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I've already written a post about modern books that I think will become classics, but I'm not done yapping yet! What about the modern books I haven't read but think could become classics? Let's talk about the books on my to-be-read list.
First, what makes a book a classic?
- Staying power: It came out years ago, but people are still discussing and recommending it.
- Trendsetting: This one is challenging to spot because some modern books haven't been around long enough to spark serious trends (yet). A book is considered a classic if it becomes a blueprint for a genre.
- Re-re-readable: It has enough depth that readers can discover something new each time they reread it.
- Artistic merit: There's something unique about the writing style or narrative structure that sets it apart from other books.
- Universal themes: Classics are often about love, death, or morality. Humans from different cultures and generations can relate to the themes.
- Cultural relevance: Classic books are like time capsules. They capture and preserve a moment in human history or culture. They show what society was grappling with at the time the book was written.
- The pretentious people say it's good: Sometimes, it seems like books become classics just because critics and college professors keep insisting that the book is a work of literary genius.
The books in this post are on my to-be-read list. I haven't read them, but I suspect they meet the qualifications to become classics.