Instead of writing about books I want to read (there's an awful lot of that around here I admit), I should really be writing about a book I just finished reading, which is E.M. Forster's A Room with a View, but I'm afraid I'm just not feeling up to the task at the moment. I'm contemplating it, but can't really gather the energy to start, but there is always next week (I'm a very good procrastinator when I want to be)!
So, I took a look at my list of books read this year and just realized I've only read three which could really be counted as proper, traditional classics--something I am always trying hard to read more of. Really Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters should be counted as a 2009 read, since I only finished the last hundred pages on the first day of this year. More recently I thoroughly enjoyed John Galsworthy's The Man of Property, and the as yet to be posted-about A Room with a View. Would it be cheating to count Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat as a classic (it's a pretty short read)? Or Stevie Smith's Novel on Yellow Paper (though will admit to being very confused on this last one)--a modern classic maybe? My current classic read is L.P. Hartley's The Go-Between, which is thus far another excellent story (and Hartley is an excellent storyteller).
But I was thinking today how I would like to read a really good, sink your teeth into it type of book. A classic that is perhaps taught in school, something English teachers rave about, one you really must read to be called 'well read'. Okay, so all that's a bit of malarky, as it's probably just an excuse to go pick another book out to read, but surely you must have these moments. I wouldn't mind something challenging, though not completely impenetrable. A really good story is preferable, and it can even be edifying (though not required). Here's what I was thinking about today:
Moll Flanders, Daniel Defoe--I liked Robinson Crusoe and have a feeling I would get on well with Moll.
East of Eden, John Steinbeck--I've read a pitiful number of American classics (well, compared with how many other books in general I've read), and a pitiful number of novels by Steinbeck. Have I even read any novels by Steinbeck? Short stories, yes, and maybe one of the shorter novels/novellas, but nothing really major. I know I should read The Grapes of Wrath, but East of Eden appeals to me right now.
Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy--Do you have any idea how many times I've said I'm going to read this book? Well, maybe not unless you drop by here often, but a lot of times. I even mentioned it earlier this year. Maybe I just need to do it. Go pull it from the shelf and start reading rather than planning on when I'm going to read it. Planning is good, but it can also ruin sponteneity and I'm trying at the moment to be spontaneous (but I still want to choose wisely).
No Name, Wilkie Collins--This one is even on my list of books to read this year. I try and read one Wilkie Collins novel a year.
The Rainbow, D.H. Lawrence--I tried this one several years ago, but it wasn't the right time. Can I tackle it now?
East Lynne, Ellen Wood--Victorian sensationalism and my only book choice so far written by a woman!
Or I could pick up another novel by Elizabeth Gaskell or something by Edith Wharton or Colette. Maybe W. Somerset Maugham, or Emile Zola or Stephen Crane? Can you tell I am quickly scanning my pile of unread classics? There are too many of them. Maybe I should throw all the titles in a hat and read whatever I draw out?
Would anyone be interested in reading along (it might be helpful to actually choose a book first)? This is something I would read slowly, a chapter a day maybe, as I am already happily working my way through the Hartley novel and have no desire to rush. I'm sort of just thinking 'out loud', trying to decide and am always happy for input. I'm always excited to pick a new classic. The deciding and anticipation is almost (but only almost) as good as beginning to read a new book!