized recommendations for any genre and for any reader of any age.

From romance to horror and every genre in between, classic novels span centuries, countries and all walks of life. Some classics are controversial and some are beloved.

What classic novel will you read? Not sure where to start? Fill out the Need Suggestions form for personalized recommendations for any genre and for any reader of any age.

KNOWLEDGE UP

Classics can sometimes be wordy, cryptic and unwieldy. Have no fear: the library can help!

What's a classic novel?

A classic is a novel that represents a genre or a writing style, or it can be a novel that makes a contribution to literature. There are all kinds of classics, from horror classics to romance classics, from novels that sold millions of copies to a novel that changed how a genre was written. Classics come from all cultures and all years, and classics can reflect a time period, a societal standard or may offer commentary on a subject.

Ready to dive in? Learn more about classic novels.

How do I read classic novels?

A classic novel is reflective of the time is was written. That may mean unusual language, words that have changed meaning, societal rules that don't apply to today's reader, historical context and anachronisms you may not know. Never fear, the library is here to help!

Take some time to read about the author, their works and their life in an Arts & Literature database.
Use Novelist to learn more about an author's writing style, tone and what kind of characters they are known for writing (plus read-alikes!).
Love history? Researching the time period your chosen novel is set in for context around social issues, customs and world events.
Look for annotated versions of classics, which can offer insights into the plot, time period, anachronisms and more.

Lost motivation? Read some helpful hints and tricks when reading the classics.

What classics should I read?

The answer is up to you! But first let's find out what you like to read, and which authors you're drawn to reading, to guide your classics reading journey. Here are some questions to get you thinking about what you like to read.

Do you like to read translated books or books set in other countries?
Do you like books set during a certain time period?
Do you like books that are all about characters and their life stories?
Do you like books from a specific genre, like horror or romance?
Do you find yourself drawn to books with similar themes?

Now it's time to browse more in depth recommendations.

START READING

Browse staff-curated lists or ask us for personalized recommendations based on your interests.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Now that you've knowledged up and read some classics, treat yourself to a little fun.

TAKE A QUIZ

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