I read the "Anne" series for fun. That's about all I can remember. I suppose I had exposure to a lot of classic stories through their movie versions though. But the book is almost always superior to the movie (Mary Poppins is a BIG exception to that rule!)
That's O.K. I'm not bitter about it or anything. I have a whole lifetime to learn and read all there is to learn. Now that I am grown and read to my children a lot, I am discovering a lot of great books. Ever since my oldest was a baby I have requested "best books" lists from librarians. I quickly discovered that the lists can be very subjective, and that someone else's idea of a classic is not necessarily my own.
Not all "classics" are created equal. Many are violent, sexual, scary, you name it. How they got that prized description of "classic" I do not understand. Many classics are read by people too young to understand their messages and symbolism, and many don't need to be read at all.
Even very recently, I found that some of the books on a book list that I respected are trash. Yes, there may be some good messages mixed in with the trash, but I don't need to go wading through trash to get to the good stuff, and neither do my kids.
So I have been wondering, whose list can I trust? My oldest son reads a lot more than I do, he has more time for it. I simply can't read every book before he reads it. Or can I? I suppose I could make him wait, and have him reread one of his old favorites (he loves to do that!) while I read to see if what he is reading is not only "of good report and praiseworthy" but also up to the higher standards of "uplifting, virtuous, and life changing."
I don't want to hold him back, so I'd better get reading! Winter is a great time to catch up on reading.
I found some book lists that I feel are fairly safe at Milestones Academy. Milestones is similar to Ambleside Online, for those of you Charlotte Mason fans. The difference is that all the lists are compiled by an LDS home schooling mother whose children are grown. The lists are what she found was the best of the best, and she has good results to back it up. She has a lot of great articles on the site. If you follow the link, you can access the book lists by clicking on 'curriculum' at the top.
I have taken her lists, and have begun the process of making them my own. After scanning online book reviews I have taken a few books off the list, not many. And I'll add a few. And the rest, I will read before I recommend them to my children.
It is a daunting task. I decided to start at the beginning, with books that my earliest independent reader would be using, like age 8 and up or so. I am sure there are some great books that my older children will benefit from, even though they are past the "intended age" for some of them.
I'll list the books in separate tabs, a few groups at a time. I have the books organized by group rather than age or grade, but they are in order of ability and understanding. I intend to go through one group at a time, and when I am done I will buy those books that "make the cut" give the list to my children to read at their leisure.
For now, since I have not read all, or even many, of these books, I am hesitant to even post the lists. But I will do so anyway, with a few markings to let you know if I have read them or not. This idea came from a friend,and I like it.
I will cross out any book on the list that I feel is not worthy for any reason.
I will type in bold, or maybe a color, what I have read and can recommend without hesitation.
*I will put a star by books we are currently reading.
