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Jen Robinson's Book Page

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My Personal Classic Books

The book The Little Guide to your Well-Read Life by Steve Leveen includes the concept of developing your own personal list of classics. As I see it, you own classics are the books that you expect to re-read at regular intervals for the rest of your life. This list will be unique for every individual. Here is a first pass at my list (as of January 21, 2006), which is certainly eclectic:

Adult Books:

  • Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice. My absolute favorite of the traditional classics. I find new humor in it every time I read it (I've also listened on MP3).
  • Charlotte Bronte: Jane Eyre. I read this book when I was really too young for it, but bonded with it nevertheless.
  • Georgette Heyer: Frederica and The Grand Sophy, among others. These books are Regency romances written by a master of the genre. They are also wonderful comfort books, in which you can count on things ending happily ever after, once the requisite trials have been overcome. They also have a lot of humor, once you accustom yourself to the brand of humor, similar to Jane Austen.
  • Stephen King: The Stand : Expanded Edition: For the First Time Complete and Uncut. I realize that this isn't what most people would consider a classic, but I love it, and I get the urge to re-read it every 3 or 4 years.
  • Carol O'Connell: Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels). The first book in the Mallory series. I don't normally re-read mysteries, and so they don't make it onto my classics list. The characterization in this series is so amazing, and the plots so complex, that I can read them over and over again. My favorite in the series is Stone Angel
  • Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged. This book changed the way I look at the world.
  • D. E. Stevenson: Listening Valley and Celia's House, among others. These are my comfort books, reminding me that stories can have happy endings. They are all set in England and Scotland before, during and after WWII, and are gentle family stories, and romances that end with marriage and children. These books make me want to be a better person.

Children's Books:

  • Frances Hodgson Burnett: A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. I've read these books so many times that I know many of the chapter titles by heart, but I never tire of them.
  • Lois Duncan: Down a Dark Hall
  • Elizabeth Enright: Gone-Away Lake
  • Inez Haynes Irwin: Maida's Little Shop, Maida's Little House, and Maida's Little School. I loved these books as a child, and they were the first children's books that I started to collect as an adult. I have nearly the entire series.
  • Alexander Key: The Forgotten Door. About a boy from another planet who lands in a cave near a small town. By the author of Escape to Witch Mountain.
  • Walter Macken: The Flight of the doves. About two children who run away from their abusive stepfather, across Ireland to find their grandmother.
  • L. M. Montgomery: Anne of Green Gables. I'll likely re-read the whole series at intervals, but this one is my favorite.
  • Philip Pullman: His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass). A classic trilogy that I've already read twice, despite its relatively recent publication.
  • Zilpha Keatley Snyder: The Velvet Room and The Changeling

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My Book Lists

  • 2015 #BookADay Selections
  • Baby Bookworm's 2011 Reads: Q1
  • Baby Bookworm's 2011 Reads: Q2
  • Baby Bookworm's 2011 Reads: Q3
  • Baby Bookworm's 2011 Reads: Q4
  • Baby Bookworm's 2012 Reads: Q1
  • Baby Bookworm's 2012 Reads: Q2
  • Baby Bookworm's 2012 Reads: Q3
  • Baby Bookworm's 2014 Reads
  • Baby Bookworm's 2015 Reads
  • Baby Bookworm's 2016 Reads
  • Baby Bookworm's 2017 Reads
  • Baby Bookworm's 2018 Reads: Part 1
  • Baby Bookworm's 2018 Reads: Part 2
  • Baby Bookworm's 2019 Reads
  • Baby Bookworm's 2020 Reads
  • Books About Books and Literacy
  • Books Read in 2006
  • Books Read in 2007
  • Books Read in 2008
  • Books Read in 2009
  • Books Read in 2010
  • Books Read in 2011
  • Books Read in 2012
  • Books Read in 2013
  • Books Read in 2014
  • Books Read in 2015
  • Books Read in 2016
  • Books Read in 2017
  • Books Read in 2018
  • Books Read in 2019
  • Books Read in 2020
  • Books Read in 2021
  • Cool Girls of Children's Literature
  • Futuristic, Speculative, Science Fiction and Dystopian Fiction for Young Adults
  • Index of My Reviews
  • My Personal Classic Books
  • My Review Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recommended Adult Books (Mostly Mysteries)
  • Recommended Children's Books by Age Range

Some Favorite Posts

  • My Ninja Child: Or, Why Kids Should Pursue the Activities that Bring them Joy
  • Encouraging Your Child to Like Math: Why and How
  • Growing Joyful Learners
  • On the Importance of Creative Play
  • Tips for Growing Bookworms: Series Recap
  • Giving the Gift of Literacy to New Parents
  • Personal News: Growing Our Own Bookworm
  • Outdoor Reading
  • How Can We Encourage Reading Aloud?
  • Five Favorite Fictional Rooms from Children's Literature
  • My Favorite Book
  • My 6 P's of Book Appreciation
  • Helping Kids Learn to Enjoy Reading
  • Rick Riordan Interview for WBBT
  • Jim Trelease Talk: My Notes
  • 200 Cool Girls from Children's Literature
  • 175 Cool Boys from Children's Literature
  • Read the Books that Your Children Read
  • My Personal Classic Books
  • My Mission Statement: Children Who Love Books
  • 25 Children's Books (and Series) that Adults Will Enjoy
  • Why You Should Read Children's Books as an Adult

My Recent Reads

  • King, Laurie R.: Beginnings: A Kate Martinelli novella

    King, Laurie R.: Beginnings: A Kate Martinelli novella

  • Haig, Matt: The Midnight Library: A Novel

    Haig, Matt: The Midnight Library: A Novel

  • Vengoechea, Ximena: Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection

    Vengoechea, Ximena: Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection

  • Johnson, Maureen: Nine Liars (Truly Devious)

    Johnson, Maureen: Nine Liars (Truly Devious)

My Daughter's 2020 Reads

  • Meyerhoff, Jenny: Playing Cupid: A Wish Novel

    Meyerhoff, Jenny: Playing Cupid: A Wish Novel

  • Eulberg, Elizabeth: Better Off Friends

    Eulberg, Elizabeth: Better Off Friends

  • Nelson, Suzanne: Donut Go Breaking My Heart: A Wish Novel

    Nelson, Suzanne: Donut Go Breaking My Heart: A Wish Novel

  • Nelson, Suzanne: Cake Pop Crush: A Wish Novel

    Nelson, Suzanne: Cake Pop Crush: A Wish Novel

  • Nelson, Suzanne: You're Bacon Me Crazy: A Wish Novel

    Nelson, Suzanne: You're Bacon Me Crazy: A Wish Novel

  • Sell, Chad: Doodleville

    Sell, Chad: Doodleville

  • Nelson, Suzanne: Hot Cocoa Hearts: A Wish Novel

    Nelson, Suzanne: Hot Cocoa Hearts: A Wish Novel

  • Morrison, Megan: Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel (Tyme)

    Morrison, Megan: Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel (Tyme)

  • Eliopoulos, Christopher: Cosmic Commandos

    Eliopoulos, Christopher: Cosmic Commandos

  • Colfer, Chris: A Tale of Magic...

    Colfer, Chris: A Tale of Magic...

  • Nelson, Suzanne: Shake it Off: A Wish Novel

    Nelson, Suzanne: Shake it Off: A Wish Novel

  • Mass, Wendy: 11 Birthdays: A Wish Novel

    Mass, Wendy: 11 Birthdays: A Wish Novel

Copyright Notice

  • All posts on this site are (c) 2006-2020 by Jennifer Robinson. All rights reserved. I also specifically reserve the right to delete comments made on this blog for any reason, particularly if they contain blatantly commercial or offensive language, and/or do not contribute to the discussion at hand. I reserve the right to delete promotional material included within the text of comments.

FTC Required Disclosure

  • This site is an Amazon affiliate. Purchases made through Amazon links (including linked book covers) may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

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