It reminds me of Norman Spinrad’s “The Iron Dream”, or more specifically, in the novel-within-a-novel embedded within. If you haven’t read that, I suggest you look over Ursula K. Le Guin’s excellent review.

http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/backissues/1/leguin1art.htm

Taken as a parody of S&S [Sword & Sorcery], the book hits all its targets. There is the Hero, the Alpha Male with his muscles of steel and his clear eyes and his manifest destiny; there are the Hero’s Friends; there are the vile, subhuman enemies; there is the Hero’s Sword, in this case a truncheon of interesting construction; there are the tests, quests, battles, victories, culminating in a final supernal super-victory of the Superman.
…
There is another kind of book of which this can be said to be a parody or oblique criticism, and that is the Straight SF Adventure Yarn, as it is called in manly-modest disclaimer of its having any highfalutin philosophical/intellectual message, though, in fact, it usually contains a strong dose of concentrated ideology.
This is the kind of story best exemplified by Robert Heinlein, who believes in the Alpha Male, in the role of the innately (genetically) superior man, in the heroic virtues of militarism, in the desirability and necessity of authoritarian control, etc., and who is a very persuasive arguer for all these things. Here The Iron Dream may have an effect as a moral counterweight: for in reading it, reading all the familiar things about the glory of battle, the foulness of enemies of the truth, the joys of obedience to a true leader, the reader is forced to remember that it is Hitler saying these things–and thus to question what is said, over and over. The tension and discomfort thus set up may prove salutary to people who are used to swallowing the stuff whole.

Genuinely, a disappointing read.

If you want to try some of the great ones, my advice is to not feel bad if you hate the choice you made. Put it down and pick up another. After you have read and enjoyed a few go back and try the first choice. Great literature is kind of an acquired taste.

Another way to create interest in the great books is to research the authors. I can’t imagine anyone studying F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda, not wanting to read all his work, even though most of his work is below the standards of Gatsby.

Try Huxley’s Brave New World if you haven’t read it. It is timeless and appeals to nearly everyone. It is not American but it is on the list of great literature and should be on everyone’s bucket list

The aides check books in and out and shelf. I am hoping Ava will see what is available and hopefully get her interested in books.

It is genetic both ways in my family…Her mother consumes books, I shelf books.

I know I read quite a few books because I was intrigued by the “Classics Illustrated” editions.