So I saw this super cute tag on Evaschon (who has a great blog called Coffee, Classics, and Craziness, which you should definitely check out) and she tagged anyone who’s read any of the books on the list. I’ve read three of them, so here goes!
Find a book for each of your initials:
S – The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
J – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
M – My Antonia by Willa Cather or Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Count your age along your bookshelf, what book is it:
If I count from right to left it’s Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, and if I count from left to right it’s North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.
Pick a book set in your country:
Well, I live in America and there are quite a few books set here, to say the least. And I already listed one of my favorites, My Antonia. That being said, my favorite would probably be Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson. I also love Lynn Austen’s books.
Pick a book that represents a destination you would love to travel to:
The Crown and the Crucible by Judith Pella and Michael Phillips. This book is set in Russia and I’ve always wanted to go there to see the colorful, onion dome cathedrals, intricate and luxurious palaces, and lush countryside. Besides the people and culture is already so fascinating.
What book do you have the fondest memories of:
As I stare at my bookshelf I see so many memories; road trips, playing pretend, conversations, crushes, beach days, mountains days… It’s so hard to choose which one is the best memory. I’d have to say one of my fondest memories would be reading the Little House on the Praire books under the covers with my little finger light in second grade. I thought I would get in trouble for secretly reading after bedtime, but when my mom caught me in the act she bought me a book light.

What book did you have the most difficulty reading:
Hmmm, this is a hard one. But I would say, The Diary of Olga Romanov. Goodness, that was SO boring. I have always been fascinated by the Romanov sisters, but Olga’s diary was extremely bland. Here’s a sample: “Aunt Ella came (onto the train) at 9 3/4 o’clock in Moscow, and stayed until 91/4 until Kursk. Sat with Mama all day.” That’s the whole entry. You would think interesting people would keep interesting diaries…
Which book on your TBR pile will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it:
Les Miserables has been sitting on my bookshelf for three years. I’ve finally gotten around to reading it and I’m sure I’ll feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment when I’m done.

Before we end, here’s one last picture that pretty much sums up my feelings for all of these books.

There you have it! I tag anyone who enjoyed this post!
Les Misérables is the longest book I ever read, but it is my favorite classic book. Such a beautiful story with complex and real characters with this wonderful underlying spirituality
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Yes, the length really allows you to delve into each of the characters and the power of God over all their lives. As much as I enjoy it, I do have to admit that some parts are a little boring… like the part about the Battle of Waterloo. That felt sooooo long and unnecessary. 😐
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Because I already knew the story because of the musical, I was able to understand what was going on. I was able to use what I knew from the musical and apply it to the book.
I agree that some parts are a bit boring. But yet it is still is my favorite of all the classics
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The musical gives such good background for the whole story. It’s also interesting to see the parts of the plot the musical leaves out like Jean Valjean recapture and his time at the convent. I can see why you love it so much, it’s definitely a masterpiece. Have you read War and Peace?
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The musical in so many ways strengthens all the emotions found in the book. I applied what I discovered in the book back to the musical. I was able to pick out moments that were songs and wrote it in. I love Les Mis due to its underlying spirituality and the journeys of the different characters and the way their lives are so interconnected. I could go on and on about why I love the story.
And no never read War And Peace? I do love classics. Over Christmas, reading Hunchback of Notre Dame. Next summer is Nicholas Nickleby and the next classic I will read after that will be David Copperfield.
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I totally agree. Sounds like you’ve got some great reading ahead of you!
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