Monday, June 02, 2008

classics


It may have appeared on the surface that I've been doing a really great job at resisting Trish's Classics Challenge. In truth I can claim no such self-restraint though. I've been planning on joining since Trish first announced it, but I've been having an awful time trying to choose my books.

I don't know what it is about classics...they somehow intimidate me. Which is just plain dumb. Yes, there are definitely some I've read that I've not enjoyed in the slightest, but I think more often than not I do enjoy them. But I do need to be in the mood. And I never know when that mood will strike. Or what book might catch my attention when it does strike. Thus the difficulty in coming up with a list. Finally forced the issue with myself, however, and came up with my list. And you know what, I'm actually itching to get started...but of course it's not quite time yet. Figures.

11 comments:

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

Oh wow, a classics one. I keep telling myself that I *should* read some books that are considered classic, but I never do. I just can't seem to get motivated :) Too many other books out there right now that appeal to me, I guess.

Happy Reading!

Ana S. said...

I should have thought of Little Women! I really want to read it, both for its own sake and so that I can read March by Geraldine Brooks. Ah well, maybe next year. I hope you enjoy your picks :)

gail@more than a song said...

That's a good list and a fun one!
I should go back and re-read some too...and I told Stacy she should read To Kill a Mockingbird!

Bookfool said...

Little Women and Jane Eyre are great. My youngest has chewed me out at least twice for not having read Treasure Island. He says, "That's just wrong, Mom. You need to read it." Kids.

Dawn said...

Little Women is one of my FAVORITE books. When I was taking a course in college we took a trip to Concord MA. We saw Louisa May Alcott's home and visited Walden Pond as well.

I really like your choices :)

take care,
Dawn

Eva said...

Yay! I've read all of those but Treasure Island, so it'll be interesting to hear your thoughts on them. :) I'm frustrated too: I made a super-long list, and now I have to wait until July. lol

Kim L said...

I hope you enjoy your picks! I really love Jane Eyre and Little Women. I haven't read the others, but many other readers have loved them. And I'm sure it won't be that intimidating once you get started. There has to be a reason why so many people have loved these books!

CJ said...

Great picks. The only one I haven't read is Treasure Island. I espeically loved Dracula. I hope you enjoy it.

cjh

Carl V. Anderson said...

Lord in heaven! Do I love me some Dracula! Despite more recent loves, that book remains at the very top of my best of list. I fell hard for the story when I read it at age 11 or 12 and have read it many, many....many times since then. It is so full of romance and chivalry and strong male and female characters (this is my interpretation, I think others disagree) and a good villain. Great stuff, I really look forward to your thoughts on it.

Classics can indeed be intimidating. I think you have to approach them in the proper mood and really want to read them. Then the language is beautiful and lyrical rather than confusing and frustrating. I think anything like this you can go into out of your own desire rather than feeling forced will make the experience more enjoyable.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Muh ha ha ha. :) I'm hoping that Annie is still going to join??

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

I am doing this one too!!! yay. I am thinking of reading all the Jane Austen books, since (sadly) I haven't read any of them yet.

I guess I'll see how i like one and decide if I want to read the others...right!?