read more of the classics

Well, I read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens for a summer reading project for school, so I have that done. I’m also working on War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, and I’ve already read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Im getting there…

So, the first author on the list was HD Thoreau. I read Walden in college, but thought I would give Civil Disobedience a try. Sounded like something right up my alley—anti-establishment, revolutionary, etc. No. It was awful. I totally disagreed with most of his arguments. I mean, I can see where he is coming from, not wanting to support a government that (sort of) condones slavery, but I don’t see how not paying your taxes helps a single slave. There are better ways to get things done than just sit around obstinately and refuse to cooperate. In the end, the system was changed from the INSIDE, so pooh on him. Okay, there, I’m done ranting.

So….I’ve lost a bit of steam on this whole reading the classics thing.

I’ve been working on the reading list all day with a friend. I am thinking every-other-month meetings, so 6 classics per year. That’s not too bad :).

I am studying 20th Century American literature this smester and so far I have read;

THE GREAT GATSBY – F.SCOTT FITZGERALDWHO’S ARAID OF VIRGINA WOOLF? – EDWARD ALBEEOF MICE AND MEN – JOHN STEINBECKDEATH OF A SALESMAN – ARTHUR MILLER

I got a book token for my birthday so I am off out today to buy some more of the classics! Plus I got some books for Christmas too so I am building up my collection. I am saving them for after the exams are over when I can sit and read in peace!

Before I started University at the ripe old age of 45 I hadn’t read a single Classic novel and I think I had a pre-concieved idea of what they would be like. That was very narrow-minded of me, especially seeing as I love reading and writing and am actually studying English Literature! However, I have found that I really do enjoy 18th and 19th century novels since I had to read them for Uni and I am determined to read more, and not just for Uni either!

Up to now I have read;
PRIDE AND PREDJUDICE – JANE AUSTENJANE EYRE – CHARLOTTE BRONTEHARD TIMES – CHARLES DICKENSFRANKENSTEIN – MARY SHELLYMOLL FLANDERS – DANIEL DEFOE

I’m reading Anna Karenina right now. Loooong book but it is not nearly as intimidating as I thought it was going to be.

I just finished The Brothers Karamazov. It was an excellent book and I recommend it but it does take a LONG time to read and since Dostoevsky was paid by word, some parts are tedious.
It reminded me of Les Miserable which I read a few years ago. One of my all time favorite books, also time consuming, and you may have to skip the “stunning description of the Battle of Waterloo,” but it is so worth it.

But I feel I’ve accomplished what I wanted to with this goal, and that was to determine what I meant by the “classics”, to start reading them and get a few under my belt. I will continue to read them!!!!

I just read it and I think it has become my new favorite book!!!! I really enjoyed it and I’m a little Alice obsessed at the moment!!! The book was a lot shorter than I always imagined it to be, I finished it in like two days and I wasn’t even reading that much. I’m now going straight on to Through the Looking Glass!!!