The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (CBR-V #49)

Cannonball Read V: Book #49/52
Published: 1925
Pages: 177

Genre: Classic

On my quest to read more classics, this one was high on the list. Mostly because it's short. It's no secret that I generally don't get into the classics very well for some reason. I usually find them extremely slow and boring. The Great Gatsby started out that way, but by the end I was pleasantly surprised.

If you don't know the plot, the story is narrated by a man named Nick who moved into a small house on Long Island, NY. He notices that his neighbor always holds elaborate parties at his mansion next door, but is rarely seen himself. Eventually Nick and his neighbor, Jay Gatsby become friends and Nick finds out that Gatsby has been in love with his cousin Daisy for years. Daisy just moved back to the area with her husband. 

It was sometimes hard to keep all the relationships and extra-marital affairs in order, but once I got into the rhythm of the book I really did enjoy it. I'm also a sucker for tragic endings and I definitely didn't see the ending of this one coming. The writing was really beautiful as well.

I'd recommend this as a starter to someone who, like me, finds it hard to get into classics. It's short, easy to read, and should have enough drama and twists to keep most people interested. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (CBR-V #5)

Cannonball Read V: Book #5/52
Published: 1813
Pages: 279
Genre: Classic 

3 stars: Good, but I probably wouldn't read again.

This book is part of my project to try and read more classics. So far, all it's doing is reminding me why I never read classics. However, Pride and Prejudice is one of those books that is a struggle to get through but you end up liking AFTER you read it. 

I knew the basic storyline because I have seen the movie with Kiera Knightley in it. I liked the movie, so I figured I might like the book even though I rarely read (or like) romance novels. Basically it's about a girl named Elizabeth and her 700 sisters (seriously, it seems like that many) and their mother who is trying to marry them off to rich guys. Their family lives out in the country in England and everyone goes wild when some new rich guy comes into town. The rich guy (Mr. Bingsley) throws a ball and ends up falling for Elizabeth's older sister. Mr. Bingsley has an even richer friend named Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is kind of an ass. 

The rest of the book is about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy alternating between hating and loving one another. Normally I would find that sort of tiresome, but I did like Elizabeth. She wasn't swooning all over Mr. Darcy because of his money and even when she found out he was interested in her, she still didn't like him. She's stubborn and outspoken and I loved her for that. I liked the the romance developed fairly naturally. Most romance movies/books these days have the main characters madly in love after a single glance. Ugh. 

Like I said, this book was much better after I finished it and had some time to digest it. It's not that long of a book but some parts felt really drawn out and unnecessary to the actual plot, so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy it as much while I was actually reading it. 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (CBR-IV #48)

Cannonball Read IV: Book #48/52
Published: 1960
Pages: 323
Genre: Classic

This book is on ALL the must-read classics lists, so I figured I should finally read it. Well...this is why I don't like to read classics. It wasn't a bad book -- in fact, it was beautifully written -- but I was just BORED for most of it. 

First of all, the plot (I actually went into this book fairly blind as to the plot. I know this book is a huge classic, but I never really knew what it was about.): It mostly follows two kids, Scout and Jem. They're a brother/sister duo in 1930s Alabama who run into some obstacles when their lawyer father, Atticus, decides to defend a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. 

My favorite thing about this book was the characters. The characters were great and well-written. I loved Scout and how she was a tomboy who wore pants instead of dresses. I loved Atticus and how he saw everyone as people instead of just a skin color. And Calpurnia, their cook, who was an important part of their family. 

I also really enjoyed the actual trial portion of the book. Even though I could guess how it was going to end, I was rooting hard for Atticus. The town's backlash against him and his children was awful to read, but his refusal to stoop to their level was nothing short of admirable. 

However, the trial portion was a fairly short part of the book that doesn't start until at least halfway in (maybe further). The first half of the book was very slow. I get they it was probably to set up characters, but nothing really happens. I was trying to figure out when some sort of plot was going to start besides the summer antics of some bored kids. 

It also took me a little while to figure all of the characters out. At first, I thought Calpurnia was Jem and Scout's step-mother. I also had a hard time remembering that Scout was the girl and Jem was the boy. They also kept referring to their father as "Atticus" rather than "Dad", so that was a little confusing at first too. But there is plenty of time to figure characters out before anything really happens.

I did like the book, even if mostly for the characters and the trial portion. Definitely worth reading at least once in your lifetime, but probably won't be heading onto my re-read list anytime soon.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (CBR-IV #45)

Cannonball Read IV: Book #45/52
Published: 1910
Pages: 331
Genre: Classic

I decided that I need to read more classic novels. I read a ton, but have barely read any of the books most people consider classics. I went with The Secret Garden as my first choice because I remember reading it when I was little and really liking it. I also liked the movie that came out sometime in the early/mid 90's. 

The premise is probably familiar to most people: Mary is a spoiled English child who lives in India with her wealthy family until she is orphaned after a plague strikes the area. She is shipped off to England to live in her uncle's gigantic mansion. I remember always wanted to have a mansion like that to explore. I kind of still do. Anyways, Mary is pretty much left on her own all day and she starts getting nosy. First, she discovers a locked garden that she is told is forbidden because it was her Aunt's, who had passed away years ago. Then she discovers that she has a cousin who is kept secret and bedridden due to a mysterious illness that he may or may not even have.

I was surprised at how much I actually remembered about this book. I was almost bored at times because I knew exactly what was going to happen next. However, the story still holds up well. Mary is unlikeable, but you can't help but feel a little sorry for her since she doesn't know any better. She grows throughout the story and I loved her stubborn interactions with her equally (or possibly more) spoiled cousin. 

Overall, it's definitely a classic that should be read at least once.