Book cover of The Lives of Literature: Reading, Teaching, Knowing

Book description

Mixing passion and humor, a personal work of literary criticism that demonstrates how the greatest books illuminate our lives

Why do we read literature? For Arnold Weinstein, the answer is clear: literature allows us to become someone else. Literature changes us by giving us intimate access to an astonishing variety…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Lives of Literature as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Weinstein takes the age-old question – what is literature? – and transforms it into why we (would want to) read literature. For him, literature changes us, allows us to be someone else, and provides us insight into the world we inhabit, and many more worlds we haven’t. He reads a broad array of works, from Sophocles to James Joyce and Toni Morrison, and thinks about such issues as identification, empathy, and sympathy with those we come to ‘know’ through our reading.

If you love The Lives of Literature...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like The Lives of Literature?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Lives of Literature.

Browse books like The Lives of Literature

Book cover of Humanity at Sea: Maritime Migration and the Foundations of International Law
Book cover of Tears of Salt: A Doctor's Story of the Refugee Crisis
Book cover of Rescuing Socrates: How the Great Books Changed My Life and Why They Matter for a New Generation

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,367

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Lives of Literature, you might also like...

Book cover of The Swordsman of Venice

The Swordsman of Venice by Rob Samborn,

In Renaissance Venice, the deadliest weapon isn’t a blade… it’s a secret.

Angelo Mascari is a master swordsman whose greatest battle isn’t fought for crown or country, but for love. When treachery strikes and the Republic turns against him, Angelo is forced into a desperate flight that leads him across…

Book cover of Price of Vengeance

Price of Vengeance by Kurt D. Springs,

Liam was orphaned at the age of two by a group of giant carnivorous insects called the chitin. Taken in by High Councilor Marcus and his wife, Lidia, Liam was raised with their older son, Randolf in New Olympia, the last remaining city on the planet Etrusci.

As an adult,…

5 book lists we think you will like!