Read a Classic Challenge discussion

Overview:
"When you finish, please post the following information to the feed: Title, Author, Translator (if applicable), Year of (initial) Publication, Number of Pages, and Format (print, e-reader, audiobook, etc.). You may also post analysis, critique, or questions about the book if you wish." Classics can be posted at anytime and are open to interpretation.

2013 Challenge Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/events/46743...

Optional Monthly Themes:
These are optional suggestions to provide a some fun to this years challenge. Any classic can be logged at any time. If you have a specific classic in mind, you’re a ‘one classic a year’ kind of participant, or you're an ‘I’m going to read every book from a single author this year’ kind of participant, then bravo, carry on. But if you like some variety and are not adverse to suggestions, please feel free to participate.

JAN: Action/Adventure
FEB: Classic Poetry
MAR: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
APR: Lost in Translation (any classic not originally written in English)
MAY: Victorian (written during or set in)
JUNE: Out to Sea (classics on a ship) (ORIGINALLY LISTED AS JULY)
JULY: Classical Greek and Roman (written during or set in) (ORIGINALLY LISTED AS JUNE)
AUG: Mystery
SEPT: Medieval (written during or set in)
OCT: Renaissance (written during or set in)
NOV: Drama
DEC: Short Story Collections or Holiday Fiction

I just re-read LORNA DOONE, which was a favorite when I was a kid. It was a different kind of enjoyment reading it this time, since I know a little bit more British history than I did when I was twelve -- so some of the cultural or topical references made much more sense! It's a fabulous adventure story, as well as a true romance.

LORNA DOONE, by R.D. Blackmore
originally published 1869
Penguin Classics paperpack edition: 800 pages

The Body Snatcher by Robert Louis Stevenson, 1884, 22 pages, Ereader/Text-to-Speech.

Having grown up reading Robert Louis Stevenson, and having lived in Edinburgh for a brief time, this short story filled me with nostalgia. However, it lacked enough substance and conflict to hold my interest.

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Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis, 1938, 150 pages, Ereader/Text-to-Speech.

I am not sure what to think of this book. The philosophical elements were unusual, but it did a good job of portraying unique descriptions of alien cultures.

The Variable Man by Philip K. Dick, 1953, 69 pages, Ereader/Text-to-Speech.

I enjoyed this story, although it was a little too short to fully develop the plot/themes.

X-Posted on Facebook.

I read (again) THE PRISONER OF ZENDA and RUPERT OF HENTZAU, by Anthony Hope -- my paperback book has both volumes bound as one book. THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (169 pages) was first published in 1894, and was so popular that Hope followed it with a sequel, RUPERT OF HENTZAU, published in 1898 (235 pages).

THE PRISONER OF ZENDA is by far the better book! Rudolf Rassendyll, the dashing red-haired narrator/hero, is witty and cynical and brave -- and passionately (but chastely!) in love with the incomparable Princess Flavia. Such larks!

RUPERT OF HENTZAU is far more somber, and too hero-worship-y for my taste -- narrated by a soldier who serves Flavia (now the Queen). Stick to the first book for the fun stuff; read the second if you just have to find out what happens next!

*also posted on Facebook

The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1855, 184 pages, ereader/text-to-speech.

I have fond memories of reading this with my Grandmother when I was a child. However, back then I was too young to notice the social and religious undertones of the story. It did have some catchy passages though.

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The White Company by Arthur Conan Doyle, 1891, 432 pages, ereader/text-to-speech.

I tried to read this book when I was younger and couldn't get through it. With interests in archery and medieval history, I figured I would give it another go. However, the archers of the White Company really don't even appear until 3/4ths of the way through the book. Unfortunately, this isn't the most accessible book to read. It is bogged down with massive amounts of archaic dialog about status, chivalry, and the superiority of the English. In addition, I had a hard time with its racist portrayal of a Black man early in the book, which I realize is partly due to the times in which it was written.

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Just finished reading Hesiod: Theogony, Work and Days, Shield. trans. by Apostolos N. Athanassakis, 1983, 168 pages, paperback.

Aaron wrote: "Just finished reading Hesiod: Theogony, Work and Days, Shield. trans. by Apostolos N. Athanassakis, 1983, 168 pages, paperback."

Thanks! I logged it! Feel free to join our group on facebook as well. https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/46...

I just finished CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? by Anthony Trollope (published serially throughout 1864 and 1865 and in book form in 1865). This novel begins the six-book cycle of the Palliser series. My Penguin Classics paperback edition is 830 pages.

Love it! Love the introduction of Glencora and Plantagenet Palliser -- who will anchor the series. But even more, I love Trollope's depiction of the Victorian world, and the Victorian worldview. I don't have much of a taste for most modern (post-modern) fiction -- I just love the Victorian way of telling a story, and no one does it better than Trollope.

*posted on Facebook as well

Got excited about next months challenge and jumped the gun by a few days :-) .... so I finished The Time Machine & The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells, initially published in 1895 & 1897 respectively this edition being published in 2003 as part of Barnes & Noble Classics series. 311 pages the format being an ebook.

I just finished The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge it was the kindle version that was published in 2012. 96 pages.

Thanks Aaron. I just logged it.

Angelique wrote: "I just finished The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge it was the kindle version that was published in 2012. 96 pages."

Logged!

White Fang by Jack London, 1905, 241 pages, Ereader/Text-to-Speech

I meant to pick up Call of the Wild, but this was a decent story from the animal's perspective. It follows the redemption of White Fang from a wild wolf to a tamer animal. Because of the subject, I used to think of this as a YA book, but due to racist language and animal cruelty, I probably wouldn't keep it in that category.

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Just finished "Fahrenheit 451" 50th anniversary edition, by Ray Bradbury ebook 107 pages (no date of publication listed).
I can't believe it took me this long to read this book. So much of it is slowly coming true in our world today, so very sad. Thank God for this group to get me off my posterior and reading these great books :-)

Logged!

Good afternoon. New to the group. I've been reading through a lot of classics with the BBC Top 100 Books lists of 2011 and 2012! Just finished:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, (imprinted in 1994 by the Modern Library), 629 pages, (Garnett translation)

and

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, 1937 Edition by the Nonesuch Press (imprinted in 2008), 871 pages

Raine wrote: "Good afternoon. New to the group. I've been reading through a lot of classics with the BBC Top 100 Books lists of 2011 and 2012! Just finished:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, (impr..."

Logged them both--both excellent books--thanks and welcome to the group!

Scott wrote: "Raine wrote: "Good afternoon. New to the group. I've been reading through a lot of classics with the BBC Top 100 Books lists of 2011 and 2012! Just finished:

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dost..."

Thank you so much :)

Just finished 1984 by George Orwell, originally published in 1950, format was ebook, 267 pages.
Frightful work, to much of it is slowly coming true or can feasibly be seen on the future's horizon.

Aaron wrote: "Just finished 1984 by George Orwell, originally published in 1950, format was ebook, 267 pages.
Frightful work, to much of it is slowly coming true or can feasibly be seen on the future's horizon."

Loved that book! Even got my husband to read it!

Just finished 1984 by George Orwell, originally published in 1950, format was ebook 238 pages.

Aaron and Angelique, I just logged you both. Thanks!

Finished Brave New World by Aldous Huxley first published in 1932, format was an ebook, 183 pages.

Just finished Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. published in 1969, format ebook, 134 pages. What a great book definitely adding it to my reread list.

Dune by Frank Herbert, 1965, 608 pages. Ereader/text-to-speech.

I have often passed over reading Dune because of the investment of time necessary to read it and the fact that I have seen both movies. However, Roberta inspired me to give it a try. While it did drag on a bit at times, I enjoyed it overall. There were many imaginative and thoughtful ideas in Dune that made it an outstanding science fiction novel. With the exception of most of them being concubines, I was also impressed with the strong female characters which are lacking in some other early examples of science fiction.

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Glad to hear you enjoyed Dune John, agree there is a little heaviness at times but also as you say, some intriguing ideas and I felt the characters and convoluted plot keep me enthralled. The women are pretty strong, especially the Lady Jessica - yet maternal and nurturing too, a combination which I must admit is my kind of feminism! It is the conjuring of a believable world that does it for me in the end. I'm now reading the prequel House Atreides which I will log when finished. Thanks for your insights - delighted to hear your views : )

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 1990, 117 pages, Ereader/text-to-speech/audiobook.

I was curious to read this after seeing the recent Oz movie. As I was doing so, my daughter started listening to it with me as well. It was quite entertaining for a children's book.

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Caitlin wrote: "Just finished Cicero: Selected Works translated by Michael Grant originally published 1960, 272 pages, paperback."

Logged! Thanks. Fun fact: I share a birthday with Cicero.

Aaron wrote: "Just finished Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. published in 1969, format ebook, 134 pages. What a great book definitely adding it to my reread list."

Logged.

John wrote: "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 1990, 117 pages, Ereader/text-to-speech/audiobook.

I was curious to read this after seeing the recent Oz movie. As I was doing so, my daughter started..

John, I logged both of yours on facebook. If I ever forget to mention logging yours on Goodreads, that's why. I just don't want our fellow goodreaders to think that I'm ignoring you.

Speaking of which, the facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/e... for anyone who wants to check it out.

The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 1904, 192 pages, Ereader/text-to-speech.

Interesting follow-up to the Wizard of Oz. Couldn't tell if it was progressive or not for its time.

X-posted on Facebook

I just finished reading Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 282 pages. I also read
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam :Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations by Omar Khayyam 150 pages

I just finished Dracula by Bram Stoker
Original year of publication: 1897
400 pages, hardback copy.

Michael wrote: "I just finished reading Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 282 pages. I also read
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam :Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations by Omar Khayyam 150 pages"

Logged them both. Thanks.

Raine wrote: "I just finished Dracula by Bram Stoker
Original year of publication: 1897
400 pages, hardback copy."

Logged!

To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld 1) by Philip José Farmer, 1971, 220 pages, Ereader

I can't say that I enjoyed this book. The main premise is a very interesting concept, but it suffers from two main issues. Firstly, it is full of sexism and racism, which the author weakly attributes to the main character's colonialism. Secondly, it lacks a coherent plot.

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OK, so I just this minute finished reading THE DRAWING OF THE DARK, by Tim Powers (first published in 1979). My paperback edition was 323 pages.

O my sweet Aunt Pat -- I love this book so much! It draws on the Arthurian legend, and the myth of the Fisher King, and also draws in elements of both Celtic and Norse mythology -- in addition to highlighting the historical battle for Vienna that took place in 1529 between the Christian west and the Muslim east. And beer! The title refers not only to the powers of Darkness that are drawn into the battle for the Heart of the West, but to the Hertzwesten beer that is brewed in a monastery/tavern in Vienna. King Arthur and beer -- how many WINS is that?!

/also posted on Facebook/

(March 17) Read TIME AND AGAIN, by Jack Finney, first published in 1970. My paperback edition was 398 pages. This is a nifty time travel story -- I love those!

/also posted on Facebook/

I am excited to see so many new members joining the group. Welcome!

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, 1974, 288 pages, Ereader.

This book was full of very interesting ideas. I think the personal and societal story lines were better written than the military battle scenes. But otherwise I enjoyed this book

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R.U.R. by Karel Čapek, Translated by Paul Selver and Nigel Playfair, 1920, 79 pages, Ereader.

I enjoyed this short play, which is credited as the origin of the word "Robot". It was a much less confusing work of science fiction than Metropolis, but still contained insightful dialog and humor.

If you are interested, you can get the ebook for free at http://manybooks.net/titles/capekkoth...

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The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, 1969, 195 pages, Ereader.

I enjoyed this tale. Although the plot was relatively straight forward, the well written characters really drew me into the story.

Just finished Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury ebook 100 pages. Sorry there was no publication page but it was originally published 1953. Great book.

Angelique wrote: "Just finished Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury ebook 100 pages. Sorry there was no publication page but it was originally published 1953. Great book."

Logged! I loved that book too!

Just finished Dracula by Bram Stoker. Originally published in 1897, ebook, and was 433 pages.

Orson Scott Card Ender's Game published 1985 epub 265 pages. Good book going to take my time with the series.

Caitlin wrote: "Just finished Anna Karenina. Very interesting novel. I loved getting transported to 1870 Russia, and the intrigue of love in upper Russian society.

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (translated by Consta..."

I don't know how I missed logging this in April, but I've logged it now. Thanks!

Aaron wrote: "Just finished Dracula by Bram Stoker. Originally published in 1897, ebook, and was 433 pages."

Logged! Thanks.

Scott wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "Just finished Anna Karenina. Very interesting novel. I loved getting transported to 1870 Russia, and the intrigue of love in upper Russian society.

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (tran..."

I love that book! Logged!