A great piece of literature does not try to coerce you to believe it or to agree with it. A great piece of literature simply is. (Madeleine L’Engle, A Circle of Quiet, page 201)

The strongest, most authentic motive for deep reading … is the search for a difficult pleasure. (Harold Bloom, How to Read and Why, page 29)

Welcome to Rebecca Reads! I’m delighted to be attending Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention in New York City. If you haven’t met me or read my blog before, here’s a little bit about me.

About me: My name is Rebecca Reid. I am originally from Chicago, and I have lived or studied in Utah; Seattle; Bolivia; Jerusalem; and Melbourne, Australia. I’m back in the Chicago area these days. I’m a stay-at-home mom with a preschooler (affectionately called “Raisin” on this site). I like to read and reread fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, mostly long-lasting classics but also some newly published works.

I also like to dabble in photography and family history research, and I find joy in a successfully cooked meal. My highest priorities are my family and my religion.

I’ve been blogging at Rebecca Reads since May 2008. I blog when I get a chance. Here is my main webpage for more about me.

About Rebecca Reads: Rebecca Reads is a collection of my thoughts about books and reading, and reviews of books I’ve read. I call them reviews, but afterthoughts on books I’ve read are more personal reflections and extensions to my own life rather than unbiased journalistic reviews. I’ve recently begun accepting review copies, but I am particular about what I will accept. My main interest is in classic literature, and I hope to start a conversation about the classics. Authors, publishers, and publicists, see my review policy for more information.

I try to read things that teach me something or get me thinking, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature. I’m excited to introduce my son to good literature!

About The Classics Circuit: I am the host of The Classics Circuit, a blog tour of classic authors. The purpose of the Circuit is to encourage the reading of classic works by celebrating them through book blogs. Much like a tour of a modern book, a tour “visits” different book blogs, where bloggers write their thoughts on the book or author on their assigned day. We’re currently focusing on classics written by authors who are now deceased. Tour participant bloggers do not receive any compensation for joining the tour, other than what I hope is a greater appreciation of classic literature.

About my favorites: Some books that I enjoy most include Beloved by Toni Morrison, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne. I’ve read each of those books multiple times and continue to enjoy them.

About you: I’d love to hear your thoughts about reading, books, and what you enjoy. Whether you are new here or have been visiting Rebecca Reads for years, please join the conversation.

If you’ve coming to Book Expo America and/or the Book Blogger Convention, please introduce yourself. I look forward to meeting you and talking about great books!

To contact me, please use the Contact Form, or find me at Twitter, LibraryThing, or Goodreads.

Rebecca Reid

Let’s Talk Classics!