(having read) classical literature is so interesting

because then you automatically get TONS of references. well, you can always cheat and say read the cliff notes version of it, and then you'd get references to the bigger things, but you can't give specific examples that might fit what you're trying to talk about. like, oh this guy's relationship with this girl in this book might be too much of a detail for it to be included in a cliff notes book, but you might find it relevant in life.