When I got my Kindle four years ago, I immediately downloaded about a billion free classics to read. I got around to a few of them, but e-reading doesn’t come easy to me, and the surge of classic literature faded.
Now that I’ve upgraded to a smart phone, however, I’ve realized that I can sneak three or four minutes at a time with those classics during all those pockets of time when I don’t have a book with me. Physical books are still my instrument of choice, of course, but it’s been really nice to have a bunch of books in my pocket at all times.
I started out with Alice in Wonderland and enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. I never cared much for the cartoon, and I thought the story would feel old and tired after all the retellings I’ve seen around; but Lewis Carroll has such an entertaining and inimitable style that I couldn’t help enjoying myself.
Next up was Pinocchio. Not sure why I read this one; I disliked the Disney movie as a child, and I’ve never had anyone recommend the original. And in the end, it was even worse than the Disney movie. It reminded me all too much of reading Max und Moritz–stupid boys being naughty and getting extravagantly fantastical punishments heaped upon their wicked heads. Not in my top ten of 2015.
I’m working on The Time Machine by HG Wells now. I read his Invisible Man in high school and loved it, and I’m thoroughly enjoying this one as well so far. He presents his stories so well that I believe his most unbelievable scenes are possible, and I have to keep reading to see what wild-yet-strangely-believable things are going to happen next.
Have you read any of these? What did you think? What are you reading now?
BumblesBooks 
I’m writing my book for middle graders still, so I’m trying to stay in the age group and read what’s out there so I can keep my mind in the right place. I’m enjoying a new one called “Under the Egg” by Laura Marx Fitzgerald.
With the kids I’m reading Alexander McCall Smith’s Precious Ramotswe books for kids, based on his character from Ladies Detective Agency when she was a child. They’re quite good and are actually influencing how I want my book to be presented.
I was talking books with a friend this morning and she reminded me of a middle-grades favorite, “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. That’s going on the list too!
I loved the Ladies Detective Agency! I had no idea there was a younger series. I’ll have to check it out. And A Wrinkle in Time is one of my all time favorites! I think I read it like every six months. Did you know there’s a graphic novel of it? Nowhere near as good as the original, but still a fun intro to the story for younger readers.
I’m reading a very thick book about documented life of Cleopatra by Margaret George. A sort of memoirs.
Cleopatra always makes for an interesting read! Thanks for sharing–I’ll have to look that one up!
As far as classics go, I’m reading Phantom of the Opera. Fantasy, I’m reading Joust by Mercedes Lackey and Hunters by Mercedes Lackey. Driving to work, I’m listening to the audiobook for Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Yes, I have a book for everything. I go through different moods… I’m weird like that.
I totally do the same thing! I have my classic (Time Machine), historical fiction (Born to Fly), MG fantasy (Jinx’s Magic) . . . you just gotta have the right book for the right mood!
Exactly!
This is how I’m currently reading Les Mis – on my phone. Honestly, the book was just too hard to hold. I got the paperback, which is roughly five inches thick and only four inches wide. I’m doing much better on my phone, but this book is so massive, it’s taking me longer than I’d like.
Ahhhh yes! I read Les Mis one summer when I was in college, and I literally only read it when I could lay it down on the bench outside our apartment because it’s such a stinkin’ unwieldy book! Fabulously amazing, but definitely hard to hold and read. 🙂 And hard to stick with. It’s so long. And so full of diversions. But soooooo good!!
I agree! Hugo was a genius with his words and characterization. I highlight phrases in the book app all the time. I think this book is my Moby Dick.
By the way, Eruption came today! I’ll get started in it soon! So excited!
Yayyyy! I hope you love it! I can’t wait to talk to you about it!