Book 144: A Passage to India and Book Stats.

Title: A Passage to India
Author: E.M. Forster (1879-1970)

First Published: 1924

My Edition: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (seen at left)

Pages:368

Other Works Include: A Room with a View, Howard's End, Where Angels Fear to Tread, The Longest Journey, Maurice

My first and only other experience with E.M. Forster took place when I read book #3 on my list, A Room with a View. I was blown away by the story and the writing, so I have been anxious to read the only other title by Forster on my 250 project list.

Well folks, the time has come. For some reason, I had the hardest time locating a copy of A Passage to India. It was one of the books I always looked for at the book store, but I never could get my hands on a copy. Instead, I had slowly collected his other works, so I have them ready for future reading. Then, magically, there was a huge stack of this one on a display table, so I snatched up a pretty one and have been waiting to read it ever since.

I think it is about time I get on that, so reading my second work by Forster is talking place right now. I'm not going to lie, I already started it, but I'm anxious to get a little deeper. It seems like an interesting work, and I like that it takes place in India-a far cry from the settings and locales in A Room with a View. I think it'll be a good comparison! I'm also hoping it'll help me tackle Kim, which I started last year and never got into (I often find that books with similar locales, themes, or in the same time period connect together in a way to help me get through ones I'm not that big a fan of).

If you're curious, here are a couple of my posts on A Room with a View. I am somewhat embarassed to link them, since they were at the very beginning of this project, but, who cares, right? :)

•  Women's Roles
• Mrs. Honeychurch
• Finished

Thoughts on Forster? Love him, hate him? Plan to read any of his work?

Book 140: A Journey to the Center of the Earth and Book Stats.

Title: A Journey to the Center of the Earth
Author: Jules Verne (1828-1905)

First Published: 1864

My Edition: Signet Classic (seen at left. This is a super boring cover)

Pages: 300

Other Works Include: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days, The Mysterious Island, From the Earth to the Moon, Paris in the Twentieth Century, In Search of the Castaways, The Green Ray

I really enjoyed Verne with my read of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea this past summer, so I am looking forward to this next encounter. I always had this image of Verne being a stuffy old guy, but after reading one of his novels, I know that isn't true.

I have to really admire Verne and what he accomplished in his lifetime. I mean, this book was published in 1864...did they think he was crazy based on all this science-fiction? I might have, if I lived back then. I was blown away by how modern Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was, so I hope that the same feeling comes through in his older title.

This is the last Verne title on my original 250 list, but I tacked a few more onto my Classics Club list for the future. :) I know I am going to want more by him!

If you want to see my post on Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, you can find my post by clicking here.

How do you all feel about Verne? Has anyone seen the film adaptations of his novels (I seem to remember hearing they were horrid, which breaks my heart!)

Book 139: A Clockwork Orange and Book Stats.

Title: A Clockwork Orange
Author: Anthony Burgess (1917-1993)

First Published: 1962

My Edition: Norton Paperback (seen at left)

Pages: 212

Other Works Include: Time for a Tiger (1956), The Enemy in the Blanket (1958), Beds in the East (1959), The Worm and the Ring (1960), Honey for the Bears (1963), A Vision of Battlements (1965), Abba Abba (1977), Earthly Powers (1980)

I decided that while I am chugging slowly along in Nicholas Nickleby I should start something a little smaller for Adam's Magical March Event. After looking at the titles I had on my list, this one seemed to jump out at me as being one that would suck me in.

I don't know too much about this one, beyond that fact that it is a dystopian and that it is on the weird side. I remember a friend in high school reading this for AP English, and he said it was crazy! I think I've also heard that there is some crazy slang and such. That's about it. But since I like dystopia and weird, I'm sure I'll find something to like in this one. :)

Anyone read this one before? Any advice for me as I tackle it?

Book 138: Nicholas Nickleby and Book Stats.

Title: Nicholas Nickleby
Author: Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

First Published: 1839 (serialized)

My Edition: Penguin Classic (seen at left)

Pages: 817

Other Works Include: The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, The Old Curiousity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, A Christmas Carol, Dombey and Son, Bleak House, Hard Times, Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Our Mutual Friend

I've been wavering back and forth the last day or two about what my next read should be. I've been reading a couple of chunksters this month and the idea of going into another one has me a little unsettled, but with David Copperfield and Roots under my belt, I feel like I can tackle anything. Plus, the idea of settling into another Dickens after my recent success has me feeling all toasty inside. :)

I don't know much about this one besides the fact it was his third novel and that is supposed to be a funny one. I do like the humor I find in Dickens' novels, so I hope that's true!

Anyway, here are the posts on the other novels by Dickens I've read for this challenge, starting with my most recent posts on David Copperfield:

Book 137: David Copperfield-

1. Book Stats
2. Dickens is Winning Me Over
3. Characters-Dickens at his Best
4. Finished (A New Favorite)

Book 10: Great Expectations

1. My Hatred of Charles Dickens
2. Invitations and Torture
3. Charles Dickens Made Me.
4. The Bright Light of Manwich.
5. Finally Finished.

Book 65: Bleak House

1. Early Chapters.
2. Finished.

Book 77: Oliver Twist

1. Volume 1.
2. Volume 2.
3. Volume 3.

Book 88: Hard Times

1. Classics Circuit Post (Dickens v. Austen)

A Christmas Carol (Love-not a book from my project list)

Book 137: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and Book Stats.

Title: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

First Published: 1849-1850 (serialized)

My Edition: Wordsworth Classic (similar to the one at right-the image on mine is different, but I can't locate it online)

Pages: 737

Other Works Include: The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiousity Shop, Barnaby Rudge, A Christmas Carol, Dombey and Son, Bleak House, Hard Times, Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, Our Mutual Friend

Usually when I draft these kinds of posts, I go back to look at my other posts by the same author so I can copy in some of the information. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I hadn't done one of these stats posts for any of the Dickens I've read! I suppose I was just fortunate enough to avoid this. :)

I was supposed to get to this title last July for a readalong hosted by Adam. But, I was super busy that month and while the book was on my nightstand, I never got around to actually opening it. Oops. It seems to have all worked out, since Dickens' 200th birthday was yesterday and it seems the world has gone crazy for Charles.

I have a love/hate relationship with him, but I have become more and more intrigued by his novels. He called this one his favorite, so I am hoping I feel the same way as I dive further into it (I'm about 20 pages in right now). So many people have said they love this one, so that seems promising, right? In any case, I can't wait to be a little more knowledgeable about his work. 

If you're curious, here are the posts I've written on the other books I've read by him for this project. For kicks, I show whether they landed on the love or hate side of my Charles Dickens scale. :)

Book 10: Great Expectations (Hate)

1. My Hatred of Charles Dickens
2. Invitations and Torture
3. Charles Dickens Made Me.
4. The Bright Light of Manwich.
5. Finally Finished.

Book 65: Bleak House (Hate)

1. Early Chapters.
2. Finished.

Book 77: Oliver Twist (Love)

1. Volume 1.
2. Volume 2.
3. Volume 3.

Book 88: Hard Times (Love)

1. Classics Circuit Post (Dickens v. Austen)

A Christmas Carol (Love-not a book from my project list)




What do you think Charles Dickens' work? Love it? Hate it? How about my current choice-David Copperfield?

Book 125: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton and Book Stats.

Title: The Age of Innocence
Author: Edith Wharton (1862-1937)

First Published: 1920

My Edition: Barnes and Noble Classic (seen at right)

Pages: 308 (I own the paper version and a copy on my NookColor, so I will probably switch back and forth).

Other Works Include:The Touchstone (1900), The House of Mirth (1905), Ethan Frome (1911), The Reef (1912), The Custom of the Country (1913), Summer (1917), The Glimpses of the Moon (1922), Old New York (1924), The Gods Arrive (1932), and The Buccaneers (1938)

I was having some difficulty decided on a title to read for book 125. 125 is half of 250, so therefore this book is my halfway point book. Then my husband suggested a pick a few titles and have my readers select the next one. And since Wharton is a favorite of mine, I decided to pick this one as an option.

Secretly, I'm really glad you all voted for this one. I adore Wharton. I know that she can be an acquired taste for some-what with her discussions on society and all-but I love her writing style. Love it. And this is one of the few Wharton titles I haven't read yet! I know!

I have some high expectations for this novel. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921, making Edith Wharton the first woman to win the award. THAT is high praise people! I have been saving this one for years, but it seems appropriate to read it now, as a kind of celebration for how far I've come on my little journey. Off I go!

If you are curious, here are the posts for the other Wharton books I have read for this project so far:

Ethan Frome: Book 16 (back before I did my intro posts for books)

• On Ethan Frome
  
• Finished
  

The Glimpses of the Moon: Book 51

• Book Stats
• Finished.
  

Book 122: The Portrait of a Lady and Book Stats.

Title: The Portrait of a Lady
Author: Henry James (1843-1916)

First Published: 1881

My Edition: Bantam Classic (seen at left)

Pages: 625

Other Works Include: Roderick Hudson (1876), The American (1877), The Europeans (1878), Daisy Miller (1878), Washington Square (1880), The Bostonians (1886), The Princess Casamassima (1886), The Tragic Muse (1890), The Spoils of Poynton (1897), What Maisie Knew (1897), The Turn of the Screw (1898), The Awkward Age (1899), The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), and The Golden Bowl (1904).

I pulled this off the shelf the other night and Matt told me the woman on the cover looks like a vampire. I doubt that James wrote about vampires in Europe, but I've been surprised by classics before. :) And now that Matt pointed it out, I catch this lady staring at me. I suppose it is time to pick this up and read it before I give myself nightmares.

I am slowly discovering James' work. I wouldn't have picked up another title by him so soon (I read Daisy Miller as book 94), but this is a title on my 2011 TBR Challenge List. I figured it was about time.

That isn't the only reason, of course. I think I am developing a literary crush on James, and I want to make sure it isn't a farce. This will be the third title by him that I am reading for this challenge, and since it is a far longer piece than the other two I've read, it'll be the test.

If you are curious, here are my posts on Washington Square, which was book 21 off my list:

• Book Stats
• On Beginning Washington Square
• Villains and Unpretty Girls
• Favorite Passages.
• Finished.

And here are the links to my thoughts on Daisy Miller, book 94:

• Book Stats
• Memories/Finished.

What have you read by James?

Book 118: Birdsong and Book Stats.

Title: Birdsong
Author: Sebastian Faulks (1953- )

First Published: 1993

My Edition: Vintage (seen at left)

Pages: 483

Other Works Include: A Trick of the Light (1984), The Girl at the Lion D'or (1989), The Fatal Englishman (1996), Charlotte Gray (1998), Human Traces (2005), A Week in December (2009)

I am always a bit wary of the "modern classics" on my list. I have had mixed reactions to those I have read already (the worst being that Proulx I read back in February 2010).

That being said, there is something about this title that has been calling to me. From what I have learned based on the back cover blurb, and the little research I have done on the internet, this is about the era of World War I. The scenes in the trenches are supposed to be pretty gruesome and gut-wrenching, which intrigues me. Since its debut in 1993, the book has been a bestseller. It is also being adapted by BBC, which should be interesting to watch in the future.

Most of all, I am curious to see what makes this book worthy of being on my list. Besides my draw to the epic war-drama aspect of it, I want to see if the writing is any good and if I'll love it as much as some of the older and tested titles on my list.

Has anyone read this?

Book 113: Moby-Dick and Book Stats.

Title: Moby-Dick, or The Whale
Author: Herman Melville (1819-1891)

First Published: 1851

My Edition: Penguin Classic (at right-and I want to just say that I really do adore that cover. It seems so powerful, doesn't it?)

Pages: 654

Other Works Include: Typee (1846), Redburn (1849), Piazza Tales (1856), Timoleon (1891), Billy Budd (1924-discovered by his biographer in 1919)

I have been craving a book I can sink my teeth into. Most of my reading over the summer months has been limited to short books that I have been finishing in 1 or 2 short sittings. But now that fall is here, I really want a book I can dive into and absorb over a week or two.

I have been curious about Moby-Dick since I was in college. For one of my favorite college English classes, we had to read Typee. My professor was very adamant about why he chose that novel over Moby-Dick. He didn't want people to drop the class when they saw the reading list. Even so, there were many of us wary of reading Melville. We all knew him as "that guy" who wrote about "that whale." And the first line of this novel, "Call me Ishmael," is legendary. Melville is just one of those intimidating writers we all hear about somewhere and form preconceptions about without actually knowing anything about them!

But, I ended up loving Typee. I remember thinking that Melville really had a gift with stringing words together effortlessly. His writing was just beautiful. Even with that positive experience, however, I haven't given Melville a second chance.

I suppose he is getting that now. And while I am a little worried about reading a book about a whale, I know that the story is more than that. Melville was writing during a fascinating time in American history, and I know that part of that American spirit is captured in this. I also tend to love books dealing with the sea and voyages. Some of my recent reads (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Treasure Island) have spurred that bit of adventurous spirit within me, so I certainly hope Melville and ol' Ishmael up there are up for the challenge. :)

Who has read this one? thoughts?

Book 112: The Oresteia and Book Stats.

Title: The Oresteia
Author: Aeschylus (A really long time ago. Wikipedia tells me he was born around 525 B.C. and died in 455 B.C.)

First Published: Again, wikipedia gives me a date of 458 B.C. as for when it was performed, but who really knows?

My Edition: Penguin Classics-Robert Fagles translation (pictured at right)

Pages: 336

Other Works Include: The Persians, Seven Against Thebes, the Suppliants, Prometheus Bound

I feel guilty for neglecting the ancient works on my list. I really do have a large number of them left. And it isn't that they are terrifying, but rather than I feel like I am diving into some really intense history.

I knew I wanted to read a piece that was new to me, and I remember quite a few bloggers raving about Aeschylus during the Classics Circuit tour, which is why it has been on my nightstand for months (much like Ceremony was). So now that it is dusted off, time to give the old Greek a go.

What is really interesting about this one is that it is a trilogy (the only complete set surviving). That is pretty cool (like a really early version of The Hunger Games? I should probably go hang my head in shame for comparing this to modern fiction, huh?). It is amazing we have these works at all, considering that many of them have been destroyed or lost as thousands of years have gone by!

I want to just mention that it seems like the Greeks and some other Ancients always appear "difficult." I don't think a lot of us jump in without acknowledging that we are reading pieces that are old. And I mean OLD. But in my experience reading old epics, like Homer, they are very accessible, especially with a great translator. I cannot rave enough about Robert Fagles. If he has translated a work, that is the edition I want. Anyway, the moral is: don't be scared of the old stuff. Most of it almost seems modern! They were scandalous people, those Greeks! :)

Book 111: Things Fall Apart and Book Stats.

Title: Things Fall Apart
Author: Chinua Achebe (1930-)

First Published: 1958

My Edition: Anchor Books 50th Anniversary (pictured at left)

Pages: 209

Other Works Include: No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), Anthills of the Savannah (1987)

Alphabetically, this is the very first book listed on my Book List page. And ever since I finished Germinal by Zola way back in December 2009, I have been wanting to read this one solely so the first and last books were done. Stupid? Most likely.

In any case, this book has remained unread for quite some time since I made that promise to myself. For the longest time I didn't have a copy, and neither bookstore within super close proximity to my apartment had a copy (weird, isn't it?). I finally found a copy a few months ago, and like quite a few others recently, it has been living on my nightstand. And, like the others, I started to feel bad it was collecting dust, and I determined I must read it.

Part of me is scared to begin this. To be quite honest, I read a LOT of Western literature and very little outside of that comfort zone. I don't purposely choose to read that way, but I am just not knowledgeable about literature beyond the U.S., Europe, and Australia. But, I am going to remedy that in the future, since there are a lot of wonderful books out there I have yet to discover!

In any case, I don't actually know too much about this one. I've never read it, or anything else by Achebe (even though I just picked up his 2009 collection of essays). I am intrigued though, especially since this is a book in the district I teach in that is used in one of their classes. Hopefully I'll like it!

Book 110: A Lesson Before Dying and Book Stats.

Title: A Lesson Before Dying
Author: Ernest J. Gaines (1933-)

First Published: 1993

My Edition: Vintage Paperback (at left)

Pages: 255

Other Works Include: Of Love and Dust (1967), A Long Day in November (1971), A Gathering of Old Men (1983)

I had to read this novel in my eleventh grade English class. The other novel we read in that class was The Catcher in the Rye which I loved and everyone else in the class hated. Our roles reversed for this one.

And it wasn't that I really hated it, it was more that I felt the message of the novel was being shoved down my throat. Plus, we had to watch the movie. And the Oprah special. It was just too much for my eleventh grade self.

I suppose it is time to give it another chance, since it is on my list and all. This is another relatively recent title on the list (remember, my list was made based on AP reading lists, top 100 lists, and opinionated people). This was one of those "modern classics" I needed to revisit.

I am feeling a little "meh" about diving back in, but I am in a good reading mood, so I should fly right through it, right?

Book 108: Jude the Obscure and Book Stats.

Title: Jude the Obscure
Author: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

First Published: 1895 (in complete book form; it was serialized originally)

My Edition: Nook Book :)

Pages: 485 (or so Homer tells me...)

Other Works Include: Far From the Madding Crowd (1874), The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), The Woodlanders (1887), Tess of D'Urbervilles (1891), The Well-Beloved (1897)

Thomas Hardy is one of the many reasons I am glad that I started this whole shebang. I had never heard of him (I know, crazy!), and I read him for the first time just over a year ago. I picked up The Mayor of Casterbridge on a whim and really just sank into it.

I have loved this process of re-discovering the Victorians. I have always loved George Eliot, but I have strayed away from her contemporaries. I think, because of my negative experiences with Dickens, I used to see them as wordy snobs. But I have really come to realize that they really give depth to their characters and stories. And yes, Dickens is still too wordy for my tastes.

With my first Hardy experience, I was really drawn to the characters. Hardy was an experimental writer, and that really showed in The Mayor of Casterbridge. I am curious to see how this one compares. From the little that I have discovered, I know that this was Hardy's last novel. And like Mayor, I am expecting a lot of social commentary. I am also expecting it to be on the depressing side (Mayor was slightly sad, and I have heard that this one is exceedingly so). Nevertheless, I am sure it will be a great reading experience.

I am also reading this one on Homer. I do have a paperback version, but I think mixing it up won't hurt, and Project Gutenberg has seriously become my best friend. Knowing that I am reading this on Homer, I know it will take me a little longer-Homer wears out my eyes a lot faster. This will be my second Nook reading experience!

If you are interested, here are the three posts I wrote on The Mayor of Casterbridge:

• Book Stats
• Characters v. Plot
• Finished

I feel I should also point out that I still have a number of Hardy novels on my list: Far From the Madding Crowd, Tess of D'Urbervilles, and Return of the Native.

What experience do you have with Hardy? What other Victorians do you love or hate?

Book 97: Their Eyes Were Watching God and Book Stats.

Title: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Author: Zora Neale Hurstone (1891-1960)

First Published: 1937

My Edition: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (pictured at right)

Pages: 219

Other Works Include: Color Struck (1925), Jonah's Gourd Vine (1935), Moses, Man of the Mountain (1939)

I had originally picked this one up back in April at the end of the last read-a-thon. I got 30 pages into it, set it down on the nightstand, and it was eventually buried by the million other things I had to read in the meantime.

In a cleaning spree the other night, I uncovered it and felt immediately guilty. I hadn't set it aside because I disliked it...I just....forgot about it. And I blame that on the sickness that came over me back in April.

But I am excited to finally get back into this one and give it the attention that it deserves. I really loved those first 30 pages, so we'll see where this takes me this time around.

One thing I do want to say is that my edition has one of those reader's guides in the back. Now, normally I am okay with extras included in books. I like reading old introductions, criticisms, notes, etc, but for some reason, reader's guides irritate the crap out of me. I feel like the publishers are telling me how I SHOULD be interpreting the novel and how to think about it. I don't like that kind of pressure. Anyone else feel this way? Or am I just nuts...as usual? (it is also possible that I am a book snob. I can own that for once, I suppose).

Book 96: To Kill a Mockingbird and Book Stats.

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee (1926- )

First Published: 1960

My Edition: Grand Central Publishing (pictured at left)

Pages: 376

Other Works Include: No other published works...

I was inspired to move this one from the bookshelf to the nightstand a few weeks ago when I was still teaching. I was covering a class for another teacher and they were reading a chapter of this novel in the session I was covering. The ninth graders asked me if I liked the book, and while I knew I read it as a ninth grader as well, the details were incredibly fuzzy. It was that same day I moved the book to the "get to it soon" pile on the nightstand.

I do remember reading this one, but I am sad that I don't remember more than a few names and events. And since I often see this one listed as many bloggers' favorite classic, I feel like I need a refresher. To say I am excited is an understatement. I wonder how the memories will come rushing back after over 10-11 years of not reading this title.

I am also curious about the author and the fact that this is her only novel. All of my research has shown me that she is still around (she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bush in 2007), but hasn't published any other official writing. Curious, isn't it? To write such an outstanding, loved, and influential novel and never publish again? She also seems to be a bit of recluse, like Salinger was. But I am intrigued and anxious to revisit Atticus, Boo, Jem, and Scout-names I remember, but whose story I have forgotten.

Are you one of those bloggers who claim this as a favorite? Tell me why!

Book 95: The Color Purple and Book Stats.

Title: The Color Purple
Author: Alice Walker (1944- )

First Published: 1982

My Edition: Pocket Books (pictured at right)

Pages: 295

Other Works Include: Meridian (1976), To Hell with Dying (1988), Finding the Green Stone (1991), The Same River Twice (1996) and more...

I have eyed this one on more than one occasion since starting this project. I usually picked it up whenever I saw a review, since it is such a powerful book. I have read it twice before, but not recently, and the time has certainly come. I am looking for one of those powerful, "move me emotionally" kind of titles, and this certainly fits the bill.

Out of curiosity, has anyone read any of Walker's other books? I was looking around for lists of her other published titles and I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of any of them. I also can't recall seeing reviews of any titles, but that might be my brain not remembering. :)

Book 94: Daisy Miller and Book Stats.

Title: Daisy Miller
Author: Henry James (1843-1916)

First Published: 1878/9

My Edition: Penguin Classic (pictured at right)

Pages: 126

Other Works Include: Roderick Hudson (1876), The American (1877), The Europeans (1878), Washington Square (1880), The Portrait of a Lady (1881), The Bostonians (1886), The Princess Casamassima (1886), The Tragic Muse (1890), The Spoils of Poynton (1897), What Maisie Knew (1897), The Turn of the Screw (1898), The Awkward Age (1899), The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), and The Golden Bowl (1904).

I was inspired to finally pull this one from the small pile on my nightstand by Jillian (who has been inspiring a few of my recent reads!), and I am excited to give this one another shot. I read this one previously for a college course (with one of my favorite professors ever), and I am a little hazy on the details. I remember really enjoying it, so I hope I have a repeat experience with this one.

James is an author I am slowly discovering. I have limited experience, but it has all been positive. I read Washington Square relatively early in my project-it was book 21-and I truly loved it. I still have Portrait of a Lady and The Turn of the Screw left after this one, so perhaps James will turn into a new favorite.

If you are interested in reading my Washington Square posts, here they are:

• Book Stats
• On Beginning Washington Square
• Villains and Unpretty Girls
• Favorite Passages.
• Finished.

Book 91: A Room of One's Own and Book Stats.

Title: A Room of One's Own
Author: Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

First Published: 1929

My Edition: Harcourt (pictured at left)

Pages: 114

Other Works Include: The Voyage Out (1915), Night and Day (1919), Jacob's Room (1922), Mrs. Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), Orlando (1928), The Waves (1931), The Years (1937), Between the Acts (1941)

I quite adore Virginia Woolf. She is an interesting woman who wrote many different things. She is complex and wonderful, and I am happy that I still have many things left by her to explore and read.

I have read a number of her novels, including Mrs. Dalloway (book 34 on my list), The Waves, Orlando, and To the Lighthouse. She does take some getting used to, but I have come to truly love her writing style.

This one is quite different. A Room of One's Own is based on a series of lectures she gave at a few colleges. I am looking forward to her thoughts on writing and women. As someone who has toyed around with writing at various points in my life, I am sure I will find a lot of inspiration in Woolf's words. Plus, the non-fiction will be a good change from all the fiction pieces I've been reading recently.

Like I said earlier, I have already read Mrs. Dalloway for this project. I still have Night and Day, To the Lighthouse, and The Voyage Out to look forward to. And if you are interested, here are the links to my posts on Mrs. Dalloway:

• Book Stats
• Intro to Mrs. Dalloway
• On Stream of Concsiousness Writing
• Finished

Book 90: Silas Marner and Book Stats.

Title: Silas Marner

Author: George Eliot (1819-1880)

First Published: 1861

My Edition: Signet Classic (pictured at left)

Pages: 208

Other Works Include: Adam Bede (1859), The Mill on the Floss (1860), Romola (1863), Felix Holt, the Radical (1866), How Lisa Loved the King (1869), Middlemarch (1871-72), and Daniel Deronda (1876)

I am a HUGE fan of George Eliot and have read all of her novels except Daniel Deronda. I think she is simply marvelous.

This will be my third time reading Silas Marner. I had to read it for a class in college, and I read it on my own a couple years after that (fairly recently I think). It was the first novel I read by Eliot and it wasn't until I finished that I realized Eliot was a female. :) While not my favorite of her books, I still love this story. It is so hopeful and uplifting-just what I need as I wind down the semester.

I have already read one Eliot for my challenge. The Mill on the Floss was book 22 (my favorite number, btw), and it was one of my favorites reads last year-I would probably say it booted Middlemarch as my favorite! Here are the links to TMOTF posts if you are curious (I recommend the "Passages" post if you are unfamiliar with her writing style-it'll give you a glimpse....gosh I love her writing!):

• Book Stats
• The "Clever Wench"
• Ruin and Relationships
• Favorite Passages.
• Finished.

I've heard that a lot of schools have this one as required reading, but my high school didn't. Did yours? Anyone else read this one? Love Eliot? Just want to say hello?

Book 85: Mary Barton and Book Stats.

Title: Mary Barton

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865)

First Published: 1848

My Edition: Penguin Classic (seen at right)

Pages: 417

Other Works Include: Cranford (1853), Ruth (1853), North and South (1854), The Life of Charlotte Bronte (1857) and Wives and Daughters (1865)

I am fairly familiar with Elizabeth Gaskell. One of the first readalongs I hosted here was on Cranford (posts are linked below). In college, I had a friend introduce me to the wonders of the BBC adaptation of North and South, which I promptly purchased to watch over and over again. I eventually read the novel (which I LOVE), so I would say that I am definitely a fan of her work.

It was a recent re-watch of the BBC miniseries that inspired me to pick up another of her novels. I was feeling all needy for some Gaskell-inspired England, so this was the only choice left to me off my list (When I made my list, I originally excluded Gaskell, but eventually put in three of her titles. Since I had already read North and South, I decided to add in three titles I was unfamiliar with: Cranford, Mary Barton, and Wives and Daughters, which may be a readalong in September). Whew. Anyway, I am excited to read some of earlier work. This one seems promising and I am excited to dive in.

Have you read anything by Gaskell? I would love to read her biography on Charlotte Bronte, but I need to find a copy first. :)

If interested, here are the links to my posts on Cranford (Book 48):

• Readalong Sign-ups
• Post 1 on Chapters 1-8
• Post 2 on Chapters 9-16