Reading the Classics discussion
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What are you reading?
That sounds like a really interesting thing to do, Sheryl. I haven't come across The Hollow Crown. Perhaps it is a US series. I'm from Ireland.Anyhow, I'm rereading 'Little Dorrit' with a group on GR. I got behind unfortunately so I'm playing catch-up. Also I have many books on hold. Some are half way through like Tolstoy's Karenina and War & Peace and Of Human Bondage. I tend to jump from one thing to the next before finishing so I'm trying to be more self-disciplined! :-)
Hilary,It's a BBC series, actually. I'm watching Season I; Season II is being broadcast right now, I believe. I quite liked Richard II; somewhat less enthused about Henry IV part one, however I'm not sure if that's because there were different production crews or because of the plays themselves. Richard II was visually symbolic in a way that Henry IV part one wasn't, but I don't think the style of Richard II would have worked with Henry IV, even if the same guys had done both.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2262456/
I am also very bad about jumping from one thing to another. I set down the last of the sequential Anne books halfway through and let it sit for a month or more. Just picked it up and resumed it this week; fortunately it's a re-read, or I'd probably have to start all over! I've got a Tarzan book floating around I'm only a few chapters into, and I don't know how many non-fiction library books I'm in the middle of (I keep a record of what page I'm on with my library list).
Sometimes I think reading multiple books at once is a dreadful habit I should work harder to break, but other times I think I end up reading more books that way. I often set books aside while I'm processing something they brought up (new ideas, with non-fiction; often technique -- or lack thereof -- with fiction, where I'm trying to figure why something works or doesn't) ; I seem to be able to process that book while reading this one, so as long as I get back to the first maybe it's not such a bad thing.
Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing well. I just finished A Clockwork Orange. Fascinating book. Here's my review.Next up, The War of Worlds.
Thanks for the link to your review, Josh, although I think it confirms my suspicion that, although the questions it raises and what it has to say on them sound fascinating, don't think I want to read the book. Or at least, that there are other classics I will read first.Just finished re-reading Farley Mowat's Never Cry Wolf, which I still enjoy, but which kind of irritates me because he presented it as factual. I'm about halfway through Ivanhoe, my other "purse-sized paperback" right now. Middle daughter was trapped in the orthodontist's waiting room with me when I hit the jousting tournament, and I kept reading bits to her, pointing and laughing at how ludicrous it all was, until she got exasperated enough to say, "Mom, if it's that bad, just read something else."
But for all the inaccuracies make me laugh, I'm enjoying it, pretty much. I generally don't expect historical fiction to be accurate anyhow, to be honest. Few authors really get into the heads of people of another time, so I'm happy so long as I don't get thrown out of the book by a blatant anachronism (someone in the 1500s looking at a wristwatch, for instance). Ivanhoe is probably not the best choice for my first Sir Walter Scott book, but I guess we'll both survive.
Sheryl, I'm so sorry I hadn't seen your comment from two months ago. Thank you so much for the link.
I am now reading Clarrissa By samuel Richardson,I am now only 175 pages into it(out of a 1400 plus paged book.I am enjoying it thus far(just starting it )any one else out their ever fead it?I have his other book Pamela I would like to start at some point.
I am reading Dr Thorne by Anthony Trollope. It is number 3 in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series. I am listening to Audible while reading. I love the narration and I simply LOVE this book so far.I have just finished Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov which was fabulous and Maugham's Of Human Bondage which I enjoyed.
I hope to finish The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and to read Far from the Madding Crowd by Hardy.
Sorry Hostetler I haven't read anything by that author. :(
I'm reading War and Peace! I just finished the BBC miniseries from earlier this year and wanted to get back into Tolstoy after reading Anna Karenina in January (which I loved). After War and Peace, I want to read Gogol's Dead Souls and get cracking with Dostoevsky; Crime and Punishment, the Brothers Karamazov and the Idiot. Maybe also reread Les Misérables, which has been one of my favourites since I read it last in 2013.
Tolstoy is wonderful, Charlie! Unfortunately I read only about half-way through both Karenina and W&P, though not through lack of interest. I loved the BBC miniseries but deliberately avoided the last episode as I didn't want to hit any spoilers! I'm looking forward to finishing them or rereading ...
Hostetler wrote: "I am now reading Clarrissa By samuel Richardson,I am now only 175 pages into it(out of a 1400 plus paged book.I am enjoying it thus far(just starting it )any one else out their ever fead it?I have ..."Hi! I read Clarissa Last year, and I liked it. I thought the book was well written and the characters were very interesting. Lovelace is an amazing anti-hero. Besides the romance, the book depictures, extremely well, how difficult life was for women in XVIII century, even if the women were rich.
The only problem is its length. The book is too, too big. In think Richardson dragged the story, he could have told the same story with less words.
I also have Pamela to read, but I have the feeling I won’t like it so much, although it does have one advantage over Clarissa… it’s much shorter!
Enjoy your reading.
Rereading The Passage by Justin Cronin. Friends are surprised I haven't read The Stand since it is said they are similar stories. I've read so many King novels and short stories and loved each one but maybe the The Stand movie was a bit too disconnected and put me off on reading the book. Shame on me, right? 99% of the time, the book is always better. Anyone read The Passage? Is it similar to The Stand?
Just finished "The Sea Wolf" by Jack London. Here is review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Presently reading a Danish autobiography https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... by the Danish foreign correspondent Ulla Therkelsen. An enjoyable read by an extraordinary person.
Currently "Coming Apart" by Charles Murray. Paints a bleak (but probably realistic) future for the US.
Currently rereading "Can You Forgive Her?" by Anthony Trollope
I remember being surprised at how thoughtful this book is, if you get beneath the surface. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'm now struggling through "Socialism" by Ludwig Von Mises. The problem is not the writer, but the reader's lack of familiarity with economics and philosophy. I am following it for the most part...and enjoying it.I'm sorry things are at a low point for this group. It was good for the short time I've been a member.
Just finishing 'The Grapes of Wrath.'
Monica wrote: "Just finishing 'The Grapes of Wrath.'"I loved that book!
Elsa wrote: "Monica wrote: "Just finishing 'The Grapes of Wrath.'"I loved that book!"
It is one of the great classics. I loved East of Eden even more, though.
If this group is still in business, I'd like to nominate "Mr. Norris Changes Trains by Christopher Isherwood.
I read Dorian Gray for the first time a few months ago, and today read Animal Farm, also for the first time. Brilliant political satire!
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. so far its pretty good.
Currently reading Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.
Collectivist Economic Planning, edited by F.A. Hayek.
Not sure if this is a true "classic," since it was written in 1972, but I'm reading Watership Down in a book group. Never read it before, and it's great!
Just finished book 2 of 7 of Proust's In Search Of Lost Time, plan to finish all of them by year-end. Really enjoyed it but all of the commas don't make it a fast read.
I just finished a "modern" classic, Watership Down, for my book club's May selection. We're a bunch of senior women, and amazingly, none of us had read it before. Can't wait to see how the discussion goes. I really loved it. So thought-provoking, and definitely not a children's book.
Watership Down is one of my all time favorite books.
Hmm, don't know it. Need to check it out.
Jan, don't be misled by the title --> it's not a naval war story. It's an adventure story written by the author for his daughters about a myriad of rabbits! It's a modern classic for all ages, but several people were confused by the word Watership. The title refers to a hill in Hampshire, England, where the rabbits built their Warren. It's a lovely, at-times-exciting novel that gives the reader much to think about.
David wrote: "Just finished book 2 of 7 of Proust's In Search Of Lost Time, plan to finish all of them by year-end. Really enjoyed it but all of the commas don't make it a fast read."Ok, I need to ask: Is there anything good about these books?
I thought about reading them several times, but everytime I look at them and I can't help thinking "Life is to short for this".
I just recently finished Watership Down, it was amazing! My fiance could hardly believe that I hadn't read it. I was hesitant at first, thinking it was for children, but boy was I wrong. I couldn't put it down! Lots of beautifully woven themes and symbols throughout that certainly confirm it not being for children. One of my favorites for sure.
Mod
A very long but rewarding read.
I’ve been super interested in that book by Barbara Tuchman! I might have to give that a shot.
I am about half way through Charles Dickens' "Nicholas
Forgive my incomplete post. Currently reading "Nicholas Nickleby" by Charles Dickens. It has been my life's ambition to read all of his novels, and I am getting close. After NN, I will have three to go.
Once I finish NN, I will have only The Old Curiosity Shop, Martin Chuzzlewitt, and Barnaby Rudge to read in order to complete my goal. Of course, then I can start over... After all, it has been 50 years since I read Tale of Two Cities.
Mod
There are many books that I know I read in the distant past but I would be hard pressed to tell anything about them.
What do you think of NN so far?
On Tuesday, I finished A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) by Mary Wollstonecraft. I gave it 4*s. It was well reasoned and wisely stuck to the argument that keeping women ignorant is ignorant and both men and women would benefit from educating women.Wednesday and Thursday, I read Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861) by Harriet Ann Jacobs. I gave it 3*s because I questioned the credibility of some of the events.
Today, Friday, I read Passing (1929) by Nella Larsen. I give it 4.5*s. It is amazing. Larsen elucidates the social-constructed-ness and ambiguities of racial identity.
Next, I plan to read Invisible Man (1952) by Ralph Ellison to give me more insight into Black perspectives of 1950s America.
I've been reviewing books for my school library lately, and just finished "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke. I thought I would enjoy it more than I did. One of my all-time favorite books is "The Great Good Thing" by Roderick Townley. I absolutely love the fresh perspective on book characters! So I thought I would enjoy this as well for the same reason, but perhaps it was less fairy tale-like and too violent for my taste. I struggled to make myself finish the book. I know a lot of people would enjoy it, though.
Mod
Lorri wrote: "On Tuesday, I finished A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) by Mary Wollstonecraft. I gave it 4*s. It was well reasoned and wisely stuck to the argument that keeping women ignorant is ignora..."
L_Gail wrote: "Sounds like a nice project.
There are many books that I know I read in the distant past but I would be hard pressed to tell anything about them.
What do you think of NN so far?"
Mod
The Great Good Thing is interesting. I had never heard of it.
Mod
I only just noticed this thread and missed your post. I've never read "And then there were none" but I have been reading an occasional Agatha Christie mystery. I only started reading mysteries - any mysteries - since I retired. I got quite hooked on them for a while but I am starting to burn out a little. However, I am still working my way through the Agatha Christie "CLASSIC MYSTERIES" !!
I have just started "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" which is supposed to be one of her best.
L_Gail wrote: "You are an ambitious reader. Thanks for your comments. I added Passing and the The Invisible Man to my "want to read list"Lorri wrote: "On Tuesday, I finished A Vindication of the Rights of Woman..."
Replying to L_Gail, NN is not as engaging at David Copperfield, or Our Mutual Friend. But, in the end, it is still a product of Dickens' genius. So it is filled with colorful characters and great comedic vignettes.
It turns out that, in my humble opinion, Invisible Man (1952) is a work of absurd existentialist modernism with violence and a menacing political agenda/message/manifesto. I dislike all of these things and, after about 30 pages, decided not to finish it.So, I started reading Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and the Civil Rights Struggle of the 1950s and 1960s: A Brief History with Documents. Although this is not a classic, the documents include MLK’s 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, which is. I am pairing this book with Nic Stone's 2017 YA novel Dear Martin because I would like to teach them together.
Reading the Classics
Books mentioned in this topic
To Build a Fire (other topics)Passing (other topics)
Their Eyes Were Watching God (other topics)
Passing (other topics)
The Secret Life of Bees (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Frederick Douglass (other topics)Richard Powers (other topics)
Ann Patchett (other topics)
Louise Erdrich (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
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Also read a nice stack of twenty-some sequential Uncanny X-Men comics from the early eighties (mostly the "bug arc," as hubby calls it -- i.e., the Brood story), that hubby picked up for next to nothing at a garage sale. I can still see why comics appealed to my past self, and also why I quit reading them, so all in all a nice trip down memory lane.