Friday, December 29, 2017

A Classical Resolution


  I don't have a thing to post about today because The Mister and I have both been in bed for two days with a nasty stomach bug. Ugh. We have both been so sick. This is what my world looks like. Not much going on I'm afraid.



I am very happy that I bought several new Dots for my bedroom and for the craft rooms when they were on sale right before Christmas. I've been using all this down time having Alexa catch me up on my Audibles.



I never know what to do with my monthly credit and usually either save them up or use them for something I don't end up liking. Last January I decided to use it to buy a classic or at least a book that has made some kind of important impact on the literary world. I started the year with Great Expectations. It was 30 plus hours of pleasure and I usually stay away from books that long.



With all the political references in the headlines I thought I would go to the source.  I could never get all the way through the movie but the book is so much better. Even though I knew the ending it kept me on the edge of my seat.



This was scary.  I love a good WW2 story but when the horror comes to our shores and affects our way of life it's terrifying.



Wow. Just wow. This was a tough listen.



In the spring I went for something romantic-which of course, usually turns into anything but. This was no exception.



This book was shocking. I've seen the movie but the book is very gritty and dark.



This book will also shock you if you've seen the movie. It goes far beyond what the movie censors would ever allow in language and cruelty and it will tear your heart out. A bonus is that the narrator sounds just like Henry Fonda.



This is the Welsh version of The Grapes of Wrath. Books like these remind you of how much we have to be thankful for and how important it is to fight to preserve it.




I ended my year of the classics with of course. what else. Again, it you have seen the movie you will be amazed at how many other places the book takes you. I think I may continue this little project next year as well since I don't see any Jane Austin here. Do you have a must read classic? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

16 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear you and the Mister are both sick. Could it be food poisoning? I’m impressed with the books you’ve listened to this year. I have not read any of those. In fact, this year I haven’t read much at all. Your list challenges me to try to do better in 2018. We shall see. Blessings, Betsy

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  2. Sorry you're both sick. Seems that darn stomach bug is everywhere this winter. Good book choices, Great Expectations was one of my favorites in high school, along with Oliver Twist. Hope you both feel better soon! God bless you both!

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  3. P.S.: I lived in Aberdeen MD before moving here to Phoenix AZ. Aberdeen & Belcamp are lovely small towns.

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  4. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

    Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (translated by Larissa Volokhonsky and Richard Pevear)

    Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset

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  5. I recommend Jane Eyre, A Tale of Two Cities, My Antonia, Our Town (play by Thornton Wilder)

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  6. So sorry that you've been sick. Stomach bugs are just awful!
    I love a lot of those books, too: The Plot Against America, I Capture the Castle, The Handmaidens tale.
    I've been thinking of taking on Bleak House. It is really long but I loved it when I read it years ago!

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  7. The stomach flu has hit my area, too, but I've managed to keep out if it's reach. I hope you are both feeling better.

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  8. Ugh. I hope you two are feeling better and are quick to mend. I love seeing all the books you listened to. Can I ask you about the audible thing? How does it work? You get to borrow a certain number of books a month to listen to?

    I haven't read that much the past few years. I think I'm getting dumber. I ask my husband to read books I have read to confirm whether what I just read was god or bad. Sad. LOL

    Lastly, did you finish Magpie Murders? I'm eyeing that one something fierce.

    Rest up and hydrate!

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    1. You pay a monthly fee, I think about $12 and you get a credit for a book. You can also buy books if you have no credits left. They have specials and sales all the time.
      I have not finished The Magpie Murders but I am really liking it.

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    2. Thanks Araignee. I might have to go this way in 2018! More stories while I knit so I don't have to choose between reading and knitting! I am not one of the luckys that can do both!

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  9. All the President's men is an excellent story. A true tale of what journalism should be.

    Hope you get over your bug soon!

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  10. Oh no! Feel better soon! I am so sorry to hear this.

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  11. Oh dear I hope you are both feeling better. I am a huge audiobook fan, I get them from my local library streamed right to my phone and they are free!

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  12. I hope you and DH will be better soon!
    Love your book list-How Green is my Valley is a movie, too; I just watched it on TCM.
    Look for Jane Eyre or Oliver Twist for additional classics.

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  13. Feel better dear Deb!!! I loved the Great Gatsby and Franny and Zoey. Im sending your post to Allison who is considering her classic for 2018

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  14. I have A Tale of Two Cities and Jane Eyre on my reading list for 2018.

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