Book Riot - The Podcast: “Which Classics Should You Read to Be ‘Well-Read’?” [Teaser]

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Introduction

Book Riot's Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the age-old question: Which classics should you read to be "well-read"? In this teaser episode, they explore the foundational texts that not only define literary excellence but also continue to influence contemporary storytelling and cultural discourse.

Defining "Well-Read"

Jeff O’Neal opens the discussion by acknowledging the daunting task of defining what it means to be "well-read." He reflects on the balance between academic expertise and mainstream literary knowledge:

“I think the idea of well read is a more mainstream idea. Right. And there's a lot of academics that aren't well read in that particular field.”
— Jeff O’Neal [00:37]

Rebecca Schinsky concurs, sharing her personal journey through literary classics and the societal expectations tied to being a serious reader:

“My memory certainly of, like, becoming aware that people had this as an identity or as an aspiration was very tied to, like, that you could read and understand Shakespeare.”
— Rebecca Schinsky [01:43]

Shakespeare: The Cornerstone of Literary Canon

A significant portion of the conversation centers around William Shakespeare's pivotal role in the literary canon. Both hosts agree that Shakespeare is often seen as the benchmark for literary prowess:

“If you want to be well read and maybe it's the first thing that we all get a whiff of as, like, that's what serious readers know about... it's hard to think of something that's more.”
— Rebecca Schinsky [01:43]

Jeff elaborates on the societal perception of well-read individuals, emphasizing Shakespeare's enduring relevance:

“If someone said I consider myself well read. Let's say they said that. And I said, have you read X? And they answered, no... have you read any Shakespeare... they'd say, no. I'd be like, huh.”
— Jeff O’Neal [03:21]

The Enduring Legacy of the Odyssey and Iliad

The conversation transitions to classical Greek literature, with a particular focus on Homer's Odyssey and Iliad. Rebecca underscores the Odyssey's foundational impact on storytelling, citing its influence on modern narratives like The Lion King and the novel Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward:

“There are elements of the Odyssey in so much fiction over the last several hundred years, really several thousand years.”
— Rebecca Schinsky [06:03]

Jeff shares his personal preference for the Iliad, highlighting its emotional depth and pivotal moments:

“My single favorite moment in all of Western literature is book nine of the Iliad... Priam coming to Achilles to beg for his son's body.”
— Jeff O’Neal [07:50]

Building a "Well-Read" Foundation: Zero to Well Read

Jeff introduces his "Zero to Well Read" initiative, a curated list designed to provide the most impactful literary works for those seeking to quickly build a robust literary foundation. He emphasizes the blend of historical significance and contemporary relevance in his selections:

“These are all contextual. This matters... what would be the hundred that would get you there the quickest?”
— Jeff O’Neal [04:17]

Rebecca adds to this by differentiating between classics and modern popular literature, clarifying that while works like Twilight are influential in their own right, they do not fall under the traditional definition of classics necessary for being well-read.

Conclusion

Though brief, this teaser episode provides a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be "well-read." Jeff and Rebecca highlight the importance of classical literature in shaping modern narratives and cultural references, while also acknowledging the evolving nature of the literary canon. They invite listeners to delve deeper into these discussions through their premium content available on Patreon.

Notable Quotes

• Jeff O’Neal [00:37]: “I think the idea of well read is a more mainstream idea... And there's a lot of academics that aren't well read in that particular field.”

• Rebecca Schinsky [01:43]: “It's hard to think of something that's more [than Shakespeare].”

• Jeff O’Neal [03:21]: “If someone said I consider myself well read... have you read any Shakespeare... I'd be like, huh.”

• Rebecca Schinsky [06:03]: “There are elements of the Odyssey in so much fiction over the last several hundred years, really several thousand years.”

• Jeff O’Neal [07:50]: “My single favorite moment in all of Western literature is book nine of the Iliad.”

Further Listening

To access the full episode and additional premium content, become a patron at patreon.com/bookriotpodcast for just $10 a month.