Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

I never thought that people would actually join this group, so we can maybe introduce ourselves :)

I'm Laurie, I'm almost 23 and I'm French from Paris. I've been on goodreads for around a year, and I never read as much as I have during this past year. However, I realized that I mostly read YA books and one day I found a list of the 100 books you should read before you die and I realized that I only read a handful of them. So this is why I created this page :)

The English List
The List from French's POV (with much more french classics, it's good as well ;D)

Hi, my name is Daniela, I'm from Chile and I'm 24 years old. I'm really glad I found this group, since I have many classic books I have not read yey (Wuthering Heights is a good example).

Hi I'm Léna, I'm from France and I'm 20 years old. I don't love classic, actually I find them rather hard to read but I still enjoy the difference with the books I'm used to read and I think it's a duty to know some classic books as a part of culture. :)

Hi! I'm wijdan and I'm 20. English is not my native language (I'm from Saudi Arabia :D) I always thought classic books are boring and difficult to read but after reading a few of them I was eager to read more and branch out.

Hello, I'm Barnaby, English but living in Paris and seemingly much older than the rest of you! I love the old classics and have been on a buying binge, although unfortunately I am far less prolific when it comes to actually reading them!

Hi - I'm Anna, 36, British and living in France. Don't think I will manage the French Classics, but willing to try. And will love the ones in English. I also am rather batter at buying books than reading them!

Hi Anna, you know that a lot of French Classics has been translated :)

Because English is the most spoken language here, I will be careful to pick up books that are available in English as well :)

Hi, I am Helen. I am originally from New Orleans but have been living in the DC area for a handful of years. I have read a good amount of classics but it has been awhile. I spend so much time reading newer books that I would to spend more time reading great books.

Hello everyone. My name is Allison and I've been looking for this type of group, particularly one that hasn't been ongoing for years already! There are many classic novels I haven't read yet. I'm 33 and from Canada. English is my first language, but I'm supposedly fluent in French as well. By that, I mean I once was, but haven't used my French in ten years. It's more than a little rusty, I would think!

Good Afternoon! My name is Lesle and I'm like Barnaby (I'm 51)hope that isn't to old to be part of the group! ☺ I am American and live in Ohio. I, like a couple others, love to own books and have read less than half. The French Classics I would only be able to read in English. I would love to be added to anyones "Friend" list!

Hi Laurie - yes I realise this, thanks, but assumed the point was to read them in their native language?
I'm still struggling through La Gloire de mon Pere....
Great idea for the list BTW
Ax

Hi Anna, sure if you manage, you can read it in its native language, but it is not an obligation :) I read wuthering heights in french for instance because I couldn't understand all the vocabulary :)

I never read La Gloire de mon Père, neither in english nor in french, so I can't help you :/ Do whatever you are the most confortable with :)

No doubt you are missing out on some of the beautiful prose when you read a classic novel that has been translated. Still, some translators do a wonderful job and the power of the stories remain the same. I recently read Anna Karenina (in English of course) and there are some beautiful lines in there even though I was not reading the Russian version.

Allison wrote: "No doubt you are missing out on some of the beautiful prose when you read a classic novel that has been translated. Still, some translators do a wonderful job and the power of the stories remain t..."
Allison, If you don't mind me, it's wonderfull that you've read such a book. I always wanted to read Anna Karenina but each time I start I give up after reading a few pages. It is such a long book and I'm afraid it might not worth the time, I'm really interested in your review about the book! it might give me the push I need :D

ISPHE wrote: "Allison wrote: "No doubt you are missing out on some of the beautiful prose when you read a classic novel that has been translated. Still, some translators do a wonderful job and the power of the ..."

Yes it is very long. It's a book I wanted to read for a long time before I actually committed! I listened to some of it on audiobook as I have a long drive to work everyday, and that helped get me started. Once I got into it though, I couldn't put it down. I believe I read the second half over one weekend I was so engrossed. If you're interested in reading the classics, it's definitely a must-read!

I should also add that there is quite a lot of description of farming and agriculture that I could have done without!

Allison wrote: "I should also add that there is quite a lot of description of farming and agriculture that I could have done without!"
Well such descriptions could be annoying but they never ruin the beauty of a book. I'll listen to the audiobook I think it's a good idea when starting such a long book, thanks !

I agree with you, it is always better to read a book in its native language, in order to keep the author's style, and I try to do it as much as I could, but I think this is better to loose a bit the style than most of the book because you don't understand half of it :)

My name is Montell. I am also supposedly fluent. I haven't been using my French but I can still read it very well. I live in Iowa and I read anything I can find, fiction and nonfiction, about French and English history. Mostly French though. I read a lot and I have no one to discuss with, so I am excited to find a group like this.

Montell, I read alot too! Hope you dont mind having discussions with an Ohioan that doesnt read a lick of French! Haha! :)

Welcome Montell :) Happy to have a supposedly fluent french speaker with us :)

Hello. My name is Traci and I'm a reader from the US (California to be exact). I'm here because I plan to read classics this year - both rereads and first reads. I actually really enjoy reading classics. I love reading a nice deep book that I can dive into. And my favorite books are those that I think about all day - and stay with me long after reading them. Though, I *do* enjoy contemporary books too, including fantasy and young adult. I am most definitely *not* a literary snob - I love all books. And I love reading.

Hi guys, I'm south african and am also living in paris. I have read a couple of classics but was usually forced to read them for scholastic purposes.

I thought I'd give eeading classics outside of school a go, and I quite enjoy it.

Good initiative for crearing tge group laurie.

I'm glad that you like this group :) I love to share on my readings and here seems the perfect place :)

Traci: I love YA as well :D

Hello! I'm Andrew, I'm 18, and I've only read a few classics. I'm from England :) I'm going to start reading the classics along with this group, and I look forward to it!

Hi Andrew, welcome here :)

Hi, I'm Roger, 48, living in France, and love reading all sorts of books, especially the older ones!

Hi Roger :) Are you french as well or are you an expat?

Hi Laurie,
I'm a Brit who speaks fluent French and who's happy that Marks and Spencer opened up again!
Just about to start reading Persuasion

Roger wrote: "Hi Laurie,
I'm a Brit who speaks fluent French and who's happy that Marks and Spencer opened up again!
Just about to start reading Persuasion"

BRITISH, HOW LUCKY YOU ARE :) I hope to go live in London starting next October :)
(I love M&S as well)

Hi, I'm El.
Maybe I'm the only Asian here? I hope you don't mind my joining this group or my clumsy english.

Just finished Persuasion, and I'll need to finish Wuthering Heights before March.

Welcome El :)
Which part of Asia are you from?

Hi I am Leslie and I live in Paris. I am studying French and English literature at university so classics are supposed to be "my thing "(though I can have a hard time going through some of them).
Since I am on holidays, I am starting Persuasion, which is on my TBR for ages, tomorrow.

Laurie wrote: "Welcome El :)
Which part of Asia are you from?"

thank you for your welcome, Laurie :D
currently I'm staying in Korea

Great, El :)

Hi Kowalski, what is the name of your degree? are you a native french or an expat? I live in Paris as well :)

Laurie wrote: "Great, El :)

Hi Kowalski, what is the name of your degree? are you a native french or an expat? I live in Paris as well :)"
Well I am a native French who live at Paris too and I hold a double degree in anglais/lettres modernes :)

Kowalski wrote: "Laurie wrote: "Great, El :)

Hi Kowalski, what is the name of your degree? are you a native french or an expat? I live in Paris as well :)"
Well I am a native French who live at Paris too and I hol..."

Great! I studied foreign languages (LEA) at the university (english-spanish-japanese) :)

Hi, I am Morgane, 26, french. I am travelling in New Zealand this year and since I arrived, I started reading like I used to: a lot.
And I'd be glad to read more classics.

Hi Morgane! You're so lucky to be in NZ :o :o

Hello, I am Amber I am in Arizona, United States . I started to read from the list and thought it would be nice to have a group to keep me on track. I look forward to Being apart of the group.

Welcome Amber! I hope that you will like it here :)

Hi, my name is Laetitia. I'm from France. I live in Nantes. I'm a law student. I'm 22 years old and I really want to read more classics :). I'm glad I found this group. :)

Laetitia so happy to have you in our group! Wishing you well in Law school :)

Hi Laetitia, you are like Lena, law student in your 20's and french :)

Welcome!!

Lesle wrote: "Laetitia so happy to have you in our group! Wishing you well in Law school :)"

Laurie wrote: "Hi Laetitia, you are like Lena, law student in your 20's and french :)

Welcome!!"

Thank you for your welcome :).

Hi, I'm M.G. and I usually hang out over at Great Middle Grade Reads, where I serve as a moderator. I have a soft spot for children's literature, but I also love the classics. It bothers me that I've never read Proust. Hoping to find some great conversations about good books here : )

Welcome M.G.! Hope we can fulfill your wish! Glad you joined our group! :)

Hi, I'm Bradette Michel, a Goodreads author from south Florida. Always love to pick books from lists of classics. I try to alternate my reading between contemporary fiction and classics. Of course, there's so much to read and so little time.

Bradette wrote: "Hi, I'm Bradette Michel, a Goodreads author from south Florida. Always love to pick books from lists of classics. I try to alternate my reading between contemporary fiction and classics. Of course,..."

It is a pleasure to have you join our group Bradette!

Hello there! I am Naomi, from the USA! I have been wanting to get into some more of the classics ( Like Charles Dickens), than I already have,and this group seems to be right up my alley. I love older books mostly, and discussing them. Look forward to getting to know everyone! :)