Summer Reading List: Classics

So, Summer is here and it's time for all those wonderful library reading programs! But they only deal with the hours spent reading, not the books you read, for all they care you could spend the entire summer reading The Boxcar Children, (not like that's a bad thing). Usually, however, I make a reading list of all the books I would like to finish by the end of the summer. The problem being that I never quite make it through the list, however well-meaning, educational, and impressive it is, because I'm too busy reading fantasy/fiction/fairy tale/magic/dragons EXCITING, FUN books. I enjoy making the list regardless, and this summer, I'll share it with you. Hopefully, I will also include a post later on in the year concerning how many I actually finished.

1. Les Miserables- (By Victor Hugo) Ever since we listened to the abridged version of this book, a WONDERFUL, multi-voice dramatized recording by Focus on the Family, I longed to read the full version. I was extremely disappointed when I could not find it in our old library system, but I recently found it in all it's glory, (except for the fact it was translated into English of course.) This is the book I am currently reading, and it is even MORE beautiful than I thought it would be.

2. Bleak House- (By Charles Dickens) I watched the BBC drama Bleak House when I was sick with the flu last spring, I can't wait to see how the book compares.

3. A Tale of Two Cities- (By Charles Dickens) Am I looking forward to this one? Honestly? No. It is required reading to complete my British Literature course.

4. Frankenstein- (By Mary Shelley) Again, REQUIRED READING. Not something I would pick myself. Which is probably why I've waited this long to read it.

5. The Little Prince- (By Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Can everyone say "lol". This is a small, about 100 pg story, that is a children's book. That said, it IS A CLASSIC. Not to mention, I have read some of it, and intellectually, an Adult could read it and still learn something. It's a fable about a Prince who lived on a tiny planet with three small volcanoes, and one proud, beautiful rose. He traveled to Earth where he learned, from a fox, about what is important in life. (paraphrased from back of book)

There are other books that I look forward to reading this summer, but for now, this is the list I'm posting.
And of course, I'll also read whatever I find at the library, or in my bookshelf, or in someone else's bookshelf. Because it wouldn't be summer if you couldn't read books just for fun, as well as school.

Now for Recommendations, books I think everyone needs to read: (bear in mind I'm talking about classics today, but all the one's I am about to mention are wonderful fun)

1. Pride and Prejudice- (by Jane Austen) Need I say more? In fact, I won't, it more than speaks for itself. However, one word of advice. If you want to watch the movie (which I highly suggest btw), watch the 1995 Masterpiece Classic version. It is 6 hours long, because it follows the book perfectly, even word for word in some parts, it captures the characters and the plot of the story so much better than the new movie with Kiera Knightly. If you are going to make a movie out of a classic book, make that movie classic, and Masterpiece Classic did. (Besides, it has the most wonderful Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett)

2. Something New and/or A Damsel in Distress- (by P.G. Wodehouse) (Couldn't pick) Are they both Classics? Maybe not. Are they the some of the most hilarious pieces of British Literature I have ever read? Most Certainly. A word of warning, although fairly mild, they sadly contain some words I would not repeat. Or, more accurately, just one, only said a couple times. SO, I leave it up to your discretion.

3. Sherlock Holmes- (by A. Conan Doyle) "It's elementary my dear Watson" "This is but sparsely connected to the movies, therefore, must be read separately to reach full potential". Enough Said

4. Lord of the Rings- (by J. R. R. Tolkien) Although this is one of the few books that I read first, than actually enjoyed the movies, the books do contain subject matter that did not make it into them.

And with that.... enjoy your summer! If you comment, please leave YOUR summer reading list and recommendations, as well as saying what you think of mine.

Thank you for reading,
Esther