Classics for Beginners discussion

Is there a challenge for the number of classics we plan to read in 2014? I have looked everywhere and can't seem to find it. Thank you for your help.

I can create a challenge for you.

Here you go:

https://www.goodreads.com/challenges/...

You can use this thread to discuss your progress or post any thoughts or questions you might have about the challenge.

Thank you Danielle

Anna wrote: "Thank you Danielle"

You're welcome. Thanks for asking!

Photo Eclectic wrote: "Good luck with the challenge Joy. I've a lot on at the moment so have decided to start with a small challenge of reading 6 classics this year and see how I get on. If it looks like I'll reach my ..."

I've set a low goal since I don't get to squeeze in as many classics around my review reading lately.

I've set only a goal of 5 classics, as they are pretty hefty and some of the authors I've never read before. Anything after that is a bonus! 3/5 so far.


Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, and Other Writings 02Jan2014, 3 stars
David Copperfield, 22Jan2014, 5 stars
Les Misérables
The Count of Monte Cristo, 01Feb2014, 5 stars
For Whom the Bell Tolls

Best wishes to everyone!

Danielle The Book Huntress (Angels Weep For Goodreads) wrote: "Best wishes to everyone!"

Thanks! I love to read but classics have always been hard for me so I hope this motivates me. For some reason, my ticker shows I already read Huckleberry Finn which I didn't. Is there a way to change it back?

Just change it on your bookshelf. If you haven't read at all change from read to 'to read' or if you read before this year change the date read.

Nicolle wrote: "Just change it on your bookshelf. If you haven't read at all change from read to 'to read' or if you read before this year change the date read."

It always showed up on my "to read" bookshelf, but it still showed as "read" on my classics challenge progress. So I deleted it from my cc shelf for now. Thanks, and I look forward to the challenge!

Hope everyone is doing well their classics so far this year. I actually picked some books that's kicking my rear...but I keep reading and eventually they end. I love the classics.

This year I intend to read the following classics:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Villette by Charlotte Bronte
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins



And I hope to re-read a couple of my old favourites:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

I have finished re-reading
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

Want to read:
The Sportswriter by Richard Ford
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis
Wide Saragossa Sea by Jean Rhys
The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch

I know they are more recent classics, but I have read lots of English, French and Russian 18th and 19th Century classics before and therefore never got around to the above. Do they count or don't they?
What do you think?

Hello Gisela, did you enjoy Rebecca? I love the movie and just purchased the book (e-reader version)but haven't gotten to it yet.

WEll, it used the be in my top 10 books. I first read it about 30 years ago before I came to live in England. I loved the depiction of Manderly and the scenery in general. It has one of the best opining lines/pages EVER. Ever since reading it, when I visit a stately home here, I think of this "I dreamed we were in Manderly again...."- magical. Even at the time, I found Maxim difficult to take, as he is a chauvinistic pig to be honest, but I had a lot of sympathy for his second wife. Reading it with more life experience and living here in England and having had to get to grips with the still very much existing class system here (compared to Germany) I much more noticed the huge importance class plays in the book and how all characters and the writers upper-class attitudes are reflected in the book. Whilst I still can get where the 2nd Mrs came from her deferential attitude to her husband and anybody in the upper classes and in contrast looking-down on servants and normal folks, annoyed me a lot. However, it is still written very well, the story is brilliant and it is most likely a more than accurate depiction of how things where during that period.

Arlene, where are you from. Would be interested what you think about the book and anybody non-European. Enjoy and seethe from time to time.

Gisela wrote: "WEll, it used the be in my top 10 books. I first read it about 30 years ago before I came to live in England. I loved the depiction of Manderly and the scenery in general. It has one of the best..."

Gisela, thanks for the review Im in Ohio (Cincinnati) I lived in England for 4 years so I understand the class system. Have you ever seen the movie?

Several, the best probably being a BBC series from the 80th. Again the scenery is breath-taking.

How did you like the book?

Meh, I've only read 2. Been in the mood for another soon. I have done well so far with the yearly challenge overall for all genres (about 8 away from goal and only half the year is over), but with classics just so-so. Since I only did five total for the classics challenge, I should be able to meet that fine.

Arlene wrote: "Gisela wrote: "WEll, it used the be in my top 10 books. I first read it about 30 years ago before I came to live in England. I loved the depiction of Manderly and the scenery in general. It has ..."

Several and I loved especially the BBC one from the early 80th.