The Summer Classic Reading Project

Take the summer and read a classic novel.

For the purpose of this swap, a classic is defined as a book that would make a high school or college literature teacher/professor proud. Maybe it’s one you skimmed through enough to pass an exam or that book you never got around to reading. You’ll have 2½ months to read the book then send your partner a letter (via post, not e-mail) about your summer classic.

Summer Classic details

Step 1: Choose a book. Post the title and author below in the swap discussion area.

Step 2: Read the book

Step 3: Send your partner a two-page letter (minimum) addressing the following:

a) Why you chose the book

b) Whether this is the first time you’ve read it or is summer 2009 a re-read? If you’ve read it before, what did you take away this time that you missed when you first read it?

c) A plot/story summary

d) Your overall thoughts on the book

Feel free to include any other information in your letter (i.e. author bio; whether you’ve read the book your partner posted she/he was reading over the summer; other classics you want to read, etc.)

Need some help choosing a book?

Feel free to peruse any of the following lists or do a Google search for classics:

www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003/oct/12/features.fiction

www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100rivallist.html

www.listology.com/list/1001-books-you-must-read-you-die

www.listsofbests.com/list/5884

www.cincinnatilibrary.org/booklists/?id=classics

The small print: International swap. Group membership. 4.8 or higher rating to participate.