The Classics Club is hosting a Classics Spin. Basically, I’m supposed to list and number twenty remaining books on my CC reading list, and next Monday, The Classics Club will post a random number. Whatever book corresponds with the number on my list, I must read and review before April 1. I’m always up for a literary challenge, so here goes!
Rereads:
1. Little Dorrit
2. Emma
3. Les Miserables
4. North & South
5. King Solomon’s Mines
I am greatly anticipating these new titles:
6. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
7. The Importance of Being Earnest
8. David Copperfield
9. War and Peace
10. The Pickwick Papers
*gulp* These scare me:
11. The Count of Monte Cristo
12. Wuthering Heights
13. Middlemarch
14. For Whom the Bell Tolls
15. Don Quixote
Take ‘em or leave ‘em:
16. Hamlet
17. Robinson Crusoe
18. Moby Dick
19. Villette
20. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
I am anxious to see which title will be chosen!
(psssst… how do you like the new look for “all things bright and beautiful”? is it easy to navigate and everthin’?)
country girl
Oh, I’m eager to see what you end up reading! I was thinking about encouraging you by saying that The Count of Monte Cristo isn’t that bad…but then I started thinking about it and realized that, yup, it’s worth quaking over. It really is a good story, though, and Dumas doesn’t ramble as much as Victor Hugo does in Les Miserables. (No massive sections on convents or Parisian sewers!)
It has been awhile since I read Ben-Hur, but it’s a great story- and unlike some books set in the days of Christ, it is extremely respectful of the Biblical accounts and takes no liberties with them. Do review it when you’re done!
…Wuthering Heights. I really ought to make myself read that this year, but it’s just so bleak!
It’s real easy mah dear to naver-gate round’ these parts. And it looks mighty fine!
(read in my southern accent.. I live in the South so that equals an accent, right? Right.)
Wonderful choices, Petie dear! I love your (segregated) list of classic books! And The Importance of Being Earnest is one of the most hilarious books on earth. Hopefully, that will be the number the Classics Club chooses. All right, whatever they choose and whatever you read, I hope you enjoy it!
The new design is smashing!
Oh dear you have some massive things in the list! And also “War and Peace” *highfives* Good luck to both of us in case this one gets pulled out… And to you in case of Don Quixote. And Monte Cristo.
Hehehehehe…how did I know that Les Mis would be on your list of re-reads?
I’ve been wanting to read War & Peace for a long time…maybe when you post your review, It’ll motivate me to pick it up from the library
I just finished The Hunchback Of Notre Dame today – you were right. I didn’t like it. I mean, I sort of knew that VH would have tons of digressions and unneeded stuff, but it took all my Reader Of Classic Books Determination to slog through it. And at first I was really happy that the archdeacon’s brother was named Jehan (since he’s my favorite of the Les Amis in LM) but then I realized that he wasn’t a good character so…but I disgress 
Ben Hur is a bit hard to get into but I did enjoy it once I got more into the plot. But basically it was a one time read for me – you know how those are.
Hmmmm…I have a sort of love-hate relationship with your new blog design. I’m not sure I like the background but I have to admit it’s more easy to get around and it looks really nice (except for the background) and it looks like you, if you know what I mean
I think I’ll get used to it after awhile.
Eva
Haha! I am a bit predictable, yes?
Heh. I have a love-hate relationship with Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was good because, well duh, it’s Victor Hugo.
But then, it was just kinda depressing and sad. I would like to read it again soon!
Thanks for the feedback on the design! I chose that background picture because 1) it was one of the pictures from my old header, and 2) it has a lovely, wintery feel to it. But of course, as spring comes and such, I will be changing it up from time to time. So never fear! You are not doomed to looking at the same background for all eternity.
(listening to Hadley Fraser’s ‘Stars’ right now – AMAZING!)
Well, it’s not like I hate it and I’m curious to see what you’ll be using as spring comes
Hi, Petie. I randomly discovered your blog one day and just wanted to mention that you inspired me to be more honest about my faith and Christian lifestyle on my own blog, so, thank you for that! That being said, I like the new design: very easy to follow. I hope you get War and Peace because it reminded me a lot of Les Mis and is an excellent novel. I was just thinking today about rereading it eventually. I’m looking forward to your review of whichever book you get!
Hi Petie, your choices look great. I’m reading North and South right now. I love Elizabeth Gaskell’s sytle of writing… I’m thinking of joining the Classics Club. Should be fun!
Love the new design! cute, cute, cute. and don’t be afraid of Count of Monte Cristo–It’s big but its wonderful. And I know you’re not afraid of thick books.
The Importance of Being Earnest is great! Especially after watching the movie!
wow, the new design is awwweesome! I LOVE IT. yeah, robinson crusoe was never one of my faves either….and I really need to get onto reading the sherlock holmes too! oh, and also need to hurry up and get those books…what were they called again??? oh. that’s right. THE HUNGER GAMES. bahahahaha.
I enjoyed Villette once it started picking up-that was my first, and thus far, only finished Classics Club read. I started Middlemarch this week. I am thinking I will finish several books whilst reading that one-it is so huge. And I just read Les Mis-of course that WAS on Christmas break.
I really do need to read North and South soon… There’s just this little thing that takes up all my time and gets in the way of pleasurable reading called…school
I love the movie (haha that may or may not have something to do with certain actors in it) so I think I’d like the book too.
How’s Robin Hood coming? Love it or hate it?
-mal
Oh, goodness. The book North & South is just as good as the movie. I’m usually a member of The-Book-Is-Always-Better Club, but… the movie’s just pretty hard to beat, right?
Robin Hood, eh? This could turn into a long comment…..
It’s so fun to watch, and the characters are so wonderful. Seemed a little cheesy at first, like you said, but that helps to keep it lighthearted, I think. ‘Cause let’s face it, it could get pretty dark with that EVIL AND HORRID Sherriff of Nottingham around, but the humor and slight cheesiness keep it light. 
I’m also undecided on Guy of Gisbourne; don’t love him, but don’t hate him. He seems like a very conflicted, complex character.
In episode eight, when Will first revealed his growing affection for a certain someone, I kinda melted (after I finished laughing at him and Allan 
). I mean, WOULD THEY BE JUST ADORABLE TOGETHER OR WHAT.
Soooooo we’re almost done with Season 1 and I kinda love it.
As far as characters, Much is just delightfully hilarious (“That is really annoying, MY LORD.”). I didn’t like Allan A Dale at first, but he is quickly growing on me. Robin has a lot of growing on me left to do. Haha! Not entirely impressed with everything about him yet. Marian is… I’m not sure yet.
But really, one of my biggest reasons for liking Robin Hood can be summed up in two words: WILL SCARLET. And Djaq. Two people for whom I have high hopes.
Okay, I need to be done now or I won’t stop. But to answer your question, I’m really enjoying it!
I KNEW YOU’D LOVE IT!!!! So happy I have a new Robin Hood friend to fangirl with
Oh, Alan, he’s quite an interesting character over the course of the series… But I like him – he can be funny in his own way 
Robin and Marian both have their problems, but I love them despite all that. (Can you tell that I love pretty much all the characters?) Ah yes, Will and Djaq 
I wish they had developed them more than they did – they’re cute 
And then it’s fun after episode eight to watch them together like at 13:41 in episode 9 when he has his hand on her shoulder 
If you look for it you can see stuff like that.
Can’t wait to hear your take on the rest of it! Just keep watching it and soon you’ll end up like me and have two dreams with Guy in one night 
Ok I’m off to go run on the treadmill and watch a Robin! (I’m starting over the series from the beginning – I’m one episode 9 in season 1)
Haha you gotta love Much – I’m in the middle of watching the “Lord Much” episode right now
And I love how each character has their own phrase… Alan has “I’m not being funny,” the Sherrif has “A clue, no,” John has “him, I liked” and “We go to Nottingham!” Haha I seems like Marian’s could be “grow up”
So glad you like it
Haha my Robin Hood comments get long too
Well, I just love Will the best because he is by far the most sensible and practical of the group. And he’s not hot-tempered like most of them are. He’s definitely passionate about justice, but it’s a quiet, steady passion instead of a wild, let’s-go-storm-the-castle kind. He weighs his actions, doesn’t do anything rash, and he only speaks when he has something important to say. He is loyal and honorable, and myohmy I just can’t wait to see how his story with Djaq unfolds.
And oh, speaking of which, believe me, I saw his hand on Djaq’s shoulder! It brought a tremendous grin to my face.
But yes, Will, Djaq, and Allan are my favorite characters so far, in that order.
Yeah, that is pretty fun! The Sherriff also says “and blah de blah de blah” a lot. Haha!
Heehee, Les Mis is on the rereads list… Surprised feeling, surprised feeling, whither art thou?
You’re going to LOVE The Importance of Being Earnest. It’s awesome. And Wuthering Heights is awwwwwwwful. Ben-Hur is pretty good after you slog through the first volume (seriously, it’s a bore) and I LURVE David Copperfield. You’re re-reading King Solomon’s Mines? O_O But… why? (To each her own, Chauvie, to each her own. Be nice.) I really didn’t like that one, though.
As for the new design… me liketh! Not difficult to navigate at all, though my little silly preference is for sidebars on the right. Dunno why, but I suppose that’s what I’m used to on my own blog and so I expect all other blogs to do the same. (Pathetic reason.) I adore your new profile pic, by the by… with great adoration. Did I tell you that already? Never mind. Bears repeating.
Middlemarch scared me too. I had a bad experience with The Mill on the Floss in high school. Middlemarch did start out a bit slowly but it’s worth sticking with. The first 100 pages were a little dry but I really did love the rest of it.
And I LOVED North and South, I want to reread it again too!
Check yer email?
My deah girl- I must say one thing. DAVID COPPERFIELD. MM is reading it, & I can promise you, once you’ve both read it, you shall be supplied with new hilarious quotes & exchanges with which to speak & write letters with for the next century or so. NOTE: the Micawbers- but I shall say no more- !
Miss you & your charming family!
-Sophie
I second Natalie’s comment about The Count of Monte Cristo…”It’s big and wonderful”! I’ve read it several times and always make connections that I hadn’t seen before. If you’ve seen the recent movie with what’s-his-name in it, you’ll be pleased to know that the book is far more complex. Dumas delves further into the personalities and develops the plot with many more characters. (A side note–It helps to have a way to translate French quotes into English. Another side note–the second time I read the book I made a chart of the characters and how they were related to one another, it helped!) I hope this one is picked for you to read, we’ll have a great time discussing it in Art Class! Mrs. M
Oh, and I grew to love Hamlet after teaching it to my kids. Three.years.in.a.row! We read it and watched any versions we could ‘rent’ from the Norman Library. Turns out we liked the Kenneth Branagh (sp?) version best-Mel Gibson (!) came in a close second.