I’ll confess that I found this site from a few of my book club friends’ blogs and thought it sounded like fun! So, in the spirit of starting something new and broadening my horizons beyond textbooks, Microsoft Excel and the gym, here’s my stab at joining Weekly Geeks!
How do you feel about classic literature? Are you intimidated by it? Love it? Not sure because you never actually tried it? Don’t get why anyone reads anything else? Which classics, if any, have you truly loved? Which would you recommend for someone who has very little experience reading older books? Go all out, sell us on it!
Um, to anyone who truly knows me, I adore classic literature. Other than a select few authors and books, it is about all I read and all I have ever read. There has never been a book that has intimidated me, and other than one book, I’ve been able to finish everything I’ve started and have been able to find something redeeming in all books too. Reading classic literature is both challenging, time-consuming, and yet extremely rewarding because you always end up learning a little more about yourself, about history, about society, and about life. Depending on the person, I would definitely recommend Jane Austen for those with a romantic bent. With my husband, I have him reading The Count of Monte Cristo for the action and revenge. There is literally something for everyone out there – you just have to give it a chance!!
Let’s say you’re vacationing with your dear cousin Myrtle, and she forgot to bring a book. The two of you venture into the hip independent bookstore around the corner, where she primly announces that she only reads classic literature. If you don’t find her a book, she’ll never let you get any reading done! What contemporary book/s with classic appeal would you pull off the shelf for her?
Oooo – a challenge! The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield has a great Gothic feel to it and would be perfect for someone who enjoys the Bronte sisters. Also, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova is one of my absolute favorite contemporary books with a decidedly classic appeal. It is about Dracula – can it get any better than that?
LOL! bkclubcare – Yes, The Historian is about vampires, Dracula actually. It is a wonderful book – equal parts mystery and horror. I highly recommend it! (and I totally get the vampire thing. I probably couldn’t go a year without reading at least one book about them!)
WHat!??! The Historian is about vampires?! How did I miss that? crap. I’m really really blowing my year of no vampire books. (don’t laugh at me Ali) Let me explain, since you prob don’t know me: I just picked up this book because I know I’d seen it was good somewhere. And if you hadn’t thrown in that comment abt vampires I would still only know “it’s a good read.” I did like The Thirteenth Tale and welcome to weekly geeks. (I really did NOT know the Kostova book is about vampires… sigh)
Stephanie, I don’t really need another time suck, but I do really enjoy the break from the school work. It was beginning to seriously become a drain. If you are on FB, you definitely need to look me up!! If we get enough of us, we could start our own group!Ali, thanks. As Christina, Stephanie, and Kristy can tell you, I am DEFINITELY not as prim as “Cousin Myrtle”. I’m hoping to make this a regular thing, as long as my homework isn’t too affected.Thanks, Kristy. I’m begininng to discover that it is addicting. But it’s better than homework!!
Hi Michelle! Welcome to the blog world. WARNING – it’s addicting!
Oh yeah, those 2 modern ones are great for classic readers.
Welcome to Weekly Geeks–Sounds like this was the perfect topic to start you off. In fact, if I were offering an award, you would win: you’re the closest to a “Cousin Myrtle” of all the posts I’ve read this weekend! (Just in terms of reading tastes, I mean. You don’t sound as prim as I imagine her to be.) I hope you’ll join us for future topics.
Well…it’s about time!! An incredible time suck, but I miss blogging when I don’t get the chance to post! Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!Sheesh. I even joined Facebook. The computer is starting to rule my life!