Day 1 of Armchair BEA is introductions and a genre discussion of the classics. I've already posted my Introduction here. For more information on Armchair BEA, please click the link above.
So many directions this subject can go in.
I've always wanted to read more of the classics. The first classic I remember being exposed to is Jane Eyre. I was in the 5th or 6th grade, and my teacher read it to us. However, I didn't really remember much about it, so I re-read Jane Eyre this year. And LOVED IT!
My all-time favorite classic is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm not sure I could ever review P&P, but that's okay with me. I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time in the 7th grade. Since then I've read it probably 7 or 8 times--I've lost count. I've got it on audiobook as well so I can experience it whenever I want.
As an Austen fan, I've also read Persuasion, which I love as well. And Northanger Abbey. I've got Sense and Sensibilty, Emma, and Mansfield Park in my possession, but I haven't taken the opportunity to read them yet. I hope to read at least one other of these by the end of the year.
Of course there are other classics that I read during school, but I've made it a goal of mine to read 6 classics this year. So far I've read 2 (Pride and Prejudice re-read and Jane Eyre), but I've got 4 more to go. I was listening to A Tale of Two Cities on audiobook, but I kept getting distracted and truthfully don't really have a clue what's happened. I'm going to need to go back and start over. I guess I better get started.
Sometimes I struggle with the classics because of the language. Typically, I prefer books that I can blow through quickly, so when I read the classics, I find that I have to slow down in order to take everything in. This has hindered me from reading the classics in the past, but I knew I was missing so much by letting that keep me back.
So after all that rambling, I'd like to leave you with two pieces of advice. Read the classics--press on through the language to get to the story. And read Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, or Jane Eyre as your first choices.
Do you read many classics? Which is your favorite? Let me know!
