Bringing the Themes in The Great Gatsby to Life

In the last 100 years, The Great Gatsby has shot up to be one of the most popular books taught in high school English classrooms. Yet time and time again it is used in the same way, discussing symbolism of the green light and pursuit of the past. While this book is a great gateway …

Novels Gone Broadway

There are so many modern adaptations of novels, but one type of adaptation has recently gained popularity—the musical adaptation. The Great Gatsby is taking Broadway by storm in its new musical format. Other musical adaptations of novels have also gained more traction in more recent years; Matilda and The Notebook are just two other examples …

Classics Recommendations from the Big Read Lakeshore Team

Here at the Big Read Lakeshore team, we are united by our love for books. During one of our last meetings, the topic of our favorite classic works came up, and it was awesome to see the wide variety of works that have left an impact on our team members in many ways. We decided …

A Global Library: Classics from Around the World

Books are not just stories—they are windows into different cultures, times, and experiences. While it’s easy to reach for familiar titles from your own country, reading classic books from other countries offers unique and rewarding insights. If you are interested in traveling or even just to know more about a country, choosing a classic or …

Is There Still Value in Reading Classics?

Growing up, I assumed that when people talked about “classic” books, they meant any old book. I would hear the same ten or so talked about, mainly by Dickens, Austen, Homer, and a Bronte sister thrown in there. I loved visiting the Barnes and Noble classics table where they had beautiful bound editions of these …