#3
my third book (and i apologize for taking almost a year to post something again) is lord of the flies by William Golding. a completely different story than others on the list but still just as amazing. i read this book in school actually and liked it so much i decided it needed to be added. i would like to announce that this book is only good when you pick up on the symbols! the symbolism in the book is amazing actually; and if it takes having a teacher for you to find them take a class! it's worth it.
now on to the book. were should i begin the vast amount of characters itself leaves you struggling to keep up with the fast pace. there's Ralph the leader, though helplessly flawed himself. piggy the whinny child (which some find unbearable)but the voice of reason. jack the villain of the book (or is he?) this is were symbolism, hidden meanings, and foretelling come into play. and then Simon, my personal favorite, the light in the darkness. the characters themselves are so well written they make you feel emotion. sorrow, anger, and even annoyance at piggy's constant suggestion. but the true beauty of the novel is the themes. one being are humans really evil (barbaric) and just veiled for society. what creates evil? does it stem from one individual (jack cough cough.) and then of course theres the undeniable religious aspect. the pigs head, the beast, even the title itself has the form of evil. one of the themes good vs. evil but so unconventionally told it keeps you turning pages.
*i'm afraid i have not seen the movie so i can't comment*

#2

our next book may be the firsts complete opposite, racked with a twisted plot, depressing characters, and an addicting spell that surrounds it WUTHERING HEIGHTS (by Emily Bronte) is truly a classic. their styles of writing is extremely different, and at some points wuthering heights can be a little confusing (with dialogue or switching between narrators.) unlike little women which is a holding place for four sensible, well rounded, sweet girls (and one very mischievous neighbor) wuthering heights main girl is nothing of that sort; she whinny, spoiled, selfish, and cruel but yet she delivers some of the most famous romance lines of all time in her 'i am heathcliff' speech that takes you breathe away if spoken by the right actor or read properly. speaking of actors i believe there are several versions of wuthering heights as a movie but i have only seen one; the black and white one (don't let the colored cover fool you check the date) which i was not impressed with at all, now i know it was obviously filmed a long time ago so I'm not even talking about the film quality, i found the acting poor and the hero dogish looking. however the main reason i would strongly suggest not watching it is because it doesn't follow the books plot well and would probably confuse you. *note: though i am not, as said before, a strict critic with books i am one with movies so you maybe shouldn't always take my word for it, research it some.* with all this time I've taken babbling on i haven't introduced the hero , if one would call him that, of the story... heathcliff. complicated, twisted, and pitied; while Cathrine's character has a gloss of bitterness heathcliff becomes truly rotten at the core. so why does the world favor him of Cathrine (which i would agree to)? i suppose because heathcliff could be said to have been brought up that way, though really spoildness is more of a trait inherited from childhood. read it. comment. and dig deeper into this story. i would love to discuss some of the deeper meaning and amazing foretelling within its pages.

*i just read that its a rumor that heath ledger and his sister kate were named after these characters heathcliff and Cathrine.

#1

so lets begin the first book i will have you read is little women by Luisa may Alcott. i am currently reading it and have read it before. i adore this book, i think here writing style amusing and pleasing, easy to understand and clever. i love how the characters meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy evolve into extraordinary women. your heart truly wraps around this book and you will cry laugh fall in love and curse the author for the ending she writes.
little women is written in two parts but almost every copy has them both. i also highly recommend reading Susan straights opinion on it, for she has truly put into words how i feel about it.
though you do not need to watch the movie it is very good. and little women has even been made into a play (which i have not seen.)
this is a pretty happy book and if you don't like that sort of thing you are welcome to skip to number two on the list.

LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN!

101 classics

as for something to do Ive decided to create a list of good classic books. this idea came to me for two reasons i have many friends that would like to read some classics but all the ones they've read are boring or they don't understand them and the second i, while enjoying other books, enjoy classics just as much.so i propose a list of 101 titles all classics and all books i personally will read. now some recommendations: i would suggest reading the books in order, of course ill be reading them in order, but there has to be some rhyme and reason in the scheme of things for example it's better to ease yourself into Shakespeare than dive right in, and just because you can read romeo and Juliet doesn't mean that Dante's inferno is next on the list. i will also right a post or review on each book i read telling you what i PERSONALLY thought of it. remember just because i like a book doesn't mean that you will and while i am an avid book reader i usually don't read a book just to butcher it to find the things i didn't like about it. authors may come into play in some posts unfortunately but i will try to keep it as much about the books as possible because that's what i enjoy and I'm guessing what anyone whose willing to take this challenge enjoys as well.... the books!

*this may come as a surprise to some or maybe even an insult but for most classics at least in the beginning i recommend watching the movie first (which i absolutely don't for other books!) this is because while your reading in helps you understand the story line , like placing where you are on a map. also it can evolve the characters which some classics take longer to do.*

I told her she deserved so much better and that he would be lucky to end up with someone half as great as her. She laughed and denied it, but at least i got her to smile. I would do anything to see that smile. "Beautiful" i muttered under my breath. :))
-by emily smith, one of my best friends, in an up coming story

we men are wretched things
-achilles, troy

I've fought many wars in my time. some I've fought for land, some for power, some for glory. i suppose fighting for love makes more sense than all the rest.
-Priam (to Paris), troy