How do you read classic literature?

I know this will sound childish, but I would suggest listening to classics on tape. That's what I did, and I now read and enjoy books like War and Peace. Trained narrators make the book come alive in a way that is hard to accomplish by yourself. Try David Copperfield, Great Expectations, etc, through an audiobook. If you're like me, you will gradually begin to appreciate the true beauty of the writing and story through a narrator! When you feel confident enough, you can kick aside the tapes and start reading! If you don't like that route, I would suggest starting with titles like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, and even Gone with the Wind! I would wait on Shakespeare until you're comfortable with literature like Pride and Prejudice. One more thing-- be patient. It takes time to develop and appetite for the Classics, but once you do, it will be worth everything.