Verified source report
I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them?
In less than a decade, surrounded by screens, I lost my ability to read some of the best books ever written. But, inspired by the Guardian’s 100 best novels list , I was determined to get it back It is a privilege to be surrounded by books. My parents hail from the literary working class, a subsection of society that believes great works lead to a richer life. Reading for them was an inverted form of class snobbery. My dad could read as well as anyone. He’d prove it on package holidays, sitting on the balcony the entire time, head bowed, cigarette in hand, flicking through the pages of Jane Austen or Herman Melville . The only difference between my old man and an old Etonian was the drudgery of employment. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: work is the bane of the reading class. As for my own reading life, my mum wore me down, shouting “Read a book!” any time I dared say I was bored. I soon capi
What happened
According to The Guardian’s source item, I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them?, In less than a decade, surrounded by screens, I lost my ability to read some of the best books ever written. But, inspired by the Guardian’s 100 best novels list , I was determined to get it back It is a privilege to be surrounded by books. My parents hail from the literary working class, a subsection of society that believes great works lead to a richer life. Reading for them was an inverted form of class snobbery. My dad could read as well as anyone. He’d prove it on package holidays, sitting on the balcony the entire time, head bowed, cigarette in hand, flicking through the pages of Jane Austen or Herman Melville . The only difference between my old man and an old Etonian was the drudgery of employment. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde: work is the bane of the reading class. As for my own reading life, my mum wore me down, shouting “Read a book!” any time I dared say I was bored. I soon capi
Context
The development sits in VINI’s Global file for readers following international affairs, institutions, conflict, diplomacy, economics, and cross-border consequences. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The source item is dated 2026-06-02T04:00:38+00:00.
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Source
Primary source: I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them? via The Guardian. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.
This source-cited VINI report links to the original publisher record. VINI does not republish third-party article bodies without rights clearance. 1 source listed.
Source links
- I devoured classic novels as a teenager. In a world of distractions, can I relearn how to read them?The Guardian - 2026-06-02T04:00:38+00:00
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