Dear Molly, I highly recommend To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book taught me so much about the evils of racism and prejudice and the great Gregory Peck was indeed the right actor to portray the marvellous character of Atticus Finch. The three main themes are courage, prejudice and family life. I absolutely loved Gone with the Wind too. Thanks for your list. More to dive into there. Warmly.
Wonderful post! I share your love for the Brontes and their novels. Another author who really influenced my early reading was Frances Hodgson Burnett: "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess." Both of them tales about overcoming adversity, and how friendships/relationships can help us. I so identified with that theme as a child growing up with a disability.
Started out on the Anne books and What Katy did. Always thought they reflected me a litt,e as I spent so much time in bed from age 2 to 12 I think. Rheumatoid arthritis. Than the horrible Lord of the flies and such. Loved Jane Austen. Read all my nans Georgette Heyer and got into the mix of historical novels , Jean Plaidy was a favourite. Then horror stories, Lovecraft and the pan books of horror. After that sci-fi . As above Heinlein, Asimov, Philip s Dick, Arthur C Clarke and Ray Bradbury. From there to fantasy McDonald, Goudge, and on to Charles De Lint and his genre of urban fantasy. I now tend to read fantasy, Pratchett et al, oh and love stories. 😳. During covid it was pure escapism to read between the 2 . I always knit or crochet as I read so the kindle app on iPad has been a godsend
I see all of those characters in you. I especially like the Scarlet O'Hara in you. She was better than she thought she was and, in the end, she understood that. She became fearless. Enough said. xx
I'm 100% convinced to try Anne of Green Gables...I've seen this book recommended amongst some of the YouTubers I watch and haven't yet tried it, but with a trip to the library due this afternoon, I'll definitely be checking out AoGG! Rebecca is another I'd love to try, I loved the movie, but haven't read the book, so I may also try another Classic. :)
I am reading 'Sense and sensibility' at the moment. Getting used to the language which is quite different from modern day novels. It is so interesting how each of the sisters are dealing with their separate heart aches. Poor Marianne is beside herself with grief at the moment after receiving a response to her notes while staying in London, all quite exciting. Elinor is reserved and holding onto managing her emotions. I love the classics and hope to read 'Pride and Prejudice' next.
Nice book selections to grow on. Wonderful reads are the Anne series and the Austen books. My high school had a summer reading list, and you had to read 5 “classics”, most all of which were terrible - War and Peace, Catcher in the Rye, Moby Dick, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, The Plague, Scarlet Letter, Gone with the Wind, etc. YUK - classic crap! These nearly killed my interesting in reading. The only “traditional classics” books I liked (and remember) were by Mark Twain plus To Kill a Mockingbird. My classics growing up were SciFi, not fantasy. My favorites were from Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and others. This is where I began to embrace reading. My current reading interest is women SciFi authors such as Susan English, Becky Chambers, N. K. Jemisin, Joanna Russ, and Connie Willis. Thanks for sharing your characters!
Molly, I really loved the 'Little House on the Prairie' books. I actually watched the amazing tv series growing up and then, as an adult, read the books. They showed me that strength of mind and body are so important! I also loved the 'What Katy Did' series as a child. I agree too that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of the most memorable books that I read as a teenager. Growing up in the UK, I had no idea about life in the southern States and it was a complete eye-opener.
I LOVE this, Molly! I had such a similar experience into the world of classic books when I was younger. It was truly transformative for me and I fell in love with writing and reading even more. I loved the Brontë sisters-- Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre so much. I always struggled getting into Jane Austen's books for some reason even though I loved romance so much. The big book for me that cracked everything open was Anna Karenina. I just fell in love with the writing, the twisted and rather pessimistic plot, and this imperfect heroine. It was such a special novel for me. Thanks for bringing me back into the classics, I might need to pick one up again!
Lovely post, and so true how the best books, especially the classics, those which take some work and some getting to know, shape the person you are and stay with you all your life, I'm in my sixties now and am always so grateful for this.
I was a competent reader, in terms of vocabulary and comprehension, as a youngster but not a precocious or very patient one; I still loved reading stories involving animals, ponies, or Swallows and Amazons and even Biggles, etc probably into my teens, and when I did get onto more grown-up and/or classic books it was often more typically 'boys' stuff - Jules Verne, John Buchan, Nevil Shute, Kipling etc. At school (a rather old-fashioned all girls school) we were given Jane Eyre before Jane Austen, I think they're was a sense that it was more emotionally engaging. But at about 14 or 15 we were set Persuasion, which I think was a bad choice for a first Austen at that age, at least for me. I found it dreary and repellent, the writing dense and impenetrable and the world view, the apparent focus on manners and social preoccupations, tedious. For a while I was very put off! I didn't really get into the groove with JA until I was about 16, when I picked up an old copy of Sense and Sensibility, and its sly humour, irony and acute observation, as well as lively characters and more dynamic plot, were a revelation. Though I'm afraid I never really found Maryanne very sympathetic, more of a 'caution': get too carried away with your emotionalism and your silly received romantic notions, my girl, and if you don't come to a bad end you'll end up with an old colonel in a flannel waistcoat! (Albeit quite a nice one, who'll go and fetch your mother if you're poorly, though of course he didn't go riding out into a storm to pull up her fainting form onto his horse and save her life, that's just the movie, things like that never happen in real Jane Austen, but he did fight a duel with Willoughby, before the action of the novel, a detail which escaped me on first reading!)
Now I love all her novels; Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park less, but Persuasion very much. It takes patience and maturity to stay with Anne's initial loneliness and the emotional barrenness around her, to witness the slow restoration of warmth and and colour and authenticity to her life, and to understand that there is much emotion there, but it runs deep, buried and twisted into depression and withdrawal for her, and anger and coldness in Wentworth, but that it can be redeemed. And her lost 'bloom' will return! (The tv adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds was one of the best ever, IMO).
Wuthering Heights I've always struggled with, so weird and cruel (those hanged puppies, the wrist cut on the broken window, ugh!), but there's really nothing else like it. Perhaps I need to give it another go some time. Oddly, the Brontë that's had the most effect on me I didn't read till I was well into my 30s, and that was 'Villette'. Such a long, sad slog of a book, but then at some point that odd, unhappy, evasive, unreliable narrator Lucy Snowe got under my skin and into my head, so when I'd finished it (that teasing, uncertain, totally certain ending!) I was walking around for a couple of weeks in a state genuinely somewhere between being in love and being bereaved, really very strange.
Apparently Daphne du Maurier never liked Rebecca being called a romance. Funny how the narrator never has a name, and how readily she, and we, swallow the amorality of the conclusion! Have you read 'Rebecca's Tale' by Sally Beauman? A good prequel/sequel, one of several I think.
I've never read the Anne of Green Gables novels, but I might try them now, though! The good thing about growing up is you can read what you like! Thanks for prompting so many reflections.
Ah, I'm an Elizabeth Goudge fan too, but for me it was The White Witch and then Herb of Grace. I think they influenced me on my way to becoming a herbalist.
Dear Molly, I highly recommend To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book taught me so much about the evils of racism and prejudice and the great Gregory Peck was indeed the right actor to portray the marvellous character of Atticus Finch. The three main themes are courage, prejudice and family life. I absolutely loved Gone with the Wind too. Thanks for your list. More to dive into there. Warmly.
Yes I read To Kill a Mockingbird as part of my GCSE's and also loved it. Such a beautifully written book with some important messages :)
Wonderful post! I share your love for the Brontes and their novels. Another author who really influenced my early reading was Frances Hodgson Burnett: "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess." Both of them tales about overcoming adversity, and how friendships/relationships can help us. I so identified with that theme as a child growing up with a disability.
I've only read the Secret Garden recently, which I loved, but saw both films as a child and they were some of my favourites :)
Started out on the Anne books and What Katy did. Always thought they reflected me a litt,e as I spent so much time in bed from age 2 to 12 I think. Rheumatoid arthritis. Than the horrible Lord of the flies and such. Loved Jane Austen. Read all my nans Georgette Heyer and got into the mix of historical novels , Jean Plaidy was a favourite. Then horror stories, Lovecraft and the pan books of horror. After that sci-fi . As above Heinlein, Asimov, Philip s Dick, Arthur C Clarke and Ray Bradbury. From there to fantasy McDonald, Goudge, and on to Charles De Lint and his genre of urban fantasy. I now tend to read fantasy, Pratchett et al, oh and love stories. 😳. During covid it was pure escapism to read between the 2 . I always knit or crochet as I read so the kindle app on iPad has been a godsend
Sounds wonderful! :)
I see all of those characters in you. I especially like the Scarlet O'Hara in you. She was better than she thought she was and, in the end, she understood that. She became fearless. Enough said. xx
I admire her immensely :)
So do I x
I'm 100% convinced to try Anne of Green Gables...I've seen this book recommended amongst some of the YouTubers I watch and haven't yet tried it, but with a trip to the library due this afternoon, I'll definitely be checking out AoGG! Rebecca is another I'd love to try, I loved the movie, but haven't read the book, so I may also try another Classic. :)
Oh how exciting! I hope you enjoy!
I am reading 'Sense and sensibility' at the moment. Getting used to the language which is quite different from modern day novels. It is so interesting how each of the sisters are dealing with their separate heart aches. Poor Marianne is beside herself with grief at the moment after receiving a response to her notes while staying in London, all quite exciting. Elinor is reserved and holding onto managing her emotions. I love the classics and hope to read 'Pride and Prejudice' next.
Oh how wonderful. I love hearing your first impressions of the book! I hope you continue to enjoy :)
It’s wonderful that you’ve read all these books and learned about humans from the people who wrote them long ago.
I agree! :)
I agree with Bill. And I guess that's why we call them "classics": They have such timeless messages for us that transcends centuries.
Nice book selections to grow on. Wonderful reads are the Anne series and the Austen books. My high school had a summer reading list, and you had to read 5 “classics”, most all of which were terrible - War and Peace, Catcher in the Rye, Moby Dick, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, The Plague, Scarlet Letter, Gone with the Wind, etc. YUK - classic crap! These nearly killed my interesting in reading. The only “traditional classics” books I liked (and remember) were by Mark Twain plus To Kill a Mockingbird. My classics growing up were SciFi, not fantasy. My favorites were from Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and others. This is where I began to embrace reading. My current reading interest is women SciFi authors such as Susan English, Becky Chambers, N. K. Jemisin, Joanna Russ, and Connie Willis. Thanks for sharing your characters!
Thank you for your comment!
Molly, I really loved the 'Little House on the Prairie' books. I actually watched the amazing tv series growing up and then, as an adult, read the books. They showed me that strength of mind and body are so important! I also loved the 'What Katy Did' series as a child. I agree too that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is one of the most memorable books that I read as a teenager. Growing up in the UK, I had no idea about life in the southern States and it was a complete eye-opener.
I LOVE this, Molly! I had such a similar experience into the world of classic books when I was younger. It was truly transformative for me and I fell in love with writing and reading even more. I loved the Brontë sisters-- Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre so much. I always struggled getting into Jane Austen's books for some reason even though I loved romance so much. The big book for me that cracked everything open was Anna Karenina. I just fell in love with the writing, the twisted and rather pessimistic plot, and this imperfect heroine. It was such a special novel for me. Thanks for bringing me back into the classics, I might need to pick one up again!
I'm so glad you enjoyed! Anna Karenina is one I've never read but heard great things about!
Lovely post, and so true how the best books, especially the classics, those which take some work and some getting to know, shape the person you are and stay with you all your life, I'm in my sixties now and am always so grateful for this.
I was a competent reader, in terms of vocabulary and comprehension, as a youngster but not a precocious or very patient one; I still loved reading stories involving animals, ponies, or Swallows and Amazons and even Biggles, etc probably into my teens, and when I did get onto more grown-up and/or classic books it was often more typically 'boys' stuff - Jules Verne, John Buchan, Nevil Shute, Kipling etc. At school (a rather old-fashioned all girls school) we were given Jane Eyre before Jane Austen, I think they're was a sense that it was more emotionally engaging. But at about 14 or 15 we were set Persuasion, which I think was a bad choice for a first Austen at that age, at least for me. I found it dreary and repellent, the writing dense and impenetrable and the world view, the apparent focus on manners and social preoccupations, tedious. For a while I was very put off! I didn't really get into the groove with JA until I was about 16, when I picked up an old copy of Sense and Sensibility, and its sly humour, irony and acute observation, as well as lively characters and more dynamic plot, were a revelation. Though I'm afraid I never really found Maryanne very sympathetic, more of a 'caution': get too carried away with your emotionalism and your silly received romantic notions, my girl, and if you don't come to a bad end you'll end up with an old colonel in a flannel waistcoat! (Albeit quite a nice one, who'll go and fetch your mother if you're poorly, though of course he didn't go riding out into a storm to pull up her fainting form onto his horse and save her life, that's just the movie, things like that never happen in real Jane Austen, but he did fight a duel with Willoughby, before the action of the novel, a detail which escaped me on first reading!)
Now I love all her novels; Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park less, but Persuasion very much. It takes patience and maturity to stay with Anne's initial loneliness and the emotional barrenness around her, to witness the slow restoration of warmth and and colour and authenticity to her life, and to understand that there is much emotion there, but it runs deep, buried and twisted into depression and withdrawal for her, and anger and coldness in Wentworth, but that it can be redeemed. And her lost 'bloom' will return! (The tv adaptation with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds was one of the best ever, IMO).
Wuthering Heights I've always struggled with, so weird and cruel (those hanged puppies, the wrist cut on the broken window, ugh!), but there's really nothing else like it. Perhaps I need to give it another go some time. Oddly, the Brontë that's had the most effect on me I didn't read till I was well into my 30s, and that was 'Villette'. Such a long, sad slog of a book, but then at some point that odd, unhappy, evasive, unreliable narrator Lucy Snowe got under my skin and into my head, so when I'd finished it (that teasing, uncertain, totally certain ending!) I was walking around for a couple of weeks in a state genuinely somewhere between being in love and being bereaved, really very strange.
Apparently Daphne du Maurier never liked Rebecca being called a romance. Funny how the narrator never has a name, and how readily she, and we, swallow the amorality of the conclusion! Have you read 'Rebecca's Tale' by Sally Beauman? A good prequel/sequel, one of several I think.
I've never read the Anne of Green Gables novels, but I might try them now, though! The good thing about growing up is you can read what you like! Thanks for prompting so many reflections.
Thank you so much for sharing all your thoughts! I haven't read Rebecca's tale, so I shall put it on my list!
A suitcase of books sounds wonderful! :)
Ah, I'm an Elizabeth Goudge fan too, but for me it was The White Witch and then Herb of Grace. I think they influenced me on my way to becoming a herbalist.