Since checking out an audio book from our library recently, I've been listening to Hard Times by Charles Dickens, on my way to and from work. Audio books when traveling are particularly enjoyable when the reader is as talented as this one is. His beautiful accents and character-voice-changes transport me to a far distant time and place each day. Dickens' language is somewhat antiquated and I love it, despite the extra focus required.  I almost decided against this book, preferring lighter, more uplifting stories than what the synopsis promised. It sounded depressing. Dickens' understanding of human nature, his ability to develop characters, and the powerful statements made about humanity have made his books classics, so I told myself to "take it up a notch" and go for it. I can't help thinking this is not only healthy exercise for the mind, but also great storytelling that needs to be valued. Reading activities can always just be random; although, on the other hand, perhaps it's wise to give ourselves direction. Dickens' writing certainly isn't as difficult to interpret as something like Shakespeare, of course. Unfortunately, the more difficult-to-digest fare just isn't on my plate very often, but it can be very satisfying to stretch beyond the familiar. Experiencing the portraits and landscapes painted on our mind's canvas by great authors can feel like feasting. Classics survive the test of time for good reasons.

Dickens comes to mind at this time of year for many people, I think, because of the common tradition to see the play or movie  A Christmas Carol, and looking ahead to make holiday plans. Ebenezer Scrooge reminds us to think more of others and less of ourselves. Tiny Tim wishes us all a Merry Christmas, and it feels warm and hopeful. If you get a chance to see that play this holiday season with your loved ones, remember that it was brought to you by a great author who understood words and culture exceptionally well, though he received little formal education. If you get a chance to check out any of his books in an audio version, I hope you love the language as much as I have while listening to one read by Martin Jarvis and produced by BBC Audiobooks. If you do listen to one, I'd enjoy hearing how you liked it and what it was.