Does a Book Have to be a Classic to be Worthwhile?

I remember back when I was in high school there were numerous books we were required to read for English class. These were the literary classics. I always wondered what made them so much better than other books, because honestly, I hated most of them. Maybe they had impressive pros, and maybe they had some point they were trying to make, but honestly, I couldn’t get past the depressing storylines. Half the time, I had a hard time even finding the plot through all the commentary on society, or the deep metaphors. I often wondered if the author really intended all the meanings the teachers were certain the writing was trying to portray, and I jokingly said I was afraid if I became a writer some poor English students would be forced to fish out meanings from my book that I had never even thought of. Luckily, I no longer have to worry about this, because I realized that the kind of books I write will never be considered “classics” and will never be seen as worthy enough to be read in any English class. While this is somewhat of a relief, it also makes me wonder, does a book really have to be considered a “classic” to be worth reading?

Somehow, I don’t believe a book has to be a “classic” to be worth reading. Some would disagree with me, but honestly, most studies will agree with me. Just because someone only reads classics, it doesn’t make them a better reader. Reading improves reading skills. It doesn’t really matter what is being read. So, from a literacy viewpoint, reading exclusively classics won’t make you a better reader than the guy who reads several Sci-Fy books a week.

But what about being able to help a person see the world, humanity, and society with all its flaws and hideousness? (Because let’s face it, that’s really what most classics focus on. They never focus on the good stuff it seems.) Honestly, things like fantasy and science fiction have helped me understand those things far better than most of the “classics” I have been required to read. If a fantasy book is well written, it can still reflect things in the real world, and somehow, it can teach the same lessons without being nearly as depressing, because instead of just drawing attention to those things, half the time, it actually can present solutions. Classics usually just show you how broken the world is and leave you feeling depressed and hopeless because it seems like the world is that way, and it will always be that way, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Anyhow, if you couldn’t tell, I’m not really a huge fan of most of the literary classics. I like books that leave me feeling hopeful about life, and most of those just don’t. I don’t think a book should be worth less just because it doesn’t get all broody and deep. Anyhow, that’s my opinion. If you love those literary classics, that’s great. I know lots of people do. Just don’t look down on other genres, please. They’re worth something too.

How do you feel about classics? What do you think should make a book a classic?