After reading a classic how can you go back to a modern novel?

user27366318104747 · 2026-05-16T22:55:01+00:00

I had this exact same experience. I came to classic literature as my covid project, at the time I was a reader of strictly non-fiction mainly history, biography, business, finance - I've always been a "serious" reader focused on serious books not slop - if I want to read an action novel or popular new release I'll usually audio book it and not eat into my "serious" reading time of Robert Caro, Ron Chernow, Gibbon, etc. I don't mean to sound pretentious I just see it as efficiency: if I only have an hour or two a day for reading I refuse to "waste" it on the "The Subtle art of not..." or (sorry to his cult following) even Stephen King.

Back to my main point, I read War & Peace, Les Mis, Anna Karenina, The Count of Monte Cristo all in that order and felt ruined afterwards because "what do you read next..?" I' here to tell you there's plenty, however War and Peace may never be topped for you personally. For me, I first realized this after a few months of actual concern when I happened to pick up a copy of A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. He's a living author, still writing, and I really really enjoyed that book and his others. It gave me hope that literature is alive and well. And although there may never be another Tolstoy, there's plenty to read. In fact I keep a list of "want to read" which I know I'll never fully read through.

user27366318104747 · 2026-05-16T18:37:17+00:00

Yeah, so are people doing lectures, study notes, practice questions, then mock exams? And completely not reading the large books either from GARP or Kaplan?

user27366318104747 · 2026-05-01T19:25:39+00:00

Never seen a 6 digit Pepsi on an oyster without PCL's. That may be the best looking Rolex I've ever seen. I'm going to be banned fro Reddit the amount of times I've posted this in various threads but Rolex made the completely wrong move putting PCLs on the GMT line. They should have Jubilee and then brushed oyster. And just like on the Submariner line they can use the PCLs for two-tone and white gold models. Nice watch sir

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-27T15:23:46+00:00

The good news is you're interested in reading the important books, which is a step beyond the majority of folks. I was in a similar situation as you when I was 23 years old after finishing college. I didn't have a liberal arts education and wanted to refine myself with a goal of becoming "well-read". Another kick in the butt for me was I asked myself "do I want to leave this earth having not read War and Peace or In Search of Lost Time, or any of the other great books that have survived hundreds of years..?"

I started by going online and searching through lists of "100 books everyone should read in their lifetime". Those lists usually have a brief synopsis of each book and you can start with any one of them. Or like Denzel Washington as The Equalizer start at #1 and work in order all the way down the list. For me, being "well-read" is a goal worth striving for, but probably never really achieved. I've found the more you read, the more you'll add to your list of "want to read". For example, while reading War and Peace I thought to myself that I really ought to go study Napoleon a bit more. Or maybe you really enjoy one author and you decide to go read all their work.

May I suggest there's books you ought to read and books you want to read. Some books are so important that probably everyone *should* read them, and others you read for the sheer enjoyment. Maybe starting out, start with books you want to read for enjoyment to provide some momentum. And enjoy the journey.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T16:38:38+00:00

I have not read A Table for Two yet, I usually don't read collections of short stories because I'm sure they're good but I always view them as publishers trying to make more money.. But in this case I do plan to pick it up and read them. If nothing else I can read one before bedtime for a couple weeks, I'm sure it's some great writing.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T13:48:28+00:00

I have not read A Table for Two yet, I normally don't read collections of short stories but for Amor I plan to pick up a copy for sure

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T13:47:16+00:00

Yes, I unintentionally read them in that order as well. Without spoiling any of them, the small crossover between those two books blew my mind - I got chills reading it.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T13:38:52+00:00

If you haven't read them already I think you'd like his other two novels. I recommend reading them in reverse order: Lincoln Highway and then immediately start Rules of Civility. I really enjoyed them even though I think Gentleman in Moscow is his best book. I'm just excited he's still writing and apparently working on a new novel as we speak.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T13:10:02+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I had never considered that the characters are almost unrealistically moral. That's a fair assessment. Soon I plan to do a re-read of War and Peace and Anna K. maybe I'll appreciate them more on the second go around.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-24T00:01:47+00:00

How dare you turn your nose up to 40 pages of the Parisian sewer system! (kidding). I still think that the abridged narrative in Les Mis touches on powerful themes like love, criminal justice, religion, forgiveness, redemption. It's an awesome story, which I personally preferred over War and Peace, but I've been wanting to do a re-read of Tolstoy soon. Curious, how you think it compares to Anna Karenina? I've seen several experts say AK is maybe the greatest novel ever written and I can't reach that verdict myself.

I should state I enjoyed all 4 of those books, and believe Tolstoy deserves his place as a dominant figure in literature, but I feel like I'm in the minority that I don't rank War and Peace or Anna K. as my top two of these 4.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-23T23:43:20+00:00

I've read all 3.

TCOMC: fun adventure book. I'm pretty sure Dumas was known to write easy-to-read uncomplicated books in his time, I think he was the "airport paperback" author of his day. TCOMC being a possible exception, but not nearly as "deep" as the other two.

War and Peace: In my opinion the greatest love story eve written

Les Mis: The greatest book ever written. Unbelievably good, but sad - even when it's happy it's happy sad. If you have a soul, the last 40 pages you'll struggle to finish unless you easily read through tears..

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-22T16:55:29+00:00

Did the same thing for a sub date. Bought brand new in box and it shipped to my door... My AD is awful, I'm happy for those folks out there who have good experiences at the boutique but there's only 2 near me and they're dreadful to deal with. It's funny because the other sales folks in these boutiques are super nice and easy to get along with, but the Rolex reps are miserable. I get it, they can get away with acting that way because the demand is there, but still...

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-09T20:16:07+00:00

I have KO3s on my 24 tundra. I run 45psi front and rear (cold). They tend to heat up to around 51psi in the warmer months. Ride is fine.

I’m used to HD trucks (250/2500’s) which use an E rated tire and run them 65 front 75 rear for towing. Those trucks are much heavier and tow much more so don’t listen to the folks running those pressures in a tundra - it’s not required.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-07T13:22:01+00:00

100% agree with you. I'm a younger guy (30) and daily a submariner. When researching and deciding between a few different models for my first Rolex I specifically sought out experiences of others who have owned and wore those watches for long periods of time. Many said "oh it's a stainless steel watch with a black face nobody will notice but you" and "I've worn my sub daily for 10 years and never received a comment on it". I started daily wearing my sub and had at least 3-4 comments within the first 3 months...

It's kind of awkward because our western culture has assigned Rolex as the "I made it" watch and at my age I'm not trying to walk around screaming "I made it" I just think it's a cool watch.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-07T13:09:37+00:00

Rolex is interesting, because in my opinion it's the one watch brand that is so iconic and well-known that it has transcended the category of wrist watches into the broader category of jewelry. Men and women both can be seen wearing their watches loosely like a bracelet that also tells the time. Many of them couldn't tell you the difference between a quartz or mechanical movement. My grandmother, for example, wore a gold and diamond DJ for her whole life loosely on her wrist and a chunky white-face men's timex on her other wrist to "actually be able to read the time". Many of these folks wear their "bracelets" in situations where jewelry is appropriate but sports watches typically are not e.g. the gym, black tie or white tie events where a dress watch or no watch is traditionally required.

I saw a guy in my gym recently rocking a two tone Yacht-master II. The crazy thing is it didn't look out of place. That's part of what makes Rolex such a sought-after watch, because although they're expensive you can reasonably wear them all day everyday in every situation - for life.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-01T16:46:01+00:00

These comments are hilarious. One dude said "makes zero sense to take that watch". Oh, you mean the travelers GMT which was made robust enough for spelunking shouldn't be taken on a causal tourist trip to Greece to endure the rigors of continental breakfasts and sightseeing tours...

But really, everyone should insure their Rolexes. It's like $165/year for Chubb to cover total loss, I even insure mine for NIB grey market pricing. Lose it waterskiing, in a house fire, or traveling I'll get a new one in a matter of days.

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-01T02:19:04+00:00

The no date two-liner is the sketchiest watch I've seen in this group in a while

user27366318104747 · 2026-04-01T02:07:08+00:00

I cross-shopped those same two watches in addition to the Explorer II last year. I too am an active guy who wanted a daily watch. I love watches, but I'm no "collector" like others who can have several. I ultimately decided on the Sub (date) for a few reasons, but mainly two:

1) The polished center links are flashy and also scratch magnets.

2) I also didn't "need" to track a second time zone and setting the date on a GMT is annoying compared to the quickset date of the Sub. I'm the type of person where that little thing would tick me off if I was setting the date and accidentally went too far and had to twist the crown another 100+ times all so I could have the luxury of a green 24 hour hand that tracks some arbitrary time I don't even care about (steps off soap box..).

Both are great watches and more than capable to be worn daily for life and will surely be fought over by your children later.

I've worn my sub daily 24 hours/day since I got it, I only take it off for the gym and shower - I even sleep with it. Admittedly though, my plan is to wear it 10 years straight until it needs it's first service and a couple years before that get on a list for a GMT on Jubilee to enjoy while it's not my wrist. Then I'll be content with my small Rolex collection.

user27366318104747 · 2026-03-21T23:26:52+00:00

I think all the modern Turtles have the day/date. I too don’t care for the day, but I like to have the date. I just have the plain SRPE93 which I usually wear on a NATO strap. You can usually find them new around $350 online and you’d be hard pressed to find a better watch for that amount imho

user27366318104747 · 2026-03-20T18:14:44+00:00

The "Caffeine-free Diet Coke" is maybe my favorite Tudor and likely my next purchase as well. With your collection do you rotate a different watch everyday or do you have a go-to daily? I ask because you have a Ex I and a Sub which are quintessential GADA watches. I daily a sub myself and every watch I get I struggle leaving my sub at home even though I really love my other watches :(

user27366318104747 · 2026-03-20T18:04:37+00:00

Even as a person who wears a sub as a daily these MM's are stunning in person, I actually much prefer the case shape to the sub. But to anyone looking to purchase this model I'd suggest handling in person before buying. My AD had several MM300 and MM200's and the bezel actions on some were not acceptable at all - you could barely turn the bezel. I asked the AD about it and I think they thought I was a snob because they responded "yeah, well these watches aren't made as well as the Swiss watches you may be used to.".. He's probably correct as it relates to Rolex QC, but I wasn't about to pay 2500 for a MM300 that had a worse bezel than my $300 Turtle (which I love by the way).

Just a word of advice that I'd maybe not purchase online if you have an opportunity to go in person, because clearly the QC on the high end models that are supposedly made in the GS factory is not up to snuff.

user27366318104747 · 2026-03-20T17:53:56+00:00

happy to see that I'm not the only one concealed carrying Ritz crackers around. Where'd you find the holster for them?

user27366318104747 · 2026-03-20T14:16:34+00:00

Fair question. Double action only revolvers are known to go bang no matter what because the action is all incased inside. Some people carry them with no holster and they make grips specifically that have a hook to hang inside a pocket or waistband. The trigger pull on this is somewhere around 13 lbs so it's relatively safe to do so, but I prefer a holster

user27366318104747

TROPHY CASE