Back to Classics 2022

 

This is my second year participating in the Back to Classics reading challenge from Karen at Books and Chocolate. Last year, it was a great way to prioritize the remaining books on my massive list of 75 classics to read in 5 years that I started in July 2020 (see that list HERE). I read books from 9 of the 12 categories last year (see list HERE), which gave me two of the possible 3 entries for a $30 gift card. I am hoping to complete all 12 categories this year.

Here is the list of categories and my own classics I am choosing for each:

1. A 19th century classic. Any book first published from 1800 to 1899

Phantastes by George MacDonald (1858) 

2. A 20th century classic. Any book first published from 1900 to 1972. All books must have been published at least 50 years ago; the only exceptions are books which were written by 1972 and posthumously published.

Laddie: A True Blue Story  by Gene Stratton-Porter (1913)

3. A classic by a woman author.

The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1924)

4. A classic in translation.  Any book first published in a language that is not your primary language. You may read it in translation or in its original language, if you prefer. 

The Wreath (Kristin Lavransdatter #1) by Sigrid Undset (1920)

5. A classic by BIPOC author. Any book published by a non-white author.

To Sir, With Love by E.R. Braithwaite (1959)

6. Mystery/Detective/Crime Classic. It can be fiction or non-fiction (true crime). Examples include Murder on the Orient Express, Crime and Punishment, In Cold Blood.

Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie (1950)

7. A Classic Short Story Collection. Any single volume that contains at least six short stories. The book can have a single author or can be an anthology of multiple authors. 

The Complete Tales of Winne-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne (1926-1928)

8. Pre-1800 Classic. Anything written before 1800. Plays and epic poems, such as the Odyssey, are acceptable in this category. 

The Confessions of St. Augustine by Augustine of Hippo (397-400)

or

Aesop's Fables by Aesop (560)

9. A Nonfiction Classic. Travel, memoirs, and biographies are great choices for this category.

Testament of Youth (1933) by Vera Brittain

or

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria August von Trapp (1949)

10. Classic That's Been on Your TBR List the Longest. Find the classic book that's been hanging around unread the longest, and finally cross it off your list!  

Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay (1967)

11. Classic Set in a Place You'd Like to Visit. Can be real or imaginary -- Paris, Tokyo, the moon, Middle Earth, etc. It can be someplace you've never been, or someplace you'd like to visit again.

 The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson (1958)

12. Wild Card Classic. Any classic you like, any category, as long as it's at least 50 years old!

Silas Marner by George Elliot (1861)