homeslice

I'm on a reading frenzy, diving into some of the old classics that I don't remember or never had time to read when I was younger. Mainly looking for easy to read page-turners, nothing heavy with hard to navigate prose.

Memoirs of an Invisible Man - left me almost breathless. What a great read.

1984 - Love it, love it! We actually had a video conference at work a few weeks ago which reminded me so much of the telescreens in this book I couldn't help from laughing. The theories of "War is Peace" being a motivational factor for the worker-classes was classic as well. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed re-reading this book.

Seperate Peace - didn't do it for me

Ones I might pick up (please recommend more!):

To Kill a Mockingbird - how readable is this?
The Catcher in the Rye - no brainer to buy?
Lord of the Flies - ??
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (mmm... boating down the river)


thank you!

Samuel

I just borrowed 'Grapes of Wrath' from the library. I haven't read it yet because I'm still reading 'The Count of Monte Cristo' which is very good. I also suggest 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck. It's short but a very satisfying read. I reread 'Lord of the Flies' about a year ago and I remember liking it a lot when I was younger but it was kind boring this time around. Have you ever read Frankenstein?

JawsAddict

If you enjoy Orwell, read his Animal Farm. It's an amazing book, and quite easy to read.

Easy

Very readable, a wonderful book and a great movie.
Rafting downriver would be Huck Finn but Tom Sawyer was lighter fare and more fun. Either one is great.

If you have never read Lonesome Dove do yourself a favor. It isn't exactly old but definitely a classic.
I'm currently reading Gone with the Wind. Somehow, I just never got around to it before.

Toxygen

My favorite classics have always been Moby Dick, Gulliver's travels, the odyssey and any jules verne

homeslice

Thanks much, I'm raiding the local used bookstore this afternoon.

silentbob007

another vote for To Kill a Mockingbird ... there are just not that many people who don't like this book ...

You might try Huxley's Brave New World for another futuristic story. I'd also recomment Conrad's Heart of Darkness as a short must-read, but it does get a little heavy on the prose.

Beaver

I'll second Lonesome Dove, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and the Twain books. Of those, I'd say Of Mice and Men is the best. All are very readable. I'd stay away from Moby Dick - definitely not a page turner.

A strong recommendation for Count of Monte Cristo - one of my all time faves! The Three Musketeers is also good. I also liked A Tale of Two Cities a lot. A Christmas Carol is short but sweet and it's approaching the season for it.

Palaver

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Grapes of Wrath is an excellent book. Really captures a pivotal time in a our nation's past. As does 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' This was a book that had an impact on me, personally. And a surprisingly easy read considering it is over 100 years old.

Another vote for 'To Kill a Mockingbird" and 'Huckleberry Finn." Both great books.

I also enjoyed 'Robinson Crusoe.' Much better than I anticipated.

Toxygen

I'll vote against "To Kill a Mockingbird" because it bored me to death

The movie was even worse IMO, but I know that I'm part of a very small minority in this opinion.

Josh-da-man

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

thecrazydude

you have to read the "Catcher in the Rye." Its a great read!

fallow

I recently read Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton for my Global Issues in Literature class and thought it was an incredible book.

Samuel

Just recently finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird , The Catcher in the Rye and Grapes of Wrath. All three are excellent. I especially enjoyed "Catcher". After reading "Grapes of Wrath" I wanted to see the movie so I borrowed it and I liked it very much even though the ending of the book (which was pretty remarkable) wasn't included, there was a time line shuffle and a few details overlooked here and there. I wouldn't mind seeing a remake and if it was done right I'd love to see it. I think James Cromwell would be good as Casy (The preacher) and maybe Gary Sinise as young Tom Joad. I see Tom Waits in there too for some reason. I'm a moron.

I want to read Beowulf but I'm not sure what version to get.

JMLEWIS1

It was the worst of time and the best of time...

I'll second a Tale of Two Cities...read a few years ago (in high school) and loved it. It struck me at the time as kind of a difficult read, but it's probably not too bad.

If you want a very readable, interesting tearjerker, I'd recommend picking up Where the Red Fern Grows.

If you liked the movie, read The Exorcist

I'd also recommend nineteen eighty-four.

I don't know about those all being classics, but they're all pretty good old books.

gondorspit

Lonesome Dove, I'd forgotten how good that books was, I'll have to check through my shelves and reread it.

Old classics that are great:
-Of Human Bondage - a bit heavy but charged with emotion
-Pretty much any Twain is worth the read
-Steinbeck is also good

LarLar

I'm a fan of Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

Pointyskull

October is the perfect time for:
Dracula - Bram Stoker

Chernabog

The Exorcist
The Killer Angels
The Godfather
Dracula

Beaver

The Seamus Heaney version is receiving a lot of good reviews and is on my list to read.

Tuan Jim

Anything by Joseph Conrad -- Victory, Lord Jim, Heart of Darkness, The Secret Agent, Under Western Eyes, etc.

it's all good ;p

Tuan Jim

SFranke

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Dubliners by James Joyce.

hgar78

i'd definitely go with the new translation by seamus heaney. he did a great job!

Skorp

How about more Dickens? In addition to the already recommended A Tale of Two Cities, you might try David Copperfield or Oliver Twist or (my personal favorite) Great Expectations.

hgar78

to kill a mockingbird and bless me ultima. both wonderful books and quick reads.