Amber's Bookclub-The Classics

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:

Jane Eyre:

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!

Anna Karenina:

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.

Wuthering Heights:

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.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall:

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.

A Tale of Two Cities:

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.

Persuasion:

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!

Hobbit:

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…

The Great Gatsby:

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!