There are probably many classic books I've never read, but these are the six that I'd most like to tackle.
I don't know about you, but my list of books-I -want-to-read gets exponentially longer every year. I will never catch up!
I have also found that while the list grows longer, I tend to read more off the top of it. It's easier to keep picking up the new books because they're fresh on my mind. Meanwhile, all the classics that I really do want to read are forgotten.
Having finally completed my goal to reread Five Classic Books, I decided it's time for a new reading goal. This year, I'd like to tackle Six Classic Books I've Never Read.
I went digging through my impossibly long TBR list and found five that I've been meaning to read for years (4 of them are sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust). The sixth is one that was recommended to me yesterday, but I couldn't resist adding it to the list.
Share your favorite Classic Books in the comments below. I always want to read more classics!
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Six Classic Books I've Never Read
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset | I am so excited about this one! I don't know anything about 14th century Norway, so this will be all new. I've heard so many good things about this book and author, so I'm heading into this one with high expectations.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh | I've never read anything by Waugh, so I don't know what to expect from this one. Glancing through my friends' reviews on Goodreads, I see reviews hailing it as "acutely perceptive" and an "epic masterpiece", as well as "depressing and unredemptive." I even have one friend who said that after finishing it, they still had no idea what it was about. I'm intrigued!
Orlando by Virginia Woolf | I've heard this one is the most difficult of Woolf's books to read. Perhaps that's why I keep avoiding it. But I do love Virginia Woolf, so I think it's time to give it a try.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys | The story of Bertha, Mr. Rochester's mad wife from Jane Eyre! I can't believe I haven't read this one already.
The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope | One of my favorite books (Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton) was inspired by this book and it's been on my to-read list for years now. In fact, it's been on my bookshelf for years now. I actually have a special place in my heart for complex Victorian novels tackling money, class, and power, so this one is right up my alley.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming | I've seen the movie, but until yesterday, I had no idea this was also a book! Even better, the audiobook is read by David Tennant, so I am 100% on board. This will be a fun one to listen to with my kids.
Lynn D. says
I love Trollope. Have you read Barchester Towers?
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I've never read any Trollope! I will definitely add Barchester Towers to the list though.
Joanne Bayly says
I have read most of Trollope’s books. I love them all. But the best are The Way we Live Now and Can you forgive her? I read the Undset series a few years ago on summer vacation. Also wonderful. Have fun!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
Thank you Joanne! This will be my first Trollope and I'm so excited.
Jane says
Hmmmmm....some challenging ones here. Could you read Scoop instead of Brideshead? I think if you read Brideshead then a trip to Oxford is in order! I haven’t read that Trollope but loved Eustace Diamond. I studied Wide Sargasso Sea at university. It is great. I loved the movie even more I think!
somethewiser@gmail.com says
I've never even heard of Scoop! I'll check it out. Although, a trip to Oxford sounds fantastic - I'd love to plan one for the near future. Maybe we should have a discussion about Wide Sargasso Sea when I'm done - I'd love a college perspective. xx