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Showing posts with label Classic Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Classic Books. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Top Ten Tuesday: School Daze, Reading Haze
I almost skipped participating in TTT today because I didn't think I'd be able to come up with much for today's prompt: Top Ten Books I Was Assigned to Read in School. I'm sure I was required to read plenty, but I just can't remember specifics, especially before college. At Brigham Young University, I studied English, and those years are a little bit clearer. Still, it was a bit of a struggle to come up with ten.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Books I Was Assigned to Read in School (and how I felt/feel about them)
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee—TKAM is my favorite novel of all time. I believe I first encountered it in college. I've read it many times since and I love it more each time I read it. It's a classic that's timeless, approachable, and always inspiring.
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis—I'm thinking this children's classic was probably something one of my elementary school teachers read aloud to us rather than assigned us to read ourselves. I remember being enraptured by the story. Some of the magical images it conjured in my young head still linger there quite vividly.
3. Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather—All I remember about this book is that I was bored to tears by it when I was assigned to read it in high school.
4. Watership Down by Richard Adams—I vaguely recall being assigned to read this in one of my college lit classes. Although I know I enjoyed it, I have no recollection of what it's about except that it involves rabbits...
5. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck—This is another one of those books that put vivid images into my head. I believe I first read it in high school.
6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald—I disliked this classic when I first read it in high school (possibly college) and I despised it even more when I reread it a few years ago with my son, who was studying it in a high school English course. He was likewise flummoxed by it and kept asking, "What is this book even about?" Seriously!
7. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson—This hilarious holiday book wasn't assigned reading, but I remember so well the day my stern, never-cracked-a-smile 3rd grade teacher was reading it aloud to our class and started laughing so hard that she had to hand the book off to a student to read for her. We were all so terrified of her that it was absolutely shocking to watch her lose control like that!
8. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger—I was assigned to read this book in college and absolutely hated it.
9. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle—This is another children's classic that was either assigned reading or a teacher read aloud from elementary school. Again, the vivid images it conjured up in my mind back then are still there. I've reread the novel a few times in the ensuing years and, while it's not a big favorite of mine, it's always a nostalgic read.
10. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury—I believe I read this novel in high school. Other than the book burnings, I don't remember much about the story except that I liked it.
There you go, ten books that I read or that a teacher read aloud to me in school. Have you read any of them? What did you think when you first encountered them? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here, although I am a week or so behind at the moment.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Top Ten Tuesday: Baby, You're So Classic...
How would you define a classic? A dusty tome no one ever reads written by some old white guy everyone has forgotten? A long, boring tale that's more symbolism than story? I've defined classics that way before! It's true I'm not a huge fan of "real" literature or even literary fiction. While I appreciate beautiful writing, no matter how long ago it was penned, that's not enough to get me to read a book. Nope, I want the whole shebang: intriguing characters, a compelling plot, skilled prose, and that something special that makes a book stand out from its peers. To me, a classic has all of these elements. It also has a sense of timelessness that makes it relatable to people in any era. Most importantly, it's a book that people actually want to read, not one that has to be forced upon them.
Today's TTT topic asks which books written in the 21st Century we think are destined to become classics. Since most of the titles that came to my mind for this prompt are a *teensy* bit older than that, I'm going to do just a wee twist on the topic and go with books with classic potential that were written in my lifetime. Since I was born back in the Dark Ages (1975), this should give me plenty of books to choose from.
First, though, be sure to click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give our hostess, Jana, some love. If you're in a listy kind of mood today, join in the TTT fun. It's a great way to discover new blogs, drop in on old favorites, and find even more books for your toppling TBR pile.
Top Ten Books Written in My Lifetime That Are Destined to Become Classics
Children's/YA:
1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (published between 1997 and 2007)—These children's fantasy books are already classics and no wonder—they're utterly charming.
2. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (original trilogy published between 2008 and 2010)—Although dystopian books existed before anyone ever heard the name Katniss Everdeen, I feel like this is the series that really made the genre popular. Copycats are still being published constantly, but nothing can really compare to this very original series.
3. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (2005)—Poll any group of World War II fiction lovers and this beloved book will come up. It's unique, moving, and enduring.
4. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2012)—I'm not big on stories told from animal viewpoints, but this lovely novel is a big exception. It's touching and beautiful. I adore it.
5. The Giver by Lois Lowry (1993)—Another much loved book, this one has a simplicity to it that makes readers ask themselves big questions. It's thought-provoking and unique.
Adult:
1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (2015)—This gorgeous novel is another big favorite among lovers of World War II fiction. It would definitely have a place on my list of Top Ten Favorite Novels of All Time (a list I've never actually made, but which I totally should).
2. The Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series by Louise Penny (2005)—This is my favorite crime series ever written. Not only does it feature a quaint little village, but it's a place that is teeming with life and color. The characters are memorable, the mysteries are intriguing, and the books are all suffused with a quiet wisdom that makes them irresistible.
3. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (2013)—This is the only book on this list that I haven't read, but it's absolutely on my TBR list. Whenever I see lists of favorite non-fiction narratives, this one is on there. If it's this popular now, chances are it will continue to be a winner.
4. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009)—I realize this well-loved Southern story has some issues. I still love it, though, as it makes me laugh, cry, cheer, and think.
5. The Shining by Stephen King (1977)—Published when I was just a toddler, this horror novel is King at his most iconic. I'll never see twin girls or read "murder" in the same way again!
There you have it, ten books penned in my lifetime that I think are on course to become classics. What do you think of my choices? Which titles did you pick for you list? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Newbery Award-Winning Mystery an Enjoyable Classic
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
An eclectic group of apartment dwellers are brought together for the reading of the will of Samuel Westing, a 65-year-old millionaire who went missing thirteen years ago. All of them are eager to get their hands on a piece of his fortune, even if they're not sure exactly why the wealthy eccentric would leave it to them. They're shocked when they hear the terms of the will—whoever solves the elaborate puzzle Samuel left behind first gets the cash. The participants are paired off and given clues to follow. What ensues is a competitive race to be the first to find the million-dollar answer and win the game. Of course, there's more to the contest than meets the eye. Samuel Westing may be deceased, but he's still got some tricks up his sleeve!
I've always loved mysteries and The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is one I remember enjoying as a child. Published in 1978, the novel is clever and fun with likable characters and an engaging story. While I figured out what the word clues meant right away, there were a few plot surprises I didn't see coming. Overall, this is just a light, entertaining read that I enjoyed as much as an adult as I did as a child.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and a little of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library books by Chris Grabenstein)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Classic Or Not, I'd Give This Gothic Novel a Pass
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Mrs. Maxim de Winter was working as a lady's maid to a wealthy busybody on vacation in Monte Carlo when she met Maxim. Although she was shy and awkward, the dashing widower took an interest in her. In a surreal twist of fate, she found herself married to him just a few weeks later. Now, she's the mistress of Manderly, a sprawling mansion on the Cornish coast. With no experience as a wife or a woman with means, she's intimidated by both her formidable new home and her position within it. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is cold and unwelcoming, obviously finding the current Mrs. de Winter no match at all for her predecessor. Everyone, in fact, seems obsessed with Maxim's deceased first wife, Rebecca. Her successor becomes just as fixated. Who was Rebecca? Why does she still have such a hold over Maxim and his associates? Most importantly, what really happened to her? The new Mrs. de Winter would very much like to know ...
I'm always up for a creepy Gothic novel and Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a genre classic. I'd never read it before, but lots of people love it, so I finally decided to give it a go. It's definitely an atmospheric tale, with an eerie, unsettling vibe that kept me feeling on edge throughout. That was my favorite part of the story by far. Plotwise, Rebecca moves at a glacial pace, with so much extraneous information that I yawned through a good 70% of the book. It picks up toward the end, wrapping up with an odd, abrupt ending that had me wondering if my copy of the novel was missing some pages. The finale is satisfying, I guess, in that it's about unlikable people getting what they deserve. While Rebecca is more layered than it first appears to be, making some sharp and subtle observations about identity, marriage, and the subjugation of women, I found it to be a long, dull slog featuring repellant characters that I didn't care for at all. I didn't end up totally hating the book, but I certainly did not love it. Even if you adore Gothic novels, I'd recommend giving this one a pass.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Rebecca with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Pride and Prejudice An Enduring Charmer
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Whenever anyone asked me if I'd read Pride and Prejudice, I'd always reply, "Yes, yes, of course!" Not because I was purposely trying to make myself sound more literary, but because I truly thought I had read Jane Austen's popular work. Imagine my surprise, then, when I realized during a recent "re-read" of the classic novel that I was actually experiencing it for the first time. My only excuse is that I did turn 40 not so very long ago and my memory just ain't what it used to be ...
For anyone who hasn't read P&P yet, or who wants to sound like they have without actually expending the time to do so, here's a brief plot summary:
The Bennets have been "blessed" with five charming daughters. As the family is not wealthy, it's imperative that the girls marry well. Their conniving, manipulative mother has made it the "business of her life" (11) to see them all paired off to rich, influential men. When Mrs. Bennet learns that nearby Netherfield Park has been let—and to an eligible bachelor of large fortune, no less—she determines to snag the unsuspecting Mr. Bingley for her eldest daughter. In the process of wooing him, the family is introduced to Fitzwilliam Darcy, "the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world" (17). Although he and the amiable Bingley are best friends, the two are nothing alike. Much to the dismay of her mother, 22-year-old Elizabeth is drawn to the dark, broody stranger. As events spiral on, true natures are revealed and Lizzy finds that there is much more to the unpleasant Mr. Darcy than meets the eye ...
So much has been written about P&P that I'm not even going to attempt to wax eloquent about its many charms. Suffice it to say, Austen tells a delightful story full of warmth, wit, and wisdom. Its magic lies not in plot, but in its lively characters. Their interactions with each other teach great truths about human nature—and how little it's changed over the last 200 years. The flirtation, flattery, and finagling feel as modern as an iPhone 7. The novel's ability to transcend time is a large part of what makes it so appealing. The plethora of spin-offs that are still being created every year prove that today's readers respond just as heartily to the story as they always have.
Pride and Prejudice is not my favorite book in the whole world (that would be To Kill a Mockingbird); I'm not even sure it's my favorite Austen (I *think* I read Emma back in the day ...). Still, I enjoyed it. I read the Insight Edition from Bethany House, which is pictured above, and I'm not sure if this version's many footnotes added to the reading experience or distracted from it. If I were to read the novel again for the first time, I think I would choose an un-enhanced edition. The extra information in my book was fun, though.
Have you read Pride and Prejudice? Are you a die-hard Darcy girl? What's your favorite thing about the novel? What's the best spin-off you've read/seen? What do you think makes the story so enduring?
(Readalikes: Does anything else compare? Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie (and it is!), it would be rated:
for mild thematic elements
To the FTC, with love: This copy of Pride and Prejudice is from my personal library.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Haunting, Hopeful Classic Endures for Good Reason
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Kit Tyler's unconventional upbringing makes her an oddity in colonial Connecticut. Having been raised on the island of Barbados with little supervision from the grandfather who reared her, she's a fun-loving, free spirit who bucks against the strict Puritan society in which she finds herself after her grandpa's death. The aunt and uncle who have taken Kit in, despite her surprise appearance on their doorstep, hardly know what to do with a 16-year-old who refuses to behave like the other girls in Wethersfield.
Developing a secret friendship with Hannah Tupper—an elderly Quaker woman who has not only been shunned by "polite" society, but also labeled a witch—brings even more trouble for Kit. Kit's being courted by Wethersfield's most eligible bachelor; if she can just conform and learn to follow the rules (which includes stopping her visits to Hannah's house), she can become one of the most enviable women in town. Can she resist her natural willfulness? Or her outrage at the mistreatment of people like harmless old Hannah? Should she let go of everything that makes her unique, just to fit into a society that fears anything different?
When a vicious illness strikes the settlement, Kit and Hannah stand accused. Desperate to clear her good name, Kit must make the most difficult decision of her life—bow to the rigid community leaders or risk death by standing up for what (and in whom) she believes.
It's been a long, long time since I first read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare's Newbery Award-winning masterpiece. No matter. I enjoyed it just as much as an adult as I did when I was a kid. Originally published in 1958, the book tells a haunting story, which plays out against a vivid historical backdrop. Speare brings Colonial America to life with fascinating detail, giving readers a rich, realistic sense of the setting, in terms of both place and time. With a blend of adventure, romance and suspense, the plot keeps the story moving right along, making for an engaging, exciting read. Sympathetic and brave, Kit is a heroine who dives right into the reader's heart, ensuring that they will care deeply about her plight. Although The Witch of Blackbird Pond is set in the late 1600s, it will appeal to anyone—in any decade—who's ever felt out-of-place, misunderstood, or suffocated by a society that doesn't appreciate their particular brand of different. Compelling and hopeful, it's a classic that should be read again and again.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books about the Salem witch trials, including I Walk in Dread by Lisa Rowe Fraustino; Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill; and Father of Lies by Ann Turner)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and intense situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Happy Birthday, Matilda! (With a Giveaway)
(Image from Penguin)
For a girl who's been madly in love with books her whole life, it's amazing how many novels—especially classics—I haven't gotten around to reading yet. Really, it's embarrassing. The average high school senior has probably read more time-honored literature than this English major. Shameful.
Especially when it comes to famed children's author Roald Dahl. Up until very recently, I had read exactly one of the twenty or so books he penned for kids (he also wrote stories for adults, a couple of cookbooks, television/film scripts and an autobiography). One! So, when the good folks at Penguin Young Readers offered to let BBB help with a blog tour to celebrate the anniversary of Matilda's publication, I jumped at the chance. Could there have been a more perfect time to introduce myself to one of literature's favorite kindergartners than on her 25th birthday? I thought not.
If you haven't had the chance to "meet" her yet, let me give you the lowdown on this lovable scamp:
Matilda is the 5-year-old daughter of the deplorable Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, who think of her as "little more than a scab." The two are too "gormless" to realize they've somehow created a child with a truly extraordinary capacity for learning. By three years of age, Matilda has taught herself to read; at four, she's devouring Dickens, Faulkner and Hemingway. Her abilities are not just limited to literature—every subject she encounters, she masters. Matilda's incredible knowledge surprises everyone except for her parents, who accuse her of making up stories to get attention. When the young genius starts school, she encounters two educators with very different teaching styles—kind, open Miss Honey and the nasty, narrow-minded Miss Trunchbull. As Matilda navigates this strange new world, she discovers some amazing things about the enormous power that lives inside every child.
Although Matilda isn't the absolute best children's book I've ever read, it is immensely enjoyable. I loved it because it expresses everything that is both difficult and wonderful about childhood. It's a story not just about finding the courage to be yourself, but also about using your unique talents to help people. And maybe teach some nasty folks a few lessons along the way :)
***
Because Matilda loves books, I was asked to write a little bit about how I discovered my love of the written word. Here's the prompt I was given:
“I think it’s safe to say that Matilda falls head over heels in love with books. She takes a wagon to gather them from the library. She hides away in her room and reads them for hours. She loves the worlds, the knowledge, the writing. What was it like for you to fall in love with books for the first time? Was it similar to Matilda’s experience?"
Because my house was always filled with books, which I often saw my parents enjoying, I was drawn to them almost from the moment of my birth. According to my mom, I learned to read before entering kindergarten and, well, I just never stopped.
Unlike Matilda's parents, mine encouraged my love of reading. My mom took me to our little hometown library often when I was a kid—just not often enough to keep up with my insatiable appetite for books! Since I couldn't persuade my mom to drive me down to the library (which was about 1/2 mile from my house) every single day, I frequently made the trek on my own two feet. I didn't own a wagon like Matilda (pity!), so I'd stack as many books as I could up against my chest and set out for home. The walk to the library was all downhill; not so the return trip. My whole body ached by the time I made it back home, but having a dozen or more new books to savor made the agony so very worthwhile.
Like Matilda, I used books for escape—not from a terrible home life, just from a childhood that felt a little too ordinary for this starry-eyed dreamer. I loved sinking into stories that allowed me to visit exotic places, meet colorful characters, and go on exciting adventures without ever leaving the safety of my home. I did what Mrs. Phelps, Matilda's local librarian, advises her to do: "Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music." To me, book words created the most beautiful symphonies of all. Still do.
What about you? Have you read Matilda? Was your experience with learning to love literature similar to hers? To mine?
***
(Readalikes: Matilda's story reminds me a little of Harry Potter's, while the tone of the book made me think of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events books)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I borrowed a copy of Matilda from my daughter. Thanks, babe!
***
Now, for the good part: To spread the Matilda love, the good folks at Penguin Young Readers are sponsoring a giveaway. One reader will win a Matilda-themed prize pack, which contains: a paperback copy of Matilda (the edition featured in the picture at the top of this review), one copy of the Matilda Broadway soundtrack (yes, it is a hit Broadway play—click here to read my author friend's short, but enthusiastic review of it), and a Matilda the Musical Broadway poster. Nice, right? Since I'm about to head off on vacation, I'm not going to bother with putting together a Rafflecopter thingie—just go ahead and leave a comment on this post saying that you're interested in winning. On July 10, I'll use Random.org to choose a winner. Please, please, please leave a valid email address in your comment. Your entry will be invalid if you forget this very important step. Also, the contest is open to readers with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Have Yourself A Classic Little Christmas
(Image from Barnes & Noble)If you're LDS, you probably watched this year's First Presidency Christmas devotional. If you're a book lover (and why else would you be here?), you probably perked up when you heard the topic of the address given by Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. If you're not LDS, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. No matter. You should still watch or read President Monson's talk, in which he discusses the two books he re-reads every Christmas. It's a warm, touching holiday message that will help bring the spirit of the season into your book-loving soul.
I bring it up because, while listening to President Monson fondly recall scenes from Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, I came to a startling conclusion: I had never actually read the book. When I think of the story, the scene that comes most vividly to mind (embarrassingly enough) is that of Scrooge McDuck caressing his many stacks of coins. Unforgivable for a woman who calls herself a bibliophile. So, I made a vow, then and there, to read the well-loved story. I began by buying a beautiful, hardcover copy of the book, one that was illustrated by the talented P.J. Lynch and published by Candlewick Press in 2006. Reading the familiar story in Dickens' original words truly was a magical, heartwarming experience. I believe I'll be following President Monson's example and re-experiencing it every Christmas.
You know the story as well as I do, so I won't summarize it here. I'll just add my praise to all that has already been heaped upon this magnificent tale. The movie versions don't do it justice. Only by actually reading A Christmas Carol can you truly experience its charm and timeless message. Do it. At least once a year.
On this merriest of days, I offer all of my friends and readers a heartfelt thank you for making this a wonderful year in book blogger-land. I wish you a joyous Christmas. And, in the immortal words of Tiny Tim, I say:
God bless us, everyone.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Repent! And Read This Romantic Classic.
Eva's meme forced me to admit the shameful truth - although I have been a book lover all my life and hold a college degree in English, I had never read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. You'll be glad to know that I have repented. Finally, I know why this novel is beloved by so many people, because it was book-love-at-first-sentence for me.As the title suggests, the book follows the life of one Jane Eyre. When we first see her, she is curled up on a window seat trying to lose herself in a book. Escape into her imagination is her only retaliation against the cruel blows life has dealt her. After her parents' deaths, Jane was sent to live with The Reeds - her aunt, uncle and three cousins. Now widowed, Mrs. Reed has become an indulgent bore who treats Jane as little better than a servant. Her son, the sadistic John, tortures Jane with physical blows, while his sisters tolerate her with haughty indifference. Even the servants believe she is a "mad cat" (11).
Some respite comes in the form of bemused Mr. Lloyd, who encourages Mrs. Reed to send Jane to a school for poor girls. When the school's director poisons the other girls against Jane, she fears she will not survive the experience. She does, however, and soon finds herself qualified to work as a governess in one of England's grand old homes. Soon, she is the employee of Mr. Edward Rochester, the absentee owner of Gateshead. Her charge is Sophie Varens, a precocious child of 7 or 8, who has become Mr. Rochester's ward in the wake of her mother's death. Jane enjoys her student and her associations with the kindly servants of Gateshead. Only one thing mars her experience - she keeps hearing strange noises at night. The other members of the household dismiss it as the odd habits of servant Grace Poole, but Jane's suspicions are aroused. The strange occurrences aside, Jane feels content at Gateshead.
When Jane meets Mr. Rochester by chance, her world changes once again. Despite his oddities, she falls in love with him. Jane knows she is not attractive, but Mr. Rochester seems to appreciate her intelligence and wit. Still, his flirting with a beautiful, if shallow, society woman convinces her that he has better prospects. Finally, the unlikely romance blossoms into marriage, but a shocking revelation halts the happy proceedings. The mystery of Gateshead is finally solved, but Jane's heart is shattered.
Shamed, Jane flees to a distant town, where she begins life anew. This journey will bring her joy and despair - as well as another marriage proposal - but she can't seem to forget Mr. Rochester. The conclusion of the book begins with a Jane in turmoil, caught between two men and two very different futures. Will she abandon her desire for Mr. Rochester to pursue a life of missionary service? Or will she risk it all for the man she loves?
Call Jane Eyre what you will - sentimental, predictable, sappy - but it's a thoroughly charming novel. The voice of our heroine is brave, honest and determined. Even though the novel is essentially a love story, it's not all bubbles and roses. Its themes travel various paths, hitting on passion, moral choices, marital responsibility, duty to God, women's rights in the stifling Victorian period, etc. Hailed as revolutionary for its time, Jane Eyre endures because it's still relevant today. Besides all those noble things, it's simply a good story. It's readable, romantic and utterly enchanting. If you - like me - have committed the sin of not reading this book, repent now. You won't regret it.
Grade: A+
(Book image is from Modern Library)
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2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
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