Favorite Books-Classic Literature

I'm an avid reader. I think most English teachers probably are. I don't think a single day goes by that I'm not reading at least one book. I'm a big re-reader, too. I mean, if it's good once, it's gotta be good a second time. And a third. And...yeah, I'm a BIG re-reader.

Now, as an English teacher I should probably be ashamed of what I am about to say, but here it is. I don't really love many pieces of literature considered "classic" literature. And there are several classics that I have never read that most English teachers have read and loved. Books like The Scarlet Letter, The Grapes of Wrath, The Sun Also Rises, and...yikes...To Kill a Mockingbird.

I know, I know. I should be ashamed. In my defense, however, there are a few classic that I adore. Here are my top ten, in no particular order.

1.  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas-Love it, love it, love it. Best book on getting revenge EVER!
2.  The Lord of the Flies by William Golding-Most fun I have ever had teaching literature was with this book
3.  Great Expectations by Charles Dickens-Hated teaching it but loved reading it. When I taught it, I called it Great Explanations. lol!
4.  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain-What's not to love? Boy, raft, river
5.  The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (any Shakespeare, really)-Best speech ever: "The quality of mercy is not strained..."
6.  Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte-That red room still gives me chills.
7.  Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte-Heathcliffe is the man. Yum!
8.  1984 by George Orwell-Scary realistic
9.  Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut-There was a time I devoured everything Vonnegut wrote.
10. A Prayer for Owen Meaney by John Irving-I struggled to finish this book but the end slayed me.

So there you have it. I hope I don't get kicked out of the English Teacher's Club. But I should get points for honesty, right? And Mockingbird is on my list. Not the others, though. Ugh!