Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge: May Update

For my Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge participants, I hope you don't think I'm neglecting you! I was just a tad busy that's all :)
So how's your progress so far? I have to admit I failed in reading The Tale of Two Cities and now I move on to another classic, The Adventure of Tom Sawyer. I haven't finished it yet, I'm still in page 144 when Tom and Becky were lost inside a cave. I've read it years ago and I'm glad to say I'm still enjoying this book as much as - or probably more than - before. I still love Huck more than Tom though :)
So what about you? Read any classic in the past month? You can tell me your progress in comment and link your review if you've reviewed the book.

ps: While you're here, don't forget to enter our giveaways!

Lynossa

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge: May Update

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge: March Update

So... because I lost my laptop I couldn't post February update and now it's March already so here you go, March Update for Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge.

Unfortunately I haven't finish the classic book I'm reading right now: The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. But if you finished any classic books from wordsworth classic, you can tell me about it in comment section or link your review! Good luck with the challenge!

Lynossa

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge: March Update

Wordsworth Classing Reading Challenge: January Update

January is heading toward the end, we've been in 2011 for almost a month now, and I'm able to finish two classic books. One of them unfortunately not part of Wordsworth Classic so I can't add it as my list but if you're curious, you can read my review on Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Title: Picture of Dorian Gray

Author: Oscar Wilde

Publisher: Wordsworth Classic

Rate: 3 and a half stars

"...In this country it is enough have distinction and brains for every common tongue to wag against him. And what sort of lives do these people, who pose as being moral, lead themselves? My dear fellow, you forget that we are in the native land of the hypocrite."

Picture of Dorian Gray tells a story about a very beautiful man who was gifted (or was cursed, depend on which side you're on) with eternal youthfulness. Not even one wrinkle or line landed on his face; even when he grew older he still had his boyish face. On the contrary, it was a painting of him that became older and more wicked by the time, bore the mark of every crime he committed; a girl committed suicide, a young man fell intoxicated by drug, and many more. It seems everything he touched were crumbled, while himself stayed pure and beautiful.

First time I read this story was years ago; it was abridged version and I really like it. The horror in the painting and how it changed the way Dorian thinks about himself. Now, after reading the original version, I must admit I didn't like it they way I liked it before. It was too much distractions, too much details, too much description that made me bored. I understood that some of those descriptions were necessary, but it was just too much.

However the characters were interesting. Though I didn't like them, I was fascinated by them. This kind of remind me of one scene in this book where Lord Henry lent a book to Dorian Gray, and asked about the book.

"I didn't say I liked it, Harry. I said it fascinated me. There is a great difference."

That is exactly how I feel about the characters in this book. I didn't like Dorian Gray, Lord Henry, or even Basil Hallwark. Most of them were too in love with vanity; it was boring for me. But I quite enjoyed reading Lord Henry and Dorian Gray's conversation, especially when they were joined by woman; they were charming, I got to admit that.

So, what about you? Have you read any classic book on January? You can link your review or tell me your progress in comment.

Lynossa

Wordsworth Classing Reading Challenge: January Update

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Title: Animal Farm

Author: George Orwell

Publisher: Signet Classic

Rate: 4 and a half stars

It was just after the sheep had returned, on a pleasant evening when the animals had finished work and were making their way back to the farm buildings, that the terrified neighing of a horse sounded from the yard. Startled, the animals stopped in their tracks.It was Clover's voice. She neighed again, and all the animals broke into a gallop and rushed into the yard. Then they saw what Clover had seen.
It was a pig walking on his hind legs.

Animal Farm is a heart-wrenching story about animals’ rebellion against their cruel master, only to fall into another dictator’s hand. At the beginning of their rebellion, they were equal, but after awhile, much smarter pigs taken control of the leadership. It showed how the spirit of freedom can be easily manipulated by cunning leader. It portrayed the dictatorship regime very well, how the leader holds every piece of information and change it the way he want it to make sure the citizen obey every rule he made. The animals were truly believed that they were free, even though they worked hard, but at least they are the master of themselves, they were the only free animals in entire England.

4 and a half stars is my highest rating for a book and this book deserve every star of it. It was awesome and very close to the reality despite the characters were animals. It so powerful, mind-bending, and drain your emotion at the same time. I cheered along with the animals when they manage to take over the Manor Farm, felt their joy when they harvested their hard work to feed themselves, felt their misery when their comrades were dead, and the frustration when they fall into another ‘master’. My imagination was indulged by the description; not only the characters' emotion, but also the mood, the setting and the environment.

Reading this remind me why I love classics. With all due respect to all fantastic authors out there, there are things in classic authors that seems to be missing from most of authors these days. Perhaps the influence of marketing and commercial wasn't as powerful as today, or perhaps because the life in old days were less free than today and the best way to speak of your mind was through writing.

Lynossa

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge Starts Now!

Sorry for being late! I should have started this challenge on the first day of this year but work, movies, books, and karaoke took most of my attention. Anyway, the challenge starts right now; I will post another follow-up post on the beginning of February and you can tell me your progress in comment or link your review for this challenge.

For those who want to participate, you can sign up here.
Don't forget to check our list of International Contests and Giveaways to find out the current contests & giveaways around blogsphere.

Lynossa

Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge Starts Now!

Challenge: Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge 2011!

I'm challenging myself to read more classic novels throughout year 2011. There are plenty great classic novels and it's always interesting to read how people back in the oldies lived their lives and of course all the adventures!
By the end of year I will held a giveaway special for those who participate in this challenge. The giveaway will be classic books worth $15 from Book Depository or Amazon.com, you can pick the titles yourself.

If you want to join in, here are the rules:

• You can read any classic novels which are included in list of Wordsworth Classics. You don't need to read wordsworth edition, you can pick any publisher releases as long as those releases are unabridged.
• It’s okay to re-read. You can put the book you’ve read in the past in your list as long as you’re going to read it again in 2011. Set your target and list the book you want to read along with the challenge button in your blog and fill the form. Don't forget to put the link in Mr. Linky! This way I can keep track of your progress and add you as candidate for the giveaway.
• You don't have to review those books but if you want you can link them so I can read it ^^. I will provide a follow-up blog post for that and you can link your reviews or anything related to this challenge.
  
• This is a year-long challenge (Jan 1, 2011 - Dec 23, 2011) so you can still commit to it in the middle of year 2011. All you need to do is fill the form. I will announce the giveaway winner on December 25, 2011.
•  
• UPDATE!!
  Every month I will post a follow up post for this challenge and link it here: You can link your review or progress in each follow-up post starting on February.
  January - Challenge Starts Now!
• January Update!
• March Update!
• May Update!

Grab the challenge button!

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Challenge: Wordsworth Classics Reading Challenge 2011!