Guess who won the Penguin Ten Essentials Classics Redux contest? Guess who just opened a box of 24 Graphic Deluxe Classics? Guess who is dancing?
That's right...me!!! As my dear sixteen-year old daughter put, "How nerd-tastic of you!" I can tell she is so proud...
Actually, there were two winners. And since I guessed one wrong--my pick was Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men over Chaucer's Canterbury Tales--I assume my co-winner, Karen Sagun from Books and Chocolate (one of the blogs I follow!) was off by one as well. Congrats, Karen!
The really great thing about the 24 classics that I received is that some are spanking new editions of old favorites, some are entirely new to me, and some are ones that I have wanted to read for lo these many years.
Let's take a closer look...
First off, a Steinbeck I haven't read--namely The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights. That sounds great to me. I read Ethan Frome a year ago, but I remember loving this cover when I was looking for cover art for the blog (it's mostly hidden in this picture), and I've meant to read Dorothy Parker ever since Rory Gilmore couldn't shut up about her. Anybody want to enlighten me regarding The New York Trilogy?
I've been wanting to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle since I read a few reviews of it last year, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is officially on the 2011 reading list. I absolutely love the covers of Lady Chatterley's Lover and Great Expectations, which I would like to reread in anticipation of the new adaptation. My paperback Jane Eyre has been "borrowed" by my college-age daughter, so a replacement is welcome. Candide has always intrigued me but I never owned a copy. Maybe Canterbury Tales will become my new bedside book.
I love the cover of Pride and Prejudice, and my paperback copy (as opposed to my Annotated version or my Oxford edition) is literally falling apart--not that I will get rid of it, but museum pieces must be preserved! I've been wanting to reread The Scarlet Letter, but the copy I kept from high school has yellow pages and the type is too tiny for these eyes. Little Women is also on my 2011 must-read list, and I've been wanting to read Kafka ever since that Northern Exposure episode where Rob Morrow played him in one of the flashbacks to early days in Cicely. Gravity's Rainbow...dare I? Pynchon intimidates me, but maybe?
Thanks, Penguin. Your books will be treasured.
Nice photos! I'm so glad your box came today, I've been checking your blog all afternoon to see if you were going to post.
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited about the Dorothy Parker too -- I loved Gilmore Girls and I have Rory's reading list!
I was so excited to see that you and Karen won these books! I own the Moby Dick from this series. I couldn't resist the cool cover and I may finally read it now.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I absolutely love Penguins covers! I own the Scarlett Letter and Wuthering Heights from that collection and they're super awesome.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jane! Little Women is on my TBR list for this year too. I can highly recommend Frankenstein, I think you'll really enjoy that one. I feel I really ought to read Canterbury Tales, but that will probably be next year, since I'm trying to whittle down the TBR pile that's been building up for the past two years.
ReplyDeleteOh you lucky lucky soul! of the first lot, I have only read two. the second batch - I haven't read the castle one. I've read all the third batch, but those wonderful Penguin covers!!! What a lovely win to treasure :-)
ReplyDeleteYou LUCKY LUCKY gal. I am a bit jealous, as they just look so fabulous. enjoy
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous set of books - well done!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!! What a gorgeous set of books... enjoy!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am so very jealous of these beautiful books! I'll be looking forward to your reviews, for sure.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm so happy for you . . . and a bit jealous!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a treat -the books look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fortunate girl you are! I see extensive reading in your future.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy :o).
ReplyDeleteThe New York Trilogy, by Paul Auster, is distinctly odd. But whatever else you do, try Oracle Nights and The Book of Illusions by him - two of the best books I've ever read. I almost stopped writing altogether, but decided to be inspired instead. It was a close thing.
I can just imagine how excited you were when that box arrived! I love "nerd-tastic!" That pretty much sums up we book lovers, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic! Very happy for you -- congrats and enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's awesome! Those books look lovely. Enjoy! (I read Gravity's Rainbow last year and had a bit of a hard time, but it's a pretty amazing book!)
ReplyDeleteI love those covers!!! Oh amazing, they are so beautiful and interesting to look at. I hope you enjoy the books too! I really like We have Always Lived In the Castle, and you know me and Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Eyre and Frankenstein and Canterbury Tales - what a great fantastic book haul there, with those fabulous covers. They really are! Congratulations Jane!
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