Reading the Classics discussion

I am with Dolores and Denise. I cannot do audio books at all. I either cannot concentrate or I concentrate too much and end up unable to do anything else. I cannot handle them at ALL when I am driving, as I stop paying attention to the road!

Currently on my reading table is our July book, 1984 by George Orwell and Helter Skelter, The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi. I am also reading professional development books for the upcoming school year; Making the Most of Small Groups and Literacy Work Stations by Debbie Diller.

I'm inspired by what everyone's reading.
I'm reading Anna Karenina, almost 200 pages in and love it, though I prefer Dostoevsky to Tolstoy.

I work with children with autism, so I'm also reading What I Wish I'd Known About Raising a Child with Autism, to give me a bit more empathy for what the parents of my clients go through. That one's a quick read so I'll be on to a different autism-related book in a day or two.

Gotta love libraries.

im reading pretty little liars <3

*raises fists in triumph* Finally finished Anna Karenina today! I'd reward myself by not reading anything difficult for a couple of days but Atlas Shrugged audiobook is due back on Monday and want to get a couple chapters further in. After that, nothing else over 600 pages until September. My brain will fry otherwise.

I am reading Anne of Avonlea. After that I am thinking about reading the whole Anne series and 1984, a book which I have never went past 50 pages. Wish me luck!

I've started Animal Farm today, and will start 1984 tomorrow. :) I'm reading the Prague Cemetery by Umberto Eco also, it is an interesting book, of course you're interested in history.

I am currently trying to finish Travelling with Pomegranites by Sue Monk Kidd. Not the best I've read but I am determined to finish it. I have a bunch planned for the month of July.

Chrissy, Anna Karenina is a favorite of mine :) I'm 40 pages into East of Eden and can tell I'll enjoy it, love Steinbeck.

Can't wait to begin 1984!

I'm 2/3 done with Fahrenheit 451. I love the concept of it. But it seems that the people in the book are a little too eloquent for a society that has banned books. Other than that, it's fantastic.

Just bought the collected short stories of Somerset Maugham. Everyone l speak to is a bad wrap for this writer. What is your collective opinions?

Laura wrote: "Chrissy, Anna Karenina is a favorite of mine :) I'm 40 pages into East of Eden and can tell I'll enjoy it, love Steinbeck.

Can't wait to begin 1984!"

*adds another book to the TBR list* Is it bad I feel like I add a book every time I see someone post another title? Everyone has such good taste!

I am currently reading Gone With the Wind, which is a little tedious to read particularly since I don't have knowledge of the American Civil War. I also just finished Solomon's Oak, an average but quite heartwarming read.

On the topic of audio books... I'll have to jump on that bandwagon too, Dolores and Denise! I keep having to rewind with audio books, and I also don't like waiting for the narrator to finish his sentence.
I guess I'm just impatient!

Laura wrote: "Chrissy, Anna Karenina is a favorite of mine :) I'm 40 pages into East of Eden and can tell I'll enjoy it, love Steinbeck.

Can't wait to begin 1984!"

Laura, that's fantastic!
East of Eden is one of my favorite books of all time. It's absolutely brilliant. I feel like it's a conglomeration of all that is Steinbeck. It always frustrates me when people aren't willing to read it because they disliked Grapes of Wrath in high school!

And of course, 1984 is another classic.

Did you hear that they're making a new movie of Anna Karenina? Starring Kiera Knightley, Jude Law (as her husband), and Aaron Johnson (as Count Vronsky).
I'm hoping it'll be a successful adaption, but I'm concerned that it will feel too British and lack the Russian culture that's so crucial to the feel of the book. After all, it stars British movie stars, is completely filmed in the U.K., and is directed by Joe Wright, who is well-known for two British period pieces starring Kiera Knightley (Pride and Prejudice and Atonement).
I'm sure I'll still end up seeing it and hopefully be pleasantly surprised!

I didn't know Keira Knightly and Jude Law were in it. I've liked some movies they each have done and have hated others, so I hope it turns out ok. I can't picture Ms. Knightly as Anna somehow.... hmm.

I'm reading A Clash of Kings and Noli Me Tangere in its original version. :) Right now, I'm taking a break in reading the classics of the West because I'm busy reading Philippine literature :D

Laura wrote: "Chrissy, Anna Karenina is a favorite of mine :) I'm 40 pages into East of Eden and can tell I'll enjoy it, love Steinbeck.

Can't wait to begin 1984!"

I loved Anna Karenina, too. And also East of Eden and Grapes of Wrath.

Janina wrote: "I'm reading A Clash of Kings and Noli Me Tangere in its original version. :) Right now, I'm taking a break in reading the classics of the West because I'm busy reading Philippine literature :D"

Hey all I'm with Janina on this one, I'm also on the Game of Thrones series! I, however, am on "A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 1!" :)

I am currently trying to read some of the books from the new york times bestseller list to see what the hype is about :D for example and . I am also readinf out The Game of Thrones series right now.:D

I am reading

Catherine, I've sometimes been disappointed but I confess, I love buying books that say, "New York Times Bestseller" on the front! :) I absolutely loved the last one I finished over the weekend, titled, "Unlikely Friendships." It's about special bonds interspecies friends form. What are your thoughts on Game of Thrones?

Chrissy, I haven't heard of the movie, but now I'm looking forward to it! Not that familiar with those actors, but...here's hoping it's good!

I'm reading "Les Miserablés" by Victor Hugo, and I'm really liking it, but it's so big, and I really hoped to catch up to my reading during summer.
The characters sound very real, and I believe I like them all, even with their flaws.

Andreia, it's such a beautifully written book, isn't it? I adore his lines on love. Enjoy!

Les Mis is one of the few really long (over 1000 pages) books that I've ever read that I loved enough that I would read it again. The writing and characters are so richly developed...it's wonderful!

I'm reading the age of innocence and its amazing, really enjoying it and i will be quite sad when it ends.

I've just finished Kate Chopin's The Awakening for an upcoming exam and I loved it. Now I'm reading Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Herland and Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward for the same exam. So far, thumbs up for Herland, thumbs down for Looking Backward. On my own time, I'm currently reading Don DeLillo's White Noise which I'm halfway through. I like it so far but it's not as immersive as Cosmopolis, which I've read right before. (Dreading the movie, btw, but I guess I'll have to watch it. Let's all hope I make it through 2 hours of Robert Pattinson doing his I'm-a-sexy-smoldering-vampire-face. Ugh.)

I am currently reading . It's sometimes an uncomfortable read, as Mr. Biswas stumbles through his life really only knowing what he doesn't want. The prose is beautiful and the descriptions of Port of Spain are amazing.

I'm reading after that I will re-read and :))

I have just finished Go Tell it on the Mountain, which I (mostly) really enjoyed and have just started East of Eden. I was a bit apprehensive as I had to read Of Mice and Men at school and hated it but with thirty more years of experience under my belt now, I think I'm ready!

I'm reading The Count of Monte Cristo, 1984. After I'll read To Kill a Mockingbird :)

Far From the Madding Crowd and Gargoyle

I'm reading Villette but in my opinion it doesn't compare to Jane Eyre. At the beginning i nearly abandoned the book but it has got slightly better now I'm half way through it.

I just finished reading Never Cry Wolf and I have to say I loved it! I've been reading Across Mongolian Planes which has been difficult to get through. It just slams fact after fact about hunting and the planes of Mongolia. (Only have 40 pages now finally.) In contrast the tale of the wolves in Never Cry Wolf is wonderful. A perfect book for someone who wouldn't mind a little bit of an environmental science lesson along with some good laughs with their read.

I'm finishing up A Tree Grows in Brooklyn I had no idea what it was about, only that is was my mom's favorite book, but it's been a great experience.

Thanks Denise, I like the look of that. Another book to add to my 'to read' list. (sigh!) So many books, so little time....

I'm currently reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

I loved the book, Matt. It might have been the fact that I could relate to the protagonist in many ways. And the fact that Naipul's prose was delightful, as always.

I am reading this . For the first time in ages, I have picked up a book without knowing the first thing about it. Which is oddly exciting, in its own way.

Melani wrote: "I'm currently reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut."

great book! you must read the the big three dystopian novels, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and Brave New World

Sophie wrote: "I'm reading Villette but in my opinion it doesn't compare to Jane Eyre. At the beginning i nearly abandoned the book but it has got slightly better now I'm half way through it."

I completely agree. I went into reading Villette thinking it would be as great as Jane Eyre but it was not even close. Villette is probably my least favorite Bronte book.

I'm reading Sherlock Holmes.. C:

Jenn wrote: "Sophie wrote: "I'm reading Villette but in my opinion it doesn't compare to Jane Eyre. At the beginning i nearly abandoned the book but it has got slightly better now I'm half way through it."

I c..."

Just finished Villette and i feel relieved that i can now read a book that i can enjoy. I felt most of the book was a chore but there were parts that reminded me of Jane Eyre and which i did enjoy. I'm so glad that you, Jenn, agree with me, i thought maybe i wasn't giving it a chance because a lot of people gave the book 5 stars in the review section.

At the moment I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, which I see the group read just before starting 1984. I am also reading I Didn't do it For You by Michela Wrong - a book about the history/situation in Eritrea.

I'm reading . About half way through, and it could be the best novel I've ever read. Although I haven't had much experience reading classics, this one is on the top of my list as of now.

Just finished Travels With Charley. This was my first Steinbeck and I loved it. Steinbeck's writing technique is like none I've ever read; so descriptive and easy to read, it seemed like I was traveling with him across America. I highly recommend this book.

I often like to read more than one book at once, usually one difficult undertaking and one (or more) easier-to-read, more enjoyable work(s). With that in mind, I'm currently reading The Far Side of the World, by Patrick O'brien, and Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace. O'brien's novel is an exciting historical fiction, while Wallace's masterpiece is, at times, a postmodern pain in the backside. Any experience with or comments on either of these from anyone?

I currently read Lolita its a bit boring up to now.Also the Book thief whose narrator is suppose to be Death himself, its setting is in nazi germany is a new refreshing point of view for a story . Also am trying to finish the complete and umbridge series of sherlock holmes whom i adore!

I've just read A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. In a new Dutch translation of this classic novel.
I can recommend this wonderful novel.

@laura haha yeah some of the books on there are definitley dissapointing + i think one day is turning out to be one of them. The help which i just finished is great however! i can definitley recommend it. i can´t say anything about the game of thrones yet, since i haven´t read enough yet but i am ecxited about continuing that one :D unlikely friendships sounds quite interesting actually :D

I've just finished Brideshead Revisited which was so good and now have just begun Tess of the d'Urbervilles. I'm only on page 50 at the moment but i have really enjoyed what i have read so far which is surprising as i usually find it hard to get into a book.