r/books discussion

One of my goals this year is to read more classics. So, I'd like to find some I've never heard of or overlooked. What are your favorites?

Some of mine are Evelina, Pride and Prejudice, North and South, Jane Eyre, The Metamorphosis and Lolita. I particularly like classics with some historical context and satire.

I'm actually quite a fan of children's classics like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, etc.

Rose wrote: "I'm actually quite a fan of children's classics like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, etc."

I also liked Alice in Wonderland, but I think I liked Through the Looking Glass better. I didn't realize Peter Pan was written into a novel though, I'll have to check it out.

I enjoyed The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. I did sort of drift through some parts, but I liked the silly humor. Just don't go looking for a real plot as you may be disappointed.

That is my goal every year. There are so many good new books, but I always try to read a classic once in a while. Classic for me isn't necessarily waaaaaay back, so maybe they are not all considered classics.

The Last Question (Asimov - Short story)
Hitchhikers Guide
Lord of the flies
Lord of the Rings (thought I would get both of the Lords out of the way:))
Flowers for Algernon
Sophie's Choice
Beatles (not about the Beatles. Norwegian book)
Marcus Aurelius (Meditations)
The Trial and Death of Socrates

There are so many more that I could mention. 1984 etc. But I'll stop. On the other hand, there are other classics that I just haven't been able to get through. Crime and Punishment and The Count of Monte Cristo, are two that I just cannot get through, even though I recognize that they are brilliant.

In regards to Lolita, it is one of the most well written books that I have ever read. It was strange feeling so in love with writing that is on a subject that is so clearly taboo.

Are there any classics that you guys have not been able to get through?

I have a passion for Dickens, but could never get into Shakespeare. I cannot count how many times I have tried and failed to get through War and Peace, it is still on my to be read list, and would still love to read it. I also love all of the Russian writers, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy have been favorites for a long time.

I did read all of the Bronte's, Tess, Tristam Shandy and the like while in University, but unfortunately just cannot bring myself to do so any longer.

Of course to me Dr. Suess is still the best classic!

There are a few classics I haven't been able to get through, and I want to try to finish them this year. I think I've tried Les Miserables two or three times, and I stopped most of the way through the second volume. I haven't been able to finish any Tolstoy. I think I stopped War and Peace at the end of the first volume, and Anna Karenina at part 3. Anna Karenina was just getting too depressing for me. I also quit partway through The Brothers Karamazov, and I never finished Don Quixote

I am reading both Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice for a course this semester. I haven't read Jane Eyre before, but I love Pride and Prejudice. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I read it-- I find it hilarious!

Lolita would also top my list. I agree with Viking; it's strange to love a book so much when the topic is... Creepy. I listened to the Jeremy Irons book on disc, and it was fabulous in the most disturbing way possible. I got paranoid that other cars could hear what I was listening to...

If we consider Sophie's Choice a classic (maybe modern classic) I would say that as well. I also love the movie.. Meryl Streep was phenomenal.

I tend to enjoy some Shakespeare, especially the cliche Romeo and Juliet and Othello.

I have hated so many classics, it is terrible.
One Hundred Years of Solitude? Hated it.
Les Miserables? Never finished, got bored (what kind of English teacher am I?)
Tess of the d'Ubervilles? So boring.
Anna Karenina? Got bored, quit.

I am a terrible person.

Oh! I also love The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Anything by her is ok in my book.

And The Great Gatsby, and I am really surprised by some of the opinions I have seen online lately... Seems like my interpretation of Gatsby's character and the plot progression are very different than others'.

I agree with the old adage that opinions are like....well everyone knows the saying. I liked the book The Great Gatsby and have not yet seen the movie. I tend not to listen to critics but to those of my friends instead.

One of my favourites is The Count of Monte Cristo. I recommend it to everyone. It might be long, but I find the story of Edmond Dantes enthralling, definitely a page turner.

To name a few that I really love: Shakespeare, Wells, Melville, Salinger, Faulkner, Borges, Camus... I think i've liked most of the classics i've read.

There aren't many classics I don't enjoy. And even if I don't enjoy it much I always try to find what other people love about them. I could never get into Paradise Lost. And from Steinbeck i've read Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden and I didn't like them very much. He writes well but the work is preachy... GoW was too political and EoE was too moral.

Have to agree with the general opinion on here... Lolita is a great read! Loved Jane Eyre as a kid (should go back and read it again...) the film adaptation was stunning with Mia Wasikowska.

Aldous Huxley is amount my favorites- Brave New World was phenomenal.

I have tried to read Dickens so many times and I cannot do it! I even tried to listen to Tale of Two Cities audio style and still!

My love for books is mirrored by many here as you have all name some of my favorites, especially the children's classics.

The Secret Garden and a A Little Princess were forever my companions.

But who could forget Anne of Green Gables ?

Now that I am in Canada, I hope to visit Prince Edward Island with my fingers cross.

Annie, from the pictures I have seen, and from what I have heard PEI is beautiful. Maybe if I get a chance to visit, we could go there together!

Chris, I loved The Count of Monte Cristo. great book and one of the VERY few that I have read more than once. I took a Salinger course in University, oh why, oh why, and hated it. Sorry, but, just could not get into any of it. We read all of his, from short stories to his novels. To many innuendoes for me.

Jennifer, Sophie's Choice was excellent. Great characterization and you are correct, Meryl Streep is phenomenal in everything that she does, but especially this movie.