I love sitting down to write these bookclub posts each month! Truth be told, I haven’t had a done a ton of reading this month. About a month ago I had an unexpected medical problem (kidney stones) and life’s been a whirlwind of trips, school events, PTA jobs, blog work, parties and general life since then. Plus two surgeries. It’s been nuts! I guess that fits perfectly with the idea I have for you today though. Sometimes you have to squeeze your reading in where you can-while you cook, clean, or get the stuff done that you have to do by listening to the book! Right? Have you done that?
And through the years I have found that I really enjoy listening to something while I clean or sew or cook. Do you? It makes the time go by so happily.
Another little secret-I think this can be a key to “reading” books that you might not otherwise read. Some of the long classics that are fantastic books but can be hard to sit down and read are a great thing to listen to while you do your Spring cleaning, you know?
So today for Amber’s Bookclub, we’re going to talk about some of the best Classics that you need to read if you haven’t. And I want to hear from you about other ones that you love and I haven’t read. Deal?
You can get all of these on Audible and you can even get a free 30 day trial so you can test it out.
Classic Books to Read:
I said I was going to talk about books that can be hard to pick up and read and make for great listening, but I have to start with my FAVORITE classic, which is NOT hard to pick up and read. You could read this or listen to it and it’s going to be great. And then watch all the movie adaptations too because they’re great (ahem…seen them all!).
Jane Eyre. In my top three all time favorite books. Please tell me that you’ve read it? It’s the ultimate story-love, mystery, heart break, intrigue. I remember when I was reading it for the first time. I had just read a particularly intense part and then had to go run some errands and I found myself feeling kind of down. And then I realized it was because of what I had just read. I love a book that affects me that much. (Don’t worry-the whole thing would leave you feeling down.)
And here are some other great classic books you should read if you haven’t!
I’m starting with this one because it’s the perfect example of a classic book that you might never pick up and read but you can listen to while you work! It’s 39 hours long, so dig in to a big project and go for it. I listened to this a few years ago while I sewed and worked on projects and I really enjoyed listening. You’ve heard the opening line-Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. And the story it tells revolves around that.
This is one that I read in high school and I don’t remember really appreciating it then, it was more just reading it to get it done because it was an assignment. Years later my husband and I were on a long road trip and listened to it while we drove and had a great time listening! It’s different and darker than most stories out of this time, but still an intriguing read.
I discovered this book a few years back and was floored! I know about the first two Bronte sisters, but I didn’t know there was a third! But there is and she’s a great writer too. This book was especially fun to me because it’s one of your classic love stories, but it part of it is told from the man’s perspective, which we don’t always get. This quickly became a favorite for me.
This is another one that I read in high school, and while I do remember liking it then, I listened to it a few years ago while sewing and I loved it much more this time. There’s tons of symbolism and meaning in this and I feel like most of the books I read these days don’t have that, so it was fun to read something that does. Beautiful story.
Of course all of Jane Austen’s books are classics and I am sure you have read at least some of them. I feel like this one is a little lesser know than maybe Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. But I also think it might be my favorite. (I can never decide because I love them all.) If you haven’t read this one, do it!
I admit that it’s been a while since I read this and I don’t remember it super well, but my husband is a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan, so I had to include it. I do remember thinking it was surprisingly fun to read. I had always thought of it as a “boy book” and it turned out to be something I enjoyed too! Maybe I better listen to it again…
I’ve read this one several times and loved it every time. And it’s a nice quick one-if you listen it’s just 4 hours. Another one that’s laced with symbolism and makes me feel like I am in a high school English class-in a good way! Take yourself back to the early 1900s and get lost in The Great Gatsby.
Remember that free trial on Audible and let me know how you like them and what some of your favorites are!
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Audible. The opinions and text are all mine.
Abbie says
After I read this blog post, I went to the library and got The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and I read it on our family road trip and I LOVED it! Thanks so much for taking the time to recommend these books. 🙂 I can’t wait for more bookclub posts.
Janice Hardin says
A book I listened to recently is “Mrs. Tom Thumb” by Melanie Benjamin. Historical fiction is a favorite for me. And I, also, like to sew and knit while I listen to books.
Another book to read is “The Meaning of Names” by Karen Shoemaker. Another historical fiction novel, which talks about prejudices during WW1.
Amber says
Love historical fiction!
Mary says
Get well soon! Despite not feeling well you have continued to blog!! Determination on your part.
Amber says
Thank you! That’s kind of the beauty of blogging. I did a lot from my bed while recovering. 🙂
Alyssa Sorenson says
I’ve had an Audible subscription for 5+ years & love it! I’m always listening while doing chores – it was great last summer while painting multiple rooms of our house before moving in ☺
I’ll be adding more books to my “to listen” list -thanks!
Amber says
What are you favorites that you have listened to?
Amy says
Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael is a book you must read if you are a fan of the Bronte sisters. It is fiction, but the author tried to stay as close to real like as she could in telling this story. It is very worth while! This is a discription from Amazon about this book: In this critically acclaimed novel of historical fiction, Juliet Gael portrays the poignantly courageous life of Charlotte Brontë, the woman who transformed her heart’s loss into one of the most enduring literary works of all time – Jane Eyre.
Let me know if you like it!!
~ Amy
Amber says
Adding it to my list now!
Abbie says
Thanks for recommending! It sounds so interesting! 🙂