Monday, August 14, 2017

Tuesday Favorites: Summer & My Top Ten Classics For Those Who Do Not Like Classics

Each week Maureen from Maureen's Books asks participants to share a favorite on the weekly designated topic.

This week's topic is my favorite thing about summer.

Summer is my fourth favorite season. Although spring sometimes seems to want to compete for that spot (thanks to my allergies).

My favorite part of summer is late summer, when we all pretend it is already fall. It's the start of school and soccer season for many and there is a feeling of starting fresh. The evenings are just beginning to get a little cooler, but the sun is still shining late in the day.

As for summer itself, I think most of all I love the idea of summer. The beach, sunshine, vacations, sitting by the pool, and good books . . . But really, it means working in an office that is like a refrigerator and walking outside into an oven; my reading time doesn't really change; and smokey air full from the fires--it is fire season after all. Still, there is sunshine. And glorious thunderstorms from time to time. And there is a more relaxed atmosphere, less traffic, and no homework. Not to mention leisurely walks in the evening (if it's cool enough) with the sun still out and, of course, camping in the mountains.

What is your favorite thing about summer? 



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Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday is my Top Ten Book Recommendations of Classics for Those Who Do Not Like Classics. Here's the thing. I am not in school anymore and all of my reading I do for pleasure (with the occasional exception for work). I enjoy a wide variety of books, old and new. And, yes, that includes the Classics. If I am going to devote my time to reading a novel classified as a Classic, I want it to be readable and one I will enjoy. It's as simple as that. There are Classics out there like that, even among those that aren't.

I hate hearing someone say they don't read the Classics at all and never will, lumping them all together as if they were equal. Just because you did not like the Classics you were required to read in school, does not mean you will not like ALL Classics. Maybe none you've come across yet appeal to you, and that's okay. I am a big proponent of a person reading what he or she wants to read. All I ask is that you do not shut the door completely on reading the Classics. Or any other type of book, for that matter. Never say never. That contemporary novel you are reading right now, in fact, might one day be a Classic! Classics don't start out with that label, after all.


1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle ~ Now is the perfect time to read this one with the movie coming out later this year. Yes, it's a children's book, but it's a good one. Especially if you like time and space travel.



2. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie ~ People seem to forget genre fiction can fall into the Classic category too. If you are a mystery lover, consider giving the Queen of Mystery a try if you haven't already.



3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood ~ A modern Classic to be sure, but one that has already proven it stands the test of time and is still very relevant today.



4. Dracula by Bram Stoker ~ I admit I was surprised how much I enjoyed this Classic. It was subtle in its horror, but creepy just the same. Not to mention, if you are a fan of the old Dracula movies, you really should see where they all started.



5. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins ~Although the writing may take a little time to settle into, this really is a great thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat at times.



6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote ~ Capote's true crime book reads more like a novel, and is quite a compelling read.



7. The Color Purple by Alice Walker ~ Another modern Classic which tells the story of how love and independence can triumph even in the most dire of situations.



8. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis ~ Who among us hasn't sometimes wished we could step outside our own world into another? Or, in this case, into a wardrobe.



9. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle ~ As much of an institution Sherlock Holmes is in our culture, it wouldn't hurt to check out where he got his start.



10. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams ~ I found this and the other books in the series to be funny and easy to read. This series was actually my first venture into Science Fiction, and genre I've come to enjoy quite a bit.



What other Classics would you recommend to those who do not read the Classics?


© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

46 comments:

  1. Oooh, I've read about half the books on the list!

    I'd add Fahrenheit 451 (it counts as a modern classic, right?) and Pride and Prejudice too. There's probably more I'd like to add if I think about it but these two were the first books that came to mind!

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    1. Eustacia - I thought about adding Pride and Prejudice, which I love, but I know her writing puts some people off. Fahrenheit 451 almost made my list. :-) I could probably have come up with a much longer list if I let myself. :-)

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  2. I totally get what your saying Wendy. I think I love the idea of summer too. Especially since I never gets as good as I hoped. :)
    Thanks for joining 'My Favorite..'. Have a great week!

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    1. Maureen - That is true for me too. I start out the summer with big plans, but I never quite get everything accomplished as I would like. I hope you have a great week too!

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  3. Summer is my favorite summer. I love the heat and the sunshine!

    Great list of classics. Everyone needs to read The Handmaid's Tale now!

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    1. Kathy - I don't mind the heat if there is a nice breeze and I'm not standing directly in the sunlight. :-) I agree with you about The Handmaid's Tale!

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  4. That's a great list, Wendy! There're a few I want to read from your list, such as Murder on the Orient Express, The Woman in White and In Cold Blood. Thanks for sharing this! :)

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    1. Melody - Thank you! I would like to re-read Murder on the Orient Express before the movie comes out. I hope you do get a chance to read In Cold Blood and The Woman in White. Both are good.

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  5. Great list of classics. I still need to read The Handmaid's Tale, but I'm afraid the times make it a little too close for comfort. The rest I've read and loved. I agree with Eustacia Tan about Fahrenheit 451 and Pride and Prejudice--both are as entertaining and pertinent today as when they were written!

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    1. Jenclair - Thank you! I understand your hesitation about reading The Handmaid's Tale right now. I love Pride and Prejudice. I considered it for the list, but decided to leave it off. The writing can be off-putting to some. I agree thought, it and Fahrenheit 451 are definitely relevant still today.

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  6. Dracula is one of my favourite books ever! I definitely agree that it's more subtle in its scariness, especially since the Count is hardly ever seen 🙂

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    1. Louise - It's an awesome book, isn't it? I hadn't expected to like it as much as I did.

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  7. We shall agree to disagree about summer! But then, we live in such different climates, I'm sure I could convince you that winter is horrible if you lived here!

    I didn't even realize TTT was back, and I did a classic list as well. Kind of freaked me out when I saw your classic list. I contemplated a few of your books for my list (Woman in White, Dracula) and I completely forgot about In Cold Blood.
    Great list!

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    1. Elizabeth - I can only imagine how miserable your winters are with all that snow. :-) I'd be happy to share some of the desert heat with you from where I live if you ever need some.

      I love that we both had similar ideas for the TTT this week. :-) I have next week's ready too and it's another Classic theme.

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    2. I always like heat! If you could see me wrapped in my electric blanket, beside the gas fireplace, with wool socks and cozy clothes, you'd definitely send me some heat!
      Ive got classics next week too.

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    3. That actually sounds really cozy, Elizabeth. :-)

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  8. Great list! I haven't read much from Wilkie Collins but The Woman in White was an excellent read :)

    My TTT

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    1. Lianne - Thank you! I really want to read more by Wilkie Collins. I have a couple of his books sitting on my to read shelf. One of these days . . .

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  9. Good list! It's not always easy to find classics I love, but the ones I do love make it all worth it.

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    1. Jacqueline - Thank you! I agree. The ones I end up loving, often end up being favorites.

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  10. You inspired me to join in today :) https://stacybuckeye.com/2017/08/15/top-ten-tuesday-otherworldly-classics/

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  11. I love Hitchhiker's Guide and Narnia and of course Agatha Christie! I recently read The Woman in White and fell in love with it. The writing did take a little while to get used to and it wasn't a fast read but I absolutely loved it. This is a really great list and I agree about people lumping all classics together. They're not the same!

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    1. Katherine - Thank you! There really is such a variety of different types of classics out there--in every genre really. It's just a matter of knowing where to look.

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  12. Your top ten list is perfect for me! I have tried to read the classics but usually just don't enjoy them. Like you, I read for fun so if I don't enjoy it why read it. These books are on my current tbr list so I am glad to see your recommendation.

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    1. Carole - I hope you do like these--at least some of them--when you get to them Carole. There are many classics I will likely never read because I just don't have interest in them. But there are a number of them I do hope to get to someday.

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  13. Great list! Dracula and the Woman in White are two of my all-time favorite classics. And how can you not love A Wrinkle in Time? :)

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    1. Lark - Thank you! I really enjoyed both Dracula and Woman in White also. I want to re-read A Wrinkle in Time before the movie comes out. It's been so long.

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  14. I really need to read some Christie at some point, I read a little bit as a kid and then tried one a few years ago and it didn't work. I'll try again. :) And I agree with you about classics... you can dislike some but enjoy others.

    The Narnia books have a fond place in my memory, I like to think of them as classics also.

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    1. Greg - I have a fond place in my heart for the Narnia books too. My grandmother loaned me her copies of the series when I was a child and I couldn't get enough of them. I wanted to be Lucy. :-)

      I hope you will give Agatha Christie another try. Maybe a different book than the one you couldn't get into. :-)

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  15. I always say I'm going to read more classics and then never do. I've read (and enjoyed) a couple on your list and I'm really hoping to read my first-ever Agatha Christie soon!

    Two classics I read and liked in the past few years are "Fahrenheit 451" and "The Catcher in the Rye."

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    1. Lindsay - All those shiny new books tend to get my attention, so I'm guilty of not reading more of them either. I do enjoy them when I read them though. I hope you like Agatha Christie's work when you give it a try.

      I liked Fahrenheit 451 and The Catcher in the Rye also. :-)

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  16. Wendy, I continue to be in awe of how well read you are and the scope of the variety of genres you read. I have "Hitchhiker" here and have yet to read it, as are so many other books. One book that came immediately to mind is CHARLOTTE'S WEB. Love it :D

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    1. Donna Marie - I cam very close to putting Charlotte's Webb on my list. :-) It's a really good one. I hope you like Hitchhiker's when you get to it. It's a funny space opera, I think.

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  17. "The idea of summer"! That is the perfect phrasing. I absolutely HATE summer. (My allergies actually act up more in summer than they do in spring here! - Though fall is the worst for me. Fall is still my favorite.)

    I LOVE A Wrinkle in Time! <3 I can not wait for the movie to come out. I'm not sure it will compare, but the previews make it capture the essence at least. (Although, even as a child, I ALWAYS imagined Judy Dench as one of the Whatsit, Which, and Who people. (But Oprah, Reese, and Mindy completely make up for her not being in it!)

    Some of these have been on my TBR list for ages... and I'll have to add the missing ones!

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    1. Shannon - My allergies tend to run year round, but spring and fall tend to be the worst for me. I don't mind them as much in fall, because, like you, fall is my favorite season. :-)

      I need to re-read A Wrinkle in Time. The movie trailer looks good. I am happy with the casting as well.

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  18. Love the list and how it includes a lot of genres there. You can't go wrong with any of these (at least not of the ones I read!)

    And there is a new cinematic version of Murder on the Orient Express coming our way. So, it seems like a good time to visit it again.

    I'm curious about Wilkie Collins after reading Dan Simmon's Drood.

    Thanks for stopping by Nashville Book Worm. Hope to see you again soon.

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    1. Michael - Thank you. It is easy to forget that genre fiction has its classics too. I think some might find that more appealing than the bigger and more difficult texts that are more well-known.

      I saw a trailer for the new movie version of Murder on the Orient Express, and it looks like it will be good. I think I might read that one again before seeing the movie.

      I haven't yet read Dan Simmon's Drood, but I have a copy on my shelf. I've been curious about that one too.

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  19. I've read and absolutely agree with the first nine (I have never read Hitchhiker's Guide, although my hubby has - right up his alley). Classics are good stuff!

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  20. I totally agree - I think we like the idea of summer. As I get older, I definitely do not enjoy it like I did when I was a kid.

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    1. Charlie - Summer has definitely lost some of it's shine the older I get.

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