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2012: The Year of the Classics + Giveaway!

1/10/2012

30 Comments

 
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Happy New Year! I've been thinking for a few months about knocking out a significant amount of classics in 2012. I had all these grand ideas of doing a shared blog challenge and setting group goals and cross-posting reviews of any classics my friends read throughout the year. (still will cross-post reviews of some of my fellow bloggers but no "challenge" beyond mere attempt) A few other bloggers ARE running Classics challenges this year so if that is your thing, go for it!

Here are a few I've seen around:
Back To The Classics, hosted by Sarah Reads Too Much
A Classics Challenge, hosted by November's Autumn
Greek Classics Challenge 2012, hosted by Howling Frog Books

I had several conversations with friends about what a "classic" book is and it seems obvious that the definition is different for everyone. (Duh.) I'm not here to declare myself QUEEN OF THE INTERWEBZ and lay down the definition of a classic for all. But HEAR YE, HEAR YE! The Readventurer declares that the definition of a classic, for the purposes of her 2012 reading goals is just any book written before 1980 whose author is deceased. Sure, there are modern classics whose authors are still alive. Sure, there are hundreds of thousands (or millions) of books that fit the criteria which are underwhelming and/or utter crap. But I don't care about that, all I care about is jumping into a bunch of stories and oldey timey drama and crossing off list items. Speaking of lists, I'm going to start with the Pulitzer Prize winners at the beginning, though I'll probably jump around once in a while. Despite the fact that I've read over a thousand books, I was a bit embarrassed when I added the list of winners to my blog and found that I'd read...wait for it...wait for it...

ONE BOOK ON THE LIST.

Welcome to Mortification Station, me. (it was Killer Angels by Michael Shaara but I'm just going to reread it because I don't remember it at all) So my quest to read these worthy titles begins with His Family by Ernest Poole. Never heard of it? I hadn't either! Here's the blurb from the world's most accurate source for information, Wikipedia:

        His Family tells the story of a middle class family in New York City in the 1910s. The family's patriarch,  widower Roger Gale, struggles to deal with the way his daughters and grandchildren respond to the              changing society. Each of his daughters responds in a distinctively different way to the circumstances of their  lives, forcing Roger into attempting to calm the increasingly challenging family disputes that erupt.

In all seriousness, I'm excited. It's on. Oh, and let me know if you are reading any classics this year, whether it is for a challenge or not. If you want to cross-post any reviews, just let me know.

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS! You finished reading this post. If you comment on this thread and tell me one classic that you are embarrassed you haven't read or that you want to read this year, you can enter to win one Penguin clothbound classic (up to $15,the link shows 24 choices but there are more than that available in the price range). Open Internationally. Fill out your info on the contact form and extra entries if you tweet or blog about it. I WANT ALL THE CLOTHBOUND CLASSICS! Contest ends 1/31, 9pm PST. Good luck!

Here's a sample tweet: Enter to win the Penguin Clothbound Classic of your choice @TheReadventurer: http://www.thereadventurer.com/1/post/2012/01/2012-the-year-of-the-classics-giveaway.html

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LOOK HOW PRETTY!
Readventurer F Signature

Contest now closed. 
The Winner is Bonnie from Bonnie's Sweet Tidbits!

30 Comments
Wendy Darling link
1/10/2012 02:41:20 pm

I looove these editions so much! I already have a few, but am greedily entering so I can add to my collection. :D

One of the classics that I've shamefully not yet read is William Golding's Lord of the Flies. You'd think that I would have jumped all over a book about a bunch of bloodthirsty, savage boys marooned on an island, but somehow I just never got around to it. *hangs head*

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Meann link
1/10/2012 02:47:05 pm

For someone who claims to love Austen, I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't read Persuasion yet! For some reason, it keeps getting bumped down the "to buy" pile. o_O *hides*

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Chachic link
1/10/2012 02:53:17 pm

So pretty! I want to read so many classics too. I'm not even sure if I've read all of Jane Austen's novel? I remember I tried to go through all of them back in college but I'm not sure so I need to remedy that situation. I've had my copy of The Scarlet Pimpernel for a while so I hope I can read that too. Also want to read some children's classics like Peter Pan, Robin Hood, The Secret Garden, etc. So many to choose from.

Thanks for having an awesome giveaway as always, Flannery. And for making it an international one!

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Maree
1/10/2012 03:31:20 pm

I am ashamed to say that I haven't read Wuthering Heights yet, but I have made progress and purchased it at a second hand bookshop about a week ago. I really should get around to reading it...

Thanks for making a giveaway international-the poor Aussies never seem to get a look in on GoodReads haha ;)

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Ruby link
1/10/2012 03:36:48 pm

I remember I first saw these editions in a Borders shop when it was closing down. They where so lovely. I think its a great idea that they re bind the classics like this instead of giving them a cover that might loose appeal over time.

Most of the classics (with the exception of a few) always seem to be that thing I say I will get around to reading but never do... ONE DAY!! :)

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Ruby
1/10/2012 04:06:56 pm

Deciding on a favourite book out of the classics was decidedly difficult since I am annoyed I have not read so many of them. At first the Oscar Wilde book swayed me because I am such a huge fan of his but it’s really between Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. However in the end I would have to say Pride and Prejudice. I am truly embarrassed at not having read this one seeing as I adore the story line and have seen and loved the movie so many times I can practically quote from it on cue.

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Shirley Marr link
1/10/2012 04:20:40 pm

I am ashamed to say I have not read William Faulkner's The Reivers. Yes, I know he won the Pulitzer for that one, but being his last book and him, like, totally jumping the shark after his 14th book, I'm just not keen. Plus the title sounds lame. On the other hand, I would love a Beautiful Book.

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Tatiana
1/10/2012 08:41:02 pm

I should probably finally read something from Thomas Hardy or Charles Dickens.

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A. Harel
1/10/2012 08:47:38 pm

I am embarrassed to say that I have not read Pride and Prejudice BUT I have read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Go figure. Anyhow, those books look lovely. Thanks for the great contest.

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jowearsoldcoats link
1/10/2012 09:10:15 pm

YES.
I love this challenge, Flann.
Good luck!

There are so many books on that list that I want to read.
Those books are beautiful. :)

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Nomes link
1/10/2012 09:23:45 pm

i pimped you out on goodreads :)

i have read a few on that list. the one i want to (re)read this year is 'to kill a mockingbird.

had to read it in high school i think i only half read it and winged all my essays (typical fashion). i think i would love it for sure, but somehow the idea of reading classics always feels like a bit of a chore...

those editions are lush, flann, LUSH

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Kaethe
1/10/2012 10:37:32 pm

I've read a few of the Pulitzer winners, mostly those by still-living authors. And I'm really surprised at how well I've done with the Penguin list. What I've been neglecting are my early works of feminism: I really want to read A Vindication On the Rights of Women this year, and Cranford, also.

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Jasprit
1/10/2012 10:41:51 pm

I really want to read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, my sister who hardly ever reads, had to read them for school and has been on my case ever since and I still haven't got round to reading them!

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Tina link
1/10/2012 10:57:05 pm

Wee pretty books!

Okay, I'm embarrassed that I haven't read Little Women. I remember Chachic's expression when she found out about that, and she demanded I read it. LOL. Anyway, I WILL read that this year, as well as another Austen (I'm on a one Austen a year thing), and Jane Eyre too. Some classics I really love are A Little Princess, Anne of Green Gables, Persuasion (Captain Wentworth!) and just recently, Daddy-Long-Legs. :D

Thanks for the giveaway, Flannery! :)

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michelle
1/10/2012 11:15:55 pm

Despite the fact that my husband's grandmother left her entire Thomas Hardy collection to me, I have yet to read a single one. I have watched a film adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, so I guess I should start with that one.

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Bonnie link
1/10/2012 11:36:36 pm

I'm quite embarrassed to say I haven't read hardly any classics. I made it my goal sometime last year to read the BBC Book List so I'm slowly making my way through it. Everyone talks about Wuthering Heights though and I... have not read it.

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Simcsa
1/11/2012 12:12:14 am

I'm ashamed that as many readers here I haven't yet read Wuthering Heights and also I would like to read The Picture of Dorian Grey which is sitting on my shelf for a good while.

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Hira link
1/11/2012 04:31:18 am

I'm sad to say I haven't read a TON of classics. I plan on reading many this year, though one I'm embarrassed of not reading is Alice in Wonderland!

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SarahO. (Krazy Elf's Bookshelf) link
1/11/2012 07:00:28 am

I'm embarrassed that I haven't read Oliver Twist. I've read two Dickens already and I love him and I've had Oliver Twist on my shelf for years but still haven't read it. I'm going to be reading a lot of Charlotte Bronte in these next few months though for a class so I'll definitely be reading some classics this year =)

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A.J. link
1/11/2012 07:31:28 am

I want to read more by Jane Austen! I've only read Pride & Prejudice and really loved that one, so gotta read her others. :)
Thanks for the giveaway!

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Karen H
1/11/2012 10:42:51 am

I've only read one of these books too.... Alice in Wonderland.

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Emily link
1/11/2012 11:47:19 am

I really want to read Rebecca this year. My mom has told me about and how great it is and I've been meaning to read it for a few years now.

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Emily
1/11/2012 11:52:23 am

Oops forgot the link http://emilyjud.deviantart.com/journal/#/d4m2jzk

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Maureen
1/11/2012 12:14:00 pm

I read through the list you posted - and have read 9 of them, but actually remember maybe 5 of those. I am super embarrassed that I have never read any Hemingway. I just had to read The Paris Wife for my bookclub, and felt like a super loser for not having any input on Hemingway's work. OOPS! But I would super love these pretty books, Flanna!

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Holly link
1/11/2012 01:52:39 pm

So I went to the Pulitzer list after reading this post to discover that I had read ... wait for it ... 6 books! But they were all for assigned reading in Honors and AP English classes in high school, so not sure if that counts. :P

For some reason I'm kind of embarrassed that I haven't read more Dickens, seeming how I actually enjoyed A Tale of Two Cities when I read it in high school. ("It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.' is one of my favorite bookish quotes of all-time.) I would feel better if I'd read, for example Great Expectations or A Christmas Carol as well.

Again, awesome giveaway! I already own the Jane Eyre edition and I would love to have more on my shelf. I stop to admire them every time I see them at B&N...

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Missie, The Unread Reader link
1/12/2012 02:24:14 am

Flannery! Are you really going to make us admit our sins. *bites nails*

Okay, here goes. I haven't read Dracula yet...well, not in it's entirety. I got away with the cliff-notes in HS then watched the movie and deemed it good enough. For all my claims that I'm a huge vampire lover, this confession shames and haunts me.

Thanks for the giveaway, and good luck with your classics goals.

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Margie Cortina link
1/12/2012 02:38:07 am

I have to admit, I have never read Dracula or Frankenstein... and I just recently read Catcher and the Rye, it wasn't a requirement for me to read in school, lol! There are so many others! Thanks for sharing your links! and for the chance to win a lovely book :)

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Rebecca De Aguiar link
1/23/2012 03:18:36 pm

A classic that I haven't yet read but need to is, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott! I've been meaning to read it for a while now, but just haven't gotten round to it yet. Current books keep releasing, the shelves pile higher, but that doesn't mean classic's don't need love! I would love to *finally* get around to reading it this year, and would love the clothbound Penguin with it's funky design on my shelf!

:)

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Rebecca De Aguiar link
1/23/2012 03:18:44 pm

A classic that I haven't yet read but need to is, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott! I've been meaning to read it for a while now, but just haven't gotten round to it yet. Current books keep releasing, the shelves pile higher, but that doesn't mean classic's don't need love! I would love to *finally* get around to reading it this year, and would love the clothbound Penguin with it's funky design on my shelf!

:)

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The Lacquered Lady link
1/31/2012 01:48:18 am

I have never read any Austen. All my friends lover her, but I never thought to pick her up.

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