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Well, okay, it’s like this: I haven’t read most of the classics. It’s worse than that. I haven’t read any of the classics unless I was compelled to do so by someone with a Ph.D. who had the power to keep me from getting my B.S. I hang my head in shame, ask for lenience and wonder if I would still have had to spell check lenience if I had paid more attention to literature and less to “books.”
Still, I really gotta say, I’ve always found the classics to be a lot of work. My right brain doesn’t mind. My left brain objects and it does so vehemently, but I’ve been inspired by everyone here at Mrs. B.G.’s to rectify the situation.
Kindle has 49,990 books under the heading “Fiction Classics” so I decided to begin with the 140 th to correspond with what will be the 140th post of Mrs. B.G.’s, this one. It turned out to be an Agatha Christie novel. Somehow that wasn’t quite what I had in mind, so I decided to start here:
“Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition…”
I think my left brain likes her already.
Aha, I think sliding into the classics with Austen was a smart move. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about classics + kindle = lots of free books!!
Kathy, I just found your wine blog. Oh my goodness. More, more! Wait. Is that too greedy? Oh well. It's a personality flaw.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool, Tracy! Cozy and adventure go hand in hand here at Mrs. BG so good on you for trying a classic. And starting with Jane Austen-- Woohoo! Read P&P next-- the despicable characters are too funny.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy classics but need to read lots more of them. I vowed a couple of years ago to read a classic for every 5 or so fluff books-- that fell through but I did read a few-- some were rereads so might not count.
Funny, you bringing classics up because Amanda@DesertBookChick (in our sidebar) was intimidated by classics and devoted August to overcoming her fear. There were several informative posts by classic loving guest bloggers on how to read classics. Amanda read 4 classics and posted about the process plus reviews of the books.
Check it out-- it might help in your endeavor!
I bet you've read some classics for fun and just didn't realize they were classics. Like Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Secret Garden...
Dang it, I'm right in the middle of the last Fablehaven and have oodles of TBR books stacked up but I'm so excited about you reading Emma that I want to drop everything and read along with you!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep us updated on your progress!
Ahhh, one of my favorite books. And one of my favorite authors! Pride and Prejudice is my all time fave and I loved it before all the movies!
ReplyDeleteI am spurred onward!
ReplyDeleteClassics can be very hit and miss with me (like modern fiction) sometimes I get on with it and its easy to read and other times I struggle and have to drag myself through the book. Try different classic authors and see which ones you get with. Im reading Edith Wharton at the moment and am finding her a very easy read and quite enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteok, since Tracy is being honest, I'll chime in. I HAVE read Emma a few years ago, but I used Cliff Notes! How's that for shame? But I will read along with you, Tracy, and refer to the notes only from time to time. Anyone else for a read along? if you don't mind, Tracy?
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for joining me over at my wine blog! I don't post very frequently. Once a month, if I'm lucky. I wish I had time to do more with it, but I'm afraid if I posted more often it would just say "tonight I drank wine from a box" over and over again.
ReplyDeleteWell, I did something last night I haven't done for 30 years. I read under the covers with a mini-flash light. Yes, I could have gone downstairs, but I feel like I should have read it under the covers years ago.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I'll do that one next. DeLynne and Lesa, please! I'd love the company!
Kathy, I understand. I drink little can's of sparkling wine with a tiny pink straw. Cracks me up. Do the local "adult beverage" stores ever have wine tastings? They do here, but I've yet to go.
Jessica, I'll work on Wharton after Austen. Thanks for the the recommendation.
No arm twisting needed here-- I don't have a copy but will head to the library today.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! A spontaneous readalong! Funny, I was just talking with E about readalongs-- she will be hosting a spooky Oct one and I thought of hosting a winter one for a long classic. And I've thought of a quickie one for the person among us who hasn't read Anne-- she shall remain unnamed. ;o)
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteHa! I was just thinking, "Maybe this could be the first Mrs. Baja Read Along . . ." and along comes fellow great mind Lesa to prove that we really do think alike! ;-)
I'm in the middle of Jane Eyre right now (as I've been saying over and over and over, without actually blogging it); but I'd be glad to follow your progress with Emma, Tracy. =) Someone once pointed out a very interesting possible connection between Jane Eyre and Emma (which I won't elaborate because it's also a possible spoiler); so if I review Emma along with you all, I might blog about the two of them at the same time. And more importantly, I won't feel guilty about neglecting all the other books I have to read. LOL!
So how will it work? =) Shall there be a reading schedule with weekly updates, or will this be very informal, with people putting up posts as inspiration strikes?
We are just all on the same wavelength because this week I had the urge to reread Jane Eyre!
ReplyDeleteI'm so intrigued by the possible connection between Emma and Eyre-- can't wait to read your post.
Not sure how it should work, I'll conflab with T and D and see what the consensus is-- I like the idea of the 3 chapter reading schedule and weekly posts like other readalongs but I think we may all be book gobblers and have a hard time with that.
E: Aren't readalongs sort of like a bookclub? Events in the book can be discussed freely in posts without concern about spoilers.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteYes, they are like book clubs, but sometimes the rules vary. I know that the Northanger Abbey Read Along I followed was pretty strict about not having spoilers: you can discuss anything that is in the chapters assigned for that week, but nothing further!
On the other hand, I agree that the rules should be more lenient where book gobblers are concerned! =D
I would like to point out that we are discussing 'spoilers' for a book that is roughly 200 years old. Just sayin...
ReplyDeleteI have delighted in all these comments almost as much as I'm enjoying this book, but DeLynne's comment made me laugh out loud. She has a point. Progress post on its way.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny-- I've thought that before too when I've seen bloggers so carefully review classics-- and many have been made into movies!
ReplyDeleteGlad we are all on the same 'page'. ;o)
E: Thanks for the info. As for the readalong, it will be informal and unstructured. Tracy will post updates on her progress and thoughts as the mood strikes. D and I will discuss in the combox.
Since it is an impromptu readalong, others may not be able to join in this time-- but anyone is welcome to read along and discuss with us or post their own updates.