When does a book become one of the "classics" ? Also can anyone recommend some

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Dustbowl Blues

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"classics" to read ? I'm reading "The Grapes Of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, 80 pages in and it's wonderful, but it is it a classic ?

I say classic in the sense that Shakespeare and Dickens books are called Classics.
 
The word 'classic' has lost whatever original meaning it had through being overused, much like the word 'liberal', and now 'socialist'. 'Socialist' today means 'anything I don't like'.

The real meaning of 'classic' is 'ancient'. The Iliad and The Odyssey are classics in the original sense. Steinbeck's works, written less than a century ago, are considered classics today. They are really good, though. But it's just a matter of time before Danielle Steele is seen as 'classic'. 8^O

What to read? Well when I was a kid I read everything I could find by Mark Twain (a lot!) and Charles Dickens. I still think Mark Twain is a hoot, but Dickens, well I think I just had too much time on my hands (but I still think David Copperfield is one of the best novels I ever read--the great characters, the sweep of time and all that). I read Moby Dick when I was eleven and it just lit up my imagination.
 
Yes, that is a classic. Go to your local library and ask them to print a list of all the classics; they should have one. I can recommend:

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
 
"The Grapes of Wrath" is definitely a classic. If you like John Steinbeck, you should read "Of Mice and Men". It's really short & really good.

My favorite classic book would have to be "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas.
 
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