As it is, however, this is definitely not the case. Many readers enjoy books for what they most immediately bring: entertainment, distraction from the real world, or some kind of romantic connection to oneself. Regarding classic novels, in particular, the situation is very bleak. These novels don't really receive the appreciation that many say they deserve. It seems that, in general, people accept that a novel is a classic because it has always been classified that way. For example, a high school student might read a novel that his teacher tells him is a classic. His father read the same novel in high school and was also told it was a classic. Neither father nor son questions whether the novel is a classic because of this enduring reputation and does not investigate the real reasons why the novel is considered such. Very often, as in this example, the label represents what they are comfortable with, what they have always known, and what they have accepted. In the true sense of the word a classic, it's fun, it's old and everyone, for as long as anyone can remember, has called it a