Read a Classic Challenge discussion
2015 Challenge Archive
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2015 Challenge: Log a book you finished
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick SüskindPublished 1985
Paperback, 263 pages.
Washington State.
I Am Legend and Other Stories by Richard MathesonPublished 1954
Paperback, 317 pages.
Washington State.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel KeyesPublished 1959
Paperback, 311 pages.
Washington State.
This is a brilliant book!
Watership Down by Richard AdamsPublished 1972
Paperback, 478 pages.
Washington State.
Another brilliant book.
Wow! Rachel, great reading. I've tried to get into Watership Down, unsuccessfully, but will try again.I am reading so slowly this year, but hope to remedy that soon.
Armageddon: A Novel of Berlin by Leon Uris 4 stars
Originally published 1963, 664 pages, Ebook (Kobo version)
I enjoyed the story ... don't believe I've ever read anything from the Cold War or about Germany following WW2 before. The characters were somewhat dated, but being my age, I found them true to type from that era. Some of the book was boring, but overall, an interesting read. I do like Uris and will continue my quest to read all of his books ... although slowly. :-)
Hello,I joined this group today but have already read a couple classics this year. May I log those books or would you prefer I only count classics I've read after joining the group?
Mod
Mansfield Park by Jane AustenPublished 1814
Paperback, 427 pages
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Published 1881
Paperback, 635 pages
Ashenden, or The British AgentW. Somerset Maugham
Published 1927
Hardback, 278 pages
Read 4/2/15-5/1/15
Around the World in Eighty DaysJules Verne
Published 1872
Kindle Edition, 154 pages-Most paperbacks list it at over 200 pages
Read 5/10/15-5/12/15
I smiled a lot while reading this, good read.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Published: 1955
Number of Pages: 378
Location: Florida, U.S.
Phenomenal book. Totally unlike anything else I've read. The nature of the relationship in this book repels a lot of readers, but the prose alone makes it worth reading.
I've heard a few people say Lolita was a good book. Can you share some of your favorite aspects of it Will?
Debbie wrote: "I've heard a few people say Lolita was a good book. Can you share some of your favorite aspects of it Will?"I think the best part of the book is the writing style. Nabokov is a genius wordsmith. He has such a masterful grasp of the language and the way he writes is unlike anything else I've read. The story itself is interesting and well crafted, but the pedophilic relationship is difficult to overcome for many people. Despite that, the characters are interesting and the book is just written so well it's impossible to deny the quality of the novel.
Cakes and AleW. Somerset Maugham
Published 1930
Paperback, 208 pages
Read 5/14/15-5/17/15
Not my favorite Maugham book, but well worth the time spent reading.
Will wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I've heard a few people say Lolita was a good book. Can you share some of your favorite aspects of it Will?"I think the best part of the book is the writing style. Nabokov is a gen..."
Thanks for the info Will. Definitely adding this to my list of books to read.
Burning DaylightJack London
Published 1910
Kindle Edition, 248 pages
Read 5/18/15-5/23/15
Such an excellent teller of tales is Mr. London, that I hope to someday complete all of his works.
The Murders in the Rue MorgueEdgar Allan Poe
Published 1841
Project Gutenberg, 38 pages
Read 5/23/15
A very slow holiday weekend at work, so I read a short story. I need to work on reading more Poe.
The American Short StoryThomas Parkes
Single Story-There Will Come Soft Rains by
Ray Bradbury
Published 2008
Hardback, (6) of 1245 pages
Read 5/24/15
Title: Much Ado About NothingAuthor: William Shakespeare
First printed in: 1600
Number of pages: 197
(For the record, I'm from the United States.)
- To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Leee
- First published 1960
- Number of Pages 336
- New Orleans, LA
I first read this book in high school when I lived in the Northeast and didn't understand racial injustice. Now reading it again nearly 50 years later, I have a much greater reaction to it after having lived in the deep South for the past 40 years. I am saddened to think that so many of the feelings expressed in this book still exist today between the whites and the blacks.
The Return of the King by J.R.R. TolkienKindle edition 512 pages
published, April 2009 originally published (1954)
Ogden, KS.
I have finally finished The Lord of the Rings. I had a hard time separating the films and the books but I love them both. This one was really hard to separate until I finally got to the end and then I couldn't put it down. Great story. I will definitely re-read this but I think I will do the seven book route with all the information next time.
DuneFrank Herbert
Published 1965
Hardback, 604 pages
Read 6/12/15-6/20/15
One of the better science fiction books I've come across. Been aware of this book most of life and thought about reading it dozens of times, so glad I finally did, highly recommended.
Interview with the VampireAnne Rice
Published 1976
Hardback, 310
Read 6/25/15-6/30/15
A classic? I'll each person decide that for themselves. It's 39 years old. With rare exceptions my personal preference is that a book be 40 years old, 39 is certainly close enough. This book shows up in the top 100 books on multiple lists, yet? The book is well written and the story is intriguing, a classic, I guess.
A couple more short stories.The American Short Story edited by
Thomas Parkes
Single Story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by
Ambrose Bierce
Published 1890Hardback, (8) of 1245 pages
Read 7/1/15
The Garden Party and Other Stories
Katherine Mansfield
Published 1921
Read online at http://www.katherinemansfieldsociety...., 12 pages
Read 7/1/15
Both of these stories are pleasant quick reads. I especially enjoyed the twist in Owl Creek. Excellent entertainment for very few minutes invested.
Title: Gorillas in the Mist
Author: Dian Fossey
Published: 1983
Pages: 326
Read: June 25 to July 1, 2015
I'm from Canberra, Australia
NanaTitle: Nana
Author: Emile Zola
Published: 2006 (originally published 1880)
Pages: 462
I can see why this book was considered scandalous when it was first published. Nana is crass, mean, childish, selfish woman. At no time did I ever like her but I did feel sorry for her. This book offers a blunt look at the life of a prostitute rising to top. Nana loves, betrays and destroys both men and women throughout her journey.
These are the Classics I have read in the first half of 2015:Title: The Hobbit
Author: JRR Tolkien
Year Published original: 1937
Number of Pages: 317
Title: Frenchman's Creek
Author: Dauphne Du Maurier
Year Published original: 1941
Number of Pages: 288
Title: The Old Man and the Sea
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Year Published original: 1952
Number of Pages: 127
Title: Love's Labors Lost
Author: Shakespeare
Year Published original: 1597
Number of Pages: 107
I'm from Sterling Heights, Michigan, USA.
Title: Anna KareninaAuthor: Leo Tolstoy
Publication: Signet Classic 1961
Pages: 807
Indiana, USA
I have always been timid in regard to reading Russian literature, but Anna Karenina has changed my mind! I enjoyed the novel from the very first, and while it took me a year to read, I do not regret the time spent. Even after having to put it down for sometimes a month or more, I was able to pick it up and continue as if I had put it down the day before.
I enjoyed the story of Anna, Vronsky, and Karenin, but I preferred the story of Levin and Kitty. Levin's internal monologues were engaging and thought provoking.
I'm looking forward to my next Russian novel, which I never thought I'd write or say!
I had to set AK aside this year. Maybe I'll get back to it. What I read was good. This morning I finished ...
Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster
hardback, published 1978, 256 pages(actual book was 210 pages, but lots of footnotes, etc.)
KimRudyard Kipling
Published 1901
Paperback, 286 pages
Read 7/3/15-7/5/15
My first Kipling. Wonderful read, excellent story.
Little WomenLouisa May Alcott
Published 1868
Kindle edition, 489 pages
Read 6/25/15-7/12/15
Much better than I expected. Clean wholesome story
Hi!! I just found your group and joined! I had already challenged myself to read some classics this summer and have finished two: The Three Musketeers and The Old Man and the Sea which I read in high school. I am a college history professor specializing in U.S. History -- 18th century. I LOVE to read and devour as many books as I can possibly find time to read.
The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas, published in 1844, 835 pages.Kansas
The Old Man and the SeaErnest Hemingway
Published 1952
Paperback 127 pages
Newton, Kansas
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Published 1954
Paperback, 204 pages.
Washington State.