"Naomi Kanakia is not afraid of greatness. In a searching series of question-driven chapters, she renews a lifetime reading plan for the twenty-first century reader. While frankly acknowledging that 'there is no such thing as a universal classic,' this volume speaks to 'a deep hunger' for the greatness of books--and in doing so, reopens a library for the autodidact in all of us."-- Scott Newstok, author of How to Think like Shakespeare "Naomi Kanakia's deep love and knowledge of classic literature make her the perfect guide for readers who are just beginning the adventure of reading the Great Books or a charming companion for those who have been reading them all their lives. What's So Great About the Great Books? is practical, honest, straightforward, sensible, and amusing. It's exactly what we need right now."-- Henry Oliver, author of Second Act and the literary blog The Common Reader "A beautifully reasoned, deeply personal exploration that restores humanity to the Great Books and reminds us why stories continue to matter across centuries."-- Sam Helmick, president, American Library Association "If you've ever wanted to read the Great Books, or ever wondered why you should, this is the book for you.

Personal, humorous, and intimate, What's So Great About the Great Books? gives us a great gift: a grounded guide to the classics, and a new standard for introducing these books to modern readers."-- Jared Henderson, author of the blog Commonplace Philosophy "Is reading the Great Books worth the shame, the difficulty, and the problematic politics that surround them? Naomi Kanakia, a fearless writer who educated herself on the classics, argues that these texts offer an unflinching honesty that cultivates the aesthetic sense needed to navigate life's moral complexities. This personal, pragmatic defense reclaims works from Homer to Tolstoy for every individual curious to find the treasure within their pages."-- John Kaag, author of American Philosophy: A Love Story.