My Top Ten Tuesdays (1)

I don't know if there's something like this out there already, if so oh well. I'm going to be trying to do this every week. Now, note, these are MY Top Ten meaning it's opinion and not everyone will agree. You're welcome to reply with your own top ten nominations for the subject if you wish. These are in no particular order.

My Top Ten: Favorite Classics (not including Harry Potter in this just so you know)

1)The Diary of Anne Frank-This is one of those books that I think everyone should read at least once. Even if you end up not neccessarily liking it. You should understand the history behind it. Especially considering that no, racism has not gone away just because Obama was elected.

2)The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgins Burnett-This was one of the first books I read on my own and I love it still. I also recomend the author's other book, A Little Princess and rec the Secret Garden movie made in the nineties with Maggie Smith and the M. Night Shamylan version of A Little Princess (this was made back when he was actually GOOD and not a total joke). Those two are the most accurate and well done book adaptations of these novels (although if you want cheesy then by all means, watch the Shirley Temple Little Princess one).

3)Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen-Before Austen I sniffed at all romance novels as a teen. I still do to some extent nowadays but that's probably because I now can't help but compare them to Austen. It's a lot to live up too, you know? But Austen is proof that romance novels can be good. I also rec all her other books.

4)The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-If I judge my romance novels against Austen, then Holmes is probably what I judge mystery novels by. Again, terribly unfair, I know. But Holmes is one of the main reasons I'm such a mystery book/tv show junkie. Yes, I am terribly excited for Sherlock Holmes 2 coming out in December (I love the Downy Jr. version, sorry purists) and if you are a Holmes fanatic you should totally check out BBCs Sherlock, a reimagining of Sherlock in present day. Let me give you a hint: Watson blogs. If that doesn't strike your fancy you'll be seeing more of these two as both are in new Hobbit movie (the guy who plays Watson is Bilbo as a matter of fact) and the guy who plays Sherlock is in Spielburg's movie version of War Horse which is already getting Oscar buzz.

5)A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens-Sappy? Yes. Do I care? No. I love this tale of redemption by Dickens. My favorite versions of Christmas Carol are the new Disney version with Jim Carrey (no really, it follows the book! Aside from that chase scene anyway) and the origional black and white one. I also am fond of Patrick Stewart's version and for sillyness Mickey's Christmas Carol and Muppet's Christmas Carol (am I the only one kind of pshyched for the Muppets movie? ;is a geek;) Other Dickens greats: Great Expectations and Oliver Twist

6)Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll-Well, duh, it's Alice. It makes no sense whatsoever yet I loved every minute of this book. Best versions of Alice: Disney's Alice in Wonderland animated film. Yes, I liked the Tim Burton film, it was not as bad as everyone was saying. I also rather liked SyFy's mini-series Alice which has a grown-up Alice going into a steampunk like Wonderland and falling in love with Hatter and helping the rebels rise up against the Queen of Hearts (fantastically played by Kathy Bates).

7)Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie-My intro to Pan was actually the book itself. My Grandmother read it to me as a kid and I still remember dying to go to Neverland and wanting to hang out with the Lost Boys (although unlike Wendy I would have told them to make their own dinner). My favorite Pan versions: Hook (this was GOOD, why do people hate on it so much?), Finding Neverland, Peter Pan (the Jason Issacs version), Peter Pan animated Disney movie. I saw an ad on SyFy last night and they are doing a movie on it similar to Tin Man and Alice and I look forward to it.

8)The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R.Tolkien-These books are just some of the ones that made me a fantasy junkie for life. If you've read it, you know why. If not, what are you waiting for?! The Hobbit comes out next year! These books are LONG. Get on it now. At the very least read The Hobbit.

9)To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee-One of the best coming of age stories ever written. All other coming of age books WISH they were this awesome. Also really recomend the old James Stewart movie version. It's one of the best book adaptions around.

10)Jane Eyre by Emily Bronte-Another romance that I tend to judge other romances by. In the debate of which Bronte book I prefer (her sister Charlotte wrote Wuthering Heights for those that don't know) it's this one all the way. Rochester and Jane I can sort of get behind (although I still have issues with Rochester). Catherine and Heathcliff? Nope, not a bit.

My next Top Ten: Top Ten YA Books