12 Classics to Read in 2008
My last resolution is to read more “classic” novels in 2008. I usually read an average of four to five novels per month. Most of these are mystery or fantasy novels. Don’t get me wrong. These are great, and I run into some really well-written and thought-provoking literature in this genre. However, I would like to expand my reading to those novels that usually fall on high school and college reading material lists.
Each month, I am going to read one of these novels, and I have gone ahead and picked out twelve for the New Year. Some of these will be brand new reads while some will be refreshers from ten or so years ago. After I read each novel, I will also blog with a brief review of my reactions and thoughts. If any readers are interested in joining in with me, feel free to do so!
12 Classics to Read in 2008
1. Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
2. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
3. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
5. One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
8. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
9. The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
10. The Stranger by Albert Camus
11. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
12. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
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Comments
3 out of the 12 read here but good recommendations!
jenwriter, timing is everything - my opinion. i am going on vacation to miami (biz and pleasure) next week and i have read every book except “the stranger” = so guess what, if i have the time…
the photo i love. i clean out my office every monday to the bare minimum. by friday…
it is late so nothing profound. but i will give you a fave classic quote…
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”—Bertolt Brecht
I hated Turn of the Screw! One of the dullest books I’ve ever read.
I think most of the rest of these are awesome though
Oooh, there’s only four I haven’t read. I feel well-read now
I started a slightly different list–National Book Award winners. So far I’ve read Flannery O’Connor and am deep into Walker Percy. Next is Saul Bellow though I might opt out on Mr. Bellow.
careful…The Invisible Man (no. 9 on list) is by Ralph Ellison, not HG Wells.
@ hc: Well, there are two “The Invislbe Man” novels. I am referring to the science fiction novella by H.G. Wells. However, I do also plan on reading Ralph Ellison’s at some point.
I went on a date a year ago and my date could not believe I have not read Cather in the Rey ( I am old ), I was accused of missing the dawn of the sexual revolution. Like “yeah”, baby, tonight ! - It seems some books are better left unread, because what you do , you transpose yourself into an ancient world where blow jobs are still taboo. I started reading it but have the same trouble with getting-going as I have with Homers Odyssey. (that is that which is implied) I love good writing but believe that we grow and build. We stand on their shoulders already, not point still installing DOS.
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