Today we’re hooking up with the Broke and the Bookish for their Top Ten Tuesday and here are our top ten classics
Holly:
Jane Eyre – I wrote about this one here, about how I had to read this to read The Eyre Affair. Swoon – crazy locked away wives and traumatic childhoods can’t withstand the power of love!
The Great Gatsby – Ain’t no party like a Gatsy party, amirite? I think I liked this one in high school because the plot was easy to follow (none of that flowery language, thankyouverymuch), but the characters were complicated. Well, except for Jordan Baker. She doesn’t have much going. on.
Catcher in the Rye – Okay, I loved this one in high school, because you know, I like, totally got Holden Caulfield, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to read it since.
Coming of Age in Mississippi – If you don’t know this book, go read it now. I read this one in an undergrad sociology class, and it blew my mind. It’s an amazing memoir of a black woman growing up in the South. My professor threw out an option for extra credit if we could find Anne Moody (who does not appear in public).No one got that EC – she’s way too clever to be found if she doesn’t want to be. Read this book!
Ordinary People – 3 out of my 5 five here are definitely from sophomore year American Lit class. Maybe I need to read more classics. Or maybe Mr. Leitner was just the man. This book tears my heart out.
Amanda:
Catch-22. Is 1961 too recent to be considered a classic? I say not because this book is magical. If you haven’t read this, stop and get it now. Its hilarious and heartbreaking. I am definitely naming our next dog Major-Major.
Pride & Prejudice: Thank you Brother Ruhl for teaching me to read this. I wrote about my thoughts on this one here. I love Elizabeth and Darcy-that’s all.
Great Expectations – I hated this book when it a high school requirement. Was that just because my freshman English teacher was evil? I swear, she really was. Because when I read this again in my 20’s I found it laugh out loud funny at parts. I loved it. Then I read Thursday Next: Lost in a Good Book and fell in love with Miss Havisham.
Jane Eyre -Ditto my sister as usual!
Anne of Green Gables – I need to reread these soon! This was the first book that made me cry. I still remember that moment that I realized I was in tears because I was so moved by a book. And I’ll be honest I’ve never really stopped crying at books since 🙂 I cannot wait to share these with my daughter.
These are our top ten-what are your favorites?
Gun In Act One 
I’ve been looking for books that really drive home the realities of life under Jim Crow, and “Coming of Age” may be just the ticket. Thanks for sharing it!
Yes! Totally add that to your list – it’s amazing.
Great list! Although, I have to say Catch-22 did not do it for me. I tried. But 100 pages in I was still just annoyed so I gave it up. One of the few books I didn’t finish. I do like the idea of naming a dog Major-Major though.
Good classics 🙂
We cannot forget 1984 ( Orwell) as well as Brave New World. ( Huxley)- My favortite early dystopian fiction!
I love everything Kurt Vonnegut and Catch 22 is the perfect example of what I love about him. (I named a cat Huffle after one of the soldiers. )
The Last of the Mohicans was a great story and piece of American History. ( And Uncas live near where I grew up)
The Tell Tale Heart ( Poe) – how creepy can you get?
And I also have to agree with The Great Gatsby. It made me read Zelda’s biography- she was an awesome nut job!
Oh good call with the Tell Tale Heart! And I totally want to read Zelda’s biography and that new fiction about her. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
I have yet to read any Jane Austen, though I think started PRIDE AND PREJUDICE once–or was it PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES? I was a fan of THE GREAT GATSBY! Thanks for stopping by!
Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
I did find P&P and zombies hilarious. I think I skipped the rest of those but for a one off that book was really funny.
Oh, great list! I didn’t even think about Catch-22, but that is a perfect choice! I love Jane Eyre, and still need to read Anne of Green Gables!