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50: A Penguin Modern Classic
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What are you reading for this category? Tender Is the Night
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Well I just started it, but since Fitzgerald is the kind of author that you have to read in school, I figure all of his work is considered "classic". As for modern, the book is about the 1920s and a lot of the foundation for modern outlook and attitudes was developed then, so yeah it's pretty modern. And from what I gather in the summary, it's about adultery too which is a modern issue as well.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Very rarely--I'm not one to buy an edition of a book just for the cover or publisher.
- What are you reading for this category?Reading out of suggested order, I have chosen Orlando by Virginia Wolf.
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I do consider it to be "modern classic" indeed, being written by an influential author who inspired so many others in time. The book explores many up to that day unwritten of issues, especially coming from the pen of a female writer. That definitely fulfills my definition of both "modern" and "classic".
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Most of the times I do not pay much attention to the publisher. However, it might tell a thing or two about the quality of the work and the success of the author.
What are you reading for this category?Night
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Yes. It's studied in high schools and universities, it's well-written and highly regarded. And it's modern haha I mean, WWII was not that long ago, as much as we hate to admit it.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Ehhhh... not really. If it's already caught my attention, the publisher or collection might push it up on my priority list, but it won't get me to add a book if it wasn't already going to be there.
- What are you reading for this category?I read The Stranger by Albert Camus (or L'Etranger in French)
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I guess it is, Camus is a famous French author and I've heard a lot about him, though I never read any of this book. I didn't really like this one, but I can see why it stood the test of time.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not at all. I only read on my Kindle, so I don't really pay attention to the cover either, but I love watching BookTube videos where they present gorgeous collection (like the Penguin Vintage ones, just beautiful).
I read The Secret GardenDo you consider this book a "modern classic" , and if so , Why?
This book is a classic and in a way it could be a modern classic as it still fits in the world as we know it.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not really if the cover strikes my fancy I will read it most times I do not know the publisher of a book.
This was a cute book. It shows how when a person puts their mind to something that things can change. This book was about a garden that young children thought changed them with magical presence when all along it was the work of mother nature and the fresh air that made them well again. This is a true classic and would be recommended to anyone that likes the classics as well as magical ideas.
For this prompt I plan to (re)read Animal Farm. I read it at least 30 years ago, so I don't remember much about it. I definitely consider it a modern classic, though, based on having to read it in school and its popularity/themes.QOTW: I rarely consider the publisher of the book I'm reading. I mostly choose books based on the cover & synopsis or recommendations.
- What are you reading for this category?Animal Farm
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Yes, because it's a popular book, and it's still studied in schools etc.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not really.
What are you reading for this category?The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I would say so - I'd definitely consider The Age of Innocence one, so I'll be interested to see what I think of this. Although personally I'd probably define modern as after around 1930.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not at all, although I do find that I love the covers of the Vintage books.
What are you reading for this category? Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes, because it was written about "modern" times and others view it as a classic.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? No
- What are you reading for this category? Dubliners by James Joyce- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? I am not really sure I know that James Joyce is a famous author of the early 20th century but my knowledge of him and his works is limited. But I happened to have this book and it fit the topic so figured it would be the perfect way to push me to read it!
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? No I never pay attention to who publishes my the books I listen to but I did notice when I tried to find a book outside of the big name publishers it was hard to find one so they do have a bit of a monopoly! :)
- What are you reading for this category?The Man in the High Castle
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
It is a classic of sci-fi, the grandfather of alternate history novels.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not usually.
What are you reading for this category?I'm reading 'A Clockwork Orange', by Anthony Burgess
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Yes - it's quite shocking in its depictions of violence, but very cleverly written and the plot is taut.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not really, it depends on the book's plot and author as that is what draws me in.
-What are you reading for this category? A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? Not really, I normally read what interests me.
- What are you reading for this category? We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? No I read what sounds interesting to me.
Progress Post:- What are you reading for this category?
Petals of Blood by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I don't know enough about African literature to have my own opinion, but after reading it, I can understand why this book would be considered such a classic.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not as much as I focus on the author, especially because I get most of my recommendations for others, and am usually looking for any edition of a book
Apparently I forgot to post this here, although I finished the book a couple of days ago.What are you reading for this category?
I read Death of a Salesman
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
To an extent I do, since I know it is a play that is often studied in schools and I think it has tome very relevant themes, but it doesn't seem to be quite as well-known as some of the other classics I've read.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Ironically enough, only when it comes to classics. I look for editions that offer good translations of classics from other languages. I generally prefer Penguin for classics anyway. Like Katie said above, I also look for versions that have a decent font size.
Mod
I would consider Virginia Woolf to be a "classic" author, but having finally read this book, I'm not sure I would call it a classic. Interesting, and important to the feminist movement, but not really all that memorable. I'm not going to be running out to tell everyone to read it.
I pay attention to the publisher for some cases: a) if it's part of series and I want them all to match, b) if the cover art is either particularly good or bad on one edition (like I never buy movie-tie-in editions), c) if it's a translation and I've had good luck with a particular publisher in the past, or d) if I'm looking for an annotated copy, which is sometimes nice for older works. That said I don't have favorite publishers or collections. It's specific to each book.
What are you reading for this category?The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I'm only about halfway through this, but I can definitely consider this a modern classic. Newland Archer, the main character, is surprisingly modern and feminist in some ways (especially for his time period), and Edith Wharton is like Jane Austen in both her wit, and her understanding of society's intricacies and constraints. I think I'll know how I feel about this for certain once I'm finally finished though.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I tend not to, no. Sometimes if I find a cool cover of a book I love, I'll snag it and add it to my shelf. For example, Puffin has come out with some really adorable covers for some of my favorite classics, like Anne of Green Gables and The Secret Garden:
- What are you reading for this category?Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I didn't expect it to be one. I had a hard time finding a book I was interested in since I don't really like classics. But when I saw this one on the list it was an easy decision. and thinking about it, maybe it is. Almost everybody read this as a child. I can see why it's a modern classic
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not when buying it. I do look at the publisher later on.
- What are you reading for this category? The Lottery and Other Stories- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? I don't know I thought that Modern Classic's were to be published after 1960 but this was published in the 1949. It is however a Penguin Modern Classic; I think in general Shirley Jackson's writing was different for the times and she was influential so would say she deserves recognition as a classic.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? Nope.
What are you reading for this category?The Lost Estate by Alain-Fournier
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I suppose it must be because it was on the list. I had never heard of it
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
No . Never. I read what interests me regardless of the publisher
- What are you reading for this category?
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes, because it is one that everyone has heard about and it was written in 1943 which would make it fairly "modern".
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? No, the publisher is not important to me.
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What are you reading for this category?The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I'm not sure that I do, but only becasue I had never heard of it before I was doing the research for this topic. I quite think it should be.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I do not.
- What are you reading for this category?In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
It is referred to the first true crime book so I think it deserves to be called a modern classic for beginning a genre that is very popular today.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
No, I don't pay attention to publisher or collection when I am reading.
- What are you reading for this category? Breakfast at Tiffany's - Do you consider this book a "modern classic," and if so, why? Keep in mind I'm answering this before I've read it. Yes, because the book has taken on a life of its own. It's spawned a movie, a musical, plays, and is a touchstone in popular culture.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? It depends. I'm not such a book snob that I won't read a book if it isn't with the "right" publisher. However, some publishers do a better job of presenting a book, so I do tend to gravitate toward some publishers.
- What are you reading for this category?Summer Lightning by P.G. Wodehouse
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Oh absolutely. I think that a book can be a modern classic if it was written a few generation back, for that generation but is still enjoyable today. This book is a great look into how my great grand parent's generation lived and what they read.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I used to. I used to almost exclusively read Avon, Bantam, and Tor. But now I'm much more likely to take a book from a friend's Goodreads shelf or pick one off a best of list.
The publisher was much more prominent when I was perusing physical books than it is in the digital age.
What are you reading for this category?Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes. I guess I look at books published in the 1950s onward as modern classics. This book was published in 1958.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I've started paying attention when the books in a collection are striking looking. I've bought a few Penguin Classics that look like this copy of Villette by Charlotte Brontë.
What are you reading for this category?Quiet Days in Clichy by Henry Miller
The Devil in the Flesh by Raymond Radiguet
A Room with a View by E M Forster
The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence
Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Yes. We call contemporary classics to those which have been published in the last 30-40 years. Such as books by Angela Carter, Ian McEwan, Jeanette Winterson, Margaret Atwood etc. Mostly becasue most of them are still alive and their books have added much to story telling or style to literature. So, modern classics should be called to those published in the last century.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I pay attention to publisher and collection for non-fiction. For Fiction, I pay attention to book covers. That's why I have more books by Vintage and Penguin than any other publisher. e.g. I woudn't buy anything from DH Lawrence other than those by Vintage with gorgeous covers. I would even pay a little bit more. Also, well known publishers produce better quality books in terms of paper quality and font size.
What are you reading for this category?A Clockwork Orange
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
for sure, it's very well known, has good literary value because of the unique writing style, and it's a good book that will be probably be read for a long while
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
no, not really. the only time i did was to verify if a room of one's own was non-fiction or fiction, haha
- What are you reading for this category?The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
It is a quite short book, but touches on themes that are important, such as the value of life, fundamentalism versus evolution, acceptance versus rejection and hate.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Not really.
What are you reading for this category? Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas WolfeDo you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? A modern-ish classic, as it was published in 1929, nearly a century ago. At the time, the trials and tribulations of the modern age were just coming to light (small town gentrification, marriage and child rearing issues, raging alcoholism, feminism). Literary critics also considered Wolfe's greatest work to be an autobiographical novel, something altogether new for the times.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? Not really.
What are you reading for this category?Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Yes. Steinbeck is a Nobel laureate and his books are deeply evocative of time and place.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Only sometimes. I care about who put out the Shakespeare play I'm reading.
- What are you reading for this category? The Red Pony by John Steinbeck - Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? No, I hadn't heard of it before. Though the author himself should be considered a modern classic.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? I tend to trust a certain type of publishers when it comes to what I enjoy reading. I'm also a bit picky when there are multiple editions.
- What are you reading for this category?A Clockwork Orange- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? Yes - it is well known.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? For whatever reason I seem to notice more on the classics that I'm reading. I don't notice on the current books.
- What are you reading for this category? Howl, Kaddish and Other Poems
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Not especially, it's modern poems and I never heard about it before the challenge. I think classics should be well known or very popular.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
No, just the edition :)
- What are you reading for this category? A Streetcar Named Desire- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why? I would say yes, because it is well know. Who had not seen the reference "Stella!!" in a sitcom :D Besides is well written and it shows a very ugly part of our society.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? Nope.
What are you reading for this category?The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Hmm, I definitely learned a lot from this, and it highlighted important issues in regard to West Indian immigration to London and the effects of colonization, but it was also sort of a big jumble. I think it's supposed to tie into two related novels by the same author, so maybe one of those should really be the classic instead.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
I went through several classic collections online when I decided I should read more classics, to give me ideas for my TBR, but now I only pay attention to buy the Penguin Hardcover Classics version, if there is one.
- What are you reading for this category?The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I wouldn't probably consider it a modern classic, but it seems to be gaining more popularity and becoming one.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Nope not at all
- What are you reading for this category? 1984 by George Orwell- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
Definitely a classic, and I would also consider it modern in that it eerily predicted some of the things that occur in society today. I had to choose this one because it seemed like EVERYONE was reading it this year. It was slow in the beginning for me, but I really started to enjoy towards the middle and I'm glad that I read it.
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading? Nope, never.
- What are you reading for this category?Life is a Dream
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
No. The book is neither modern (it was written before I was born and I am ancient!!) nor a classic in the traditional sense. I had never even heard of it or the author. I just happened to find this book because because I needed to read a classic by an Hungarian author. I do like the book. I have read the first short story and it ended in a very satisfactory way. Unusual for most short stories I read!!
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Yes, I do. There are movie editions, anniversary editions, editions with special added contents. Sometimes I purposely avoid a movie edition. I can always go to the movie to see that!!
What are you reading for this category?In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
My definition of a classic is probably "an old book that I feel like I should have read, but keep putting off because I know I probably won't enjoy it". This description probably applies for a modern classic, just for more recent books, and in that case, yes this is a modern classic!
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
Never.
What are you reading for this category?A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
I think so because it's an important book for feminism at the time and the discussion of women in literature.
Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?
No, not really.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
A Room of One’s Own (other topics)In Cold Blood: A True Account of a Multiple Murder and Its Consequences (other topics)
Life is a Dream (other topics)
1984 (other topics)
The Man in the High Castle (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Virginia Woolf (other topics)Truman Capote (other topics)
George Orwell (other topics)
Philip K. Dick (other topics)
Sam Selvon (other topics)
More...
For those of you reading in order: Dec 11 - Dec 17
To discuss the book, don't forget to add it in the A-Z folders or join the existing discussion. Please, don't discuss the book here.
Progress Post:
- What are you reading for this category?
- Do you consider this book a "modern classic", and if so, why?
- Do you usually pay attention to the publisher or the collection of the book you're reading?