I think I may just become addicted to Top Ten Tuesday--this week, The Broke and the Bookish, host of this meme, asks what books were favorites before blogging opened up the world of new authors, titles, genres, etc.
I take favorites to mean, what did I reread until the book fell apart and had to be replaced...
- Austen's novels - at least one a year, going on for 4 decades now...chapter and verse.
- Little House - I started reading these in fourth grade and never really stopped. My last time all the way through was with my kids about 10 years ago. They are perennial favorites and stand the test of time.
- Anne of Green Gables books - see Little House blurb, and ditto everything. I didn't read these with my kids, however. We listened to the audio versions, which was also delightful.
- Middlemarch - I first read this wonderful Victorian novel in college, and read it every 5 years since then. It's on my list for later this year. Can't wait. It also made my TTT list of most recommended books.
- The Years With Ross - this James Thurber memoir about his years with The New Yorker magazine was a favorite ever since my dad gave it to me to read in high school when I fell in love with Thurber's short stories and talked about becoming a writer. I reread it a year or so ago, and reviewed it here.
- Sherlock Holmes stories - I'm on my third collection, and again started reading these as a teenager and never shook the habit.
- Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series - I do love series, don't I? Apart from the SH stories, the series I like best are really one long story told in multiple volumes. They have everything--admirable heroine, stalwart hero, action, romance, time travel, humor, grit, and perspective.
- Rebecca - I'm on at least my third paperback of this romantic thriller; innovative, seductive, manipulative, du Maurier is a master of a genre I absolutely love.
- Jane Eyre - I'm getting repetitive, but I've read this countless times, having started on my Bronte journey at age 13, and have multiple editions, some of which literally fell apart from age and use.
- Dickens' novels - I haven't read them all, but my favorites (Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Pickwick Papers), I've read multiple times, and when I'm looking for something to read, there's always a Dickens' novel to consider taking up.
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| Reading before the days of blogging. |
I love Dickens as well and put one on my list as well this week! Some great classics on your list.
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I did read Little House on the Prairie to pieces - my yellow paperback was taped together. Those are still on my shelves (in newer paperbacks), and still re-read. My Anne of Green Gables books are sturdier, so they've lasted better - gifts from my grandmother many years ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list. I read all - or some of all - except no 5.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes to Jane Austen! I also love Rebecca and, to varying degrees, Dickens. It's way past time for a Jane Eyre reread, and I'm starting to contemplate a Middlemarch project. Great list.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, includes quite a few of my own favorites -- Austen, Jane Eyre, Rebecca. Loved Middlemarch, LOVE Dickens (mostly -- couldn't take Hard Times). However, I've only read the first of the Anne series. And it's been years since I read Little House. Wish I had time for a re-read, sigh.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the painting of the woman reading -- where did you find it? Do you know the artist?
Karen, the artist is Frank Dicey, and the painting is called The Novel, A Lady in a Garden reading a book. I love pictures like this.
DeleteGreat idea for a post.
ReplyDeleteI think that my tastes have not altered too much since I have been writing a blog. If anything I have of late been going back and rereading some science Fiction Classics that I read when I loved when I was younger.
Your top ten reads before blogging match up pretty well with my own. What a great list! I will admit that I have still not read Middlemarch. I just bought it last year and it is still waiting on my shelf. I had not heard of The Year with Ross. I need to check this out - I love James Thurber.
ReplyDeleteSeries and classics - why am I not surprised?!
ReplyDeleteoh, I love your taste! Rebecca and Jane Eyre are two of my all time favorites and I'm reading Middlemarch for the first time later this year! :-)
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