In Defense of Difficult Reading

Context

This piece from the American Scholar, published just last week, dives into a question many of us wrestle with: why bother with "difficult" books? Naomi Kanakia's new book isn't about curriculum wars, but a gentle, yet firm, appeal to the "common reader" to engage with the Great Books. It's a thoughtful exploration of why committing to challenging, often older, texts can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world, even if it feels like hard work. She even takes on the progressive critiques, making a surprisingly compelling case for their enduring relevance.

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