1.07.2011

Favorite Classics

I have read a lot of boring classics, and a lot of fantastic classics over the years. Here is a list that are (in my opinion) not boring, and very well written. Some are more modern and popular than others, but if you are looking for a classic of any sort, all of these are at the top of my list.


My Antonia: Willa Cather "There was nothing but land; not a country at all, but the material out of which countries are made."

To Kill a Mockingbird: Harper Lee "It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived. "

Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte "I am no bird, and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will."

Hamlet: William Shakespeare "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, Thou canst not be false to any man."

Great Expectations: Charles Dickens "No man who was not a true gentleman at heart, ever was, since the world began, a true gentleman in manner... no varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself."

The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald "I know. I've been everywhere and seen everything and done everything…Sophisticated - God, I'm sophisticated."

Catch-22: Joseph Heller "Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them."

Frankenstein: Mary Shelley "I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other."

The Count of Monte Cristo: Alexander Dumas "He felt he had passed beyond the bounds of vengeance, and that he could no longer say, “God is for and with me.”

The Scarlet Letter: Nathaniel Hawthorne "A pure hand needs no glove to cover it."

Anna Karenina: Leo Tolstoy "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Walden: Henry David Thoreau "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Little Women: Louisa May Alcott "If we are all alive ten years hence, let's meet, and see how many of us got our wishes, or how much nearer we are then than now."

Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen "A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment."


Mrs. Dalloway: Virginia Woolf "Still, one got over things. Still, life had a way of adding day to day."

1984: George Orwell "Thoughtcrime, they called it. Thoughtcrime was not a thing that could be concealed forever. You might dodge successfully for awhile, even years, but sooner or later they were bound to get you."

21 comments:

kELLY said...

i finished to kill a mockingbird a couple months ago- surprised me, actually and i kinda liked it.
i read great expectations in high school, but i will be reading it again later on in my life :)
the scarlet letter is one my all time favs
i have started anna karenina like seven times and i can never get through it. that's a life long goal for me :) ha
pride and prejudice is just great. also, little women.

i'm going to read jane eyre and the great gatsby in the next couple months since i've never read them. i'm excited!

Ashley said...

i clearly need to brush up on my reading - i think i only hit 2 on this entire list. very inspiring! to the library i go!

emilymcb said...

I love all of these books.

Have you read Dodie Smith's "I Capture the Castle" or Betty Smith's "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"? They're pretty easy reads, but I love them.

Callie said...

I just started Pride and Prejudice! I'm ashamed I have not read it yet, but I'm excited. Love all of these.

Laura said...

I have read at least half of these books! And I've loved them all, I do love a classic!!

L x

Brittany said...

All of these books are so beautiful to me. It's funny how much we love these little stories. They've taught me big things and meant big things. I love these lists you're compiling--they are inspired.

i most recently read Mrs. Dalloway in London and thought it was heartbreaking and beautiful.

Happy weekend Mandy!

Dee Paulino said...

I read all the time but I haven't read of these classics. I have been wanting to read little woman for quite a while though.

This is a great list, thanks for sharing!!

Caroline said...

I love the classics ... East of Eden is one of my all time favorites. Great list! xo

C Mae said...

I read A LOT of these in HS/middle school. I'm glad now as an adult they were required reading!!! I love to Kill a Mockingbird. I have always joked I'd name my kid Scout like in the book. :)

Destined For Now said...

Great choices! I did 1984 with my seniors last semester and they loved it.

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, To Kill a Mockingbird... love them all!

But 1984? I think I hate it more than pretty much any other book I've ever read. Guess I just really need a happy ending!

Michelle said...

Little Women will always hold a special place in my heart because that was the first "real" book I read, and felt educated because it was in the 4th grade.

MadeByHind said...

I am happy I found your blog today, such smart blog full of info. I also blog about same topics books, tips, culture and music .. best wishes

Shay said...

Half of those are on my list to read and some to re-read- I never appreciated the books I was forced to read in highschool as much as I should and would now! FYI- I tagged you in an award post if you want it:-) Hope you have a fantastic weekend, Mandy!

Unknown said...

The Count is the best book out of the Pride and Prejudice real. Because I am a Pride and Prejudice fanatic I cannot say anything beats it, but I do adore the count on so many levels!

Anonymous said...

I've been meaning to read Catch 22 and Anna Karenina for practically FOREVER and just haven't gotten around to it. However, you're inspired me to just get to it! Thanks, Mandy. :) Hope you have a happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

PS: I gave you a silly little blog award over at my blog, so check it out if you'd like! :)

Rachel said...

you have so many book on here that i love. and i cant' wait for the great gatsby movie to come out - really excited to see that one!

Amanda said...

oh i'm so glad you posted these! i've been dying to find new (classic) books to read.

i already have the great gatsby on hold at my library.

Christa said...

I love your list Mands. Most of them are on my top list as well, but I would have to add Withuring Heights and of course...Harry Potter. haha jk.

Catherine Fishback said...

I so desire to be this well-read. Thanks for sharing your favorites. It is very inspiring.

Catherine

http://bradfordandcatherine.blogspot.com/