Quote Originally Posted by kgcole View Post
While at the task of learning Russian, I would definitely rather read something in contemporary language. Unfortunately, I'd probably read completely through something like that and not even know it's not current. Then in turn I'd use the words, and people would look at me like I had two heads...lol
Not at all! They will be very surprised that you use so advanced Russian, because it only shows how serious the books you read are.
When sometimes (rarely) I listen or read "literary" Russian from foreigners I can't help admiring them, for they speak (culturally) better Russian than most of our Russian population do.