<p>I didn’t love The Artist as a young man, but at least it was an easy read. I think The Dubliners was too. At least I think I remember writing about it on the English AP. I think the only reason I liked Jude the Obscure was there was a terrific Masterpiece Theater version of it. I tried to read The Mayor of Casterbridge, but ultimately just found it way too depressing. I think *Tess *and *Return of the Native *were the two we did in school. I think James Fenimore Cooper is unreadable, but he makes a great film. </p>
<p>Actually when the Common Core curriculum kicks in I do hope they’ll stick in some of Twain’s essays. His essay on The Awful German language is a kick too.</p>
<p>I read Crime and Punishment while traveling alone in Europe the summer before my senior year in college. I was doing research on low cost housing developments and was in a very depressing basement room of a really cheap B and B. Instant coffee! Stale rolls! Depressing books! Missed my boyfriend! I actually believe I liked it, though I wasn’t particularly tempted to read more any time soon.</p>