Tuesday, March 22, 2011

You Can't Beat the Classics!

Goodness, it's been a while, hasn't it?

Well, the weather is warming and I can start reading outside again which means it's time to dig out some good books and when it comes to good books, you can't beat the greats. Tip to all, the most sure fire way to seem smarter is to read classic books. Remember, classic does not mean boring. Here are a few of my favorites.

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie- Every element that composes the perfect fantasy land: Indians, mermaids, fairies and pirates. Pirates always make for a good story.

And speaking of pirates...

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson- Avast ye landlubbers! Buried treasure awaits any who dare sail the seas with Jim Hawkins, but watch out for scurvy pirates.

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne- An underground sea, creatures that we never knew existed, a strange world, what really is below our feet?

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs- Lions, panthers, and apes, oh my! Tarzan's jungle world is filled with danger and intrigue. Including a certain someone named Jane.

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Eummuska Orczy- I can't talk this book up enough. Romance, adventure, blackmail. It's enough to keep any one's heart racing.

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss- A struggle for survival becomes an island paradise. At least until the pirates invade.

And if you're up for it...

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo- A hunchback touched by kindness, a gypsy trying to escape an evil plot, a priest with a plan, and a poor penniless poet caught in the middle.

There are far more classic beyond this. I have failed to include Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Alexandre Dumas, or Wilkie Collins. That doesn't mean I don't love them too. So go read some classics. They'll improve your IQ level and save you 15% on your car insurance. Well, maybe not that last one.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hooray for the classics!

And especially Peter Pan. Did you know that Peter Pan is connected to Treasure Island by way of Captain Hook and 'Barbecue'? Yes, really, it's in the book and Barrie & Stevenson were friends. :)

I've got two more books for you.

There's a novel that's based on Barrie's own idea for more Pan adventure: Click!

And then there's this great 'What if?' tale that charts a new course for them all while anchored in the core essence and themes of Barrie. But be ye warned! It's NOT for the kids. Click!

BELIEVE!