Classics Without All the Class discussion
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"Classic" Bookshelf Suggestions (February 2013)
Adam wrote: "Interview With the Vampire is on the bookshelf under to-read. I'm in the right mood for that one."Hopefully it will end up on the poll some time soon! I love that book!
There are quite a few on there that are on my to-read shelf. I did notice Great Gatsby on there. That might be a good one to consider soon since the movie comes out in May.
What about something by Thomas Hardy? I didn't see anything on the shelf by him. He's one of my favorites so I am a tad biased. But there a quite a few to pick from. Jude the Obscure or Tess of the D'urbervilles ?
I think some clarification is needed here. This thread is for suggesting books to put ON the shelves for future polls. We combined our previous suggestion threads into one because the previous threads were getting rather clunky. Book choices every month are selected by a random item integer depending on what time period we are in (pre 1910, 1911-1959, 1960-2003).
I hope this helps with the confusion. Thanks everyone!
Jessica wrote: "What about something by Thomas Hardy? I didn't see anything on the shelf by him. He's one of my favorites so I am a tad biased. But there a quite a few to pick from. Jude the Obscure or Tess of ..."I totally agree! Let's get some Thomas Hardy on there! I'll add today. :)
Jessica wrote: "What about something by Thomas Hardy? I didn't see anything on the shelf by him. He's one of my favorites so I am a tad biased. But there a quite a few to pick from. Jude the Obscure or Tess of ..."Actually, there are several Thomas Hardy novels on the bookshelf already, but I did add Jude the Obscure. Thanks for the suggestions.
Aliyah wrote: "Pride and Prejudice"Pride and Prejudice is already on the bookshelf.
Marwa wrote: "I have both The Woman in White & The Portrait of a Lady lying idly on my bookshelf."These are great suggestions! I'll add them today.
Hi Angie and Karena,Let me get this straight. What you mean is that we are not to post our suggestions on the old links anymore. We just add them here despite of the suggestion being a traditional or a contemporary classic??
Marwa wrote: "Hi Angie and Karena,Let me get this straight. What you mean is that we are not to post our suggestions on the old links anymore. We just add them here despite of the suggestion being a traditional..."
Correct. The old threads aren't even there anymore. You made perfect suggestions. And, I added them today. Also, I just made an edit to the top thread to add clarification. Thanks!
What about the author Dorothy Sayers? I was thinking "mystery" and "classic" didn't go together, but we are reading Sherlock Holmes. I didn't see any of her books on the shelves. I've only read a couple of her books but they are pretty good... classics, not sure. What say the 'tators?
I'd like to read Somerset Maugham's works someday.I believe these three are his most popular.
Of Human Bondage
The Razor's Edge
The Painted Veil
Salman Rushdie: Midnight's ChildrenThe Satanic Verses
I know that Verses is controversial to a lot of people, but to be fair, the book is fictional and has more to do with mental illness and the Indian immigrant experience in Britain circa '80s.
It screams for discussion! I'd love to know what other think of it.
Tanya wrote: "Salman Rushdie: Midnight's ChildrenThe Satanic Verses
I know that Verses is controversial to a lot of people, but to be fair, the book is fictional and has more to do with mental ..."
A little controversy never scares us! Actually I am surprised we don't have any Rushdie on the list. We have been slacking! Good catch Tanya. These are on my own to-read shelves so I look forward to reading them with the group!
Sandy wrote: "Marwa wrote: "I'd like to read Somerset Maugham's works someday.I believe these three are his most popular.
Of Human Bondage
The Razor's Edge
The Painted Veil"
I heartily agree. He is a wonderfu..."
THE RAZOR'S EDGE is a wonderful book, but the narrative style is difficult b/c Maugham truly inserts himself into the story. I've got OF HUMAN BONDAGE on the Kindle, and MOON AND SIXPENCE on the bookshelf to read. I'll probably read M & S first--fictionalized view of Gaugain.
Oh! I also forgot Wicked. It's not a kid's book like Oz was. It's darker and has much more social commentary.
I've read it twice and both times I picked up more about the story and the characters.
I think everyone should read it :)
Alex wrote: "For the 1910-1959 category, a novel I've been wanting to read for a while: Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis. Widely regarded as a comic masterpiece."Added today! Thanks!
Karena wrote: "The Executioner's SongCall It Sleep"
Added them today!
Margaret wrote: "What about the author Dorothy Sayers? I was thinking "mystery" and "classic" didn't go together, but we are reading Sherlock Holmes. I didn't see any of her books on the shelves. I've only read ..."Interesting suggestion. While it seems slightly out of category, it in many way fits. So, I've included Whose Body?. :)
Sandy wrote: "How about these? Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by R.D. Blackmore
The Innocence of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton
The Bostonians by Henry James
From Here to Eternity by James Jones
Zorba the G..."
What a great list of books!! I added them all today. Thanks!
Marwa wrote: "I'd like to read Somerset Maugham's works someday.I believe these three are his most popular.
Of Human Bondage
The Razor's Edge
The Painted Veil"
I added all three today. I don't know which one looks more interesting! :)
Tanya wrote: "Salman Rushdie: Midnight's ChildrenThe Satanic Verses
I know that Verses is controversial to a lot of people, but to be fair, the book is fictional and has more to do with mental ..."
Added both today. Sounds like fun! :)
Tanya wrote: "Oh! I also forgot Wicked. It's not a kid's book like Oz was. It's darker and has much more social commentary.
I've read it twice and both times I picked up more about the story and the characters..."
Tanya, Although Wicked is a sometimes common bookclub book, and has had a wide readership, its popularity may be directly linked to the success of the musical. Upon doing more research on this book, it seems that Wicked falls too far outside the category of "classic." But, thank you for the suggestion, and keep them coming! :)
Angie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "What about the author Dorothy Sayers? I was thinking "mystery" and "classic" didn't go together, but we are reading Sherlock Holmes. I didn't see any of her books on the shelves...."GAUDY NIGHT should be on there as well. For all that it looks like it, it is NOT a mystery novel. It's a feminist novel. It's really about relationships between men and women. It asks if women need men? If they be in a relationships with men without losing identity and independence? Is marriage not an inherently damaging relationship for women? These were all big questions in the 20s, and are still big questions.
Angie wrote: "Till We Have Faces"Oh that looks good!
Karena wrote: "Angie wrote: "Till We Have Faces"Oh that looks good!"
I read this once a few years ago, and it has stuck with me since then. I would love to read it again.
Is Dead Poets Society considered a contemporary classic? I didn't see it on our shelf, but I don't know if it was previously requested.Might I say, Angie, I love what you've done with your hair lately...
D. H. Lawrence1915 - THE RAINBOW
1920 - WOMEN IN LOVE
Do we have Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on the list? It's one I've tried once or twice and had to shelve for just a bit. I've seen it on other classics lists as well.
Tanya wrote: "Do we have Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on the list? It's one I've tried once or twice and had to shelve for just a bit. I've seen it on other classics lists as well."
As far as I can tell..., this book is philosophical non-fiction. Correct me if I am wrong. But since we read only fiction, this book wouldn't fit. ;)
LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Is Dead Poets Society considered a contemporary classic? I didn't see it on our shelf, but I don't know if it was previously requested.Might I say, Angie, I love what you've done with your hair l..."
First, thank you! :) As far as the book goes, it definitely fits the category of classic, and happens to also be a quick read. ;) I will add it this weekend!
Pam wrote: "D. H. Lawrence1915 - THE RAINBOW
1920 - WOMEN IN LOVE"
These are great selections. I will add them this weekend. :)
Unless I missed it, we need Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table on the shelf!
Re: Zen and the Art... my library system has it listed as nonfiction, call #917.3 - travel! That seems odd to me. I consider it philosophy too.
Alex wrote: "Angie wrote: "As far as I can tell [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance] is philosophical non-fiction. Correct me if I am wrong. But since we read only fiction, this book wouldn't fit."Ther..."
Every library in this area has it listed as adult non-fiction. Research shows that the road trip is an actual trip the author takes with his son (I think). So, this book falls outside the boundaries for this book club. It does sound interesting though!
Laura wrote: "Angie wrote: "Alex wrote: "Angie wrote: "As far as I can tell [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance] is philosophical non-fiction. Correct me if I am wrong. But since we read only fiction, thi..."There is a mix of fiction and non-fiction novels on that list. I'm going to have faith in our librarians and leave it as non-fiction. ;)
Laura wrote: "I didn't see any Thomas Pynchon on the list. How about The Crying of Lot 49, V, Vineland, or Gravity's Rainbow.Don DeLillo: White Noise, Underworld
John Dos Passos: the USA trilogy — The 42nd Pa..."
Added these today. The only one we already had was Stranger in a Strange Land. Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Karena wrote: "The Human Stain"Added it today!
I'm not sure if it's considered YA, but I didn't see Fahrenheit 451. I know a lot of people read it in school, but I didn't and I bet there are others who missed it. That is, if it fits the adult criteria.
Kgwhitehurst wrote: "Angie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "What about the author Dorothy Sayers? I was thinking "mystery" and "classic" didn't go together, but we are reading Sherlock Holmes. I didn't see any of her books o..."Added this one today. Thanks!
Laura wrote: "Angie wrote: "There is a mix of fiction and non-fiction novels on that list. I'm going to have faith in our librarians and leave it as non-fiction. ;) "I'm not disagreeing, I just thought it was ..."
True. Sometimes the lists can be misleading. :) Didn't think you were disagreeing, just trying to have clarification and consistency. Thanks for all your suggestions, by the way! You gave a great list of books!
Karena wrote: "I'm not sure if it's considered YA, but I didn't see Fahrenheit 451. I know a lot of people read it in school, but I didn't and I bet there are others who missed it. That is, if it fits the adult c..."It's on there. :)
Hmm. I must have missed it. Sorry Angie.I think I had the wrong shelf selected instead of just selecting all of them.
Cannery RowCat’s Cradle
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Coming Up for Air
Love in a Cold Climate
The Buddha of Suburbia
Dawn
The Shipping News
I'm sure I'll have more later. ;)
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Classics Without All the Class
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Before you make a suggestion, please make sure you check the bookshelves. Your suggestion might already be there. :) Go to the home page of the group, and click the link to the left that says bookshelf. All the suggestions so far are on the shelf. We have chosen to give a ten year gap to give a book a chance to be deemed "classic." Here are the guidelines for making suggestions for the group:
1. Nothing published after 2003. Please feel free to ask if you are unsure if a book falls under the category of "classic." This can be an especially difficult issue for contemporary classics.
2. No children's novels
3. No non-fiction
4. No poetry
5. No dramas (plays) - not even Shakespeare or Dante's Inferno!
Although these suggestions can't be made for the group, there may be times that exceptions are made for special reasons. Also, feel free to make suggestions from these categories in threads that are created by members, like yourself! :)
Thanks!!