“A Christmas Carol” and the Other Classics I Read This Year

Every year I promise to read more classic literature, and this year I made a decent dent in the list of books I should've read in high school. This was, in large part, due to Apple Books offering many digital and audio versions of public domain works for free.

Whenever I read a “classic” — my definition being an author’s seminal work or a book that is often required reading — it is a mixed bag. Usually the language, pacing or plot trips me up, because by today’s standards they often aren’t as inventive or interesting as they were at the time of publication.

Still, I try to go in with an open-mind and hook on to the elements of the story that have made it so culturally impactful. Oftentimes it’s the humor or social commentary of the era that propels me to finish.

All told, I read 10 classics this year, which accounted for about 13 percent of my total books read — my English teachers would be so proud!

They ran the spectrum of great to mediocre with “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin becoming my favorite read of the year, and “I Am a Cat” by Natsume Sōseki being one of my two DNFs (did not finish).

Here’s a quick summary of 2020 classics, many of which were read before I started this website.

The Great

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Dates read: January 26 – 27, 2020
This one delivered on all fronts. I found it to be a powerful — although sometimes meandering contemplation on war, religion, marriage and humanity. It's accessible, often funny, and truly affecting given Vonnegut's own experiences in World War II. This is one "classic" that earns the title.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (library loan)

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Dates read: July 20 – 24, 2020
I was hypnotized by one particular section in part two — Giovanni’s confrontation of David — that I had to listen to it twice to ensure I was gathering all the details the characters throw callously at one another as the undercurrent of passion still hums beneath the scene. It is masterful and tense and breathtaking; I will think about it for years. Read my full review here.
Rating: 5/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (library loan)

The Good

The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Date read: May 3, 2020
Everyone should read "The Art of War" at some point in their lives. Regardless of your profession, you'll find practical and blunt advice to help solve your problems. Honestly, I'll probably revisit this from time-to-time for inspiration.
Rating: 4/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (personal library)

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Date read: May 5, 2020
Considering two iterations of this classic were among my favorites as a youth (the Disney cartoon and Tim Burton film), I have no good excuse as to why I waited so long to tackle the source material. Irving's writing is rich and moody and is the perfect snapshot of a specific time period in America. Even though I've watched each of the previous films dozens of times, there was something that still felt fresh about the original.
Rating: 4/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (personal library)

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Dates read: May 25 – June 1, 2020
With so much mythology around this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. I liked it more than anticipated, but, to me, it was difficult to enjoy a story about someone so clearly depressed, and possibly bipolar, struggle so mightily while refusing all attempts at help. Sure, people try to help Holden at various points, but he can't allow himself to embrace it because it would mean acknowledging, what he perceives as, the weaker aspects of his character. If that isn't relatable, I don't know what is. Read my full review here.
Rating: 4/5 stars     Format: E-book (library loan)

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Dates read: September 17 – 20, 2020
While the story is tragic, and at times overwhelmingly sad, the sly humor, astute social commentary and lush writing — not surprising since Plath is more well-known as a poet — scattered throughout makes it easier to stay invested when scene after scene of Esther Greenwood’s (Plath’s proxy) descent into depression becomes too much to bear. Read my full review here.
Rating: 4/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (library loan)

The Decent

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Dates read: March 22 – 24, 2020
When a more than 200-year-old book makes you laugh out loud, it's easy to see why it has rightfully been deemed a classic. It's the archetype for many a modern romantic comedy, and for good reason. The wit, satirical lens and general mayhem (although high-class) Austen brings to life can still feel fresh, and unlike many other classics of the time, is accessible to readers. But, let's be honest, the core love story aside, much of the novel is kind of convoluted, and that's what left me a little disappointed overall.
Rating: 3/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (personal library)

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Date read: May 3, 2020
I really enjoyed the structure (a guy recounting his adventure to friends) and the pacing, which kept slowly peeling back a different layer of the future world. And, for something written in the late 1800s, the language feels modern. So why not a higher rating? The ending is a letdown. Wells predicted a future society that would not be as advanced as the one he left behind. Depending on who you ask, that might be considered the case today. And while science fiction is able to provide excellent commentary on the world we inhabit, Wells could've gone deeper.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars     Format: Audiobook (personal library)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Dates read: December 23 – 25, 2020
I've struggled with Christmas spirit this year, so I thought it was time to try a new, social distancing approved tradition - reading Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." As far as classics go, I was pleasantly surprised by the humor, pace and social commentary but did struggle a bit with the language and structure at times. Thankfully, many of the adaptations have been true to the source material, so it's easy to follow along with the story and lesser known characters.
Rating: 3/5 stars     Format: E-book (personal library)

The Mediocre

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki
Dates read: April 11 – 27, 2020
DNF at 25 percent. Made it through Part I but don't have the energy for Part II or Part III. Overall, this was not what I expected based on the description. The cat is an almost ancillary character, and while the construct of the cat providing philosophical observations on the human condition is rich fodder, much of Part I was tedious back-and-forth between human characters. While I appreciate this is a classic of Japanese literature, I can't imagine my boredom would abate if I were to continue reading.
Rating: 2/5 stars     Format: Paperback (personal library)

Did you read any classics this year? How’d they work out for you?