Read 43 literary classics that I haven't read yet.

Twelve is going to be The Chronicles of Narnia. About time, I know, right?

I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but before this year, I’d never read 1984. I’ve started it a million times. But I only ever get to the bit that refers you to the appendix on Ingsoc … and then I read that appendix and forget the rest. BUT! Right now, I’m about 2/3 to 3/4 through. Feels good. Confession number two for this post: also never read Brave New World. I suppose I could make that classic #12 …

Number ten was The Awakening by Kate Chopin. I loved the Creole flavor and want to read more of hers. Again, as I read these books that could be called “women’s literature” or even “women’s liberation” books, I’m conscious of the time period in which they’re written. My interpretation of the uncertain ending is that it doesn’t even matter whether she’s swum out too far and drowns or is rescued by her man. She’s in over her head, that’s what’s important. That she’s finally made a choice on her own and that it is her complete undoing. That even deciding to make those choices on her own has been her undoing.

Just finished Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. I loved it, but was very conscious of the time period in which it was written. There were passages of this book that sounded so very much like things I might say that I dog-eared the pages.

I never made it to even starting Invisible Man ... but I did read Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes. Arguably a classic, but I’m making the rules here. Next: Tao of Pooh, Te of Piglet, maybe. Not sure.

Number seven was another John Steinbeck, Cannery Row. Just a character portrait, but of so many different characters (including the geographic region), and all woven together. I liked this one a lot. Next up: The Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison.

Number six was Of Mice and Men. I loved it. I loved realizing the horror of the ending before it happens, and I loved the way you’re in the characters’ heads without any omniscience from the narrator. Excellent. I’d like to read more Steinbeck now.

Finished The Plague. I loved it, of course. Next up is either Of Mice and Men or Fear of Flying.

I’ve always had an interest in plagues and epidemics – not really sure why, other than a combination of interests in history and medicine. But this book was more about how people deal with isolation and confinement, alteration of their daily routines, and what changes the individuals and the society undergo. And it was fascinating. The narrator remains anonymous until nearly the end of the book – normally I’d have considered that a “cheap thrill” literary device, but it works for the book. I do love Camus.

Number five will actually be Albert Camus’s The Plague. I’m about a third through it and I am loving it. Camus, first of all, is my favorite philosopher. Second, I love plague-y stuff. And third – Camus!

English Patient, check. Very dense, but great storytelling. Next up: Of Mice and Men.

What bothered me about The English Patient was all of the perspective jumps and switching of narrators and POV. It’s supposed to give the reader the sense that those tending the EP were having, sure, but I found it to be overkill – I was distracted and confused. I didn’t like this book well enough to recommend it to someone who hadn’t read it. I haven’t seen the movie, but I’d say do that instead.