Anna Karenina was a book that I was really looking forward to reading, but I knew it was going to be a challenge for me to get through. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it as much as I did. I really enjoyed how Tolstoy wrote the thoughts and feelings of his many different characters. I understood why they were making the decisions they were making even when I didn’t agree with them. (I probably wouldn’t have picked this book to read if Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls didn’t mention it in her graduation speech.) I’ve never considered myself a reader. Actually, no one consider me a reader. I read the Harry Potter series but, that was it. So, I decided it was time to read some books. I’ve compiled a list of books from different lists online. I’m excited about some of them. There are a couple that I don’t think I will enjoy but I feel like I should read them. Here is my list! I would love to hear your thoughts on the ones I’ve read!
Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carol
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
On The Road – Jack Kerouac
Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret – Judy Blume
Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis
Bleak House – Charles Dickens
Chocolat – Joanne Harris
The two crossed out are the two that I finished! I started The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe last night!
Polka Dots & Candy 
It’s not on there but you might like ” A year on ladybug farm”. I’m not much a reader either but I tore through that book.
I will look it up! Thanks!
These are all lovely books Amanda! Should you decide you want to read all of Narnia (which of course I recommend <3) I happen to have acquired the radio theatre version of all of the books that I would be more than willing to loan to you!
India, that would be wonderful! I started the Magician’s Nephew today and I’m enjoying it!
I also read both “The L, W, and the Wardrobe” and “Anna K,” in the past year or so. I liked “The L, W, and the Wardrobe” but not as much as the Wrinkle in Time series or Harry Potter. I know that’s almost blasphemous, but it’s true. I don’t know if I enjoyed “Anna K.”, but I’m glad I read it. One classic I read for the first time recently and really enjoyed was “Jane Eyre”. If you haven’t read them, I think you might really like “Little Women” and “Anne of Green Gables”. I know they’re “kids” books, but they are two of my all-time favorites.
I agree with you on Harry Potter over The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. But, I saw the movie before I read the book and the movie was almost exactly like the book. I was told that I shouldn’t read The Chronicals of Narnia as my first CS Lewis. But, I didn’t know where else to start. I have read The first three books in it and I really liked The Horse and His Boy but Prince Caspian wasn’t incredible. I think Jack would like them if I read them to him. I LOVED “Anna K.” Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables are going on my next list!