Jessica’s Comments (group member since Jan 02, 2013)

Jessica’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

Natalie wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I just finished the Magicians. It was such a great book. If you like Harry Potter and GRRM you will love it. It's like Harry Potter if it had been written for adults...significantly..."

Awesome! I hope you like them both. Breathers was recommended to me by a dear friend. I needed something a bit light hearted. The Magicians being a bit more adult is on the heavy side with emotions. Just giving you a warning. But still very good.

I just finished the Magicians. It was such a great book. If you like Harry Potter and GRRM you will love it. It's like Harry Potter if it had been written for adults...significantly darker.

Now I am starting my reread of Jane Eyet, which I am very excited about. I am also reading Book called Breathers in honor of the walking dead starting back this month and Valentines day...it's a dark comedy/ love story about zombies. It's going to be awesome. I have high hours for this.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Marshmallows

The Bun Also Rises

Ernest Hamingway

Night Elie Wiesel

Karena wrote: "http://pinterest.com/bookriot/book-fe..."

This thread just might be the end of me. I find something everyday I want! Must find the income to purchase all of them.

Margaret wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "I know there are some Neil Gaiman readers out there so if youwere to recommend some books to try where should I start. Whats your favorites?"

Oh yes please. I sometimes think..."

American Gods is the one I read. It was amazing. I also read Coraline . It is a children's book but very entertaining.

Just to clarify...Each person would have their own list.26 books read need to be a classic literature author. Right? I am confused. (sorry)

Far From the Madding Crowd ~ Thomas Hardy

Margaret wrote: "Yesterday I had some forced idle time so I restarted the unabridged Les Miserables (Julie Rose translation). I had started it about a year ago. My bookmark was at page 40 but I started at the begin..."

A lot of people recommended this version to me on the "Have you Read" thread. I bought the free kindle version to read due to the book's size. I will see how much the Rose translation is. Makes me excited to read it due to your excitement with it. :)

Travis of NNY wrote: "Swathi wrote: "Thinking of starting "The Great Gatsby".. Actually I wanna finish reading it before the movie is out so I can watch it (Which i soo badly want to) and appreciate/criticize it with a ..."

You know Travis, I had the same outcome when I read Great Gatsby. I could not stand the characters. I am one of those people if I like a character I will be loyal to you forever. But I just didn't get attached to anyone.

Thought about rereading (seeing as my first read of was in high school) but it put such a bad taste in my mouth I am avoiding it.

Megan wrote: "Yuri wrote: "Luke wrote: "I can't wait for the return of Arrested Development and then of course the movie. Being a fan from the start in 2003, I have waited a long time for this revival!"
I just s..."

I am a HUGE Walking Dead fan. So glad to find more of them on this thread. I like zombies but I was more interested in seeing how humanity breaks down in a post apocalyptic situation. It is unreal and they real push some buttons as far as what would you do in the event of survival?

I like Castle. I have watched a few of the reruns on TNT or something like that. My husband and I are getting ready for our yearly TV show marathon.

I am also a big fan of Game of Thrones. March 31st cannot get here soon enough!!! Hope to see Arrested Development come back as well. We liked the show so much we named our cat Maibe. :)

I want to watch Six Feet Under. I heard so many good things about it but never got to find out for myself. Same with Board Walk Empire.

Adam wrote: "Jessica wrote: "My last resolution is to read more classic literature, which I have done well at so far. The first three were The Hobbit , Grapes of Wrath , and Wuthering Heights . "

How did you l..."

I actually enjoyed all three more than I anticipated. The Hobbit was so much more fun compared to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Since it was the story being told by Bilbo Baggins, it didn't get overly detailed. Bilbo is such a fun character too.
The Grapes of Wrath was depressing for me but I really like Stienbeck. I am glad I read him later in life where I can appreciate his themes. I think I would have hated him in high school.
Then there is Wuthering Heights. I liked it and couldn't even put it down. However I do not understand why Heathcliff and Catherine are lauded as such a romantic literary couple. I appreciate what Emily accomplished with that book.
I will read more classics for sure! I will be rereading Jane Eyre next and hope to read Life of Pi with the group.

I set a goal for myself this year of 30. Pretty tame resolution for someone who does not read very quickly.
I also want to read the books I have bought but have not read on my shelf.
My last resolution is to read more classic literature, which I have done well at so far. The first three were The Hobbit , Grapes of Wrath , and Wuthering Heights .

I found this link on pinterest and thought it would be helpful in this thread. A lot of these books have been mentioned but some haven't. It might be nice to have around.
http://childrensbooksguide.com/100-best-childrens-chapter-books-of-all-time

I was wondering about a specific literature book...
Les Misrables.
I do not know a lot of people that have read it. I have never heard a bad thing about it. However it is a long book and that coupled with it being French literature (things lost in translation) is what worries me. I have read long books but sometimes it is different when it comes to literature.

Any thoughts/advice on this?

Thanks!

Oddly enough...I am kind of doing that. Great article! Thanks for sharing this!

I actually remember a good chunk of them 10 years later.

The Outsiders
Animal Farm
Romeo and Juliet
The Hobbit
Jane Eyre
A Separate Peace
Lord of the Flies
Great Expectations
A Tale of Two Cities
Hiroshima
The Good Earth
Hamlet
Macbeth
Glass Menagerie
Scarlet Letter
Return of the Native
The Crucible
Great Gatsby
To Kill a Mockingbird
I also remember there being some more Shakespeare and a lot of Poe's work

Aliyah wrote: "I finished reading Never Let Me Go by Kuzao Ishiguro. Was quite a sad, yet haunting novel. Its set in an alternate universe in the late 90's. Its about a group of friends who are clones living in ..."

I agree 100%! This book has changed a lot about the way I view life in general. It took me a while to grasp what the group was...I con't catch onto things quickly.
Ishiguro is an amazing author. He made me rethink everything I know about life and humanity. Due to how rapidly the science industry moves, I believe this a book to be a must read for everyone.

Oh and it was made into a movie recently with Carrie Mulligan, Keira Knightly, and Andrew Garfield. I will be watching it soon. :)

Another book/series I think people should read is the Night Watch/Twilight Watch. Day Watch series by Sergei Lukyanenko. It is such an elaborate and creavtive series with an adventure into the sci fi realm.