Classic Literature book club discussion

If you could make one classic book your favorite book, which one will it be? Think wisely, and comment on each others choices. This is a question that could possibly help members with suggestions for our monthly read.

Carry on.

I will start. It is definitely a tough question but I will say Jane Eyre can be considered one of my favorite books. I really enjoyed the plot. The story line was focused on romance, rejection, mystery, adventure, and self reassurance. Overall, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte helped me grow as a person while having a pleasurable read.

Maybe - Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham

Definitely a tough choice between The Grapes of Wrath and David Copperfield, but I think I'll go with David Copperfield. It hits every emotional chord, is a great story and well written.

It certainly is a tough question....almost impossible to answer, really, as it's hard to compare different authors and styles, but I have to choose....

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

I've read it three times, and have never tired of it....there is so much more to this book than any movie or dramatisation has ever succeeded in portraying. For me, it's Dickens at his very best.

Steven wrote: "Definitely a tough choice between The Grapes of Wrath and David Copperfield, but I think I'll go with David Copperfield. It hits every emotional chord, is a great story and well written."

I've always wanted to read Grapes of Wrath. It's in my reading list but I haven't gotten to it yet.

Do you think it will be a good suggestion for October reads? That's if you feel like reading it again...

Susan wrote: "It certainly is a tough question....almost impossible to answer, really, as it's hard to compare different authors and styles, but I have to choose....

Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

I've r..."

definitely adding it to the list. By your description, I think a lot of people would enjoy it!

Ariana wrote: "I've always wanted to read Grapes of Wrath. It's in my reading list but I haven't gotten to it yet.

Do you think it will be a good suggestion for October reads? That's if you feel like reading it again... "

haha I at least skim through it at least once a year in my AP Literature class. I just got back from a visit to the National Steinbeck Center and am listening to the last couple of chapters of the audiobook as I type this. I think it's best to read it in the summer because so much of it is set during summer.

What about Dracula for October? Or Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde?

Definitely Frankenstein! The others also! make sure you mention them in the October reading suggestion discussion. I will include Grapes of wrath on the September reading suggestions. Hopefully you don't mind reading it again, or having a month off. I read East of Eden by John Steinbeck and it was amazing. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Ariana wrote: "Definitely Frankenstein! The others also! make sure you mention them in the October reading suggestion discussion. I will include Grapes of wrath on the September reading suggestions. Hopefully you..."

I'll never complain about rereading Steinbeck! East of Eden IS amazing. ;)

Frankenstein sounds good. I haven't reread that one in several years.

Mine is hands down Les Misérables. I've read it twice so far, once in Polish translation and once in English . Never in French since I don't speak it but my dream is to learn Hugo's native language just so I can read his masterpiece. I love this book for the social degradation of children and women it bares to us and for other's ignorance to the injustice happening in front if their faces that Hugo writes about so heartbreakingly, and finally and most importantly, for how it just makes me weep for the last hundred pages and sometimes for a long time afterwards. It's a beautiful novel.

And since I really cannot stop at one :-), I love Henryk Sienkiewicz With Fire and Sword because it talks about little known in America history of The Polish-Lithuanian Kingdom in the 17th century when it was one of the most powerful country in the Europe and Asia and its The Winged Hussars cavalry was the most feared army that defeated the Ottoman Empire

Lila wrote: "Mine is hands down Les Misérables. I've read it twice so far, once in Polish translation and once in English . Never in French since I don't speak it but my dream is to learn Hugo's native language..."

Wow! Les Miserables is my next on the list book. I want to read it before the film comes out in December. It looks extremely interesting. I'm looking forward to it! I'm buying a copy soon since I don't own one.

I really cannot limit myself to just one book.

I guess from an emotional point of view, the one novel that I can and do read over and over again, and which tugs at my heart and soul over and over again is How Green Was My Valley (only the first book of the series, the sequels are not nearly as good and are also no longer in print).

My absolute favourite book of poetry is without a doubt A Shropshire Lad (first read some of these exquisite poems in high school and have been in love with them ever since).

My favourite book of fantasy is The Lord of the Rings (I reread it religiously and every time, I notice different aspects, reading LOTR has also made me appreciate the Mediaeval epics Tolkien used as background and sources).

My favourite book of short stories are Die Erzählungen (Collected Stories). Many are simply amazing, and for an introduction to Thomas Mann's work (especially if one does not want to read one of his mega-novels) they are great because one can just read a few short stories as required and one can jump around and read those one desires to read. I often reread some of my favourites, but I generally do not attempt to read all of the stories straight through, like we had to do for university.

My two favourite plays (although I do love Shakespeare) are Wilhelm Tell (William Tell) and Nathan der Weise (Nathan the Wise). Read Nathan the Wise and you will find a surprisingly "modern" play about tolerance, especially religious tolerance (and why this play is of prime importance especially in today's world). You will also realise why much of Lessing's work (and especially Nathan der Weise) was categorically banned by the Nazis.

Hi, I'm Marshanah! I'm not much of a classics reader. I believe the only classics I've read were To Kill a Mockingbird (I've also seen the movie), Of Mice and Men (I've seen only one version of it that wasn't the black and white version), Romeo & Juliet, Odyssey by Homer (I didn't read it fully, only some stories from it/I've watched clips from the movie), and (If it's considered a classic) Animal Farm. I attempted to read the Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde, but couldn't get into it and I've watched one version of the movie that was a more modern version of it. I've also watched the black and white version of Wuthering Heights, but I've never read the book.

I've read only one poem by Emily Dickenson, but I can't remember which one, sadly. I'm kinda working on Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte because I've watched two versions of the movie, but have never read the book. I've watched one version of Mansfield Park, but I don't think I'd like to read the book. I've watched two versions of Pride & Prejudice, but the second one was really more of a comedy than actually about the book. It was called Lost in Austen and I thought it was hilarious. I watched the black and white version of Lord of the Flies in history class, but I've never read the book, sadly.

So basically, most classics that I've read have been for class. My favorite books are more of the paranormal romance kind, but I wish to go outside of my comfort zone. My favorite book has to be the Iron King by Julie Kagawa. It's my favorite because I love how she was so creative in bringing these characters to life. It's almost like I can see them in my head. I love the romance, the comedy, the action-packed fights, and the difficult decisions that the characters have to make when put under pressure. I love the adventure and the life or death situations. I love the magic.

I love seeing the main characters grow as the series progresses. Ash, for me in the books, has to be my favorite character besides Puck. He can be so guarded at times, but when he's around Meghan, he changes a lot without even realizing it. Most of the time, his icy attitude is just an act. He's one of the most fascinating characters in the book to me because of his past. Him and Puck are REALLY old, though not as old as King Oberon, Queen Titania,or Queen Mab. But what I find most amazing about Ash is that he'd pledge his life for Meghan even when, as he put it "the world stands against you". Though Puck would do the same, there's just so much intensity in the way that Ash makes that promise later on in the series.

As others have pointed out, it is very difficult to limit myself to one favorite. But if I had to pick only one it would be The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I read it first as a teenager, and since then have read it during every decade of my life. Every time I read it it enthralls me. Dostoyevsky develops such amazing characters, especially the three sons(or four, assuming Smerdyakov is really Fyodor's illegitimate son). It is a novel that is part family drama, part murder mystery, part courtroom drama, and part treatise on philosophy, ethics and God. Only a handful of novels that I have read (such as Les Misérables)approach Dostoyevsky' passion for his material.

Gundula wrote: "I really cannot limit myself to just one book.

I guess from an emotional point of view, the one novel that I can and do read over and over again, and which tugs at my heart and soul over and over ..."

Wow! I am in love with The Lord of The Rings as well. It is definitely hard to narrow the "favorite" book to one, but it's always nice to analyze it. :)

Thanks for your input.

Marshanah wrote: "Hi, I'm Marshanah! I'm not much of a classics reader. I believe the only classics I've read were To Kill a Mockingbird (I've also seen the movie), Of Mice and Men (I've seen only one version of it ..."

We all start somewhere with classics, and I can promise you that once you get the hang of them, you get hooked!

I recently read Jane Eyre, and if you can't seem to get through it, I suggest to download the audio book from online. I don't suggest just listening, but following along with your own book. You will find it rather interesting and will be done with it in no time.

Classics are my ultimate favorite. I do try to get into modern readings but they seem somewhat dull.

I think you will love classics if you decide to read with this book club. :) We will definitely discuss the books towards the end of each one.

It will get interesting. :)

Alan wrote: "As others have pointed out, it is very difficult to limit myself to one favorite. But if I had to pick only one it would be The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I read it first as a teen..."

The Brothers Karamazov sounds amazing. This should definitely be suggested for one of the monthly reads. I would love to read it. By your description, I have been missing out. :)

Thanks for your input.

I've heard Dostoyevsky & Steinbeck's books mentioned a lot in this & Setember reading suggestion discussion. I have only read "Of Mice and Men," and have been wanting to read more Steinbeck novels as well as Dostoyevsky.

Anais wrote: "I've heard Dostoyevsky & Steinbeck's books mentioned a lot in this & Setember reading suggestion discussion. I have only read "Of Mice and Men," and have been wanting to read more Steinbeck novels ..."

Anais, I can recommend a couple of Steinbeck's lesser known works. In Dubious Battle is a story about labor strife in California. It was written shortly before Of Mice and Men; and it has the same strong characterization that is a hallmark of early Steinbeck. The Moon is Down is a story about the resistance offered to German invaders by the inhabitants of a village in northern Europe. It was very popular at one time; but it seems to have dropped off most people's reading lists.

My absolute favorite Classic is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it every Christmas! The story taught me so much about the true definition of being a young women.

Shaina wrote: "My absolute favorite Classic is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it every Christmas! The story taught me so much about the true definition of being a young women."

I love that one as well. Have you read the sequels?

Proust's 2000+page masterpiece Remembrances of Things Past. Proust was not gay as some like to think and all one has to do to understand this is read his 200 or so pages of pursuing the lovely Albertine, without question the best description of what it is like to be a 17-year-old boy in heat stalking the girl of his dreams.

Ariana wrote: "Marshanah wrote: "Hi, I'm Marshanah! I'm not much of a classics reader. I believe the only classics I've read were To Kill a Mockingbird (I've also seen the movie), Of Mice and Men (I've seen only ..."

Thanx. I'll try getting a audio version of Jane Eyre to make it easier for me to follow along. I think it's a great story (from the movies I've watched) and I want to read it. :)

Marshanah wrote: "Ariana wrote: "Marshanah wrote: "Hi, I'm Marshanah! I'm not much of a classics reader. I believe the only classics I've read were To Kill a Mockingbird (I've also seen the movie), Of Mice and Men (..."

No problem. :)

Anais wrote: "I've heard Dostoyevsky & Steinbeck's books mentioned a lot in this & Setember reading suggestion discussion. I have only read "Of Mice and Men," and have been wanting to read more Steinbeck novels ..."

I can also recommend East of Eden by Steinbeck. His books are actually amazing. Don't worry, we will read most of his books in this book club. :)

Alan wrote: "Anais wrote: "I've heard Dostoyevsky & Steinbeck's books mentioned a lot in this & Setember reading suggestion discussion. I have only read "Of Mice and Men," and have been wanting to read more Ste..."

Wow I have never heard of these 2 stories by Steinbeck. I will definitely check them out, thanks a lot for the suggestion Alan!

Ariana wrote: "Anais wrote: "I've heard Dostoyevsky & Steinbeck's books mentioned a lot in this & Setember reading suggestion discussion. I have only read "Of Mice and Men," and have been wanting to read more Ste..."

Glad to hear it, I have been wanting to read more books by fellow Californians ;-)

I discovered John Steinbeck about twenty years ago when I read Cannery Row, and immediately became hooked on his work.
I've read many of his books, some more than once....I envy those about to read them for the first time....in my humble opinion, you are in for a treat.

Ariana wrote: "I will start. It is definitely a tough question but I will say Jane Eyre can be considered one of my favorite books. I really enjoyed the plot. The story line was focused on romance, rejection, mys..."
Jane Eyre is my favourite too.
Sweet reconciliation, it is so so powerfully moving =)

This is a hard question because I have a few classics that are favorites! Of Mice and Men, Great Gatsby, East of Eden, Persuasion, Wuthering Heights - ALL favorites. The only one I haven't read more than once is East of Eden, I'm probably due for another reading this winter . . .

My grandmother gave me Gone With the Wind when I was 12. It remains my first, and favorite, love. The story never fades. The characters come alive in my imagination. The setting is beautiful and then stark and then a paste board. They don't make fiction like that anymore...

Megan wrote: "My grandmother gave me Gone With the Wind when I was 12. It remains my first, and favorite, love. The story never fades. The characters come alive in my imagination. The setting is beautiful and th..."

I agree with your entire comment. :)

very thoughtful.

Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my favorites, I think because it was probably one of the first classics I ever read (and geez...that was probably back when I was like 6th grade? 7th grade? I don't remember.)
But I absolutely adore that book, and anything Jane Austen for that matter. But some of my other favorites are Dracula, Jane Eyre, anything Edgar Allan Poe, Brave New World...and plenty, plenty more.
=)

Olivia wrote: "Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my favorites, I think because it was probably one of the first classics I ever read (and geez...that was probably back when I was like 6th grade? 7th grade..."

I love all the books you mentioned. :) I have not read Emma yet. Have you?