HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN CLASSIC LIBRARY - A short lecture.

How can you build your own library of Classic books? Are there certain ones that you must have? What of you do not like the sound or style of certain works?

In this video we will look at what the purpose of a Classic library is; how you can tailor it to your own needs and personality; and how you can get your library of classic books teach you and grow your own mind. Also learn what a 'BEATING HEART SHELF' is.

Make sure to watch this video all the way through and do the exercises. You will find it very eye opening and will gain a real purpose in your ambition of learning the Classics.

IF YOU WANT TO BEGIN TEACHING YOURSELF MORE ABOUT CLASSIC LITERATURE, be sure to check out my Patreon.

If you have any suggestions for topics or books that you would like to see, please feel free to recommend them in the comments and help me to become the best Booktuber on Youtube that I can be.

I wish you joy in your reading.

[stevenpace]

Wonderful advice. I love the idea of the beating heart bookshelf. Here in the United States we have public lending libraries. A public librarian gave me some wonderful advice when I was young. She said, "Buy the best and checkout the rest." Before I would ever buy a book, I would check it out from the library first. Thanks for everything. Greetings from Chicago!

[bradchristy]

Tristan - your presentation actually “speaks to me”. Your enthusiasm is incredibly compelling - a phenomenal skill, persuading one for one’s OWN best interest. You are a personal blessing to me and my growth in reading!

[linuxretrogamer]

I’ve been borrowing, buying, reading books for decades. At the beginning of the year I decided it was time to build that library. The top 100 in hardback.

I don’t care if they are “classics” or modern. Genre is unimportant. I just want those 100 über greats that I want everyone to experience and love as much as I do.

Right now the list is about 18 strong and I’ve bought around 12 of them. And already they look amazing on the shelf with their dust jackets thrown in the waste paper basket.

I’ve found those 18 stand out because they are highly plot and character driven without the author trying to be clever. I like books that get to the point and weave a good yarn.

Pages of flowery description where little happens bore me. (Lord of the Rings being the exception to the rule - Tolkien can take 30 pages to cross the street with no complaints).

When I read new books I check Libby/Overdrive first, then the local lending library, then a cheap secondhand paperback, and then, if all else fails (or it’s cheaper than the paperback) I’ll get it on Kindle. If I find a book that makes the list I’ll happily rebuy in hardback.

[radiantchristina]

"Expensive wallpaper" 😆 As always, Tristan, you have shared with us such nuggets of bookish wisdom. Many years ago, I was purchasing books for my library that I thought I should have rather than books I knew I would read. One day, I was looking at one of my bookshelves while trying to figure out what my next read would be and NONE of them appealed to me.
I ended up donating about half of my library to my local library and started almost from scratch.
Now, my bookshelves have only books that I've read and loved as well as books that I am excited to get to. Something that helped me with that was unsubscribing from Booktubers whose videos are nothing but hauls and tbrs and subbing to channels like yours, that actually provide me with tips that will help me be a better reader.
I started a list of books that I've loved and notice so far that my favorite books are ones that completely broke me and made me depressed for weeks. (I'm looking at you, Hardy!)

Ahhhh. Nice to know your wife is a Kindred Spirit! Anne of Green Gables as well as all of LM Montgomery's books are the only children's books I have read and loved as an adult.

"Step three is so rewarding and exciting" - I suddenly lean in like you're going to tell us a secret lol

I LOVE the idea of a "beating heart shelf".

As for the start with your own language / culture - I am American and do not vibe with American authors. Authors from France, England, Russia, and a few other countries, make up my favorites.

Thanks again for your fabulous content! Happy Reading! 💝

[cnohero]

Such great advice. I see so many videos showing off fancy books. What good are these if you don’t enjoy them.
I really enjoy your videos I get very excited when you post a new one. Your enthusiasm for reading and classics is so palpable. Keep up the great work.

[HollyFormolo]

*Running to get my pen & paper as you speak * Seriously, I just found your YouTube channel tonight & I'm hooked. Although I work in Iraqi Kurdistan, I can't bring myself to get a kindle/nook, etc. as I love the thought of hauling my library across continents & knowing my books made the journey with me brings me even more joy after I finish them. I find great pleasure in simply staring at my books! My newest edition: Frankenstein in Baghdad.

[PoetlaureateNFDL]

I have dozens of free classic books on my kindle that I haven’t even touched. So many books.. so little time! 😮

[MichelleFalco]

You are an absolute joy! I am always excited to get reading after spending time with you ❤

[mhans]

I can’t remember the last time I felt so enthused about a list of advise. This is extremely helpful. I wish every middle schooler watched this video with the enthusiasm that you show for the classics.

[maria-xxhc]

A great idea. I would also add that you can get books from the library so you support libraries and don't end up buying books you don't like.

[cristinalattuada]

I wish I would have had a teacher like you when at school.. Thank you you for passing on your great advise with such passion.

[AnLi]

Thank you Tristan! This would have helped me as a teenager but thankfully for me it was Jane Austen opening the door into classic literature. But I‘ll definitly will install a beating heart shelf I think because I love the idea!

[jaynefederici]

My favourites are historical fiction. I have learnt so much history from reading Phillippa Gregory and Ken Follett.
I have decided to read Tolstoy's War and Peace. I know it's long but I'm going to read it 10 pages at a time like you suggested in your slow readers video. I don't know anything about the Napoleon war so it will be something new.
Thanks

[nitishpurusram]

Tristan you are amazing. Thanks for the advice and your lovely energy.

[mistynight]

This is great advice. I love gothic literature, so I have many of the gothic classics on my shelves, but I think it's a good idea to go outside of your norm too and have someone pick a book that you wouldn't normally choose. Someone chose Blood Meridian for me. I would never have chosen that, but I loved it, and it then lead me to enjoy other genres. ☺️

[DramaPixie-wthm]

Brilliant video! Your enthusiasm is infectious! I did get a pen and paper, and do the exercises, and now I'm off to start my narrowing down of classics that will suit me.

[paula]

Tristan, thank you so very much for these videos. Your excitement is inspiring and contagious!

[patrycjaw]

Literally the most realistic and valuable advice I've heard. LOVE your videos

[Gwyndon]

I just have to comment again and say thank you. This video is so well put together, thoughtful and informative. I am an avid reader (50-70 books a year) but I've only read a handful of classics. I've decided to call 2023 the "year of the classic" for me. I want to read at least one classic book a month (probably more) but this video has helped me make a plan for 2023. I will be starting The Count of Monte Cristo January 1st, Moonstone will be book 2!

[amandalucas]

This is fantastic! I have just signed up for your book club for the 2024 year, after making it a goal to get back into the classics. But there are so many, and of course they're not all going to resonate. I love the idea of curating your own personal classic bookshelf. I am going to work on this for this year, and I think taking that philosophy into contemporary works also is a fantastic way to build my perfect home library :) Thank you for your perpetually helpful and upbeat content, I've been bingeing it a lot this week!