*approachable* classics for every type of (modern) reader

[@gpat7788]

My first classic was Jane Eyre and I stayed hooked on classics. Thomas Hardy breaks my heart but I love him! 😊

[@mandyschmidt7960]

I've seen the Lord of the Rings movies several times and they never really did anything for me, but for some reason this year it just clicked, I fell in love with them and I started reading the Hobbit and I just can't believe how beautifully written and immersive it is. I'm so glad my brain finally found the switch. I cannot wait to read LOTR now! People saying it's just a ton of walking would probably describe Grapes of Wrath as just a bunch of driving...

[@projekt3658]

Lemme guess the next video. Modern books for classics readers 😂 That would be a tough job for you to get a list. 😅

[@TiliaHaggstrom]

I mean, i guess that would be similar to a prediction of future classics. Could be fun though!

[@sahl0110]

I’d honestly love a few modern book recommendations. 🙂 I read classics like 90% of the time and modern books really don’t feel the same to me, at least the few that I read. I would love to find some modern books that I actually like

[@Scottlp2]

@@sahl0110 Hard to write about human nature if you are pretending it doesn't exist.

[@malissamoench8587]

​@sahl0110 Same! I so prefer the writing style in classic novels over the writing style modern novels.

[@ellarose8696]

This would actually be amazing though, I only ever DNF modern books!

[@barbaralemon4170]

I read If Beale Street Could Talk. I will never forget it. I wept several times. What an amazing masterpiece.

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

I think The Time Machine is very approachable, it is very short and a fascinating look at how someone from the 19th century looks to how the future might develop because of the divisions of the time. If you look at it like that it is very relevant. I love Flush, it is still my favorite Virginia Woolf book of the ones I have read. I love that sweet dog. Jane Eyre, is a favorite, I love it. I have read it many times and many editions of it. I love The Importance of Being Earnest, I have read it, I have several editions of it, I have seen the play and several of the movies. I put two books on TBR White Nights and If Beale Street Could Talk , they both sound wonderful. It was lovely to see Willow, such a sweet puppy.

[@AdamFishkin]

Perfume was not a choice I expected, but rock on. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a book that flows through the brain like wine. The bar it sets for prose is crazy.

[@pretentioussunshine]

Flows through the brain like wine is such a good line!!

[@Kyle4k9]

Great list. I suggest also Great Expectations. Thanks so much, Carolyn, for all the cool things you’re sharing here and on instagram.

[@juliehughes1258]

Dear Carolyn, you needn't ask. I ALWAYS want a Part 2! Regarding your recommendations, I do own White Nights so now I'm very much looking forward to reading this book. I, too, love the Russian authors. I was lucky enough to be coming of age when Russian Lit was enjoying a resurgence in popularity (late 1970s?), and I just gobbled them up. So many spine-creased trade paperbacks from the grocery store. 😜

[@bananapeel892]

I think Dostoyevsky is approachable in general, at least in terms of writing. Crime and Punishment is fairly long, but it is not very complex. It only has a few characters. I think what makes that one difficult is the content, but I doubt reading more classics will change that. Also, yes The Lord of the Rings is amazing. Tolkien is a master. I think the Fellowship of the Ring is the most flawless, but the second and third parts have so many amazing moments and characters.

[@zhangyilu]

Just finished reading Dorian Gray and I am hopelessly in love with it. It probably goes without saying but Oscar Wilde is a genius. Profound thoughts are conveyed in such an approachable manner.

[@bujobyfilo]

I had never heard of The moon is down, immediately added to my tbr, thank you!

[@madebylora]

Jane Eyre is my all time favourite! I also really like Wilkie Collins’ books

[@eugerodriguez8175]

Please a part 2!😊

[@WaterBearReads]

The Picture of Dorian Gray is high on my TBR! Jane Eyre is an absolute favorite! Thank you for another wonderful video!🌻

[@nissasbookcorner]

i just started reading Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay, and i’m really liking it so far! it’s very short and feels accessible for a classic

[@onourpath]

Wow, I rarely find anyone who's read that old Aussie gem! I absolutely loved it. If you can track it down, the film of the same name -- directed by Peter Weir -- is so so so worth watching! 💚

[@nissasbookcorner]

@@onourpath yes, i’m planning to watch it afterwards! i’m so intrigued!

[@deborahracette9755]

I started reading classics a few years ago when I was getting a little tired of today's best sellers. I took an online class on the classics and was hooked!

[@andreawatt2988]

Hey Carolyn! I can always count on you for great classic recs. I’d love it if you could make a video recommending "underrated classics." I recently read Sofia Petrovna by Lydia Chukovskaya and Young Gerber by Friedrich Torberg , both are classics, but not super well-known internationally. It got me wanting to find more underrated gems like these.

[@antoninatitkow8905]

For me, it's great to start reading Woolf with "A Room of One's Own"! I found it very easy to follow, so eloquent and interesting. To the list, I would also add "Giovanni's Room" by Baldwin because you just fall into the narrative so easily and The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen :) Alsooo Daphne du Maurier's books! Rebecca and My cousin Rachel!

[@kathy2539]

I love all your recommendations, LOTR movies and novels are just amazing.

[@monicamoskovics8686]

There is a saying about Tolkien fans, "you start out young wanting to be a fairy, but as you mature you grow into wanting to be a hobbit." So true! The simple home pleasures are where it is at!

[@denisefreitas6727]

Love your recommendations, Carolyn! I'd like a part 2 surely! And how about approchable modern books for classic readers? 😉😊

[@AshWednesday06]

I’m so happy you loved Lord Of the Rings! Now I want to re-read the books! 😊

[@circleofleaves2676]

I think Far From the Madding Crowd (Thomas Hardy) and The Portrait of a Lady (Henry James) are very approachable. Then again my favourite book of all time is The Waves (Virginia Woolf) which a lot of people find difficult so relatively speaking it's difficult to assume what could be considered universally approachable.

[@EquestrianAthlete]

I'm glad to see that some of my faves are in the comments for a potential part 2! Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith are both so good

[@BMTitus]

For all the Dorian Gray fans the story that inspired it was Poe's William Wilson.

[@DominikBialy_]

What I find really interesting about War & Peace is that I didn't really have a favorite character to root for. They're almost all likeable in a very human way, but also they're not really heroes or role models, just normal people (which I found in line with the overall theme of the book). I think it's the only book that did that for me.

[@LilaCerullos]

This channel is a gem ✨️

[@anissabravo1828]

Perfume!! It needs to be talked about more!!

[@lenoraberendt750]

You recommended ‘The Moon is Down’ last year and I loved it! I’m currently reading ‘Travels With Charley’, also by Steinbeck, which I highly recommend. Now I’m thinking it’s time for me to re-read ‘Jane Eyre.’ Thanks so much for all of your great content. I so enjoy your channel. 💕 -Lenora

[@lesandthecity]

I always trust your recommendations. Thank you!

[@michaelmccarty]

I read Perfume almost 40 years ago -- so good, so unique!!

[@rozaganser3016]

A part 2 would be wonderful!

[@libertylady4041]

Thank you for recommending Perfume for a fall read - putting it on my to be read list

[@libertylady4041]

A part 2 would be great

[@mylenefrancois]

The Perfume is incredible ! And I love Jane Eyre too :) and I'm planning to re-read Dorian Gray at some point because Oscar Wilde's writing si so brilliant... Yes to part 2 !

[@jaysie_munyi]

Listening to you read a line from the book like hearing soft music

[@emilijajov9584]

I absolutely love your videos!! ❤ p.s. I was wondering what kind of camera you’re using for recording? Thank you & love ya ❣️

[@ambarrose]

That edition of Jane Eyre is just up my alley.

[@mouettee]

Perfume is my favorite book!! Read it for school and wow

[@zinaberger8211]

I love the Jane eyre edition

[@Sandy-bx4fq]

Jane Eyre is my favorite book. It’s lovely. I just read my first Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express) and I loved it! I think it’s very approachable. I’m starting another one in a few days(And Then There Were None).I hope it’s as good!

[@darkemilia]

Oh the perfume is so good, really underrated classic. There’s also a great theatre adaptation in Frankfurt Germany if anyone from there is around here (if so hmu I’m in need for some book friends haha)

[@mimishimaineko1173]

Great variety! A poet/reporter who writes about the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and Abraham Lincoln Brigade (Americans fighting fascism in Spain) is Langston Hughes.🧡

[@TonyChiba]

What is your definition of a classic? Like does Philip Roth count? Pretty sure that Joyce is considered a classicist, so I would add Dubliners to the list. Very comprehensible and a perfect intro to themes explored in his harder novels.

[@jmsl_910]

yes!! part II do you think catcher in the rye falls into this grouping?

[@Lara_m7372]

First!!! I love your videos 💖 Ty for sharing these great books 🌺💟

[@crislainegruber]

Lovely to see Virginia Woolf in this video ❤

[@lucycanread]

i loved your list and honestly i'd add Pride & Prejudice tbh! reading it as an adult (i.e., not required reading in school) is a completely different experience

[@ReligionOfSacrifice]

"The Moon is Down" was one I wanted to put in my top 200 favorite books list, but didn't. It had a great ending. "Perfume" I saw and it was weird. I suppose the book could be better. Especially, if the ending is different. "LOTR" is in my top 15 favorite books at #15. "Jane Eyre" is in the top 100, but "Vilette" is a top ten book that I think is better than "War and Peace" and that too is a top ten book.

[@llonaangelp.3219]

I really want to start reading plays, but I'm kind of intimidated by its format huhu

[@indrajitdas8696]

I am reading white nights. I don't understand how he had such type of thinking in 1848. Every feeling of mankind is described here. I found many similarly between the dreamer and me .

[@paperbackenthusiast]

You are such a joy to watch. Comfort channel! Thank you :) Hope you’re well

[@sayed-esmaeelal-behbehani6511]

Have you read Moby Dick? My favorite book.

[@pritamacharya1584]

If you have some time & interested in fantasy world. I would like you to check out one piece manga. As many booktuber already loved it. So, I'm hoping you would too. It's a unique once in a generation story. Please, check it out whenever you have time & give us your thoughts on it.

[@Divyv520]

Hey Carolyn , really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with more Quality Editing in your videos and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail and also help you with the overall youtube strategy and growth ! Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@michelee647]

I'm a hobbit as well.😂😂

[@植田学]

I can't believe the ebook Magnetic Aura from Borlest isn't a hot topic. It's an incredible read

[@maad580]

Omg I loved The Moon is Down!! It's so cool to see the historical impact it had on the occupied countries it was released in

[@kimbarbeaureads]

There is no shame in being a Hobbit. They are content and generally happy. Better than identifying with Gimli. Those poor women have beards.

[@市来清]

there's a book called Magnetic Aura on borlest , and it talks about how using some secret tehniques you can attract anyone with charisma, it's not some bullshit law of attraction, it's the real deal

[@GilmarGirl]

If Watership Down counts as a classic, I would say that's my favorite approachable classic

[@marciajohansson769]

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith is a beautiful story and I think very readable.

[@bobthecat-rh5dy]

Here I go again with this recommendation: Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig. Now go and read it! It is an excellent book, but I WILL NOT recommend it again!

[@hellopaulie]

Stoner is a 1965 novel by the American writer John Williams. Very approachable; sad and beautiful at the same time. The novel's main character, William "Stoner", is a farm boy turned English professor. He uses his love of literature to deal with his unfulfilling home life. It has absolutely nothing to do with drugs or smoking pot. Haha, I avoided this book for some time because of our modern usage of the word "stoner".

[@rosabutcher5092]

Thank you so much for making this comment! I keep seeing this book and have avoided it for the reasons you cited. It actually sounds just my sort of book.

[@Mariak82]

I finally read Stoner recently after owning it for a few years now and really enjoyed it, it was a great read. 🙂📚

[@entrenchpodhost]

I'm surprised The Little Prince was not included -- a simple, yet thought-provoking children's classic! I think it provides a great introduction to literary devices classics use, so readers can start understanding how to take multiple layers of meanings from classics for a full experience.

[@oofym353]

Honestly I think the little prince is slightly too simple for an adult to really appreciate. I read it for the first time recently as a 21 year old and I was bit disappointed. It's ridiculously on the nose and simply written, even for a children's story.

[@entrenchpodhost]

@@oofym353 It may not be for everyone and their reading taste, but I think plenty of adults still appreciate it! To each their own.

[@InspiredCreation31]

Absolutely love your thoughts on these books.Another part 2 vid would be great.The Lord of the Rings is a great one.Love learning about other people's suggestions as well.Thanks.👌💐