Ask for Recommendations!

[Timár_Krisztina]

Leah wrote: "Does anyone have any recommendations of some French classics?"

The short stories of Marie de France and Père ​Goriot by Honoré de Balzac. Definitely.
I'm reading Pantagruel by Rabelais now (check out my buddy read), and it's really worth the effort, but quite difficult.

[Ruth]

Carlos wrote: "Ruthreadsabook wrote: "Leah wrote: "Does anyone have any recommendations of some French classics?"
Hello Leah

As a student of French literature I can recommend the following as some of my personal..."

That is a very good book too! Although I do think that Madame Bovary is a little easier to read when you haven't read any Flaubert before, his writing style might take some time getting used to. But you should definitely read l'éducation sentimentale if you can, it's very good and fascinating :)

[Rosa]

Rosario wrote: "Hi! I want to read a classic in english but it isn't my first language, would you recommend some classics with simple/common language? like in opposition to sheaksperean english."

I think the best thing would be to start with modern classics written in the 1900s, because they would be easier to understand. Some suggestions: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, A Room with a View by E. M. Forster.

[Emma]

Lily wrote: "I would like to challenge myself and get into Russian literature next year, any suggestions where to start?"

I've heard personally that Crime and Punishment is very accessible. Also my Dad heavily recommends Turgenev as a great intro to Russian classics. I want to read more Russian literature this year, so that's where I intend to stay based on talking to him.

Also if you're happy branching into the world of plays, Chekov is fantastic (if a little depressing at times). He has four big plays, of which you can get dramatisations of them from Audible, or maybe try and catch a recording/film adaptation. I enjoyed The Seagull the most of his.

[Sara]

I have just finished all of Jane Austen and all
of the Bronte sisters... i loved every word of it, but now i am not sure who else to read from next. I like focusing on a specific author and slowly get a feeling of their way of writing.
I was going to read Charles Dickens, but i am a bit nervous to leave the female author perspective that i love so much.
Maybe Elisabeth Gaskell would be an obvious next step?
Any others...? Thanks!

[Emma]

Lily wrote: "Angela wrote: “please recommend a classic that will make me laugh.”

Try “Three Men in a boat” by Jerome K. Jerome :)"

Hi Lily. I've never heard of this book and author before. I looked it up and it sounded so interesting i went out and bought it. I look forward to reading it soon. Thanks for the recommendation:)

[Becky]

I’m currently reading The Wings of the Dove by Henry James after reading A portrait of a lady a few months ago and enjoying it. I’m loving the treachery, self-deception and greed in the plot-I really feel for Milly against Kate Croy and Merton Densher. Can anyone recommend any books with similar plots/themes? I was thinking of maybe Dangerous Liaisons?
Also has anyone read The Golden Bowl by Henry James or any of his other works (not A portrait of a lady as I have already read it)? What would you recommend?

[Ruth]

Becky wrote: "I’m currently reading The Wings of the Dove by Henry James after reading A portrait of a lady a few months ago and enjoying it. I’m loving the treachery, self-deception and greed in the plot-I real..."

I have not yet read any Henry James books, but I can certainly highly recommend Dangerous Liaisons. I read it for one of my classes at university and it is a very very very good book! If you are looking for treachery, intrigue, deception: Dangerous Liaisons is the way to go :)

[Mary]

Does anyone have recommendations for fast-paced classics or classics that you flew through?

[Mark]

Fast paced classics-

For me these are the dystopian novels. My favorites are: brave new world and Fahrenheit 451. These books I flew through in a day and of course things like the great gatsby are very quick reads.

[Marjaana]

Does anyone have any recommendations of good classics what are perfect spring/summer readings ?

[Katie]

Any recommendations for "cozy"/comfort classics? I plan on reading Pride and Prejudice in what's left of April, but I'm feeling an overwhelming desire to lose myself in a comfort read that is also a classic. I was thinking about Middlemarch (not knowing too much about it), but I'd also love to hear any other recommendations. Thank you, and I hope everyone is staying safe and is healthy!

[Naomi]

Anyone got any recommendations for Classics that instantly cheer you up? In desperate need of those in these times!

[Onur]

If you are in need of a classic that makes you forget these days, it is absolutely The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the German Romantic. This is one of my all time favorite classics.

[Gia]

Katie wrote: "Any recommendations for "cozy"/comfort classics? I plan on reading Pride and Prejudice in what's left of April, but I'm feeling an overwhelming desire to lose myself in a comfort read that is also ..."

Hi Katie! For a comfort read I can recommend "To Kill A Mockingbird," which I just recently finished and it was wonderful. Also, the Anne of Green Gables series. I'm still fairly new to the classics but those are a couple of titles that come to mind at the moment. All the best to you!

[Leah]

Can anyone recommend me some classics similar to Jane Austen?

[Mary]

Leah wrote: "Can anyone recommend me some classics similar to Jane Austen?"

Evelina by Frances Burney.
Frances Burney was an author that inspired Jane Austen. Burney's writing style is quite similar to Austen's and the subjects they focus on are similar too.

Belinda by Maria Edgeworth.
Maria Edgeworth was another author that inspired Austen. I personally prefer Burney over Edgeworth, but Edgeworth is still an author worth looking into if you want classics similar to Austen.

[Leah]

Thank you so much ^ I'll check them out!

[Rebecca]

Hi everyone! I’m pretty new to classics (this year I’ve only read Little Women and Jane Eyre- I enjoyed both) and I would love some more classics recommendations for someone quite new to the genre. I know a lot of classics, especially with the big authors like Jane Austen, the Brontes, Dickens etc but I’m not sure if they are the best place to start. Any recommendations would be so appreciated!

[Ruth]

Rebecca wrote: "Hi everyone! I’m pretty new to classics (this year I’ve only read Little Women and Jane Eyre- I enjoyed both) and I would love some more classics recommendations for someone quite new to the genre...."

Hi Rebecca,
The first classic I ever read (I am not a native speaker of English)was Jane Eyre. After that, I read all of the Jane Austen books, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I think Daphne du Maurier would also be a good place to start. Her style of writing is a bit more accessible than some of the older classics you mention. But mainly, I would advise just to go for whatever you fancy. There's really no right or wrong place to start with classics. It's all about enjoying your reading! ;)

[Rebecca]

Thank you so much! I have Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier already so that might be my next one. Thank you for your suggestions. I’ll definitely just keep reading classics and see which ones I enjoy!

[Ruth]

Rebecca wrote: "Thank you so much! I have Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier already so that might be my next one. Thank you for your suggestions. I’ll definitely just keep reading classics and see which ones I enjoy!"

You're welcome! Rebecca is a fantastic book, I hope you'll enjoy it! :). 'The Loving Spirit' is another one of my favourites by her, definitely worth checking out if you like Du Maurier's writing.

[Amy]

Hi I think you should start with pride and prejudice

[Jenna]

I agree I love pride and prejudice! And after you read the book you can watch one of the movie adaptations.

[Amy]

Hi I need some recommendations for children’s classics to read

[Amy]

Okay thank you 😊

[Julia]

Amy wrote: "Hi I need some recommendations for children’s classics to read"

The Secret Garden and A Little Princess, both by F.H. Burnett. I still absolutely adore them!

[Amy]

okay thank you for the recommendations! i'll try them out. x

[Harriet]

Looking to read another Dickens novel.
I've read Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol and loved both. My favourite books are Far from the Madding Crowd and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - I don't know if this is helpful in recommending me a Charles Dickens book. I would like one that is plot driven with some romance and morality. I hope this isn't too specific!

[Anita]

A tale of two cities by Charles Dickens is excellent!

[Sue]

Loved A Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield … would highly recommend both 😊

[Tammie]

Julia wrote: "Hi all!
I’m craving a good mystery novel. My experience with the genre begins and ends with Nancy Drew novels I read as a kid, save for Christie’s And Then There Were None, which I only read bc it..."

I really enjoyed Murder on the Orient Express, I think it would be a great book for you to read next.

[Tammie]

So my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I want to know if any of you have recommendations of classics that will give me the same feeling of Pride and Prejudice. I already plan to read North and South next month because I always get recommended that as something like Pride and Prejudice.

[Karen]

Tammie wrote: "So my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I want to know if any of you have recommendations of classics that will give me the same feeling of Pride and Prejudice. I already plan t..."

Have you read Sense and Sensibility? I think it is just as good and Pride and Prejudice.

[Tammie]

Karen wrote: "Tammie wrote: "So my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I want to know if any of you have recommendations of classics that will give me the same feeling of Pride and Prejudice. I..."

Yes I have, I didn't actually enjoy it all that much but I think that was because I had too high of expectations. I am going to try re-reading it soon and see how I feel now.

[Amy]

Hi I just wanted to know if Macbeth and An inspector calls count

[Tammie]

Amy wrote: "Hi I just wanted to know if Macbeth and An inspector calls count"

Yes they do, I read them as part of English Literature in high school.

[Amy]

Okay thank you! X

[Tiffany]

I know that I haven't been very active on this community and haven't been participating (due to many reasons), and I feel awful.

I am looking for a classic that is largely character driven or a character study. I am not picky on the genre of the classic, but for some reason, I have been longing for a book that focuses more on the character than the plot.

[Amy]

You could try Pride And Prejudice

[Tiffany]

Amy wrote: "You could try Pride And Prejudice"

That is definitely a book that has been on my TBR for many years. I will give it a try. :)

[Amy]

I’m listening to it on audiobook and it’s so good. I think everyone should read at some point 💕💕

[Louise]

Tammie wrote: "So my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I want to know if any of you have recommendations of classics that will give me the same feeling of Pride and Prejudice. I already plan t..."

I really loved Anna Karenina for many of the same reasons as P&P - even though it's a Russian novel set about 50 years later than P&P, this reminded me a lot of P&P with its astute and witty observation of society and behaviour, and with its parallel romances (or not-so-romances, at times!).

[Tammie]

Louise wrote: "Tammie wrote: "So my favourite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice and I want to know if any of you have recommendations of classics that will give me the same feeling of Pride and Prejudice. I..."

I actually started a buddy read of that with some other members of this group and I'm really enjoying it.

[Milena.Reads]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a biography of Beatrix Potter?

[Lilly]

Hello, last month I fell into a reading slump, more specifically, a classics-reading-slump. Now I am desperately looking for a classics recommendation with a little more action. The only books I was able to read last month were easy-going, fun and fast. Does anyone have a book recommendation that could get me back on the classics train?

[Amy]

You can read charlottes web. If not Mary Poppins

[Erin]

Lilly wrote: "Hello, last month I fell into a reading slump, more specifically, a classics-reading-slump. Now I am desperately looking for a classics recommendation with a little more action. The only books I wa..."

If you want something fun and fast, you could try some Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes or Princess of Mars are good starting points. Please be aware that they are problematic, especially Tarzan, yet it’s a good study of pulp fiction adventure stories of the early 20th century.

[Lesserknowngems]

Lilly wrote: "Hello, last month I fell into a reading slump, more specifically, a classics-reading-slump. Now I am desperately looking for a classics recommendation with a little more action. The only books I wa..."

If you can find it I would recommend Dersu Usala by Valdimir Arsenjev. Vladimir Arsenjev was a russian adventurer and he wrote several memoires about his adventures discovering eastern Russia. One of these memoires was Dersu Usala, whom was a man he befriended on one of his travels.

[Iya]

Hello,
I have recently found an interest in reading mature classics. I am looking forward to reading calssics which are targeted at an audience of around 21+ ages and deal with themes of independence, marriage, sexuality and revolutions with a hint of romance set in before the 1880s. Can anyone recommend me some good books within that genre?