I spent more than an hour in the classics section of a bookstore today, and I realized how many authors and novels that I haven't even read yet. I've never read Thomas Hardy, George Gissing, Virginia Woolf, and Stendhal, just to name a few. Judging from the introduction texts of their novels which I scanned today, going through them would probably be the best reading experience a bibliophile can have.
So, for next year, I'm thinking of devoting more time to read these classics than contemporary novels. Do you have any suggestions for me, dear reader?
25 comments:
Oh I love Thomas Hardy, but you do have to be in the right frame of mind.. oh and tissues to hand.
I would love to read more classic novels as well. It's always been something that I've wanted to do.
Hello, St Jude! Thanks for the heads up about Thomas Hardy.
Hi, Michelle! Thanks for dropping by. We all need to read a classic every now and then.
Le Rouge et let Noir by Stendhal was amazing, at least in French.
Hello, Alec! Thanks for dropping by. I'll check out your recommendation.
I too am a fan of Thomas Hardy. I enjoyed Jude the Obscure the most.
Peter-this is a really great idea-I look forward to your reviews-
@Charlie: Hmmm... I think I'll read that one first.
@Mel: Thanks! I know you like to read the classics.
Sadly, I have not read any Hardy, but I like John Steinbeck. Grapes of Wrath is a favorite.
I am a Gissing expert and I would suggest New Grub Street and Born in Exile. Great reads.
Hello, Diane! I've read The Grapes of Wrath and I loved it!
Hi, Scholar! Thanks for dropping by. All right, I'll check those out.
How about War and Peace or Middlemarch? Those two are some of my favorites.
Oh, and a heartily second Thomas Hardy. Loved Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd.
Hello, Honey! Middlemarch it is. I've read War and Peace.
pete, go for maugham, orwell, or graham greene....
you might want to start on maugham's short stories... baka magustohan mo...
for super classic... go for boccaccio's decameron... it's so fun reading it... lahat sex...
Hi, JJ! Thanks for the suggestions. I absolutely loved Of Human Bondage.
I have noticed recently that there are many I haven't read either. I have a large collection of them, which I bought when I was young and never got around to it.
Thomas Hardy was quite popular in my house growing up, as my brother loved to read his books and that kind of rubbed off on me.
Hello, Vivienne! Most of you guys have been recommending Hardy. I guess I'll read him next.
Does "Gone with the Wind" make it to the 'classics' category?
I think about this all the time! Sometimes I get so disappointed in myself that I didn't try and enjoy them more when I was required to read them in school!! I think a challenge next year to read more classics is a great idea!
The classics are great and I am glad you are going to read more. It will be great to read about your experience with them on your blog. Have you read Henry James? He is great.
You do have a very good point.
I have actually been thinking to myself lately that there are so many great books out there that are not in the genre I read. I keep thinking I would like to give these other books a looking at. That may be my new years resolution, to pick up a book every other month of a different genre and read it. All the blogs I follow show of other great books so I have to give them a try (they sound soo good.).
@A Little Pink: I'm actually quite afraid to tackle some of the classics next year.
@Jemima: I've read Portrait of a Lady and I loved it! I'll read more Henry James soon.
@Melissa: That's a great resolution, Melissa!
Try The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. It's unputdownable! If you want to read Hardy, start with Tess.
Nice blog by the way!
Hi, Something's Dishy! Thanks for dropping by! All right, I'll check that out. The only Collins novel that I've read was The Moonstone.
I have a hard time with Hardy. Edith Wharton is like Henry James but way more enjoyable! I recently introduced myself to George Eliot. I think she is worth a go. I love Anthony Trollope. More modern classics, try something by Willa Cather. And if you haven't read EM Forster...get busy.
Post a Comment