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The Classics Challenge 2009

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Yipeeeeeeee, Ok so one wouldn’t think I’d be that excited about the Classics Challenge since I didn’t even finish it last year but I am!!! I really do think it’s important to read them and there are a lot of them that are really, really good.

Trish from Trish’s Reading Nook is hosting it once again this year. Thank you Trish. It will run from April 1 – October 31, 2009. There’s a few levels you can choose from…
  • 1. Classics Snack – Read FOUR classics
  • 2. Classics Entree – Read FIVE classics
  • 3. Classics Feast – Read SIX classics

I have picked myself 4 classics that I will read for sure so I’m doing the Classics Snack and those four are…

  1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  2. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
  3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  4. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

Three additional ones that I hope to fit in but I’m not going to commit to at this point are…

  1. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
  2. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
  3. Persuasion by Jane Austen

So, there you have it. I am determined to succeed this year. If you’d like to join in the fun of the Classics Challenge, head on over here to check out the rules and sign up!

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  1. Is your template new or am I going crazy? No matter, I really like it! And your pal Buddy is super cute!

    This sounds like a cool challenge, but I think I've already signed up for too many. Next year I think I may work on catching up on some classics. I especially want to read Sense & Sensibility as I LOVE the movie!

  2. Jane Eyre is good, Jane Austen is better!
    Have you read Austen´s “Northanger Abbey”? It is not very long, and a very humorous mock-gothic novel. And being an Austen, there is romance in it, of course, – and a happy ending 🙂

  3. Looks like some great choices, Dar. I read Cannery Row last year. Read Jane Eyre a long time ago. Probably should re-read it.

  4. I have not read a classic in a long time. I don’t think I will be joining this time but good luck on the challenge

  5. I should do this as it would tie into my Books to Disney Movies personal challenge plus I’ve really been in the mood to read only classics lately (I finished Greyfriar’s Bobby recently). If I can get caught up on these reviews then I will definitely join!

  6. I loved Jane Eyre–hope you like it. I think I might do Ethan Frome as well as I’ve had it sitting on the shelf for years. So glad you’re excited about the challenge!! 🙂

  7. You’re tempting me Dar! I haven’t hooked up with any challenges and the snack option sounds easy. Hmmm…I’m going to have to give this some thought. I hope that you enjoy Jane Eyre. It’s one of my favorites. I like Jane Austen but I loved Jane Eyre! I haven’t read any of the others on your list but have a copy of The Secret Garden TBR.

  9. Oh, cool, thanks for posting this! I've got tons of classics (thanks to B&N's hardcover editions)–surprisingly, most of which I've read, but there are a handful I haven't gotten to yet. Those will have to be on my list.

    BTW, love your blog–I'm following and it's on my blogroll. Your background is great, too 🙂

  10. Totally unrelated… guess what was in my box when I checked it on Friday??? Guess what’s going in the mail ASAP????

  13. Pretty new site!

    I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t read as many classics as I should have considering that I am an English teacher! Shame on me!

    And good for you! Maybe I’ll do the classic snack, too. I really should!

    Have a good week!

  14. I’m reading Ethan Frome right now for class. Its not bad; I just don’t feel like reading it because its a required read. Ahhh the stigma of those words. Jane Eyre I picked up at the library sale and looking forward to reading. Jane Austen – we read Sense and Sensibility last year. Didnt get through it. It’ll probably be the last Jane Austen I attempt to read as I thought it was horrible (sorry). Good luck with your challenge!

  15. All of your choices are great!! I've read Jane Eyre, Secret Garden and Ethan Frome. I should re-read Jane Eyre sometime though. I've read P&P, and S&S but not Persuasion!! Sounds like some fun stuff!!

  16. I have just bought The Secret Garden and I look forward to reading it. I am tempted by this challenge, but I keep thinking I need to read the books from my TBR pile first. Thanks for your kind comments.

  17. I’m definitely going to join in on the fun as I failed miserably last year 🙂 Looks like you picked out some good books for this challenge!

  18. Good luck with the challenge! I did a classics challenge last year and really enjoyed it. (I also read P&P and Jane Eyre.)

  20. Yay! Good luck, Dar! I’m becoming a classics junkie, so I hope you enjoy them all immensely!

    Lezlie

  21. I’m like you and unfortunately didn’t manage to quite finish this challenge last year. I would really love to try again but not sure I could stand it if I didn’t succeed again!!

  22. Oooohhh, I may have to join in on this one also! My son actually read Ethan Fromme for one of his english classes during his college freshman year, and has been suggesting that I read it ever since!

  25. Having read all of these four, I suggest to you that they are all superb. I could not even rank them in any order.
    Except to say that I am a HUGE Steinbeck fan. I adored Cannery Row [and read a subsequent book ABOUT it]…. all four of these though, are MUST READS…. and I hope that you do get to them and give them their due attention.

  26. Good luck with the challenge, Dar! Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorites as is Pride and Prejudice, so I hope you are able to fit that one it too.

  27. Glad to see you’re joining as well, Dar! I’ll be reading Jane Eyre too! 🙂 But I didn’t prepar a list so I’ll go along as I read.

  28. What a great challenge! I’ve just started reading Jane Eyre for the first time and I’m loving it. My goal for ’09 is to read some classics. I’ve never participated in a challenge, but I think I could do this one. You’ve tempted me! I’ll give it some serious thought!! You’ve chosen some wonderful books. Gook Luck Dar!

  30. Thanks for posting the list Dar. i so need to dust the classics I already own but never got a chance to read. I am in for the challenge as well.

  31. Amy, yes the template is new. YOu aren’t going crazy. lol.

    Dorte, I’ve not read Northanger Abbey but intend to one of these days.

    Trish, I’m excited to get started. Ethan Frome came in the mail yesterday and I had an overwhelming urge to start it. lol.

    Linda, too funny about not reading the classics considering you’re an English teacher. That does surprise me. lol.

    Everyone else thanks for the encouragement. I need it! I hope those that are thinking of joining in, do.

    Thanks also for the compliments on the new blog design. I really love it!

  32. I can’t wait to see what you think of Cannery Row. It’s one I’ve always wanted to read but have never gotten around to. Maybe you will inspire me to finally pick it up!