This week the topic is---Top Ten Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read
I pride myself on being a big reader of children's literature. A few years ago, I decided to try to read all the Newbery winners, and I easily did that in a year. Now I'm working on reading all the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. A bit daunting.
So I'm amending this list to make it the Top Ten Children's Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read. Here goes:
I am working on this one right now. I can't believe I've never read it. I honestly was not all that familiar with the plot.
I love the idea behind this story. Who in their childhood hasn't dreamed of living on a deserted (or almost deserted) island?!
3. Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
I'll say it like the children often say in my library when I show them a book and ask if they have read it: "No, but I saw the movie!" And, eek, that grates on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard.
As a little girl, I loved the Edgar Eager books I found in my public library. I devoured them and, when I saw that Edgar Eager attributed his brilliant writing to having read the E. Nesbit books, looked and looked for E. Nesbit around my small town. In vain, however. I must read this book.
I have a book friend who has long raved about these books. She even sent me two from the series. Have I read them? No, of course not.
I can already hear the gasps of horror from those outside the US. No, I have not read Enid Blyton. There, I've said it. I can hardly believe it myself.
Oh dear. Now I am in danger of having my children's librarian license revoked. Wait, though, I have read Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe. But only that book in the seven book series. Nothing else.
Not having read this one will get me in deep trouble here among Texas children's librarians. Let me say that I desperately want to read it. And I promise to read it soon. Is that better?
9. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
I'm afraid some are starting to throw tomatoes at me. "Children's librarian? Ha!" I can hear the snickers. But, people, let's look at the reality here. These are three separate books. And they are all BIG books. And, no, I haven't read any of them. No Jules Verne at all. Now I really feel bad. And not just because I'm covered in tomatoes.
10. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon
Whatever you do, please do not tell my mom that I have not read these two series. My mom lived on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys as a girl. I cannot believe it myself, but I have never read any of the books in the series. Eek.
Well, as you can see, I need to get busy and read some books.
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND sign Mister Linky at the bottom to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Don't worry if you can't come up with ten every time..just post what you can!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND sign Mister Linky at the bottom to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Don't worry if you can't come up with ten every time..just post what you can!
I have read the first three you've listed years back, but can't remember the details :-) Not a bad idea to revisit them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Well, I only read the Nancy Drew one so I'm bad too LOL
ReplyDeleteThe only one of these I've read is Old Yeller. I cried for days. Definitely not a book for a sensitive 8-year-old!
ReplyDeleteThe only ones on your list that I've actually read are Old Yeller and the Nancy Drew. I LOVE Old Yeller and its follow-up, Savage Sam. You've a treat in store when you get around to them.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that I finally finished The Three Musketeers. A fantastic read. I definitely see why people have been reading this book for two hundred years.
ReplyDeleteWow!! I've never read any of these either. A couple of them are in my TBR for my challenge to myself to read more classics...so I'll get a chance then.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
I absolutely LOVED the Nancy Drew series. I even had the ones with that exact cover. But those and the C. S. Lewis books are the only ones off your list that I have read.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic meme Debbie. I love it. Thanks for being so honest with us. I'd love it if you posted this on the 1001 list and we could all fess up with out own lists. I've read some of these books, but nowhere near all. I'm of course reading The Three Musketeers at the moment also (BTW I notice that you've moved onto another doorstopper!). I read most if not all of the Famous Fives, Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys books that I could get my hands on as a young kid. I've read all 21 of the Famous Five out loud to my son a few years ago. I've read a few as an adult- Five Children and it, and Prince Caspian. Shock! I didn't read Narnia as a child either. I've attempted to read it with Lachlan. I loved The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I read it first to myself, and cried and cried towards the end. I didn't like Prince Caspian as much, and we only got a little way into Voyage of the Dawn Treader before we ran out of steam. I would still like to read the whole series. I have an impression that I might have read Around the World in 80 days but can't be sure. I've bought 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but not cracked the spine as yet. I haven't read any of the others, much to my own shame.
ReplyDeleteBTW I'm watching an interview on tele right now with Aayan Hirsi Ali, and she describes reading Enid Blyton as subversive! And from their point of view they were. Quite an eye-opening view. This readers digest extract mentions the Blyton connection too.
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/an-extract-from-infidel-by-ayaan-hirsi-ali/article179185.html
My mum found the whole series of Chalet School books at a garage sale when I was little. I enjoyed them. But I think they were a little "old" for me at the time...and there were sooo many characters to remember over the course of the series!
ReplyDeleteWow...the only ones I have read are the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series! I have been thinking that I need to go back and read some classics. I was one of those kids who loved to read but didn't like being told what to read!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and following! So nice to 'meet' you! I would love to share ideas!
I'll be doing this meme, and geeze there are so many books I could put on this list because I'm so behind on reading the classics.
ReplyDeleteGasp! You're in for some delicious reading. Keep a hankie near for Old Yeller!!!
ReplyDeleteI've read a few of these, but I have never even heard of # 4, 5 and 6 :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to contribute by saying I have yet to read LOTR. Yep. I haven't read it. Yet.
ReplyDeleteI loved Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys as a child. I hope you get to them soon. I haven't read any of the other books either! :)
I don't think I've read any of those either...
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've read off that list is Prince Caspian. I give myself an out on Old Yeller though since I refuse to read books where dogs die in the end (presuming I know about it in advance).
ReplyDeleteYou must read Nancy Drew!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating with us this week!
Jamie at The Broke and the Bookish
Hee, you're not the only one who has yet to read most of those. I fear I am guilty of it too. And Einstein's Dreams is a fantastic book. I'm glad you have decided to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for all of your supportive comments. I feel better knowing I'm not the only avid reader who has not read all the great books.
ReplyDeleteNancy Drew is the only one on your list that I've read :-(
ReplyDeleteI am glad you're reading The Three Musketeers! It's one of my favorites. The Narnia series is great as well- really - I haven't read them since the beginning of high school so maybe it's time for a re-read. I hope you get to them! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting and following! You have a good list here. I loved "The Three Musketeers." It has a great mix of swashbuckling action and court intrigue. I think of it as an early James Bond novel with less guns.
ReplyDeleteIn reply to your comment on my blog, I wish I could help you figure out that writer's name. I have some guesses: Edith Wharton, Dorothy Parker, and Grace Paley. You could look at this list for further help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Writers_from_New_York_City
I'll be following you, too. Happy reading!
-Isaac
towerofstories.blogspot.com
The only book on your list I have read is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Fun list :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of those either! Well, perhaps I read the Nancy Drew - I don't have a clear memory of which ones I've read. I fully confess: I am more of a "modern classics" or "classics of tomorrow" inspired reader.
ReplyDeleteNo Nancy Drew? No Hardy Boys. Oh no! You'll love them!
ReplyDeleteIs it sad that I didn't even know that Pinocchio was a book? I learned something new today!
ReplyDeleteI never read The Chronicles of Narnia series either. I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, but the rest of them were just way too boring! But i don't feel too bad about it because I've read pretty much everything Tolkien has ever written, which I think makes up for it.
ReplyDeleteI fully admit that I have issues. One includes my inability to intentionally read a book with animals as leading characters. Especially when i know it will be doggone sad. (Okay it was a meh pun.)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I think we should schedule Old Yeller for early next year. I watched the movie for the first time about a week ago, and loved it. I had no idea what it was about. I'm keen to read the book now of course. Remind me if I don't remember when we're setting up the schedule for next year. Then we'll both be able to hold our heads high amongst Texan childrens librarians.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd love to read Old Yeller, Louise. Nothing like a good dog book.
ReplyDelete