Friday 4 December 2015

Back to the Classics Challenge 2015 - Wrap-up Post


Girl Reading in a Landscape by Ada Thilen, 1896



I've just finished the Back to the Classics Challenge 2015 and read a total of 12 books from various categories throughout this year. My original list is here but I made a few changes (as I knew I would) as I went along. I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and read some books I might have passed over had I not had to include specific categories.
These are the 12 books linked to my review/thoughts on each one.


 1. A 19th Century Classic - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens


2.  A 20th Century Classic - The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie


3.  A Classic by a Woman Author - Persuasion by Jane Austen


4.  A Classic in Translation - Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert


5.  A Very Long Classic Novel - The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter


6.  A Classic Novella - The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith


7.  A Classic with a Person's Name in the Title - Adam Bede by George Eliot


8.  A Humorous or Satirical Classic - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving


9.  A Forgotten Classic - I Can Jump Puddles by Alan Marshall


10.  A Nonfiction Classic - The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis


11.  A Classic Children's Book - Bambi: a Life in the Woods by Felix Salten


12.  A Classic Play - All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare




Karen @ Books & Chocolates will be hosting another Back to Classics Challenge in 2016

13 comments:

Karen K. said...

Congratulations for finishing the challenge -- and what a great list of books! I still haven't read Adam Bede but after reading your post I'm inspired to add it to my TBR list. Thanks again for participating in the challenge!

Silvia said...

I´m drooling over your list. So many also I want to read... little by little.

I finished the challenge but I was one day late signing in the link at the original poster. But I read 12 classics (actually more than that!), the challenge was wonderful.

DeliveringGrace said...

I love the sound of this challenge. Is it running in 2016? I'm mentally putting my list together although am not sure that I would do as well as you have done.

Silvia said...

Hi, I am not Carol, but I think she'll do it next year too.

Carol said...

Yes, it is. The details should be posted soon. I've been thinking of what to read next year also. I think Karen makes some changes to the categories each year but I didn't find any problem finding books to fit. My problem was choosing which ones to skip. Look forward to seeing your list!

Carol said...

Thanks Silvia. I posted my answer just as yours came through.

Silvia said...

:) I hope to make it to the 2016. I've been stalling Karen about last year's... sigh... tee hee. Linda and I were thinking we love to read "whatever we fancy", but the fact is I love reading classics, so I don't think it would be hard to again complete the challenge. I'm always reading a classic or two, :)

Nadine said...

Thanks for sharing Carol :) I noticed a couple of your classics are books that I would be reading to my children next year, Bambi and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. When you compiled your Classics list, did you choose or include books that you read aloud or just books that you read to yourself? I am thinking I may be interested in joining in next year ;)

Carol said...

Some of them were read alouds, Nadine. We do a couple of Shakespeare plays each year so I included one of them for the challenge (listened to an audio & read the text). Also read aloud The Legend of Sleepy Hollow & I Can Jump Puddles. I'll do something similar next year & will decide when I see what categories are chosen. I think audio books may be used also & you can opt to read 6, 9 or 12 books.
I'll be interested in seeing your list if you decide to join in.

Anonymous said...

Great list of classics, Carol!
Congratulations with completing this challenge.
I see the 2016 sign up post is uploaded. I'd' like to join...but I missing a few of my favorite categories! I'll sleep on it.

Melissa said...

Wow, this is a great list Carol...congratulations! I'm looking forward to the 2016 Challenge :)

Karen K. said...

And I forgot to add how much I enjoy the artwork you include in your reviews -- just beautiful. Thanks again for signing up for the challenge.

Carol said...

Thanks Karen. Glad you enjoy them!