Teens read classics along with new books

Desiree Martinez is an avid reader of all kinds of books, but she does have her preferences.

"I prefer books that I take something from," said the 17-year-old Harlem High School senior. "It's also easy to say I love the classics, but I also enjoy contemporary as well."

Teen readers are just as likely to read J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories as a Dave Eggers novel, and find entertainment or artistic statement in both classics and contemporary books.

Desiree says classics have stood the test of time, so people already have an idea that these are good books. Contemporary books have yet to earn that status, but she believes there are good modern books out there.

"But the challenge lies in finding those books that best express the human experience as it is now, while remaining true to the commonalities that people of all time share," she said.

Kirsten Avert, 17, a senior at Harlem High, dabbles in both genres.

"I read both classics and modern books. I could care less if they're literary. I just want to be entertained," she said.

Classics can be a little dull, she said, because the attitudes of the characters aren't as relatable as the attitudes of characters today.

"I love both, though, and read both excessively," she said.

Colin Gibson, 15, a sophomore at Harlem High, believes that people seeking messages shouldn't stick to just classics.

"You need to read new stuff," he said.

He contends that classics shouldn't be held in such high esteem, because they are less relatable than contemporary novels.

He said you can find messages in any book you read, whether it is a classic or a contemporary novel. He reads for both entertainment and education.

"You can't have one without the other," he said. "Even if the book has a strong message, if the strength of the message isn't executed through interesting writing, I'm not going to read it."

Amber Forbes is a senior at Harlem High School.