Erica’s Comments (group member since Dec 01, 2019)

Erica’s comments from the Reading Classic Books group.

Chinua Achebe1) Read a classic by an Indigenous author
American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings by Zitkála-Šá (Yankton Dakota)

2) Read an LGBTQIA2+ classic

3) Read a classic by a BIPOC author with a BIPOC main character
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (Mexican American)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (Nigerian)

4) Read a translated classic
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (French)

5) Read a classic by a new-to-you author
A Hero Born by Jin Yong (Chinese)

6) A classic that has been adapted (Page to Screen)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (British)

7) Read a classic written by a woman
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (Japanese)

8) Read a classic nonfiction
The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings by Olaudah Equiano (Essaka - now in Nigeria)

9) Read a classic on your shelf the longest
Ulysses by James Joyce (Ireland)

10) Read a classic with a one-word title
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (Russian)
Masks by Fumiko Enchi (Japanese)

11) Read a classic written during the Harlem Renaissance
Jonah's Gourd Vine by Zora Neale Hurston (United States)

12) Read a classic by a West Asian author
The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat (Persian)

Lexi wrote: "I’m going to try my best to actually do this challenge this year! I’ve been in this group for a while but these past years have been rough."

Hey Lexi, I hope all is well. Please don’t stress yourself about not being able to participate. These past couple years have been rough. Participate however you can and when you can.

The Rules:

1) ALL books must have been first published 50 years ago or earlier. In other words, books MUST have been published no later than 1972.
2) Books must be read between January 1st and December 31st
3) Books may be used for up to two prompts

The Challenge Prompts:

1) Read a classic by an Indigenous author
2) Read an LGBTQIA2+ classic
3) Read a classic by a BIPOC author with a BIPOC main character
4) Read a translated classic
5) Read a classic by a new to you author
6) A classic that has been adapted (Page to Screen)
7) Read a classic written by a woman
8) Read a classic nonfiction
9) Read a classic on your shelf the longest
10) Read a classic with a one-word title
11) Read a classic written during the Harlem Renaissance
12) Read a classic by a West Asian author

Bonus Prompts:

1) Read a banned or challenged classic
2) Read a classic over >500 pages
3) Read a classic less than <200 pages
4) Read a classic poetry collection
5) Read a literary prize-winning classic
6) Read a classic from a genre you don't read
7) Read a classic published between 1900-1960
8) Read a classic that intimidates you
9) Read a classic children's book
10) Read a classic that was recommended to you
11) Read a classic Mystery, Thriller, Horror
12) Read a classic short story collection

For this year's Reading Classic Books Challenge I wanted to make it a little more challenging hence the "Around the World Edition" tagline.

The goals of reading more classic books and having fun while doing it remain the same. However, I thought we could really spread our wings and really read Globally this year. So, I encourage you to read as many classic books from around the world as you can.

Hopefully, you'll find these challenges helpful during your classics reading journey. You don't have to do all of the prompts and if you have a book that fits multiple prompts feel free to count it up to two prompts.

The Rules:

1) ALL books must have been first published 50 years ago or earlier. In other words, books MUST have been published no later than 1972.
2) Books must be read between January 1st and December 31st
3) Books may be used for up to two prompts

The Challenge Prompts:

Read a classic by an Indigenous author
Read an LGBTQIA2+ classic
Read a classic by a BIPOC author with a BIPOC main character
Read a translated classic
Read a classic by a new to you author
A classic that has been adapted (Page to Screen)
Read a classic written by a woman
Read a classic nonfiction
Read a classic on your shelf the longest
Read a classic with a one-word title
Read a classic written during the Harlem Renaissance
Read a classic by a West Asian author

Bonus Prompts:

Read a banned or challeged classic
Read a classic over >500 pages
Read a classic less thann <200 pages
Read a classic poetry collection
Read a literary prize winning classic
Read a classic from a genre you don't read
Read a classic published between 1900-1960
Read a classic that intimidates you
Read a classic children's book
Read a classic that was recommended to you
Read a classic Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Read a classic short story collection

Jean wrote: "I'm in! But I don't like to pick titles ahead of time, if that's OK :)"

Absolutely! and welcome. There is no requirement to choose books ahead of time.

Welcome, Mercedes! I hope you enjoy the challenge.

Mercedes wrote: "My first year!


1) Read a classic over 500 pages: Ulysses
2) Read a classic by a POC and/or with a POC as the main character: The Three Musketeers
3) Read a classic that ..."

I'm starting a 3 month Slow Read of The Count of Monte Cristo January 3rd.

If you're interested in joining me click the link above and check out the schedule.

I'm back for the 2021 Reading Classic Books challenge. 2020 was not a good reading year and needless to say I didn't do too well. But now I'm back in the seat and ready to read some classics.

1) Read a classic over 500 pages
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

2) Read a classic by a POC and/or with a POC as the main character
The Street by Ann Petry

3) Read a classic that is not written by a Global North author
The Mystic Masseur by V. S. Naipaul

4) Read a classic in translation
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

5) Read a classic by a new to you author
Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono

6) Read a classic Sci/Fi or Fantasy
1984 by George Orwell

7) Read a classic written before 1800
Gulliver’s Travels. By Jonathan Swift

8) Read a classic written by an LGBT author and/or with an LGBT main character

9) Read a classic written by a woman
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

10) Read a classic written by a Nobel Laureate
The Mystic Masseur by V. S. Naipaul

11) Read a classic nonfiction
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

12) Read a classic that has been banned or censored
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Let us know what you plan on reading.

Hopefully, you'll find these challenges helpful during your classics reading journey. You don't have to do all of the prompts and if you have a book that fits multiple prompts feel free to count it towards however many prompts. The goal here is simple.

LET'S READ MORE CLASSIC BOOKS!!! And, yes push yourself out of your comfort zone.

But most of all make sure to have fun.

The Rules:

1) ALL books must have been first published 50 years ago or earlier
2) Books must be read between January 1st and December 31st
3) Books may be used for up to two prompts

So, here are the challenges. Feel free to copy and paste them into the Personal Challenge Discussion.

1) Read a classic over 500 pages
2) Read a classic by a POC and/or with a POC as the main character
3) Read a classic that is not written by a Global North author
4) Read a classic in translation
5) Read a classic by a new to you author
6) Read a classic Sci/Fi or Fantasy
7) Read a classic written before 1800
8) Read a classic written by an LGBT author and/or with an LGBT main character
9) Read a classic written by a woman
10) Read a classic written by a Nobel Laureate
11) Read a classic nonfiction
12) Read a classic that has been banned or censored

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David wrote: "Jean wrote: "Wow, you've fulfilled all the categories! Congrats!"

Close. I haven't fulfilled categories four, seven, nine, & ten."

OMG David, you are rocking the challenge. It's my challenge and I'm so far behind. I have one more class and I think I'll be able to catch up.

David wrote: "For the fourth prompt I read the The Tartar Steppe, by Dino Buzzati. Maybe the most profoundly depressing novel I have ever read, The Tartar Steppe is about the total emotional isolation of the ind..."

David, I find it hard to believe that this is the mist profiundly depressing book you've ever read. Some of the books you talk about at work are pretty doggone depressing. You've intrigued me, so now you'll have to tell me more about this book.

Katie wrote: "I've just started reading North and South which (hooray) will be for my Classic written between 1800-1860. There was a nice BBC adaptation a few years ago so I'll see if I can get that on demand too."

North & South is on my list if classuxs to read. Did you finish? What did you think?

Jean wrote: "It's been over at least 20 years since I read Passing, so I'm sorry I'm of no use. I do plan on reading in February for Black History Month. So, I'll let you know what I think.

I would love to kn..."

I finished Passing and I see what you're talking about with the LGBTQIA+ rep. I feel it's there but very subtle. I think that's part of the tension that Irene has towards Clare. She's attracted to her but can't act on it, so she gets frustrated with her and resents her. I think Passing is a metaphor because most of characters we meet are passing for something they're not.

Allison wrote: "#8... just finished The Picture of Dorian Gray."

What did you think? Did you write a review here or on a blog?

Jean wrote: "Well, I finished it, and I can't say I saw it. :/ Maybe other folks are smarter than I am. The introduction also said that people argue over the ending, and it seemed to me that it was obviously Ir..."
Hey Jean,

Sorry I'm just seeing this. I don't recall the story having LGBTQIA themes, but Nella Larsen struggled with her sexuality and it has been reported that she was either lesbian or bisexual.

It's been over at least 20 years since I read Passing, so I'm sorry I'm of no use. I do plan on reading in February for Black History Month. So, I'll let you know what I think.

David wrote: "1. Classic Over 500 Pages: The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne

2. A Classic By a Person of Color: Cane by Jean Toomer

3. A Classic Set in Another Country: A Sport..."

I loved Cane when I read it in college. Faust is on my reread list and at some point I'll read Dead Souls.

Jean wrote: "I just finished my Spin title, which is #3 in a classic quartet of Indonesian literature. So I was going to count it for #2, but it isn't QUITE 50 years old! More like 45. And it wasn't actually pu..."

Jean, I'm pretty flexible. Feel free to use it, if you can't find another. I'm certainly not going to ding you and call fowl. Read what you can and have fun!

Brona's Books wrote: "Hope you join us."

So, I'm in. Hopefully I can get started tomorrow. I'm kind of excited, but a bit scared.

Brona's Books wrote: "If you'd like to read War & Peace a chapter a day for 2020 - then try this readalong with Nick - https://nicksenger.com/onecatholiclif..."

I really need to read this. Looking at the reading schedule it sounds so doable.