Penguin Classics Collection 🧡

I'm back with another episode in my bookshelf tour series! Today is dedicated to my entire Penguin Classics collection...which I love!!!
Hi friends!
I hope you're having a wonderful day!
I'm here to show you every Penguin Classic book I own, and if I think you should collect them! (spoiler alert: YES, I definitely think you should)
I'd love to know which of these books you think I should prioritize, and if you prefer these or another edition of classics! I'd love to hear from you :)
Sending you my very best wishes,
Carolyn Marie :)
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Carolyn Castagna
P. O. Box 773
Greenlawn NY 11740
United States
**Please don't feel like you need to send me anything, but if you'd like to I would be honored!!!** :)
***About me -
I'm a freelance illustrator and writer who recently graduated from college at the Fashion Institute of Technology with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration with a minor in English/Writing.
My greatest passion in life is combining my love of illustrating, writing, and reading!
#booktube #bookshelftour #classicbooks

[@sausana2501]

The brothers Karmazov is another level of greatness! You must make time for it and read it soon. Preferably in winter. Long books always feel like winter or fall books to me

[@aarondavis9438]

Haha that’s perfect- I just started it and I’m pretty sure it’ll take me all winter

[@user-wl5td5sm9w]

Нам в России буквально пихают их в горло, а потом мы терпеть не можем нашу русскую литературу

[@dggjr1759]

Which translation is better: Peaver or McDuff, or someone else???

[@sausana2501]

@@dggjr1759 Unfortunately I don’t know. I read it in Arabic. But a good way to decide which translation is right for you is to read the first few pages of both and see which flows better for you. Hopefully someone else will give you a recommendation ✨

[@TerryStewart32]

@@dggjr1759definitely Peaver

[@muskssss]

Book mentioned: - A study in Scarlett - The lady of the Camellias - Martin Chuzzlewit - Bel - Ami - Uncle Tom's Cabin - The Woman in White - Metamorphoses - Ovid - Don Quixote - The Count of Monte Cristo - Madame Bowary - Wutherin Heights - Pride and Prejudice - Hamlet - The Blacker the Berry - Passing - Nella Larson - The marquise of o - and other stories - The Decameron - The curious case of benjamin button - The moon is down - Ethan Frome - The old curiosity shop - Oliver twist - Great Expectations - The mystery of Edwin Drood - Great Expectations - Thomas Hardy - Selected Poems - The Pickwick papers - Evelina - Peer Gynt and Brand - The sorrows of young werther - The Letters of vincent van Gogh - Cavalleria Rusticana and other stories - The book of disquiet - Therese Raquin - All my sons - Death of a salesman - Twelve Angry Men - Once there was a war - Maurice - Aspects of the novel - The longest journey - A passage to India - The epic of Gilgamesh - The three theban plays - We have always lived in the castle - The crucible - Lolita - Perfume - the story of a murderer - a confederacy of dunces - Swann's way - Alone in Berlin - On the road - Brideshead revisited - The grapes of wrath - Anna Karenina - The cossacks and other stories - The death of Ivan ilych and other stories - Childhood, boyhood, youth - Plays - Anton Chekhov - The Brothers Karamazov - Poor folks and other stories

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you for this! :)

[@27aritrasinhaxb63]

I can see that you've only recommended the first book in the In Search of Lost Time . I think you should've recommended the whole ouvre of Marcel Proust

[@kakashihatake1008]

Thank you so much ❤

[@RocketRoketto]

Wish I would of seen this before I skimped through the video.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@CarolynMarieReads The Woman in White is arguably W.K's greatest Novel. But I would recommend "The Dead Secret" as a 1st Wilkie Collins Novel to Read. It's only about 360 Pages and it's very good.

[@CS-rh2ce]

The Count of Monte Cristo is well worth it you should just hop right into it, one of the most digestible classics I have ever read. Kept my interest the whole 1000+ pages and I blew through it, one of my all time favorites.

[@nerd26373]

Your Penguin Classics collection look so cool. Seems like they're all taken care of.

[@SpaceDyeDream]

"Taken care of" is not how I would describe a book that has never been read, which most of these were at the time of upload.

[@louisecassan4063]

Ibsen 's Doll's House is absolutely beautiful and so inspiring

[@daniellesarah_]

Don’t be daunted by Sophocles - it’s amazing - so easy to read

[@SnarkyWordsworthReads]

I just wanted to say that this is one of the videos that's prompted me to start collecting classics again after 20+ years. You talk so enthusiastically about each of the editions, and it's easy to see how much the authors' works mean to you. Thanks so much for the continued inspiration!

[@LexieMoon321]

The Penguin Classics are my personal favorites! I am always trying to find different ones in bookstores and even in second-hand shops! My advice is looking on different second-hand book websites and also looking in thrift stores! The first Penguin Classic I ever bought was The Iliad by Homer!

[@joshuamatthew2897]

Im a new reader. Yesterday i went to a library. I looked for a book that i wanted to buy. I found it but it was completely different from the one i saw on pinterest and insta.. from the cover to the size of the book... like it's completely different. Like i don't understand why there are many covers and sizes... of a same book is it publishers or whatever?? Like I'm confused is it a different edition or a different publisher oe what i don't understand and how can i buy (and know) the real original first version of a book.??

[@Ayat78]

What is the difference between penguin classics and Wordsworth classics ? Wordsworth tend to be cheaper ….

[@jamespotts8197]

I as well am intensely passionate about the Penguin collection. Also, I always look to see who's painting is displayed upon the cover, so in that manner we share the same fondness. Thank you for this episode.

[@jeremiahbok9028]

Absolutely lovely. I was happy to see Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh in your modern classics. That's my favorite book. I suppose it is a slow burn, but I adored it all the way through. It's so thoughtful, so fun, and so thoroughly British! And then it gets so flipping sad. I'm so glad you think it's wonderful as well.

[@danasmith7286]

I agree 100% on the older penguin vs the current style. I bought all the dickens in the black spines with the ink pictures, and even amongst them I have some that are the older style and some that are the newer style and it drives me crazy.

[@sho3413]

About Ibsen: A Doll's House is a good place to start (if you don't mind reading plays)! Loved to look through this part of your book collection!

[@jamesduggan7200]

Yes, A Doll's House is very important, even if you're a woman. I read that play as a teenager, during they 1970s, and a few years later a good friend of mine took me to a production of it at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Of course I haven't retained all of it but I have retained a surprising portion of it.

[@Marylluvia92]

Start with Zola with Therese Raquin, 100% you're gonna love it!

[@HidingBehindThePages]

Totally agree with you. The older Penguin is much better than the new ones. Love your channel

[@rosaabranca]

The book of Disquiet! Lovely to see Portuguese literature on your channel 😍

[@unrealnikki]

So glad that I will be ending my Friday night watching this. Thanks for sharing this with us, Carolyn. Greetings from the Philippines. 🥰

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw thank you for being so lovely and kind! Sending love from New York to the Philippines 😄

[@rubyyu5912]

Thank you for making the bookshelf tour series I love it so much. Looking forward to your everyman's library collection!

[@RRScott-uz1lg]

Great to see you again! Thank you for posting.

[@Tams1978]

I’m almost on chapter 33 of The Count of Monte Cristo and I’m enjoying it! I’m also reading In Search of Lost Time. 😊

[@__rishikasingh]

My eyes my eyes ! 🤯😍 What an amazing collection!!!!

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

Just what I needed this Friday! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! 🍁🥰

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw I’m so glad! Thank you, I hope you had a great thanksgiving as well! 🧡

[@wastwa8043]

Such a wonderful collection, thank you for showing it! I really enjoyed the book Lolita.

[@clarafelix8159]

I love the penguin classics books! Beautiful covers, comfortable reading, good translations and they look nice on the shelves. And finally, they are affordable. Chef's kiss 😘🤌

[@smoothielover07]

Ahhh! I have been hoping that you would film this! Thank you Carolyn!! My favorite editions!

[@wccziberri7713]

i wish i could have these kind of collection

[@venusrose1798]

I'm so glad you compared the penguin and oxford editions as that was going to be my first question! I definitely prefer the black spines over white, but the oxford edition of War and Peace has a beautiful cover that draws me back to it every time 😩

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

I highly recommend to check the kindle samples of both Penguin and Oxford editions of any book you're planning to buy just to see which one seems like a better option. In my experience Oxford tends to fare better than Penguin regarding the extra contents

[@joshuamatthew2897]

Im a new reader. Yesterday i went to a library. I looked for a book that i wanted to buy. I found it but it was completely different from the one i saw on pinterest and insta.. from the cover to the size of the book... like it's completely different. Like i don't understand why there are many covers and sizes... of a same book is it publishers or whatever?? Like I'm confused is it a different edition or a different publisher oe what i don't understand and how can i buy (and know) the real original first version of a book.??

[@joshuamatthew2897]

I want to learn all about editions covers publishers og books pirated books hardcovers vs paperbacks .. newyork times best seller?? And what are classics or novels and stuff

[@hectorrobertocontrerasmiranda]

@@joshuamatthew2897 you are getting into very muddy waters with that last question. If you're looking at NEW releases you're pretty much guaranteed an "original first version of a book" with the following caveats: the title wasn't picked up by the publisher after gaining traction as a fanfic because then it was most likely modified in some way before official publishing; you pre-ordered it, because otherwise you run the risk of getting a subsequent printing depending on how popular it turns out to be and while the book will be IDENTICAL in any meaningful way you won't get a "first printing" which is usually the most valuable edition of a book; and finally you need to get the edition from the country in which it was first published since there may be slight differences between the editions depending on the market, including WHO is the publisher (while they can be published globally by the same "Publishing House" this is not guaranteed and even if they are the "Imprint", a specialized brand name within the publishing house, may not be the same. After this your mostly looking at Special Editions without any meaningful change to the text and your main worry should be which one do you like more If your looking at older books things get more complicated, the copyright holders could have change and particular introductions or forewords might not be available anymore unless you're willing to hunt for them in the second hand market, but again, the main text should pretty much be IDENTICAL to the original text as first published barring typos, punctuations. And in works published during the last century one can occasionally find the authors coming back to rework the original text by making more substantial changes or publishers reintegrating parts that were previously censored (see the American editions of Philip Pullman's "The Amber Spyglass"). Reputable Publishers will usually mention any such changes somewhere in the book. And finally if you're looking at works published over a century ago and already on the public domain and are still aiming for the "real original first version of a book" you really have to research info on every title you´re interested in because all that I just mentioned is 10 times more relevant. Between the manuscript and the book as published today A LOT did happen! Maybe the book was first published in installments on some periodical and was then revised before being turned into a book, maybe it was being published as both at the same time and the story and structure changes a little in each (see "Lady Audley's Secret"), maybe it was published as a book but the typos and punctuation changes were too many and it took 3 editions before the "definitive" text was settled on by the author, or maybe after those 3 editions the author decides to go back and rework the text 25 years later to make the heroine less likable and while that version of the text doesn't stick on the original language that become the standard version used for translation in other languages (see Alexandre Dumas fils "La Dame aux Camélias "), or maybe the author was fine with her work but her bitter sister approves of a censored edition to make the characters more likeable after the author dies and then that also becomes the standard edition of the text for decades, and the one that gets international fame before being restored although the damage on the international markets will still linger for another 2 centuries (see Anne Brontë's "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall"). And while some of those titles are usually available as digitized copies online as they first appeared in print, if you´re lucky you might even find the manuscript, fair copies or first editions corrected and annotated by the author you're still never guaranteed the "real original first version of a book". My advice: stick to Oxford World's Classics editions of older books because the do have information about changes done to the text, the Penguin Classics with the black spines are a close second (the Kindle samples of both ARE your friends, do not overlooked them) and then go to the fancy annotated versions which tend to be more expensive. And for newer books, unless you are looking at these more as a collector than a reader, don't overthink it, get the edition you like best, the text should be the same (unless they say "abridged", then it does mean that is a condensed version of the text and that parts of it that don't actually affect the plot have been removed)

[@cherrylady1999]

I was craving a video like this, thanks so much Carolyn!

[@denisefreitas6727]

I love this collection of Penguin Black spine classics! You made my day, Carolyn! 💖📚✨

[@LadyMarianArt]

The Woman in White has one of the best villains I've ever read, and also has one of the best supporting female characters! I choose my nickname because of her. The protagonists are a bit lame but those two characters trully worth the reading. And the mystery keeps you engaged. I would love to know your thoughts on this novel when you decide to read it.

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

no matter how I'm feeling Carolyn's videos always put everything into a relaxing mood, and this was no exception! you're welcome for on the road btw, hope everything's going good for you Carolyn!

[@aye.p]

Hi! Don't worry about the length of The Count of Montecristo. I was afraid too but it is really fast paced. Loved it. ❤️

[@hmm6411]

The lighting complements you and acts as a supporting character. Instead of warning us about it, welcome it and the depth it adds!

[@guadalupevillarruel4455]

Your colection is beautiful!! Congratulations and thank you ❤

[@amber8206]

Evelina is one of my favourites! Very similar vibes to Jane Austen, definitely think you would enjoy it ❤

[@neo1559]

Definitely prioritise ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’ by Goethe - it is a masterpiece; incredibly beautiful and poignant.

[@Idreamofmelodies]

You should get and read the bell jar ! It’s my favorite book

[@jc_bmkk]

They all look beautiful together! Classics are a must collection for me.Your hair looks gorgeous. I hope you have a great day!

[@cynthianixon8229]

I also love Penguin classics and I have several of them. The editions are wonderful and their explanatory notes are second to none. This is so helpful when encountering historical facts or references with which I am not familiar, or when the author uses certain slang and colloquial phrases and language.

[@layneseaman]

Thankful for you and your soothing voice 😌💛

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw thankful for your kind words! 😄

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

I feel we all dislike the new Penguin Black Spines 😅. I love these bookshelf tours!

[@zardex]

True true.

[@lilo_7685]

anna karenina LOVE!! I love how you went through every book with enthusiasm :) so excited to see more !

[@michaelpeeples1126]

I love well worn books --- you can tell that they were well loved.

[@pstardancermishra8516]

One day i will read all of them

[@kimbarbeaureads]

I only have one black spine, Sense and Sensibility. I love a well worn paperback. I may have one from every publisher. Lol

[@vitellinova]

The collection that all we want

[@sweetestaphrodite]

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!! 💓

[@arianna4244]

Yes Italian Literature!! If you like fantasy-esque type of stories I'd recommend "Invisible Cities" by Calvino. They make us read it in highschool because it's really short and easy. A great book to start :)

[@gl4621]

So fun to watch this! I love watching book collection videos. I started collecting the Everymans Library books. They are acid free and have beautiful covers. However I think I do enjoy the feel of a paperback so I would like to have the Penguin Black spine versions as they are easier to hold and read. Always love your videos!

[@DianneOliver]

Bel Ami is fantastic.

[@mumoftwoboysjoshjames4100]

Your videos bring me so much joy ❤📚📖

[@jay_poet]

I'm obsessed with the Penguin Modern Classics. I've started collecting them too and so far all of the novels have been excellent. The Grapes of Wrath, Alone in Berlin, and Swann's Way are on my 2023 'hopefuls' list. Steinbeck is my favourite author so I'm planning to read a lot more of his work next year.

[@GRWelsh7]

Nice collection. One of my life goals is to read all of the classics of literature.

[@ShiningKnight]

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea is a good read.

[@cassiopeiathew7406]

I want to say that The Tale of Genji, to my knowledge, holds the title of first novel. It precedes Don Quixote by about 600 years and Murasaki Shikibu is just great.

[@sarahmu2626]

amazing collection! i'm more of an oxford classic girl myself but i hope mine gets as big as yours one day 😍

[@WhiteRaven43]

Sherlock Holmes is so wonderful to read. I remember being entertained all the way through when I read all the stories a few years ago.

[@elisaslibrary]

I'm french so I had to read Thérèse Raquin by Zola for school and I really enjoyed it! From what I remember it's a pretty odd book about guilt and the human nature and what probably kickstarted my love for "weird" books.

[@mariacamellabarruela3404]

need/want to have that collection!!!!!! ASAP!😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@sorialitterreair]

Thérèse Raquin is a really good start to discover Zola. He is my favorite author.

[@Warrenross613]

Thank you for sharing your collection. A worthy addition is the Mark Musa Portable Dante edition of the Divine Comedy.

[@HesstonandTandem]

Loved this video! 🥰 I collected all the paper mill press classics, as well as all the Arcturus classics. I don't see many of the penguin editions but have bought a few at the thrift

[@NomNomGohan]

East of Eden is in my top 3 favorites!! Steinbeck is a treat, you'll love him!! Super evocative, amazingly fleshed out characters.

[@lancemcmillan6086]

That’s my favorite book but I just started reading. What are your other two?

[@justinwalsh4368]

Therese Raquin by Emile Zola is an excellent book to start with because it’s considered his first novel aside from his short stories. It’s also excellent because it was way ahead of its time, you’ll see why. It was published in 1867. After you read that, Germinal by Zola is a great way to start to get into his work. Whats Interesting about Zola is that he wrote a 20 novel series called the Rougon Marquart Cycle where all of the novels have the same characters drifting through them, over 300 of them. It cover the period of the Second French Empire from 1851-1870. He was inspired by Balzac’s The Human Comedy. Instead of trying to write about every aspect of French Society, Culture, Philosophy, Zola focused on two sides of a family, the aristocratic Rougons and the lower class Maquarts. I think you’ll really enjoy Zola.

[@taylahslibrary]

I'm the same - I have been collecting the Penguin Black Spines for a while now and definitely prefer the one with the author in orange text (the older version).

[@CherryBlossomXX93]

Hey! If you want to get into Ibsen's work, I would recommend starting with Hedda Gabler and A Dolls House. I read both for my English lit course at uni and I loved them!

[@maries2768]

All my sons is my favorite Miller. As for Ibsen, I really liked the Doll's house

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

I ❤ Penguin Classics! And such a broad range of selections (moreso than Oxford World's Classics, which I love also).

[@mellow-jello]

Carolyn Marie, I got to know a bookstore legend in Toronto, Terence, whom read ALL Penguin editions by the end of his 30s. Iho, they are a few jewels, and formatted decently, but not the best of the best. Folio editions are more authoritative. Best if you borrow some from the library before purchasing them.

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

I just got my copy of Virginia Woolf's Flush, I loved your recommendation, I got it in the Penguin Little Black Classics edition. So cute. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for inspiring me to go beyond the classics I usually read.🐶

[@bigphilly7345]

I love these editions. Nice collection.

[@doowopshopgal]

Yay! Now I’m happy!!!!

[@ba-gg6jo]

Quite a variety. I have a few but I mainly have the orange spine Non-fiction variety. Thanks for the vlog.

[@efluvial]

Loved the woman in white! Recommend! I collect the older pan macmillans. They used to be a Barnes and noble brand.

[@lenoraberendt750]

I’ve always enjoyed Henrik Ibsen’s works. I would suggest ‘A Doll’s House’ to begin your Ibsen adventure.

[@climatedeniersbelonginasyl4191]

Wow what a comprehensive collection

[@alyssaguevarra8687]

Yeeeeey! A new video❤️❤️❤️

[@maddies8867]

The Count of Monte Cristo only took me just over a month to read. If you’re daunted by the size I would recommend reading it along side the audiobook

[@asmaqais6713]

I loved All my sons by Arthur Miller so much it's my favorite play ♥

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Looking forward to seeing this amazing and fantastic video as I no that these books are amazing 😉 love you and your amazing channel prayers and thoughts for you and your family love your family friend John ❤❤❤❤

[@13monther19]

Don Quixote is the Bain of my existence. I read it/parts of it in Spanish , I couldn’t finish it

[@oliviaest]

Carolyn - if you want an Ibsen work to start off with, I definitely recommend A Doll’s House! It’s tons of fun to read into the subtext of it, I think you’ll enjoy it 😊

[@ellarose8696]

The count of monte cristo was released in small snippets at a time, so I kind of read it with that mentality over a year (much less daunting!) I cannot recommend it more! It also holds very fond memories when you read it like that because you tie it in with so many memories of what you were doing when you picked it up!

[@anneasai9738]

Au Bonheur des Dames (The Ladies Paradise/The Ladies' Delight) by Émile Zola is my favourite book, so I definitely recommend reading it!

[@wickedmusicalmad]

Love your vids - so chill and interesting - The Stephen fry reading of the Sherlock Holmes series is amazing! - highly recommend when you get around to Holmes

[@maninironmask7925]

I was wondering if Arthur Millers plays would be as good as The Crucible, that play is a masterpiece.

[@_maack]

Émile Zola's Nana was the first book I ever read for uni, so to this day it holds a special place in my heart. It's the only Zola I've read but it felt like a good place to start :)

[@katiecook6006]

I had to read a bunch of Ibsen in college. My favorites were: A Doll House, Peer Gynt, Hedda Gabler, and Ghosts. You have to enjoy reading scripts to get much out of them but they're very affecting if you do.

[@bethanylaurenreads]

I smiled through this whole video.

[@paulcaskey]

Quite a collection. Thanks for sharing.

[@gunoe4948]

I've been going through a bit of a reading slump for the past month, starting books and not being able to finish them. Hearing you praise Anna Karenina in two of your recent videos, I finally caved and started it today. I'm already 100+ pages in, and cannot thank you enough for the recommendation! Cheers from France ✨✨ PS: I'm definitely a Penguin gal too; the black editions are my absolutely favorite! Something about the cover design and the texture of the paper..

[@brittanyallemanayers3447]

I read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins for one of my university classes, and it became a surprise favorite. Can't wait for you to read it!

[@MartinDSmith]

One of those authors had a truly wonderful father who met an incredible musical personality on his travels in Italy.They are all lovely books and I do hope to read some of them,as I hope you'll give Martin Chuzzlewit another go!😁💝

[@ill-2734]

Ohhh Peer Gynt is amazing!! Also there is a balley based on it with beautiful music!!

[@brianchristensen366]

I love your collection (and how much you love them)! I personally love Peer Gynt, but wouldn't say it is even close to Ibsen's best work. I recommend you start with one or two of Ibsen's better known works such as Hedda Gabler or A Doll's House instead. I fell in love with Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite" which is probably my favorite classical music and is based on old Norwegian folk tunes, so ultimately had to read Ibsen's play which it was intended to accompany. Now when I read it I also hear Grieg's music in my head.

[@patsmith9192]

Woman in White and Count of Monte Cristo are two of my all time favourites!!

[@kyleyoung3446]

I have read Alone in Berlin, and have that same copy. I really enjoyed it. I'm a fairly slow reader, but that book read quick for me, couple of weeks. The pace I thought was excellent. Vibrant characters. It is a little dour and depressing, but oddly hopeful too, in that an individual can make a difference.

[@zinaberger8211]

I love ur black penguin edition

[@hope4565]

I highly recommend prioritizing reading The Woman in White!!! It is one of my favorite books ever!!! Evelina is on my TBR. I know that Jane Austen got a lot of inspiration from that book, and even copied exact lines out of it that we now like to quote from Austen’s books. I think it should be a very interesting read. Thanks for the video!

[@MrUndersolo]

I have my Penguins divided up into orange, black and green spines, too. Last black spine I read was Boccacio's "The Decameron", perfect for the Covid Era. Great run-down here, and obviously...new sub!

[@NathaliaZ]

Omg!! You will definetely love The Count of Monte Cristo!!