I've been trying to catch up on the classics because I dropped out of high school a couple years ago and i'm trying to self educate myself as much as possible. I'm reading David copperfield now and before that i read War and Peace and I think i'm going to read 1984 next because thats one book that while even though kids were forced to read it I seem to hear mostly glowing reviews of it (even from idiots though, which kind of scares me). Does anyone know of any other "classic" suggestions that might be commonly overlooked which I should read to expand my mind?
For a quick read look up "A Rose For Emily" by William Faulkner. shit I'll even see if I can find it for you... here really really fucking awesome. Faulkner is a genius. If you've got time and want to read a good full-length book, pick up As I Lay Dying. He pretty much pioneered strange, stream of conciousness writing for guys like Kerouac and Vonnegut.
The piece of literature i live my life by, and easily one of the most famous novels of the twentieth century. The stranger/The Outsider/L'Etranger: Albert Camus. Also great to read high. READ!
dude i can not read as i lay dying hahaha try looking up young goodman brown. that shit was badassss! its by hawthorne.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen <3 They way she captures (and mocks) the manners of society back then gives her books a great sarcastic edge. Fantastic author. I always find it difficult to get into classic lit. though, so before I read P&P I actually listened to the audio book of it while painting and shit. I found it easier to read it afterwards... that's if you like to re-read your books. I do. EDIT;; although I didn't like this book, Animal Farm is a book I think everyone should read...communism..I think Lord of the Flies is on the same level. Hated it, but it's an important book.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. It's a brick of a book, took me three months, but it's sooo worth it. Just remember that all that information in the beginning will be pertinent in the end, so keep track of every character and happening. Candide by Voltaire is also a good one if you're into French literature. Much shorter, maybe two days to read if you're slow. I do recommend The Scarlett Letter. It's much better when read on your own than in a school setting. Then of course there's The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations. If you like plays and British humor, two good pauses from the big novels are The Importance of Being Earnest and Pygmalion. I also recently found a book that I don't think is a classic, but is a good one to look into. Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow. And of course, if you haven't already, The Lord of the Rings! With the Hobbit first.
lots of great books so far (sh5 is one of my favorite books!) definitely check out one flew over the cuckoo's nest, call of the wild, and fight club.
Props for self teaching. For pure literary excellence Catcher in the Rye One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich MacBeth The Shinning
This might interest you: Required Reading for Humanity: Third Edition http://www.zoklet.net/bbs/showthread.php?t=2475