These are not all ancient texts; some are just books that have been around for a while that I want to read. This post serves as a reminder to myself, and maybe a help to you.
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt. I was reminded of this unread-by-me Newbery Honor book by Betsy at LiterariTea.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I am in the midst of re-reading this my favorite novel of all time. I first read it more than twenty-five years ago when I was in college. I stayed up until 4:00 in the morning, reading to find out what would happen to Jean Valjean and Cosette. Since then I’ve read excerpts of the novel, but never the entire book again. Now is the time. There are things about it I had forgotten, and I will be sharing with you my thoughts, probably in several posts.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens. I’m watching the mini-series now. I don’t usually do things in that order, but I’ll be reading the book this year anyway. Recommended by Carrie at Reading to Know.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. There were a lot of comparisons between this best-seller and one book in particular that we read for Cybils this year. I couldn’t compare since I’ve never read Ms. Turner’s first book in the Attolia series. In fact, I think I have it mixed up in my mind with another book that I tried to read and couldn’t get interested in completing. The Thief comes highly recommended by the members of the Cybils judging committee that I was privileged to be a part of.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Maybe it’s this book that I tried and couldn’t get into. About some Italian street kids living in a theater or something, but with fantasy elements? Anyway, I’m going to try it again—or for the first time. (I looked it up, it’s The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke that I have confused with The Thief. Oh, well, I’m just confused.)
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi. For my West Africa reading project and for my Classics Club project. Recommended by Ti at Book Chatter.
The Silver Pencil by Alice Dalgliesh. 1945 Newbery Honor Book.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson.
Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden. Recommended by Lanier’s Books.
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Recommended by Caribousmom.
The Last Cavalier by Alexandre Dumas. Recommended by Mindy Withrow.
Ruth by Mrs. Gaskell. Recommended by Sarah at Library Hospital.
I tried to read Lizzie Bright after reading Okay for Now, but I just didn’t like it. Maybe I will give it another chance some day. I just finished Les Miserables for the first time ever this week. What a sense of accomplishment I felt! I liked Inkheart.
I love Dickens but have never gotten around to Bleak House. But I am inspired to since Carrie liked it so much and she’s not been fond of Dickens.
I read the unabridged Les Mis a few years ago and loved it, though in the future I’ll probably read the abridged and skip the long histories of sewers and convents and such.
Two of those books made the cut for my “I’ve Always Meant to Read That Book” Challenge – we’re reading Bleak House in February. 🙂
The Dumas is going back a ways! I’ve got quite a few old titles on my TBR list too. And I hope you enjoy Lizzie; I gave it to several nieces this year for Christmas.
Thanks for the link! I AM amused that you are linking me to DICKENS! 😀
I read Bleak House a few years ago. I absolutely loved it. What a surprise for me. 900+ pages and I could not put it down! I decided to read it after I saw part of an episode of the series. I figured I had missed too much of the series, so I went to the source.
I’m re-reading Les Miserables in February too. I loved it when I read the Denny (abridged but seen as the standard) version but now have the Rose, unabridged translation which I can’t wait to dive into!
a very intriguing list!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Thief. It was a random choice, but one of my favorites in 2012!