Currently Reading… Classics #AmReading #Herbert #CSLewis #Tolkien

Here’s a look at my “currently reading” list in January.

I would say it is a very prestigous list.

“Dune” is the archetype of all sci-fi novels of the 20th and 21st centuries. I am reading through it for the first time and I am completely drawn in. I am enjoying the world building, the character development and the story. There are some interesting themes and ideas Frank Herbert presents. I will share more when I finish it. Estimated time of completion: End of January.

“The Magician’s Nephew” is the first book in C.S. Lewis’ beloved Chronicles of Narnia series. I have read it many times before. This time, I am reading it with my seven-year-old. She is just getting into longer chapter books and I feel like now is the perfect time to start the series. I am reading this with her at bedtime. Estimated time of completion: End of February.

“The Return of the King” by J.R.R. Tolkien is final book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. My oldest daughter and I started the series at the beginning of 2021. We read this together at bedtime for about 30 minutes every night. It is a tough read out loud. Names, places, and other nouns are tough to pronounce and the style of writing is some times hard to follow. I am reading through the trilogy for the first time myself. Estimated time of completion: End of June.

These three classics are an interesting “set” to read at the same time. Tolkien and Lewis wrote their books around the same time. Herbert’s classic came out several decades later. I think it is important to return to the classics at least once a year. I don’t think you have to always read the same classics every year, but for a point of reference in time, I think it is useful to go back to literature touchstones to see where we are today and where we’ve come from.