Classic books that won't take you forever to read!!!

[@vinireads]

Books mentioned - 1) the secret garden - Frances Burnett 2) the little prince - Antoine de saint exupéry 3) pinocchio - carlo collodi 4) A Christmas carol - Charles Dickens 5) the great gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 6) slaughterhouse five - Kurt Vonneghut 7) mary poppins - P. L. travers 8) flush - Virginia Woolf 9) A room with a view - E.M. forster 10) Jiovanni’s Room - James Baldwin 11) We have always lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson 12) Ethan frome - Edith Wharton 13) Passing - Nella Larson 14) The Heart of the Dog - Mikhail Bulgakov 15) the night is darkening round me - Emily Brontë * white nights - Fyodor Dostoevsky

[@annaelle_stasia]

thanks !!! i am always looking for this kind of comments :)

[@doaadikrallah]

also white nights by Dostoyevsky!

[@vinireads]

@@doaadikrallah thank you, added it to the list for reference

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you so much :)

[@kakashihatake1008]

Thank you!

[@adamdavis6810]

I used to work as security guard in a manufacturing plant to get me through college, and these kinds of books were the only ones small enough for me to smuggle in my cargo pant's side pocket. If they were any bigger, I'd have to press the book up against my shin under my pant-leg, and tuck it into my sock, which was rash-city. Suffice to say, this video brought back fun memories. :)

[@notpriscilla1675]

Italian books I think you’d enjoy🇮🇹: Heart by E. De Amicis The late Mattia Pascal by L. Pirandello The Lüneburg Variation by P. Maurensig If this is a man by P. Levi The baron in the trees - The cloven viscount - The nonexistent knight by I. Calvino Love from Rome❤️

[@wandering0wonderland]

The Baron in the Tree's is such a fun exploration!

[@anavidreader2011]

The late Maggie Pascal is my book for Italy in my reading the world challenge! Glad it’s an authentic choice :)

[@notpriscilla1675]

@@anavidreader2011 hope you can appreciate it as much as I did!

[@christopherpaul7588]

I loved the Baron in the Trees and Invisible Cities.

[@jeanie6565]

I was going to recommend ‘if this is a man’. I think it’s great, but my favourite chapter (ever!! not just in this book. It’s my favourite piece of writing) is the one where there’s a parallelism with Odysseus in Dante’s inferno which would be lost on someone who hasn’t read the divine comedy. Anyway it’s a very good book in spite of the heavy topic

[@angierodriguez4729]

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a great short classic story :) so is The Canterville Ghost and Carmilla.

[@Julia-ov7zy]

Fantastic video, I haven't read some of these books yet. I'd also recommend "Of Mice and Men" by J. Steinbeck, only around 100 pages, one of my favourite novels.

[@megamoreb0829]

I would add Heart of Darkness. It's short, but incredibly jam packed with so much thought-provoking content. Even though it's only 90-ish pages, it took me several hours to read because it had so much layered into a small amount of pages. I can't believe Joseph Conrad didn't learn English until his twenties, and yet he commands the English language so exquisitely.

[@teresaboyer5707]

Heart of Darkness? OMG. Memories of high school and university. This book was prescribed reading at least 4 times in my life. I can’t imagine who has not been forced to read this book.

[@davecannon1523]

This is so strange - it's a short book but I've tried three times and just couldn't get through it. It's just so oppressive

[@philosophicsblog]

I just read Heart of Darkness last weekend. I don't think it could be published with today's cancel culture. Although it feels like a period piece (because it was written in the period), it doesn't feel particularly dated or stilted. I was amazed to discover that Conrad didn't learn English until he was in his twenties. I was also intrigued by how a book with so much 'showing' versus 'telling' would read so fast. I'd put the writing quality of this up there with Nabokov's Lolita. Although Nabokov was Russian, it's said that he learned English before Russian.

[@megamoreb0829]

@@davecannon1523 It's definitely a critique of the oppression, but still tough to read for sure.

[@megamoreb0829]

@@teresaboyer5707 I actually didn't read it until my late 20's! I am glad though... I don't think I would have appreciated it in high school. My friends who read it young hated it, and those who read it when they were older have liked it.

[@jolinelam5622]

as someone who has migraines, this video is so helpful

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so glad this could help! I hope you’re feeling and doing very well!

[@hikari-.-7345]

Loved this video!! Can you make more specific recommendations based on literature era or the country? Like favorite American/….. female authors you’ve read for ? Also make recommendations based on seasons? Like cozy/ winter reads .. Would love to see your recs!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I would absolutely love to do that! Great idea :)

[@Ellen_Seokjin]

Great list. Now books that took me forever to read: 😩 Ulysses - The Man without qualities - The Red and the Black - But the feeling after finish all of them was amazing. I feel like I can read whatever I want.😋

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Ulysses is such an achievement!

[@dummybear6772]

I love the idea of short, relatively simple classics. The stereotypical classic is dense, complex, and I think that repels many people. The ones you recommend seem like sustainable reads for those with very busy lives and I appreciate that very much. I do hope people take your recommendations into consideration. 💕

[@eugeniekruijt2853]

Been wanting to spread some Dutch literature around so here i go, giving some of my favorite short Dutch book recs: The Black Lake by Hella S. Haasse (just an amazing and very short novel and very impactful writing to understand my country's colonial history) Sunken Red by Jeroen Brouwers (chills, very graphic description of the treatment of Indo-Dutch families in the 'Jappenkampen' or japanese camps in Indonesia) Falling is like Flying by Manon Uphoff (very very graphic and def a tw for SA but such a beautiful and unique book and a tear-jerker especially considering it is at least partially auto-biographical) Happy reading!!!

[@anavidreader7233]

Hi, I’m currently trying to complete a read around the world challenge where I read a written from every country - I haven’t got one for Holland or Belgium so would love if you could give me some recommendations for them (I think that by speaking Dutch you’re from one of these?) I find the whole Netherlands Dutch Belgium thing very confusing sorry. Classics are what I normally read but I tend to lean more towards happy/romance/epic adventure/mystery than the violent/sad side of things as I haven’t got the mental headspace currently to read things like that so if anything comes to mind I’d really appreciate it! (sorry if this is rather random just thought I’d ask :)

[@eugeniekruijt2853]

@@anavidreader7233 omg i LOVE that you asked this!! Sadly not that many books get translated and Dutch literature is a little bit sad over all.... but I tried! First of all: I am Dutch, which means I'm from the Netherlands, and books from Belgium would either be Belgian or Flemish. So here my recs are, I hope you like them: Dutch ones: - the Song of Seven - Tonke Dragt, it's one of my favorite childrens lits, it has a mystery vibe, but it's not sad and it is one of mt favorite books ever, but def childrens lit (Tonke Dragt over all writes beautiful childrens lit) - the Dinner by Herman Koch, it's one of the most well known Dutch books, havent personally read it but i dont believe its sad, i would look uo the synopsis! - two books by the most well known Dutch author Harry Mulisch: the Discovery of Heaven (looooong book but a masterpiece) and Two Women (it's sad in some places, but it has an Orpheus theme so the partial predictability of it might make it less sad) Belgian (I've not read a lot from Belgium, but these are ones I know are popular): - the Angel Maker by Stefan Brijs - Captain Vampire by Marie Nizet - Pietr the Latvian by Georges Latvian Hope it helps!!!

[@anavidreader277]

@@eugeniekruijt2853 gosh thank you so much for getting back to me and with such a wonderful response! Having just consulted Google maps I realised I meant Holland is the one I get confused with not Belgium as that’s a whole separate country that I’ve actually visited so I do apologise for my stupidity in getting them mixed up! Secondly thank you so much for such a wonderful list of recommendations! I’ve just gone through all of them and unfortunately The Song of Seven isn’t available as an audiobook (or ebook from what I could see) but I did fine both The Letter for the King plus it’s sequel which sounds like something I would absolutely love (I’m a huge fan of children’s books as well as adult) and The Goldsmith and the Master Thief which also sounded really interesting, I honestly think I might read both but wondered if you had an opinion on which to start with? I also managed to find the dinner but I think I might leave that one as it’s not really my thing for now. Regarding your Belgium recommendations I only managed to find Pietr the Latvian available but it looks like something I would probably like to read! I love crime/mystery but tend not to read thrillers so I’ll have to do a little more research but it’s an excellent place to start! It’s been so interesting learning about other cultures when I’m researching books but my absolute favourite way to find one is by recommendation of someone native to that particular country so thank you very very much for helping me out! (I believe I’m rambling a bit now so I’ll stop but you’ve absolutely made my day :)

[@eugeniekruijt2853]

@@anavidreader277 sorry for responding so late! Im glad you found some that you'd like to try! I would start with the letter for the king :) but either way theyre great books so have fun📖

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

Another great Dutch book that is also very short is The Rider (De Renner) by Tim Krabbé.

[@dummybear6772]

I totally understand reading The Secret Garden in the spring and summer. I do the same with Tuck Everlasting for the summer. Not only does it specifically take place throughout August but the descriptions are so abundant and vivid that the settings enrapture as much as the story itself (in my humble opinion).

[@creativelytorn]

The Old Man and the Sea can easily be read in one or two sittings. I really enjoyed it. White Nights was great. Notes from the Underground is another short favorite.

[@creativelytorn]

Also, I'm just starting this one but Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. Like everything Bradbury wrote, it is absolutely beautiful. The version I'm reading is 260 pages.

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

🌙 I so needed this Carolyn! This will help me with my Goodreads goal! Your videos are always so warm, inviting, and EASY to digest! You are definitely one of my go to “how to” book tubers! 🥰🧡

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so glad!! Aw thank you for your very kind words! 🤗💕 I’m honored!

[@outi3852]

Italian classics I would suggest are the ones by Italo Calvino. I have read three books by him and loved them all, especially Invisible cities.

[@PaulinaReadsss]

Why is this and Emma’s the only booktube channels that talk about classics?😭 I wish that people were more used to reading them like if they were a contemporary book (you know…they were once contemporary🙄😂) But thanks Carolyn for such wonderful recs❤️

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

They're not, they're just the only ones your algorithm favours

[@PaulinaReadsss]

@@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda if you have recommendations I’d be happy to read them :)

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

@@PaulinaReadsss the first that comes to mind is Mara from Bookslikewhoa, she has some older videos on classics besides her regular romance novels - new releases Merphy Napier also reads classics although she has been pivoting to manga the last 2 years. Uncarley also has a surprising number of "modern classics" in her videos in spite of what her girlboss aesthetic might tell you. Katie from Books and Things is 99.9% Victorian literature There's Dr. Octavia Cox with a lot of context for, mostly, women classics interpretation; and in a similar vein there's also Ellie Dashwood (although she recently announced she's pivoting to "Lifestyle" content). Those are the ones I watch in English. Then there are those that I don't really watch but sometimes pop on my recs and they're usually male. And finally some of the few I watch in Spanish like Cumbres Clásicas or No Solo Clásicos

[@BhashwatiDutta]

Hi, you can check out Colorless Wonderland for book content that revolve around classics. :)

[@muhlenstedt]

@@PaulinaReadsss Tristan and the classics

[@kaoc799]

The secret Garden is one of my favourite books growing up.

[@normbabbitt4325]

I love your reviews! My top classics in literature (I've read and loved many you mentioned in this video) that I've read more than once: Moby Dick, Herman Melville; Notre-Dame de Paris - also titled, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Victor Hugo; Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky; The Painted Veil, W. Somerset Maugham. These are all absolute enduring, unforgetable classic masterpieces!

[@jasonluis8895]

I think Lord of the Flies is one of those great short stories that is easy to read but have a such in depth study of human nature. You can just be entertained by the story or, you can really sink your teeth and delve into its themes

[@AKMArt-vj2vi]

I was just about to suggest it! I am rereading it and keep it in my purse for when I’m on the go!♥️☕️🔥

[@mattkean1128]

Love this topic. Classics aren't just these big, long monsters!

[@neekeeeyy]

I've been a silent subscriber for so long but I'm gonna brush off the shyness this time just so I could finally say hi. Greetings from the Philippines, Carolyn! Am always looking forward to your uploads :)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so glad you decided to brush off your shyness and say hello! It means the world that you’re here! 💕 Sending my love to you from New York :)

[@susandevine3907]

What an excellent reviewer you are! I am a retired English teacher and really enjoy listening to your views.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you so much! I’m very glad :)

[@AdamFishkin]

Children's books are indeed a fundamental source for understanding how storytelling works. I sometimes disagree with Burnett's style but one of hers in particular ("A Little Princess", which in the mid-90s was given a terrific adaptation by Alfonso Cuaron at Warner Bros.) shows how many of the simplest ways to explore character are the most effective. "Pinocchio" is also a tricky one: it's darker than fairy tales are known for, to the point where even the Grimm stories sound cheery in comparison. But the one I think flies under the radar too often is a book called "Bunnicula" ... at least for the level of psychological study going on in a simple story of a dog and cat disagreeing over a rabbit. The fact that it can be fed to kids in digestible quantities says a lot.

[@bookfantastic]

I am more of a genre fiction reader, but your presentations inspire to me to read more classics. Thank you.

[@CathyFrontier]

For Italian recommendations: what about ‘The Divine Comedy’ by Dante Alighieri? It’s THE Italian classic! I think you’d find it fascinating - it’s really hard not to. You can also just read ‘Inferno’ (like Emma did). It can definitely be read on its own.

[@jamesduggan7200]

Dante is easy and hard at the same time. For my 3d or 4th reading I followed along a Yale course with a professor visiting from Italy, who treated it a long and highly-structured love poem. He made strong arguments based on close textual readings, but to be honest I think it works best as a dreamlike trip through hell.

[@jeanie6565]

I don’t know if it’s a great suggestion because in order to fully appreciate it you have to analyse it in depth. It’s not just a book you can read and understand: you have to know the characters and there’s a lot of symbolism you have to work through. After having studied it over the course of 3 years in high school (it’s in the mandatory programme of every Italian school) I don’t think you can actually just read it like that

[@jamesduggan7200]

@@jeanie6565 not 100% sure you're replaying to the main post, or to one of the responses, but I disagree. My first reading of it (The Inferno) was about 40+ years ago, during free time in my Sophomore Year. I understood enough to enjoy the vision of a journey through Hell. Since then I've read it at least three more times, each time understanding more of it. It's a marvelous conception and my only regret is I'll never be able to enjoy it in the original Italian.

[@CathyFrontier]

@@jeanie6565 That goes for all classics. You can read them for entertainment purposes, or you can study them which of course will give you a deeper understanding of the text. But classics are not just for academics in my opinion - everyone should just give them a go without the fear of not being “smart” enough to “understand” them.

[@doaadikrallah]

this is literally what i was waiting for, i’m so glad you made this, it was so comforting and cute and useful, it made me find the perfect books for my readathon that i’m gonna do very soon so thank you so so much 🤍

[@Sarahac8]

You’ve been killin’ it with the content lately! Great video!! ✨

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw thank you so much! Very glad you think so 🤩✨

[@jamesduggan7200]

Agree - since graduation it's been a cool breeze, and I'm lovin' it.

[@jelliclesongs]

When you said Italian literature, I remembered a short story I loved in high school called "Rappaccini's Daughter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne

[@renee1292]

Wonderful video! I am a former teacher and lover of books and reading. Nice to see young people reading classics. For Italian authors I suggest Italo Calvino. I grew up on Long Island and lived there for 67 years before moving to California. Glad to meet another Long Islander. If you liked Gatsby, read Beautiful Little Fools--it's the story told from the women's POV.

[@carole5648]

The Secret Garden (and A Little Princess) were the first books that taught me "the book is always better than the movie" though i loved the movies too growing up.

[@denisefreitas6727]

Carolyn, i've already read some of the books of your fantastic list, and you gave me other great suggestions. Thank you very much. 💖

[@ReadingNymph]

I have Slaughter House 5 on my tbr, hoping to get to it soon! I love the Little Black Classics, such a great way to try an authors work

[@NomNomGohan]

Vonnegut is my fave!! Definitely go for Cat's Cradle or Sirens of Titan next!

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

i have not read Slaughter Five of Kurt Vonnegut but i think i have to go to the library to borrow a copy hahah thank you, Carolyn!

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

i remember "hating" the book when i first read The Great Gatsby haha but years later during my American Lit class (i guess), i got deeper understanding to the story. plus i love the characters and the setting too.

[@aboodyabdulqadir5487]

I love how many booktubers r there with each one having his own favorite books, Im new to reading literature and u guys r awsome

[@courtneyreagan900]

I love The Secret Garden, A Little Princess by Burnett is really good too and shorter than The Secret Garden. Thank you for the recommendations Carolyn!

[@rachels4277]

I read The Secret Garden today and it was such a delight! Thanks for the recommendation. I got similar delight from “Anne of Green Gables”!

[@Beery1962]

Short books I recommend:Joseph Conrad, The Point of Honor; Marguerite Duras, The Lover; and for a slightly longer modern classic (but at just over 200 pages still pretty short) M.T. Anderson's Feed.

[@shuween706]

So happy you recommended Vonnegut! I always feel that for being such a brilliant author, he doesn't get recommended enough. More people need to read Vonnegut. Also try Breakfast of Champions and Cat's Cradle!

[@TheLinguistsLibrary]

You're so right about children's literature. I always told my students to start there....regardless of their age.

[@dummybear6772]

I don't know if you've done this before but I would be super interested in classics according to country. For example, delving into Italian classics since you're interested in that in particular. Personally, I want to learn more about my own country so I'm definitely considering reading American classics.

[@martasgreatlibrary]

yes to the little black classics! they are the perfect introduction to a wide variety of authors without feeling scary nor intimidating

[@Jusufreinhard]

another cozy video inspiring me for my classics tbr thank youuu ❤️

[@Camille_233]

Plays by Oscar Wilde and short stories by James Joyce are great to read 👍

[@whatcanyado6876]

Italian studies minor popping in to give Italian lit recommendations (authors)! Umberto Eco Natalia Ginzburg Primo Levi Giovanni Boccaccio Elsa Morante And, of course, Dante Alighieri! Have fun reading Italian literature-it's such a joy!!

[@jamesduggan7200]

I've read several of those, and liked them very much, Dante in particular.

[@abi_rose]

giovanni’s room is incredible. blows my mind how much baldwin managed to pack in such a slim novel! would commit several crimes for a film adaptation of it

[@mariamkvitsiani2848]

you should read Italo Calvino if you haven't. Invisible Cities is tiny and dreamy, If on a Winter's Night Traveler is just brilliant

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’ve been meaning to read Italo Calvino for ages! I have If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler on my shelves! Hoping to read it soon! Thank you for the lovely recommendation ✨

[@duyguacar2504]

@@CarolynMarieReads you should definitely read it. After i finished it, i was amazed. I dont know how those People get those ideas.

[@HoangNguyen-lc4bj]

One book I can recommend is "Meandering Sobriety". Although it's a philosophical book, it is a bit humorous and still thought-provoking. The book is a series of funny and thought-stimulating stories that will help you have a moment of escape from hustle reality to see and understand it deeper. Most importantly, it's short and can be completed in a day.

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

i loveeee the Secret Garden soo much. i remember crying and having lots of mixed feelings while reading it plus way back, i watched the animated series on tv -- i love it too. and good thing they're available online / KZbin too. 💗💗

[@omalleysmith9100]

I'm reading The Great Gatsby for the first time, and I am blown away by how modern this book feels. Its really a beautiful reading experience, I get it now. lol

[@SharDances]

Love that bookshelf on the wall. Might do something like that to my room as well. 😀

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

ahhhh i love The Little Prince 🌻🌻 short but would give you buckets of tears and ofc wisdom.

[@etasbookshelf]

Oh, I can't wait to read Flush! Speaking of "fake biographies, have you read Orlando? :) I think I'm the weird one here, but for me, the best time to read The Secret Garden is actually early autumn. ;) It was our required reading at school when I was 11, we read it in September back then and I also re-read it in September 3 years ago as an adult. ;) I think I'll always associate Slaughterhouse-Five with Jess Mariano, I haven't read it yet, though! I l love your video and all the book picks! You're always such a ray of sunshine! :)

[@jamesduggan7200]

Slaughterhouse-5 is a very serious book masquerading as a sci-fi.

[@djunaskye6220]

I highly recommend The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for an easy short classic. It's my favorite book of all time!

[@user-tk1ef2pt8t]

Some great short books Personally I can add some books The haunting of Hill house, I know you’re afraid to read it, it’s scarier than the show (Also OMG I love this show so much, this together with the other two seasons makes my favorite show ever) With This “the turn of the screw” also great short book The picture of Dorian Grey, one of the best books ever Wuthering Heights, also one of the best books ever. Notes from underground, also great book Tender is the night, my first Fitzgerald. The catcher in the rye, at first I thought it’s not a good book but after reading what the author wanted to say it was amazing. The phantom of the opera. And……….The ocean at the end of the lane…modern classic. And that’s what I have😂😊

[@entrobxdy]

The catcher in the rye and The ocean at the end of the lane are criminally underrated

[@jamesduggan7200]

Thx Carolyn: Proust proved too much for me and I had to take a break from it around 90%. Since then I've been rereading Shakespeare at about 3 plays a week. It works for me but I've forgotten how tricky the language can seem. Good to hear from you, of course, but I'm especially curious to hear more about Vonnegut, who once was my favorite (I've read 10, more or less).

[@lizzyfrykman4527]

If you are looking for Italian literature, I highly recommend reading If On a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino! Its wild but so fun!! Love this video by the way:))

[@ba-gg6jo]

Lovely eclectic selection and I hope this inspires readers to dip their toes in the water of classics. Just started a modern classic "The People Immortal" by Vasily Grossman, at 300 pages it could be classed as one of his short stories. I say that as his "Stalingrad" and follow-on "Life and Fate" weighed in at over 1800 pages. It was nice to see "slaughterhouse five" and "the heart of a dog" made your list, both are well worth reading everyone! Enjoy your reading whatever it may be.

[@elsbethhh]

Elena Ferrante for Italian recs!! Not classics but they read as modern classics

[@christophernuzzi2780]

I'm glad you mentioned Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio! One book I would definitelty add to the list of short classics is The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.

[@bulletwheels]

Italo Calvino is an amazing Italian writer. He can be surreal, philosophical, and poetic. I think his work is special...

[@marianna.with.an.a]

Oh my gosh! You are SO sweet! I could hear you talk forever!😁 I can't believe I've found your channel only now!💛

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw thank you so much! 😊 Welcome!

[@marianna.with.an.a]

@@CarolynMarieReads Thank you!🌻 I'm currently watching the readathon with Emma! So lovely video 🧡 friendship goals 😊 so heartwarming!🌸 Thank you for making these videos! I can't stop watching!💛

[@proudestmonkee07]

Italo Calvino (especially Marcovaldo, Path to the Spiders Nest, and Invisible Cities)! also Pirandello - those two made me fall in love with Italian classics. They're also short and so approachable!

[@madyjune]

I've recently finished reading The House of Mirth and I'm currently reading Summer by the same author. I'm also reading A Room with a View.

[@thirdonetoo1212]

Caroline, you take such good care of your community members giving us ways to ease into the classics and longer books. I read a lot of non-fiction (theology, philosophy etc) and am trying to re-introduce some fiction now that I have so much time available (retired). Thanks for the encouragement and excellent recommendations. I guess Willow was curled in a corner waiting for you to return his Heart of a Dog book. Missed his sweet snorting.

[@halloweenjax]

Hurray! I think you will love Vonnegut. :)

[@viv771]

So glad to hear Heart of the Dog being recommended! Such a wild ride and I feel like it's a great intro to that slightly unhinged side of Russian lit. Another great short classic book that's somewhat similar is The Island of Dr. Moreau (130 pages)

[@entrobxdy]

Great choices but I feel like Of Mice and Men would have been a nice addition to short read classics, it's very thought provoking and manages to make you laugh and tug on your heart strings.

[@caroline-lb2rk]

ahh i loved the great gatsby too for the same reason lol! although i read it for my english class, i loved it so much because of how i related to it as well!

[@kirathelightworker]

Thank you for sharing so many gems with us!! We’re only in September but I want to read A Christmas Carol now haha ❤️ I LOVED the muppets adaptation growing up 🥰

[@macviera8609]

Thank you for a fine variety of selections! I just finished reading a long book 462pages which was recommended to me by a friend. Great read!! Set in Moscow over a thirty year period from 1922 to circa 1954. I think you may enjoy it. By author Amor Towles. Cheers from California 😎 Maggie

[@nicolemiller8883]

Not a classic but you should read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. It was so good! I loved White Nights and Bobok. White Nights is what got me into Dostoevsky and he is now one of my favorite authors!

[@jamesduggan7200]

Once I considered treating Elizabeth's fate in Frankenstein as allegorical, where a man is so wrapped up in his work he is oblivious to the affair his wife/fiancé enters into with his friend/son/brother. And consistent with 19th century mores, he then enacts obsessive revenge upon them (freezing up inside as a consequence). In the end he tells his twisted story, metamorphosizing her lover into a monster of his creation, painting himself as a hero to us in what is a difficult-to-believe, if not wholly unreliable narrative.

[@nicolemiller8883]

@@jamesduggan7200 love the interpretation! Have you read Lapvona? Curious to know what your take would be.

[@neonoires]

Late but the Haunting of Hill House is not as scary as the show. It's gothic horror and there are some jarring scenes but it's way more atmospheric and gothic-y.

[@hmm6411]

Thank you for the suggestions. I am in lockstep withe Emma on Frankenstein, but now I am intrigued by Heart of the Dog. I recommend Mother Night by Kurt Vonneghut. If the first line does not get you, you cannot begotten :) Thanks again.

[@ekramababneh5805]

Carolyn, if you want to read Italian literature, I would recommend Novecento. Un monologo by Alessandro Baricco. It's less than 100 pages and it is just so interesting! It's about this piano player who was born on this ship and he has never touched the shore or walked on land before. It's a short but intense read. It has also been adapted into a film under the name 'La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano' and its called the legend of 1900 in English and you should check it out as well!!! Loved the video!

[@HadesCovers]

If you want to read more Italian classics, Luigi Pirandello is a must. He personally isn't my favorite, but I've heard many say that they enjoyed Uno, Nessuno e Centomila. It's worth it to go over it at least once.

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

i honestly have not read mary poppins. and the thing i know about her is she brings an umbrella ☂️ with her. gotta read more and more books from this day forward. 💕💕

[@whilehavingcoffee]

Great list. Would add 1984 by Orwell The old man and the sea by Hemmingway (so short but so beautifully written) What else?

[@MarquitasKnottyCrush]

I recommend The Inheritance by Louis Alcott. I just finished it and LOVED IT especially knowing that it was her first novel. I always assumed Little Women was her first.

[@ObstinateHeadstrongGirl]

An Italian classic for your must read pile is The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni

[@qudchebdgsj1331]

My two favorite italian classics ever are Pirandello's "One no one and one hundred thousand" (a brilliant and original psychological novel) and Eco's "The name of the rose" (an outstanding philosophical and historical thriller). And for someone who wants an italian classic that is also very, very short I can definetly raccomend Trabucchi's "Pereira Maintains". It's an historical novel, and it is very easy to read: it's perfect for getting into classics and it can be read in one sitting.

[@amy-co3jb]

i am just starting to get into classics so i needed this! thank you

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so glad! Best of luck on your classics journey!! 📖✨

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

first, your hair!!!! 💓💓💓 second, let me watch the video. thank you. thank you very much. 💗

[@lucrezia1458]

Loved this video and thank you for the recommendations! ✨ here are some of my favorite books by Italian authors : - una questione privata by Beppe Fenoglio (a private affair) a story that talks about partisans during World War II, two friends and the love for a woman - Le otto montagne by Paolo Cognetti (The Eight Mountains) this is definitely one of my favorite books of all time, I gave a copy to my friends, to my grandma, to my sister, even to my boss 😂 I just love the atmosphere of this story and it reminds me so much about the summers of my childhood and it was my literature professor who first told me about it - Any book from Italo Calvino! the most famous is probably il sentiero dei nidi di ragno (The Path to the Nest of Spiders) but there are many many others (il barone rampante, le città invisibili, se una notte d’inverno un viaggiatore!) - Also Cesare Pavese is a very important Italian author but I have mixed feelings about his style of writing… - Se questo è un uomo (if this is a man) by Primo Levi, a book that probably everyone has read and studied in high school, it talks about the cruel reality of holocaust… I’ve re-read it a couple of times during my life and every time it affects me differently, in a new way if that makes sense - A more recent one is l’amica geniale (my brillian friend) by Elena Ferrante, which also wrote la vita bugiarda degli adulti (the days of abandonment) - Niente di vero by Veronica Raimo (nothing true) that won the Strega Prize a couple of years ago. - And because you love children books you should 100% read Fairy Oak by Elisabetta Gnone, the most magical book in the world! I simply adore it! it’s the saga that made me fall in love with reading! Please please please read it! Also the covers and the illustrations are STUNNING 🍕🍝🇮🇹

[@Joanna-il2ur]

Also Camus The Plague. A French doctor in WW2 Algeria under Vichy rule has to save people when plague breaks out.

[@aIparica]

Thank you so much for creating this vid! I've just gotten into reading very recently (just this July 😂) and I found myself very interested in classic literature. I'm adding all these books to my TBR list and I'll come back here once I've read everything you recommended in this video. I am also a slow reader so it's gonna be a huge accomplishment for me once I'm done! I'm so happy I found your channel and Emma's. You both make me so excited about reading! Lots of love! 💖

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw I’m so happy for you on the start of your reading/classics journey! Once you start loving books there’s no stopping 😂 I’ve always been a slow reader, so there’s no shame in it! I look at it as I get to spent extra time in the world and with the characters! It can truly be a gift! Happy reading :)

[@aIparica]

@@CarolynMarieReads Wow I didn't expect to receive replies from you twice today! ☺️ Thank you for your kind words I will keep them in mind whenever I feel bad about my slow reading. You're so great and kind! 🥹💖

[@ShivMathur]

I recently started writing and finished two books which have been published. Third one is nearly finished You might consider reading them 1. Meditation and Spirituality a Philosophy 2. Spiritual Encounters

[@adamdavis6810]

Congratulations on finishing your books, Shiv! Those sound like really interesting subjects.

[@ShivMathur]

@@adamdavis6810 thanks a lot ! I guess so. It’s about understanding how our minds work and discovering higher consciousness. My third book is on the social issues or the social decay

[@thoughtsandwanders8866]

ohhh plus the latest movie / adaptation with aurora's song -- beautiful too ❤️❤️

[@aye.p]

I love The Secret Garden. I remember me reading it at 10 years old. I re-read it last year and feeling the same wholesomeness, if that's even word 🤔.Same with the Little Prince and Christmas Carol. I have A Room With a View on my TBR. Otra vuelta de cuerda, La leyenda del Jinete sin Cabeza o La Leyenda de Sleepy Hollow, El Hombre Invisible y El extraño caso de Benjamin Buttom are great and short and were huge surprises last year. Sorry for my recommendations' titles are in Spanish (hi, from Argentina). Also, for those who like vampires Carmilla is a must. Great video!!! PS: rewatching the video I wasn't sure to comment how much I dislike The Great Gatsby but, since you mention you didn't like Frankenstein, well... 😄😄😄🤗❤️

[@jamesduggan7200]

We were just chatting about Benjamin Button (somewhere else) the other day. It's a wonderful premise for a story, tho I'm not certain Fitzgerald nailed the execution. OTOH The Great Gatsby is a nearly perfect short novel, with several fully developed characters, an interesting plot containing a twisty conflict, whose resolution is succinct and brutal (to borrow a phrase from Bowles).

[@anavidreader2011]

Hi, rather random but I don’t suppose you could give me some Argentinian book recommendations? In particular classics? I’m trying to read a book from every country and don’t have one for Argentina yet :)

[@bookfantastic]

Also, that Catherine Zeta Jones version of The Haunting is a POS, to put it politely, with no relationship to the novel. The TV series is also barely related. Watch the 1963 Robert Wise version, but best not alone.

[@ginnyberg9271]

Hinds' Feet on High Places and the dream giver.

[@differentisbeautiful9415]

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren it is a Swedish children's classic

[@carolinbookland]

Your book recommendations are just ✨ chef’s kiss Also, Machado de Assis (from Brazil) has some really great short story collections and shorter novels

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

My list of favourite short classics would have to include Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain Fournier. He was killed in action during WW1 at the age of 27, so left us very little, but this atmospheric little book is enough to show what a great writer he might have become.

[@z.r.108]

I would like to recommend Lermontov's Hero of Our Time, Gogol's short stories, and Vonnegut's Bluebeard. Ethan Frome and Heart of a Dog sound really interesting, I'll add them to my to read list-thanks!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’ve read and really enjoyed Hero of Our Time, as well as The Overcoat my Gogol! Great recommendations! I’m definitely looking forward to reading Bluebeard!

[@jaimeehingerton2397]

Jane Austen’s Lady Susan is a great short classic. For those that like the Penguin Clothbound Classics collection, there is a new release that contains only Lady Susan (note this edition is not the same size as the main line). Also, Lady Susan is in both Love and Freindship [sic] and Sanditon collections of her shorter works.

[@nealpeck9037]

Carolinemarie is a great librarian.

[@jelliclesongs]

The book "The Haunting of Hill House" is quite different from the show. I don't think it's scary haha. Feel free to give it a shot!

[@MissMaupassant]

I want to reasure you in the need of reading the heart of the dog of bulgakov. But also: An unhappy girl by turguenev Gigi by Colette The imaginary mistress by Balzac The story of an unknown man by Chekov And as i am spanish i would like to recomend you the writer Emilia Pardo Bazán. I'm not quite sure if you havd the posibility of getting them translated but i highly recomend "insolation". Short lovely story regarding a high class widow who gets in love again in the xix century, despite of the society judging her on how long she should be mourning the lost husband. 👋👋👋