"We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading"

The main idea here is that it's more important to instill a genuine passion for reading in people than to focus solely on teaching specific classic books. When someone loves reading, they'll naturally explore different works and learn from them, including those great books.

Historically, this perspective likely emerged in educational circles where the curriculum was heavily dominated by canonical literature—think Shakespeare, Dickens, or Homer. Teachers and educational reformers began to notice that this approach sometimes turned students off from reading altogether because the material felt too rigid or disconnected from their lives.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine a classroom with two different teachers. The first teacher focuses strictly on the curriculum. Every year, the class reads “Moby-Dick” and “War and Peace” because they're considered literary masterpieces. Students dissect every chapter, memorize character lists, and write essays about the themes. The second teacher, however, takes a different approach. She introduces her students to a wide variety of books, from contemporary young adult fiction to graphic novels to mystery thrillers. She encourages them to choose what interests them, but they also talk about the elements of storytelling and why certain books resonate more than others.

Now, think about the students from these two classrooms a few years down the line. Which group is more likely to pick up a book for pleasure? The ones who were allowed to explore different genres and find their personal favorites or the ones who slogged through texts they found irrelevant and boring?

For practical advice, if you're trying to foster a love for reading in yourself or someone else, start with what you enjoy. Don’t stress about whether it’s “high literature” or not. If you love sci-fi, dive into some Isaac Asimov or Philip K. Dick. If you're into romance, pick up a Nicholas Sparks novel. The goal is to cultivate a habit and a lifelong love for reading. Once that love is there, curiosity will naturally lead you to explore a variety of genres and authors, including those great books that are often part of a classical education.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Picture yourself in a cozy coffee shop, chatting with a friend. They mention they're struggling to get their teenager to read more. You ask what kind of books they've tried. They list off a bunch of classics—“Pride and Prejudice", “To Kill a Mockingbird", and so on. You suggest they try something different. Maybe the latest fantasy series or a gripping thriller. Soon, the teenager finds a series they can't put down and, before long, they're exploring other books, including some of those daunting classics they previously avoided.

In essence, it’s about creating an environment where reading is seen as a joy, not a chore. It’s like planting a seed—nurture it with the right conditions, and it’ll grow strong and eager to explore. And honestly, isn’t it more fun to talk about a book you actually chose to read? So, let’s put aside the heavy-handed curricula and instead light the spark that makes someone a lifelong lover of books.