Dickens: I've read one dickens novel each of the last two years. 2015 was A Tale of Two Cities which was okay. Last years was Bleak House which I enjoyed much more. But what to read next? Great Expectations? David Copperfield? Or should I try one of his lesser read works? I don't know.
A Russian Novel: Would you believe I've yet to read a classic Russian novel? Probably :-) But I want to change that. I'm leaning toward Anna Karenina but could easily be persuaded to read The Brother Karamazov (especially since I just saw Cindy Rollin's gave it a good review) or really any other. I normally do one or two really tough novels a year and I'm willing for this to be one so it can be a doozy. In fact, I'm pretty sure it will be. But I'm pushing myself here!
I also am in need of some lighter reads. So far my list is pretty dense and I need some non-twaddley filler books. Sadly, I've on the last Jasper Fforde book our library has and I just finished the Lord Peter series. I might re-read the Chronicles of Narnia which would be an easier read but got any fun mysteries? Or maybe something clever. I like witty books, whether that is word play or revised fairy tales, all that sort of thing. Or a good Austen-esq novel.
Okay guys, help me out!
UPDATE:
Okay, this is sad. My blog isn't giving me a hard time about commenting! I mean, it's MY blog! So I'll just add here:
I'm glad to see such positive feedback about Anna Karenina!
Can I admit that I didn't really like the Wendell Berry book I read (Jayber Crow)? I feel like the world of readers will turn on me if I do. But I still have Hannah Coulter on my tbr-someday pile because it might have just been my mood at the time.
And Vinegar Girl was already on my list plus possible Peace Like a River but I'm always glad for confirmation of a good book. I'm reading my first Goudge right now (The Little White Horse) and I have a feeling I'll be on the lookout for more.
Good call on Oliver Twist. I'm starting to see the need for pre-reading and I really should try to get ahead while I can or I'm gonna be swamped 2-3 years from now!
I have started the Hogarth Shakespeare series. Vinegar Girl (based on Taming of the Shrew) is light! Gap In Time (A Winter's Tale) is delightful.
ReplyDeleteNon-twaddly easyish books: Goudge, Peace Like a River, Wendell Berry.
ReplyDeleteIf you want something shorter and Russian, I read The Death of Ivan Ilyich this year and it's thoughtful and probably a good introduction to a longer, heavier Russian novel. But if you want a full-length selection, Anna Karenina is heavy but not at all a slog. I would think it's not as hard a read as Brothers K or War and Peace (neither of which I have read).
And Oliver Twist is on the Year 5 reading list if you want to use your Dickens slot to pre-read! :)
I'm prereading Oliver Twist next year.
ReplyDeleteI have Brothers K on audiobook, so I'm going to try that.
I'm planning on reading at least one Berry next year. I'm leaning towards Hannah Coulter if my library has it.
I read Anna Karenina this year and it was a surprisingly easy read. I read it on my phone so I was able to take it in small bits while nursing, etc. which helped me get through it. Sooo long though!!
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