Twelve Classics
A few weeks ago I set a personal goal for myself to read 12 classic novels this year.
I realized that I was a huge bookworm as a teen but really didn’t read very many classics. I think Little Women was the only one I read by my own choice. In the last few years I’ve also read The Hobbit, Pride & Prejudice and Emma.
Since I only made this goal near the end of January I’m already a little behind since I’m re-reading Little Women but January is already over and I’m only half way done the book, we’ll see if I can catch up.
I’m also reading some classics to Raeca, we started with Charlotte’s Web which we finished last week, and she requested Little House in the Big Woods as our next read (we’ve been going through the Little House series on CD in our vehicle since the summer, we’re currently on By the Shores of Silver Lake). I’ve got tons of ideas of classics that I can read to her (maybe I’ll make a list here one day), but I’m struggling to make a list for myself.
I asked a few Instagram and Facebook friends for some suggestions of their favorites and have started a bit of a list for myself for 2015. I have quite a few classics on my bookshelf that I’ve never read before so between the recommendations and the books I have this is the list I have so far:
* Little Women (currently reading)
* Pilgrim’s Progress
* Anne of Green Gables
* Great Expectations
* Jane Eyre
* Persuasion
* Atlas Shrugged
This list isn’t in order (I honestly don’t know what order I’ll read them in), but I obviously need more suggestions. So help me out, what are your favorite classic books?
Little Women is one of my all-time favorites…SO.STINKIN.GOOD. 😉
I would also suggest The Pilgrims REgress, by C.S. Lewis. The inspiration was Pilgrims Progress, but I just love Lewis. 🙂
I hated The Great Gatsby, but most people love it, so that may be a good one to try as well.
Happy reading!
Oh I forgot about adding Lewis to the list, thanks for the suggestion! Have you read Little Men? I bought it awhile ago and was going to read it shortly after Little Women and forgot to add it to my list.
I am enamored of classic mysteries, so either any of the Sherlock collections or the Hercule Poirot stories by Agathea Christie for your list. They’re easier reads, too, so you could possibly fit a few in one month.
Great suggestions! I forgot that I have Sherlock on hold at the library so I’ll definitely read that one soon!
I love reading classics! I’m actually just starting anne of green gables.
Ah, I enjoyed the movie so that’s one I’m definitely looking forward to reading!
I love this idea! Here are some of my favorites not already on your list: Anne of Green Gables, The House of Mirth, Dacula, To Kill a Mockingbird. For kids classics try The Gammage Cup, my mom read it to us when I was little.
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve never even heard of The House of Mirth or The Gammage Cup, I’ll have to look those ones up!
I have not read Little Men, but I’d like to. I really forget it exists most of the time and then when I remember I’m like “oooo! I need to read that!” haha.
I was going to say To Kill A Mocking Bird, but I’m guessing you may have read it in highschool. Perhaps Huckleberry Finn (I still think it’s funny and Raeca may enjoy it too), or Gone With the Wind. And lastly, The Help. It’s probably not considered a classic just yet, but I’m guessing it will eventually make it onto the list.
Great suggestions! I did read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school but I should probably re-read it, it’s been a long time. And I’ll definitely add those others to my list! I like the idea of The Help as well, I think you are right about that one becoming a classic!
Great Expectations is so good. One of my favorites! 🙂
I also really like Wuthering Heights. I read Treasure Island last year and I thought it was terrible! So I wouldn’t recommend that one. 🙂
Haha, thanks for the suggestions and ones to avoid 🙂
Does ‘the good earth’ by pearl s. buck count? I am reading that now 🙂
I started and just could not finish atlas shrugged. it is a daunting book! i am a bit ashamed at how many classics I have NOT read…need to check those off my list, too.
little women and anne of green gables are two of my all-time favourite books!! 😀 I would most certainly recommend all the sequels to both of them, although I don’t particularly think they are considered classics. loved pride and prejudice and emma although it took me a couple of tries and I really do find that you have to get almost half way through before it gets really good… 😛
oooh yes the gammage cup is good! 🙂
That’s pretty ambitious for a mom of little ones – I don’t even want to guess how long it to me to read the last 12 meant-for-grown-ups books I’ve read. I could look it up on my Goodreads account to know for sure, but I don’t want to get too depressed. It’s only Monday.
I’ve actually read a few in the last couple of weeks, I have to make a point of taking time for myself every day or I go crazy, so I often choose to read during that time. 🙂