This year, I have decided not to participate in any challenge at all, I mean the book reading challenges since I was not able to complete those I entered last year and also because my father’s burial and funeral are still pending and I might be out-of-town for some stretch. With the exception of the The Classics Club which duration is five years any book read that I will review on my blog will be from my TBR pile (including books won in give-aways)
I haven’t read much at all from my Classics Club List due to obvious and not so obvious reasons and so to answer Question #6 of the Sixth Meme of the Classics Club is a bit embarrassing:
What is the best book you’ve read so far for The Classics Club — and why? (Or, if you prefer, what is your least favorite read so far for the club, and why?)
Well, so far I have read only three books as follows though I am concurrently reading three more on my list:
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Chaka The Zulu by Thomas Mofolo
- The Kite Runner by Khaleed Husseini (yet to review)
Of the three I will say that the best read so far are The Bluest Eye and The Kite Runner. It would be difficult for me to choose between these two simply because both touched me on profound levels.
I was drawn into the life of Pecola in the Bluest Eye. Maybe because I am black I could identify with the poor marginalised girl. Though I found Morrison’s writing not simple with varied point of views, the novel addresses larger issues that are still relevant today.
The Kite Runner was an eye-opener for me. I say this because the novel projected for me a beautiful Afghanistan. Through the narrator I have come to appreciate with a deeper understanding and respect, the culture, history, the people, and the heritage of Afghanistan. (since I am yet to review The Kite Runner, this would suffice for now 
PS: I promised to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in my post on the December Meme. Unfortunately, the Christmas festivities overwhelmed me and I was not able to do so. It will be nice to read it and review it later or do you think I should shelve it for 2013 Christmas? What do you say?
Yes blogging and reading and living life is hard. It use to take me a few days to read a book. Now I read a few pages until I fall asleep. So it takes me weeks to finish reading now. I think I read the Bluest Eyes. The Kite Runner I will put on my extensive reading list.
Oh Kim, The Kite Runner is a stunner. You just need to read it. It blew me
You wil love it Kim and Celestime add A Thousand Splendid Suns, for a female perspective.
Yes, Gilly, I am currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns and I keep gasping
Will review it when I am done. Add to that, I have about three or four reviews to do 
Hooray!
I’m suppose to be reading Lady Chaterlys Lover, for the book club I’m in and have yet to get it from the Library. Car problems uggghhh but I have my blog hearts here to keep my imagination exploring!
Oh Marie, Lady Chaterlay’s Lover is on my Classics List.
and I am yet to even acquire a copy. I remember way back in uni, there was a film adaptation of it and I watched it but can’t remember much. Wish you would finish it and give me some raves on it. 
I shall let you know how it is. I think it will be good reading!!
The Kite Runner is my all time favorite too … Do check out A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author
Oh Green Speck, I am reading A Thousand Splendid Suns now and all i can say is that it is a very compelling read.
Many thanks 
I can’t read much more than my Bible, I did read three of Brenda Youngermans books and VB’s Reverbations this year, and have started Alice but ya’ll have such long lists to be read, I am impressed!! Good luck .
Thanks Len. But I do wish so much I could read my Bible more often, especially with the kids
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these books. I liked Khaled Hosseni’s both books! He is from my city and The Kite Runner has some streets I visit often
My favorite is A Thousand Spendid Suns.
How wonderful, Aparna that you actually know and have visited some of the sights mentioned in the Kite Runner.
I can’t wait to finish reading A Thousand Spendid Suns, though I must admit that my reading has slowed down
Afua I have read the Bluest eye and the Kite Runner. I love the kite runner, I read it very long time ago, I prefer it to A Thousand Splendid Sun.
The way the bluest eye was written made it difficult for to get into it. Just too difficult. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed both of the books. I am so looking forward to reading your reviews.
Cheers.
I like it when you call me Afua.
I always appreciate your wonderful insight Mary. Bluest Eye was my first Morrison book and I do agree with you that her writing is not easy to follow
I am really saddened to hear about your fathers passing … I feel very blessed to have met you on wordpress and am anxiously awaiting the upcoming reviews on the classics club. I’ll be tackling the Bluest Eye next, thanks for the recommendation
Oh Parmis, I’m grateful for the sympathiy and the lovely words. I shall try and write good reviews for your sake,
Do read the Bluest Eye. I will be waiting for your thoughts on it. 
With all that goes on – I say leave it pending for 2013 Christmas Holidays. I’m sure there will be many happening between now & then to keep you going.
You are right, Rosy. I shall do so. Thanks a million
I’ve never been a fan of the classics, I was force-fed them from a very young age ….:-/
They can be a drag reading them. And I know I wouldn’t have had some fondness for the Classcics if I had not read the abridged versions as a lonely kid wanting some companionship in books.
Thanks for coming by, Linda. 
You’re welcome Celestine
BTW your ‘prize’ is finally winging its way to you.
Is that so? That is so wonderful to know.
Thanks a million, Linda 
You’re very welcome indeed Celestine
Hello Celestine, like you, I have more-or-less abandoned challenges. They made me feel guilty if I didn’t complete them, and that is really not what reading for pleasure is about. The only ones that still guide my reading a little bit are Read The Nobels and The Complete Booker, and they are open-ended ones with no deadlines or set numbers of books you must read. So I contribute so those just when the mood takes me, and I’m enjoying my reading more.
Yes, Lisa. Now that I feel less pressure I am enjoying my readings at my own pace.
It’s great to see you here again. 
I meant to say, it is especially important for you when you are grieving, that you are able to read books ‘in pleasure’, and that those you choose bring you some solace.
We know each other only in cyber-friendship, but I wish you strength and comfort for the days ahead.
Thank you so much, Lisa. Your words mean a lot to me.
Good reads to add to my collection
I agree.
I am still waiting for your reviews of “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. I read this post several weeks ago, and it prompted me to go back to “Suns” because I could only recall the killing scene and some vague details about how she got there. After I started to read it again for the general outline, I got so involved in it that I read the whole thing again. It was all familiar to me up to the death. Beyond that, I didn’t recall having read it. “Half of A Yellow Sun” is still my favorite. I was completely immersed in the characters and their lives in that one. It will stick in my head. I have to go back to “Bluest Eye”. I read it so many years ago that I have flashes of memory about it. But, I recall the darkness, hopelessness and accuracy of the portrayal. It is a thing that we don’t want to look at. Did I miss your review of it? Thanks, George
Oh George, I’ve been so bogged down lately with so many issues here and there, I’ve not been able to read any more novels let alone write any reviews. I’m doing my best to keep up
I do promise to bring you a review soon. 
Indeed, Half of a Yellow Sun is in a class of its own. Very powerful and riveting.You must have missed teh review of Bluest Eye as you said.
I hope you are doing great