April's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

[Joanna]

Welcome to April! This month's showers will hopefully bring May flowers and if we do have to spend time cooped up, here are some classics to get us through the rain.

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker

2. A Town like Alice by Nevil Shute

3. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

4. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

5. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

6. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

7. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

8. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I've read two on this list - Wuthering Heights and Dracula- both of which I enjoyed immensely. I actually need to go back and reread Dracula. I saw a play version the other month and it put me in the mood. I tried, once upon a time, to read The Grapes of Wrath but barely made it past the fifth chapter. I really disliked it. I've been meaning to read The Lovely Bones so I might try for that one this month.

What about you? Have you read any? What did you think? Comment and let us know.

[Ashley]

I love John Steinbeck because his novels were part of the strong bond I had with my grandfather, but I admit that The Grapes of Wrath is not the easiest to get through. I would always pick Of Mice and Men as the better of his more famous novels.

I read The Lovely Bones when it first started to get buzz around it. I don't remember specifically why, but I recall that I was not fond of it.

Wuthering Heights and Dracula are both pretty solid classics. I'd actually like to read them again someday.

[Joanna]

Ashley wrote: "I love John Steinbeck because his novels were part of the strong bond I had with my grandfather, but I admit that The Grapes of Wrath is not the easiest to get through. I would always pick Of Mice ..."

I saw the play Of Mice and Men and enjoyed it, at least as much as it is possible to enjoy that particular story. Maybe I will give the book a try. That's cool that Steinbeck novels were part of your bond with your grandfather. I always think love of books, and specific authors, make some of the best bonds.

I'll let you know what I think of The Lovely Bones if I ever get around to reading it (I've been horrible at this challenge so far, despite best efforts).

[Kayzee]

I've read Dracula and Heart of Darkness. I enjoyed Dracula but barely remember Heart of Darkness, except that I was bored by it. I've yet to read a Bronte sister novel so maybe I'll make an attempt at Wuthering Heights this month.

[Jodie]

I read Heart of Darkness, Dracula (so good! I read this and Frankenstein for a class in collefe called Literature of Terror (or was it Horror?)), Grapes of Wrath (I am a huge Steinbeck fan, but have not yet read Travels with Charley) and The Lovely Bones (a wonderful book). I may try Wuthering Heights; I tried once but could not get through it. I recently saw the movie again (with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon) and decided to give it another try.
I am currently reading 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

[Ann]

I've read Heart of Darkness more than once, and Dracula. I haven't read Wuthering Heights, my teachers all seem to have preferred Jane Eyre.

[Joanna]

Kayzee wrote: "I've read Dracula and Heart of Darkness. I enjoyed Dracula but barely remember Heart of Darkness, except that I was bored by it. I've yet to read a Bronte sister novel so maybe I'll make an attempt..."

Everyone seems to have read Heart of Darkness. Maybe I should change my book. Wuthering Heights is definitely very good, though I can't say it's the best of the sisters' novels. Let me know what you think of it!

Jodie wrote: "I read Heart of Darkness, Dracula (so good! I read this and Frankenstein for a class in collefe called Literature of Terror (or was it Horror?)), Grapes of Wrath (I am a huge Steinbeck fan, but hav..."

Oh, that sounds like a fun college class! I took boring old American Literature. We did read a Poe short story, though. So some terror/horror.

Ann wrote: "I've read Heart of Darkness more than once, and Dracula. I haven't read Wuthering Heights, my teachers all seem to have preferred Jane Eyre."

Yeah. Charlotte Bronte is definitely the better known of the three sister authors so she ends up being the most read in schools. But I enjoyed Wuthering Heights.

[Marialyce]

Wuthering Heights is my favorite classic novel. I loved the moodiness of it. I have read and loved John Steinbeck as he is my favorite American author. I have also read The Lovely Bones, Cold Comfort Farm, and A Town Like Alice. The two last books were not favorites of mine though. Still have plans to read Dracula some day. Perhaps I will save it for Halloween! I started A Suitable Boy but quit bc it was just so very long. I might pick it up someday though.