My dear college friend Amy read a challenging book every year to prevent her brain from turning to mush. I love her brilliant idea and try to follow her example, but life gets in the way.

Amy went home to be with the Lord several years ago, but when I slog through a tougher read, I smile and remember my literature loving friend.

This January, my book lovers group voted on categories for a reading challenge. I don’t know what possessed me to insert the difficult category first, but alas, I did. A book written before 1900.

We discussed possibilities—Little Women, Tom Sawyer, Uncle Tom’s Cabin—and many others. We even fudged a little and allowed readers to choose books printed in the early 1900s.

I don’t know if reading the hard category first was foolish or smart, but we got the tough challenge out of the way first thing.

I chose Oliver Twist because I need to research the treatment of orphans in the early 1800s in England for an upcoming book. And that’s all I can say on that topic for now—stay tuned.

I started Oliver Twist many times in the past and I quit Oliver Twist many times in the past. I persisted this time because I wanted to check off that challenge box.

Please don’t tar and feather me now, but oh my word. Charles Dickens needed to learn tight writing. However, 500+ pages later, I’m done. I made it.

Dickens included some shocking violence at the end. Yikes! But as The Bard says, “All’s well that ends well.”

Do you ever attempt to stretch your brain by reading classic literature or joining reading challenges?

 What is your favorite classic?

Malissa Chapin has a heart for writing stories filled with humor, faith, and truth. She’s always adored reading excellent books and is tickled to see her childhood dream of becoming an author finally come true.

Check out her author profile page to find out more.