Comments on: Return of a Classic

By: spinner8

spinner8 — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 05:14:47 +0000

It’s not just girls that read Judy Blume. And Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Q. is a role model for people of all genders.
I’d say read all of them. And, at the risk of adding a book that someone in the middle of the comments already mentioned, I’d add Steinbeck’s Cannery Row.

By: romy

romy — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:24:45 +0000

i second brando’s idea ! the JB books about girls are fine and all, but there’s just something about the boy stories.
also, i read wifey when i was about 13 and thought it represented the way NORMAL ADULTS behaved. including the sex scenes. remember the penis dance ? in terms of modelling behavior for the readership, i think her coming-of-teenage books are more reliable.

By: gillespie

gillespie — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 15:42:46 +0000

Two words: Lost Horizon (author James Hilton).

By: Junebug

Junebug — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 21:13:09 +0000

How about “A Separate Peace” (John Knowles) and “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” (Judy Blume). I would definitely join if those were paired. Although basically any Judy Blume book would get me hooked.

By: katietimothy

katietimothy — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 01:55:51 +0000

I second the Beverly Cleary suggestion. Maybe add in some Box Car Children and round it out with a little Madeline L’Engle.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 02:15:48 +0000

I’d like to recomend on for the contemporary side of the pairing – because I was on a classics kick and had lost faith in anything new but was amazed and pleasantly surprised by the following:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon
Of all of the numerous reviews you’ll find (by very notable reviewers) one word will continue to crop up: Empathy. It is a Rainman kind of story. You will not stop reading until you reach the end of it. No joke.
Mark Haddon worked with autistics, and his ability to tell this story through the eyes of an autistic and still carry the story in such a gripping and humorous way . . . morbidly humorous at times. Definitely, positively emotional and fun and funny.
Great Gatsby is a good one to talk about – so much so that it might be all talked out. I guess you risk that with any of the classics though.

By: shari

shari — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 22:31:03 +0000

I’m going to try to cast off my usual Type A assertiveness here, and proclaim loudly that I will read whatever you want, Jenny. Because this is your blog and you call the shots. I just want to be in the club, whatever club you suggest. And I have learned from Asia’s mistakes, and will never, ever use the word “menstruate” on your blog, either.
***head exploding***

By: McMonkey

McMonkey — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 09:38:39 +0000

I have a simple solution that will save time and still give you about the same satisfaction…
http://rinkworks.com/bookaminute/classics.shtml

By: kilax

kilax — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 01:00:09 +0000

Definetely #5. The Great Gatsby is a wonderful novel.

By: dee-dee

dee-dee — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 15:41:04 +0000

i believe this whole entry is an elaborate scheme to get the focus of our bookclub off of reading any period pieces so in that case…i think we should read the entire jane austin collection.