This week’s Booking Through Thursday question:  

• When somebody mentions “literature,” what’s the first thing you think of? (Dickens? Tolstoy? Shakespeare?)
• Do you read “literature” (however you define it) for pleasure? Or is it something that you read only when you must?

Actually, if you mention literature, the first thing I think is, “Yeah, I read literature.” I wouldn’t exactly say I’m a book snob (heck, I’ve been known to read some trash), but I do treasure my literature much more than I treasure my trash. In fact, my reading schedule alternates from literature to trash, and if I’m not strict on this, then I find myself bloated with one or the other.

I’m currently reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and while this is a re-read, it’s in my top 3 favorite books of all time. How could any book even compare with such a finely written novel? I might enjoy my guilty pleasures, but I savor literature.

That being said, certain books have stood the test of time and have earned their label of literature, but some of my favorite books are more modern day novels that I would consider literature; Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, and Ann Patchett are a few that come to mind. Who are some modern day authors you would consider literature?

On the other hand, I have been known to toss a book aside in disgust and wonder who in their right mind was able to get past the first 10 pages, let alone the next 400 (e.g. Crime and Punishment…UGH!).

Give me your two cents on this, folks! And don’t forget to enter my giveaway, and please tell me if you think he’s hot or not.