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The Armchair BEA topic for today is general literary fiction. Many of the books that fit this category are "classics". As I said yesterday in my classic related post, I haven't read many of the classics. I've read a few Jane Austin's, I've read Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, and maybe a few others. Obviously I'm missing out on some really great books.
I love books that move me or make me think about things in a way I haven't before. So please tell me, what books have I really missed out on by not reading them. What are the "must" reads of literary fiction. Your favorites.
My favorite novel to date is "Wake" by Lisa McMann
ReplyDeleteI just read the description for "Lifeboat" and it sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chaotic. Good luck - maybe you'll win it. And thanks for sharing your favorite literary fiction novel too.
DeleteYou should definitely try L M Montgoomery's works. They're all wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteFahima @ I Read, Ergo I Write
Thanks for the recommendation!
DeleteI really like The Fault in Our Stars. In terms of classics, I love Jane Eyre :)
ReplyDeleteI ready Jane Eyre years ago, but I might have to give The Fault in Our Stars a try. Thanks!
DeleteMy favorite Literary Fiction book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I could read that again, and again!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Literary Fiction post.
Lexxie you clever duck - sneaking your post in there. I'll take a peek at it. And thanks for the rec.
DeletePride and prejudice!
ReplyDeleteI've read pride and prejudice. Not bad, but didn't float my boat.
DeleteNew and notable literary fiction that you should read: The Dinner by Hermann Koch. It is really hard to talk about without revealing too much. I can say that it will make you think and may even make you feel uncomfortable about what you are thinking.
ReplyDeleteOh now I'm intrigued! Good job.
DeleteOne my favorites is The Alchemist. I absolutely loved it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are the second vote for The Alchemist. Hmmmmm. Might be something to that.
DeleteMy favorite Literary Fiction is 'The Truth About Forever' by Sarah Dessen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting... :)
DeleteMy favorite is Pride and Prejudice! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat is 2 votes for P&P.
DeleteThat's a hard question :)! I will go with Pride and Prejudice!
ReplyDeletecandc320@gmail.com
Make that 3 votes for P&P. :)
DeleteFavorite classic is currently The Count of Monte Cristo. For a more recent literary novel, I liked The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
ReplyDeleteI read The Lovely Bones a few years ago. So sad, but I did enjoy it. I've never read the Count. Food for thought.
DeleteMy favorite classic novel is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
ReplyDeleteHow timely with the movie just released. I've heard there are many rereading this now.
DeleteI love all of John Green's books and my fave classic literature would have to be The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery!
ReplyDeleteI may have to check those out. Thanks.
DeleteI don't read many classics either. Try the Kite Runner, its an amazing book that explores human nature in the instance of redemption. Thanks for the great Giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot about The Kite Runner and it is on my to-read list - my only problem is I'm avoiding it because I hate reading things that will leave me feeling sad. But if there is redemption maybe I can do it.
DeleteMy favourite literary fiction novel is 1984 by George Orwell. In terms of classics, I guess I'd have to pick Wuthering Heights. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI read Wuthering Heights many, many years ago, but 1984 is one I've not gotten around to. Thanks for sharing. And you're welcome. Good luck.
DeleteMy favorite is The Book Thief. Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I'm your friendly ABEA cheerleader for tonight. I like literary fiction, see the books I awarded the Thanks for Changing My Life Awards on my ABEA post today.
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about The Book Thief but have not gotten around to that one yet. Thanks.
DeleteI guess my trouble with today's post topic is that I've always been unclear on what exactly literary fiction is defined as. Is it just books that we think go above and beyond in terms of character development and extraordinary situations? I have an English degree and I struggle with this. In any case, I'd say most of the classics would but put in this category, but a book I just read that I think could qualify is Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Monica. I suspect Literary fiction just defies being categorized as any other genre. I've read something by JoJo Moyes before, but not that one. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
DeleteEmma - I love it! I have to many!
ReplyDeleteAnother Austen fan. Love it!
DeleteAlice in Wonderland! Love the book.
ReplyDeleteI guess that does qualify but for some reason I would categorize that as children's lit rather than literary fiction. Hmmm. Thanks Erica.
Deletemy favourite is probably the Great Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings up the question - how do you feel about the movie coming out?
DeleteIn literary fiction, I'd recommend books by Barbara Kingsolver, Brunonia Barry, Alice Walker, Nicole Krauss, Peter Mayle, Fannie Flagg, and Amy Tan.
ReplyDeleteLove Fried Green Tomatoes, but hated the Poisonwood Bible. Thanks for the recs.
DeleteI think my favorite is Atonement by Ian McEwan :D
ReplyDeleteDee @ Dee's Reads
Oh now that is one that is just so depressing. How can you read something that leaves you feeling so bleak?
DeleteI don't have a favorite really. Perhaps The Kite Runner. I struggled with the literary fiction post. http://madhoydenish.blogspot.com/2013/05/armchair-bea-genre-post-literary-fiction.html
ReplyDeleteHave you read Bram Stoker's Dracula? http://madhoydenish.blogspot.com/2013/05/armchair-bea-classic-literature-pt-1.html
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I have not read Bram Stoker's Dracula and I do handle horror much better as a book than a movie. I might have to put that one on my classics list. Thanks.
DeleteIt's hard for me to pick a favorite. While I don't read a ton of literary fiction, I've definitely read some great ones. Great ones like Memoirs of a Geisha, Water for Elephants, and The Kite Runner.
ReplyDeleteAll of which have been made into movies. How do you feel about that Stephanie? Do the movies do the books justice? Thanks for commenting.
DeleteThe Great Lenore by J.M. Tohline.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Oh - I haven't heard of that one! Thanks! :)
DeletePersuasion by Jane Austen. Thank you for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteAusten wins again. Thanks.
DeleteI haven't read much literary fiction, and I didn't like most of what I have read. I've read a few over the past few years that I hadn't read before and I can't really see why they're "classics". I suppose I'm mixing things up. I don't read current literary fiction because it's usually depressing. I read to escape. I haven't been impressed by the "classic" literary fiction I've read. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong books.
ReplyDeleteI too have trouble reading books that can be depressing. I generally like things that don't leave me feeling like my best friend just died. :(
DeleteHmm I have a few but I would say a more modern literary story: Prep by: Curtis Sittenfeld.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of that one either. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
DeleteThank you so much for all the entries - this giveaway has been such a blast and there have been so many great book recommendations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to lucky winner Marissa!
Prizes have been sent. I have another international giveaway coming up soon with some great prizes. Stay tuned.