Sincere Apologies
It has been rather a while since I posted. To be honest, I have no excuse other than that I have been busy with school.
Took a flight to Florida for the Intercollegiate Studies Institute's Collegiate Network Editor's Conference. Since I'm the Arts & Culture editor for our newspaper, the Rambler, I was sent along with two other staff members. It was quite a fascinating experience, spending a day and a half at an Orlando resort with over a hundred conservatively-minded, very intelligent students from colleges and universities across the country. I learned a lot and was given many ideas by the other papers and magazines and by talking to a number of other writers and editors. I'm very glad I went, as it was quite a valuable experience.
Last week, I had an entirely different and very unique break from school. I left college a few days early for Thanksgiving break in order to fly out to my elder sister's First Profession. She's a Carmelite nun, and just took the next step towards her final vows. That was a wonderful experience! Not much I can say other than I'm so glad I was able to be there.
Spent a few days at home, relaxing with the family. That was lovely! Was able to spend very nice bonding time with each member (yes I know you're reading this but I am indeed sincere.) Also hung out for an afternoon with some good friends and went shopping. Book shopping. Because what other kind of shopping is there to do? I bought a Christmas present for a friend, and three books for myself. Strong Poison, by Dorothy Sayers, to add to my collection of her books. She's one of my favorite writers. Also I bought a cute little hardback copy of Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe, and a matching cute little hardback of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I haven't read the latter but it was such a nice copy and in such good condition that I just had to get it. Besides, it is a classic. I will find out for myself if I personally think it deserves recognition as a classic, though!
Which makes me start thinking, what qualifies a classic? What do we think of when we hear that word? It is used all over the place - classic rock, iPod Classic, Classics (can refer to either books or the bachelor's degree which includes knowledge of Greek and Latin), etc. What makes a book classic? My opinion, although I'm open to suggestion:
1. A book that remains popular for a long period of time, for one thing, so enduring popularity is a quality.
2. Also, it should be written in such a way that it is relevant to human life, and not just life in a single time period.
3. It must be, over all things, well-written so that it is accessible to the ordinary mind. I do not mean dumbing good literature down so that it becomes a book for toddlers, but written such that the common man can read and relate to it, rather than it being particularly a book for the educated in a certain field.
This is something I will have to think about and explore. Any suggestions? I'll think of my favorite books that I think should be qualified as classics, and make a list for my next post. Valete!
Took a flight to Florida for the Intercollegiate Studies Institute's Collegiate Network Editor's Conference. Since I'm the Arts & Culture editor for our newspaper, the Rambler, I was sent along with two other staff members. It was quite a fascinating experience, spending a day and a half at an Orlando resort with over a hundred conservatively-minded, very intelligent students from colleges and universities across the country. I learned a lot and was given many ideas by the other papers and magazines and by talking to a number of other writers and editors. I'm very glad I went, as it was quite a valuable experience.
Last week, I had an entirely different and very unique break from school. I left college a few days early for Thanksgiving break in order to fly out to my elder sister's First Profession. She's a Carmelite nun, and just took the next step towards her final vows. That was a wonderful experience! Not much I can say other than I'm so glad I was able to be there.
Spent a few days at home, relaxing with the family. That was lovely! Was able to spend very nice bonding time with each member (yes I know you're reading this but I am indeed sincere.) Also hung out for an afternoon with some good friends and went shopping. Book shopping. Because what other kind of shopping is there to do? I bought a Christmas present for a friend, and three books for myself. Strong Poison, by Dorothy Sayers, to add to my collection of her books. She's one of my favorite writers. Also I bought a cute little hardback copy of Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe, and a matching cute little hardback of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I haven't read the latter but it was such a nice copy and in such good condition that I just had to get it. Besides, it is a classic. I will find out for myself if I personally think it deserves recognition as a classic, though!
Which makes me start thinking, what qualifies a classic? What do we think of when we hear that word? It is used all over the place - classic rock, iPod Classic, Classics (can refer to either books or the bachelor's degree which includes knowledge of Greek and Latin), etc. What makes a book classic? My opinion, although I'm open to suggestion:
1. A book that remains popular for a long period of time, for one thing, so enduring popularity is a quality.
2. Also, it should be written in such a way that it is relevant to human life, and not just life in a single time period.
3. It must be, over all things, well-written so that it is accessible to the ordinary mind. I do not mean dumbing good literature down so that it becomes a book for toddlers, but written such that the common man can read and relate to it, rather than it being particularly a book for the educated in a certain field.
This is something I will have to think about and explore. Any suggestions? I'll think of my favorite books that I think should be qualified as classics, and make a list for my next post. Valete!
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