Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Alissa's 12+2 Classic Challenge

Old School (1899 and earlier):
The Complete Stories and Poems by Edgar Allan Poe, 1849
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, 1869 Completed 2/15/17
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, 1847 Completed 5/10/17

New School (1900-1999):
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, 1930 Completed 5/4/17
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, 1951 Completed 1/11/17
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, 1980 Completed 5/30/17

Wild Cards:
Beowulf by Unknown, 975 AD Completed 5/3/17
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886 Completed 4/12/17
The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, 1593
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, 1937
Peyton Place by Grace Metalious, 1956
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, 1996

Alternates:
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, 1947
The Odyssey by Homer, 800 AD Completed 5/11/17

CURRENTLY READING:


NEXT UP....

You have some solidly wonderful books on your list. Jane Eyre and Their Eyes Were Watching God were my two top favorites from this year!

One of these days I really need to make time to read all of Poe too! I keep saying I'm going to, then never get around to it.

The Day of the Triffids is interesting... I'm not even sure how to pinpoint the genre, really. Cozy Apocalypse maybe? It is to the hardcore post-apocalyptic novels as a cozy mystery is to noir.

Melanti wrote: "One of these days I really need to make time to read all of Poe too! I keep saying I'm going to, then never get around to it.

The Day of the Triffids is interesting... I'm not even sure how to pin..."

I bought The Complete Stories and Poems at a used bookstore a few months ago and I just knew I was going to put it on my 2017 list; otherwise it would get lost in the shuffle. I read a few Poes in college but there's so many I haven't read so I'm excited to get started! I think I'll savor it like a fine wine and just do a few stories at a time and stretch it out a bit

Cozy Apocalypse???? My interest is peaked... I may have to make that my first read of 2017 lol

I had a copy of the Complete Works at one point, but got rid of it after I got addicted to my e-reader, since I knew I'd prefer reading it as an ebook.
A few stories at a time is a good way to approach it. There's a 5 volume set of ebooks that have his complete works, and I told myself I was going to read one part at a time and spread it out a bit. I read the first, but just haven't gotten around to the other 4 parts yet.

I hope you like The Day of the Triffids.

I read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde this year and enjoyed it. It's also a quick read :)

I've read four from your list and they were all great books! Your other choices look just as good! Have fun with your challenge :)

I've read several of them (nice list!). I want to read "Peyton Place" sometime. And I have "A Confederacy of Dunces" sitting right beside me on my desk right now & cannot make myself read it! It is just daunting to me! So I'll watch for your review and maybe you'll inspire me to read it in 2018!! ;)

Trying to decide which ones to start off with in January.... I'm thinking I will tackle The Day of the Triffids and Jane Eyre =)

Completed The Day of the Triffids.


4 stars

At first glance, this is a sci fi classic about creepy, walking alien plants that take over the planet. But then you read about the ensuing chaos and the different societies that are formed, and utter devastation and breakdown of human decency and morals..... And this novel hits way too close for comfort. A novel written in the 50s could have taken place in the 70s, 90s, today. The monsters have a great B movie feel to them, but the human characters were far more scarier.

Alissa wrote: "Completed The Day of the Triffids.


4 stars

At first glance, this is a sci fi classic about creepy, walking alien plants that take over t..."

I'm glad to see how much you enjoyed this one. I only recently heard of it and added it to my TBR list. Looking forward to it even more now!

Gearing up to listen to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Alissa wrote: "Gearing up to listen to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"

I listened to that recently -- I really liked it! Hope you do too :)

Finished Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne



3 Stars

This was a fun sci-fi read!!! I would definitely recommend this one

Glad you enjoyed it :)

Alissa wrote: "Finished Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne



3 Stars

This was a fun sci-fi read!!! I would..."

I'm so glad you had fun with this one! I was pleasantly surprised when I read it last year :)

I'm currently reading Jane Eyre for the first time and I'm really enjoying it. I find her hilarious.

I'm about to also start Beowulf and I'm a bit nervous with it. I hope I like it

Don't be nervous, just go at your own pace. I read the Seamus Heaney translation a few years ago and it was much easier and more fun than I expected.

"Go at your own pace and get a good translation" is the solution to a great many classic books!

Finished The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.



3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the contrast of certain aspects- we get a lot of detail with one horrific crime that Mr. Hyde does, yet not much else is said about him, other than he is evil and vile and partakes in horrible activities.

I loved the "confession" at the end, it was quite sad!! A pretty darn good classic

Finished one of my Wild Cards, .

At first, I was nervous to do this one as an audiobook rather than read the physical book. I didn't realize it was basically a long poem and I was afraid I would be lost, or my mind would wander. However, the translation and the narrator were fantastic and I was really riveted. Thought this was well-done!

3.5 Stars


I'm still plugging away at . I really like Jane, but whyyyyyyyyyy do people tend to like Mr Rochester? I find him aloof and creepy lol

I also just started , and I'm liking it. Sam Spade is an interesting guy haha.

I found the same thing with that edition of Beowulf, I was really apprehensive going into it, but found it extremely readable and enjoyable.

Yeah, I'm a Jane Eyre fan, but Rochester not so much!

Alissa wrote: "I really like Jane, but whyyyyyyyyyy do people tend to like Mr Rochester? I find him aloof and creepy lol..."

I have no idea! I agree, he's a total creep.


Beowulf isn't nearly as frighting if you get a good translator. (Like any epic poem, I suppose.)

Completed The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, Completed 5/4/17



3 Stars

I really liked this classic detective story. Sam Spade is a cool cat and a great character. But for me, his office secretary, Effie, was the best. She was sassy and full of pep and didn't take Sam's crankiness or misogyny at face value. Loved her!

I also didn't see the ending coming, so that was a nice surprise!

Glad you liked this. I read earlier this year and found it to be fun.

Started , ready to tackle this beast!!

I remember reading parts of it in high school, and then we watched the NBC miniseries.. Do you guys remember it- Odysseus was played by Armand Assante lol

FINALLY finished Jane Eyre! I'm embarrassed with how long it took me to finish, especially since I really liked it! It is my favorite book off this list so far this year.

Jane is an excellent character. She endured so much hardship but she basically embraced the chip on her shoulder and rolled with it. I thought she was great.

My only problem with it? Mr Rochester- are you kidding me with this whiny, spineless creeper?!?! Heck no. Barf.

FInished The Odyssey.

3.5 Stars

I remember reading bits and pieces in high school, and loving it. I don't know what it is about Mythology but I always loved reading about the Gods and Goddesses. I listened to the audiobook and it was great! The narrator kept me involved and I sped through this adventure in 2 days. Well done! I may consider The Iliad for next year's Challenge. We'll see!!

Congrats on finishing both!
I hated Mr. Rochester too.

Alissa wrote: "FInished The Odyssey.

3.5 Stars

I remember reading bits and pieces in high school, and loving it. I don't know what it is about Mythology but I always loved reading about the Gods ..."

The Odyssey was required reading in my freshman English class in high school. I wouldn't have thought I'd have enjoyed it at that age, but surprisingly I did like it quite a bit. I still haven't read The Iliad...I should probably pick that up one of these days!

Yes well done on finishing Jane Eyre and The Odyssey. I read that last summer for my challenge and I'll be reading The Ilaid in a couple of months time for this year's challenge!

Pink wrote: "Yes well done on finishing Jane Eyre and The Odyssey. I read that last summer for my challenge and I'll be reading The Ilaid in a couple of months time for this year's challenge!"

Oooh i'll be waiting to hear your thoughts! The Iliad scares me a bit more than The Odyssey did lol

Completed A Confederacy of Dunces.

4.5 stars

What in the heck did I just read?!?! lol. I don't even know how to describe this book- Kathy read it last year and loved it so much so I thought I'd add it to my 12+4 list this year. I am so glad that I did. It's one of the most original and funny novel I have ever read. But like I said, I don't know how to describe this one.

Basically it takes place in New Orleans, and there's a whole plethora of crazy and awesome characters. The main character is so weird and awful but I wanted to be his friend. He was hilarious.

If you can do audio, I highly recommend it- the narrator did all of the voices and just added extra humor with the tone and cadence of each one. Fantastic.

Pink wrote: "Yes well done on finishing Jane Eyre and The Odyssey. I read that last summer for my challenge and I'll be reading The Ilaid in a couple of months time for this year's challenge!"

I would like to read it sometime this year too..dont know when though

Alissa wrote: "Completed A Confederacy of Dunces.

4.5 stars

What in the heck did I just read?!?! lol. I don't even know how to describe this book- Kathy read it last year and loved it so much so..."

sounds like you had an almost identical experience to me with this one - I also want to be Ignatius's friend!