The books you are planning to dive into were all required reading when I was in school. I graduated from a California high school in1965 so education has changed dramatically since then. I think young people had more opportunity to read. No computers, internet, cell phones to get in the way. Enjoy your classics journey, it will be interesting to hear what you think about the authors and the stories they tell.
I'm really baffled about all these references to "required reading." When I was in school, the only required reading was what each teacher required the class they were teaching to read. The English teacher in the next classroom would require their class to read something completely different. There was no unity as to what was read across a single school, let alone across the county, the state, or the nation. I did graduate just as the Department of Education was being created. Is this uniformity something that happened as a result of that? I attended a junior high school for grades 7 through 9, and a high school for grades 10 through 12. We were required by the state to take American history in 9th & 10th grades. I remember my 10th grade history teacher complaining about how there was no uniformity whatsoever from one feeder school to the next as to what they had learned in 9th grade history. He gave as an example how one teacher in a feeder school used the first year of American history to teach the students about recycling.
Love this list! Our Town is not to be missed, and will add much to your enjoyment of Tom Lake. I reread The Heart is a lonely hunter recently after reading it 50 (!!) years ago in high school. Did NOT appreciate it then, but now it’s one of those books I can’t get out of my head. Such beautiful writing. Also read Steinbeck’s East of Eden-was amazed at the storytelling. Def adding Graoes and Of Mice to my reading list (feel like I’ve read them before but anxious for a new perspective). Adding The Yearling to my list (never read). And I believe I have a copy of the Prairie Fires, and will add it to my TBR list. Thanks for your channel! This episode was especially good!
Wow, you’ve read so many of the books on my list, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've started The Yearling and am finding it very charming. :) Thank YOU for your comment.
This is a great project. I love Steinbeck and I hope to read The Grapes of Wrath next year since I haven't read it in 40 years. I don't love Southern Gothic much either, but The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is well worth reading. I have a project planned to immerse myself in American history. I own several history books and biographies that I want to read. I have a book planned for each month for 2025-26 to work through all US history essentially chronologically but also including various perspectives such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Indigenous people. I also want to include some fiction along the way from various eras as I read about them, but those works haven't been planned out yet.
I just read The Grapes of Wrath. I highly recommend it. It was on my reading list in high school over 40 years ago but it didn’t interest me then. Even though it takes place during the Great Depression it still has lessons for us today.
I just finished Prairie Fires and really enjoyed it. It changed my view of the Little House books and put them in historical perspective, both of Wilder's lived experience and of the time she was writing them. Also, be prepared that much of the book is as much about Wilder's daughter as about herself. Looking forward to your reports on these books!
What a great project! I've read all the novels before - we read both the Steinbeck's in High School, and I want to reread Grapes of Wrath soon. I used to live in Florida and have visited MKR's home at Cross Creek. It was fascinating, out in the middle of nowhere! I look forward to hearing your reactions to all of these. Happy reading.
I read (reread) recently Mice and Men, the Pearl, and East of Eden and am now a huge Steinbeck fan. His books wreck me in good ways- I need to reread Grapes of Wrath because I remember not liking it but think maybe now I would. I have red pony on my TBR shelf so will do that one next.
As an Australian it goes to show how much we are exposed to American literature, I know all of those. I've read The Yearly and the Little House on the Prairies Series, I have 3 Steinbecks on my shelves but not read them yet. I started Tom Lake but haven't finished it yet, they were talking about the Play, when I paused it. Good luck with your project, looking forward to seeing how you go with the books.
I'm so excited for you to read Prairie Fires! I've never loved Steinbeck (have read The Pearl, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men) but I still want to give him one more go with East of Eden; I feel like everyone says that's his best
Jen, what a wonderful surprise to see you here! I’ve been a longtime watcher, lurker, and occasional commenter on your channel. I bought Prairies Fires because of you. You’re right, everyone praises East of Eden. Personally, I’m still side-eyeing Steinbeck and impatiently waiting for him to impress me.
Ohhhh. I have the Laura Ingalls Wilder one. I hope you say when you're reading it, and I can read along too. And I love McCullers !We read her in high school. I might have to buy a new copy and start again.
I expect you will love Steinbeck. Something you may enjoy after his novels is his nonfiction work “Travels With Charlie” which tells of traveling the circumference of the continental US in a small camper with his dog “Charlie” later in his life.
Both biographies sound so intriguing. I have actually read all the novels and play you mention but for the life of me can’t remember much of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I am sure I read it though. Good luck with your project! Grapes of Wrath is epic!
What an excellent plan! You’ll be reading so many of my favorite novels! I love the Rawlings biography, too, and am thrilled you plan to read it. And still haven’t read Prairie Fires-and this is just the push to put it on my early-2025 list for sure. Thank you. (Incidentally, I published a print review of the Rawlings biography and am happy to send you a link if you like.)
What a great project! I read 5 of the 7 as a teenager and enjoyed most of them. I do read 6 or 8 NFs a year and biography is probably my favorite NF, but I've not read either of these 2. Prairie Fires sounds like a good one to try. Fingers crossed that you have better luck with these Steinbecks!!
I loved the Yearling, but I was about 12 - 13 when I read it. I'm sure you will get something different out of it than I did at that age. I was about 18 when I read the Grapes of Wrath. It was profound and insightful. The 26th amendment was ratified a few weeks after I turned 18, so politics and voting responsibly were big deals for me at the time. I think the impact of a book is very dependent on the state of mind of the reader.
I read Of Mice & Men in high school English class. I am so glad I did, because it convinced me to try another Steinbeck novel. That novel was East of Eden and I was bowled over by it. Now, many years down the road, I'd like to read some more of his work and maybe even revisit those two (if only because it has been so very long).
I read grapes of wrath about 20 years ago and there are some shocking scenes in it. But it is a true classic as you could have read this novel in the nearly 90years since it was written you would find a connection in the story in the days news. The movie is good as well with Henry Fonda. You have me thinking what books would I choose from this time period in the UK that would say things about as much as these do about the USA
I love your videos so much and respect your point of view. I have really related to your children’s book videos. You are doing great things! I would like to share my point of view; Steinbeck! Nothing changed my life as much as Steinbeck; Grapes of Wrath left me feeling more than any book as ever left me feeling. His writing literally haunts me, but I. The most amazing way! Happy reading!
I know I should read these books, but I don't want to. Not in the near future anyway. However, I am interested in reading American Authors. But put the timing before the thirties and forties. I am so into regency and Victorian and that's what I have in my library. I would like to read some children's and middle grade books as well. Little House would be wonderful examples.
Ana Mardoll did a live read of _Prairie Fires_ some years ago that was really good - it’s also up and linked more conveniently on her website somewhere. I don’t think TH-cam likes links in the comments. I haven’t read the book but it sounds good. I love this project!
I'm a fan of this project! I don't read novels unless I really seek them out, for whatever reason. In 2025, I'm going just a bit older than your list for a chunk of mine (Charlotte Mason's volumes 1-5, and some church fathers).
I love Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. I like hard hitting books tho. I've read a good bit of him and have loved most of them (haven't read The Red Pony yet... I'm putting it off because i heard there's some very hard animal things that happen. ) i did not read them in high school tho.
Im currently discovering Steinbeck! What a very talented writer! He is one of my favorites now, truly amazing writing. Even tho ive been staying away from chunky books, i read East of Eden & the length didnt phase me at all, i loved every page, i love his writing. Im reading the novellas ( but not Red Pony😢). So good, particularly Cannery Row!! Im picking up Grapes of Wrath this weekend. I hope you enjoy his writing too! Awesome!!!
I have a little four book “blast from my past” reading project sketched out for 2025. I shall read two books that I have had since I was a teenager (over fifty years ago!) but have not read yet. I will also reread two books that I read as a teenager but have not reread since then. I have not yet decided on which books those will be.
I have had a similar thought rolling around my head to read American authors in 2025. I have a lot of Steinbeck and Hemingway sitting on my shelves that I found used. You’d think I love their work. Using your 1937-1940 timeframe, I own The Ghost Stories of Edith Warton, Our Town, The Grapes of Wrath, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway, and To Have and Have Not by Hemingway. Now to go watch Hannah’s video to see what she plans on reading for her American project.
Prairie Fires is good and I’m literally in the middle of scripting a video about it along with all of the Little House books. Coming in February! My only criticism is that it wasn’t as extensive a biography as I had hoped. It spent more time on her writing of the books and not enough time on giving us the true details on the childhood she used as her basis for the story. I had hoped the bio would delineate her real childhood vs the stories.
Your reading project reminded me a bit of another video I saw recently. It's more a discussion of what is meant when we say "well read", but he goes into detail on what you are doing here in a reading project. You both have ideas percolating! Thank you! th-cam.com/video/O3KiXuUpLXY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zEAdThv_R1s1Oj60
I read grapes of wrath about 20 years ago and there are some shocking scenes in it. But it is a true classic as you could have read this novel in the nearly 90years since it was written you would find a connection in the story in the days news. The movie is good as well with Henry Fonda. You have me thinking what books would I choose from this time period in the UK that would say things about as much as these do about the USA
The books you are planning to dive into were all required reading when I was in school. I graduated from a California high school in1965 so education has changed dramatically since then. I think young people had more opportunity to read. No computers, internet, cell phones to get in the way. Enjoy your classics journey, it will be interesting to hear what you think about the authors and the stories they tell.
Do you have a favorite of the bunch??
As a middle school teacher in So. Cal I can tell you that we make books available and required but books struggle to compete against phones and games.
Reading the high school classics as an adult really brings new dimensions and insights.
I'm really baffled about all these references to "required reading." When I was in school, the only required reading was what each teacher required the class they were teaching to read. The English teacher in the next classroom would require their class to read something completely different. There was no unity as to what was read across a single school, let alone across the county, the state, or the nation.
I did graduate just as the Department of Education was being created. Is this uniformity something that happened as a result of that?
I attended a junior high school for grades 7 through 9, and a high school for grades 10 through 12. We were required by the state to take American history in 9th & 10th grades. I remember my 10th grade history teacher complaining about how there was no uniformity whatsoever from one feeder school to the next as to what they had learned in 9th grade history. He gave as an example how one teacher in a feeder school used the first year of American history to teach the students about recycling.
@@juliehickman2880I was thinking that. Even if you read these in school, revisiting them in different seasons is beneficial.
Love this list! Our Town is not to be missed, and will add much to your enjoyment of Tom Lake. I reread The Heart is a lonely hunter recently after reading it 50 (!!) years ago in high school. Did NOT appreciate it then, but now it’s one of those books I can’t get out of my head. Such beautiful writing. Also read Steinbeck’s East of Eden-was amazed at the storytelling. Def adding Graoes and Of Mice to my reading list (feel like I’ve read them before but anxious for a new perspective). Adding The Yearling to my list (never read). And I believe I have a copy of the Prairie Fires, and will add it to my TBR list. Thanks for your channel! This episode was especially good!
Wow, you’ve read so many of the books on my list, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I've started The Yearling and am finding it very charming. :) Thank YOU for your comment.
This is a great project. I love Steinbeck and I hope to read The Grapes of Wrath next year since I haven't read it in 40 years. I don't love Southern Gothic much either, but The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is well worth reading.
I have a project planned to immerse myself in American history. I own several history books and biographies that I want to read. I have a book planned for each month for 2025-26 to work through all US history essentially chronologically but also including various perspectives such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Indigenous people. I also want to include some fiction along the way from various eras as I read about them, but those works haven't been planned out yet.
I'm so excited to jump in! I LOVE your project! Thanks for sharing!
I just read The Grapes of Wrath. I highly recommend it. It was on my reading list in high school over 40 years ago but it didn’t interest me then. Even though it takes place during the Great Depression it still has lessons for us today.
That's great, I'm excited to start it!
Love Our Town! We did that play in high school, with a very minimal set (in a cool abstract way).
That’s awesome! I cannot wait to get to it.
I've read most of those over the years. Some will make you sad. One of my all time favorite books is Grapes of Wrath. Have fun.
I can't wait to read it!
I just finished Prairie Fires and really enjoyed it. It changed my view of the Little House books and put them in historical perspective, both of Wilder's lived experience and of the time she was writing them. Also, be prepared that much of the book is as much about Wilder's daughter as about herself. Looking forward to your reports on these books!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! I’m excited to start Prairie Fires!
Cherry Jones does a fantastic job narrating the Little House series! The Long Winter is a perfect listen this time of year in particular. ;)
I just finished reading the whole Little House series.....I read it every few years. I LOVE Cherry Jones! I'll have to listen to that.
Thanks for letting me know!!
What a great project! I've read all the novels before - we read both the Steinbeck's in High School, and I want to reread Grapes of Wrath soon.
I used to live in Florida and have visited MKR's home at Cross Creek. It was fascinating, out in the middle of nowhere!
I look forward to hearing your reactions to all of these. Happy reading.
MKR has some really beautiful writing on nature, I’m not surprised you lived in the middle of nowhere.
I read (reread) recently Mice and Men, the Pearl, and East of Eden and am now a huge Steinbeck fan. His books wreck me in good ways- I need to reread Grapes of Wrath because I remember not liking it but think maybe now I would. I have red pony on my TBR shelf so will do that one next.
Thanks for sharing, Kristin! You make me want to start Steinbeck immediately!
As an Australian it goes to show how much we are exposed to American literature, I know all of those. I've read The Yearly and the Little House on the Prairies Series, I have 3 Steinbecks on my shelves but not read them yet. I started Tom Lake but haven't finished it yet, they were talking about the Play, when I paused it. Good luck with your project, looking forward to seeing how you go with the books.
Thanks, Kim!
I'm so excited for you to read Prairie Fires! I've never loved Steinbeck (have read The Pearl, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men) but I still want to give him one more go with East of Eden; I feel like everyone says that's his best
Jen, what a wonderful surprise to see you here! I’ve been a longtime watcher, lurker, and occasional commenter on your channel. I bought Prairies Fires because of you. You’re right, everyone praises East of Eden. Personally, I’m still side-eyeing Steinbeck and impatiently waiting for him to impress me.
The Moon is Down was written in 1942. Many feel that it is one of John Steinbeck's best novels.
I'll look into that!
Ohhhh. I have the Laura Ingalls Wilder one. I hope you say when you're reading it, and I can read along too.
And I love McCullers !We read her in high school. I might have to buy a new copy and start again.
I hope you enjoy rereading McCullers.
I expect you will love Steinbeck. Something you may enjoy after his novels is his nonfiction work “Travels With Charlie” which tells of traveling the circumference of the continental US in a small camper with his dog “Charlie” later in his life.
Awe!!! Thank you! I’m excited to get to more Steinbeck!
What a fun list! I can’t wait hear your opinion about The heart is a lonely hunter - I need to read it again. 😎
I’m so excited about the list. 😌
Both biographies sound so intriguing. I have actually read all the novels and play you mention but for the life of me can’t remember much of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I am sure I read it though. Good luck with your project! Grapes of Wrath is epic!
I am so excited about the project!! 😌
Excited for you to read some more Steinbeck. The Grapes of Wrath is amazing even though it’s bleak. Hope you enjoy all the books you get to lovely ❤
Thank you! I’m so excited to jump in!!
What an excellent plan! You’ll be reading so many of my favorite novels! I love the Rawlings biography, too, and am thrilled you plan to read it. And still haven’t read Prairie Fires-and this is just the push to put it on my early-2025 list for sure. Thank you.
(Incidentally, I published a print review of the Rawlings biography and am happy to send you a link if you like.)
@@HannahsBooks I’d love to read your review of the Rawlings biography.
What a great project! I read 5 of the 7 as a teenager and enjoyed most of them. I do read 6 or 8 NFs a year and biography is probably my favorite NF, but I've not read either of these 2. Prairie Fires sounds like a good one to try. Fingers crossed that you have better luck with these Steinbecks!!
Do you have a favorite from the bunch??
I loved the Yearling, but I was about 12 - 13 when I read it. I'm sure you will get something different out of it than I did at that age. I was about 18 when I read the Grapes of Wrath. It was profound and insightful. The 26th amendment was ratified a few weeks after I turned 18, so politics and voting responsibly were big deals for me at the time. I think the impact of a book is very dependent on the state of mind of the reader.
I read Of Mice & Men in high school English class. I am so glad I did, because it convinced me to try another Steinbeck novel. That novel was East of Eden and I was bowled over by it.
Now, many years down the road, I'd like to read some more of his work and maybe even revisit those two (if only because it has been so very long).
I just started Of Mice & Men! Interesting. :)
❤📚📚❤️
This reading project sounds so interesting.
I really enjoy Steinbeck books.
That’s uplifting. I trust your taste, Starla!!
@Shellyish Awww, thank you. I hope you like them.
It’s a great project Shelly, looking forward to your thoughts on the books.
Thanks so much!
I read grapes of wrath about 20 years ago and there are some shocking scenes in it.
But it is a true classic as you could have read this novel in the nearly 90years since it was written you would find a connection in the story in the days news.
The movie is good as well with Henry Fonda.
You have me thinking what books would I choose from this time period in the UK that would say things about as much as these do about the USA
I love your videos so much and respect your point of view. I have really related to your children’s book videos. You are doing great things! I would like to share my point of view; Steinbeck! Nothing changed my life as much as Steinbeck; Grapes of Wrath left me feeling more than any book as ever left me feeling. His writing literally haunts me, but I. The most amazing way! Happy reading!
Thank you so much!
Great project matey! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Of Mice and Men!!
You and me both!
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is a great choice. I love that book.
I know I should read these books, but I don't want to. Not in the near future anyway. However, I am interested in reading American Authors. But put the timing before the thirties and forties. I am so into regency and Victorian and that's what I have in my library. I would like to read some children's and middle grade books as well. Little House would be wonderful examples.
I love the regency/Victorian period as well.
This is an exciting project!
Ana Mardoll did a live read of _Prairie Fires_ some years ago that was really good - it’s also up and linked more conveniently on her website somewhere. I don’t think TH-cam likes links in the comments. I haven’t read the book but it sounds good. I love this project!
That’s really neat! I’m going to look up Marsoll’s read. Thank you, David.
I'm a fan of this project! I don't read novels unless I really seek them out, for whatever reason. In 2025, I'm going just a bit older than your list for a chunk of mine (Charlotte Mason's volumes 1-5, and some church fathers).
Thank you, Hannah!
I love Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. I like hard hitting books tho. I've read a good bit of him and have loved most of them (haven't read The Red Pony yet... I'm putting it off because i heard there's some very hard animal things that happen. ) i did not read them in high school tho.
Cheers to hard hitting books!!
Im currently discovering Steinbeck! What a very talented writer! He is one of my favorites now, truly amazing writing. Even tho ive been staying away from chunky books, i read East of Eden & the length didnt phase me at all, i loved every page, i love his writing. Im reading the novellas ( but not Red Pony😢). So good, particularly Cannery Row!! Im picking up Grapes of Wrath this weekend. I hope you enjoy his writing too! Awesome!!!
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate your enthusiasm for Steinbeck!
I have a little four book “blast from my past” reading project sketched out for 2025. I shall read two books that I have had since I was a teenager (over fifty years ago!) but have not read yet. I will also reread two books that I read as a teenager but have not reread since then. I have not yet decided on which books those will be.
"Blast from my past" - what a cool project!
I have had a similar thought rolling around my head to read American authors in 2025. I have a lot of Steinbeck and Hemingway sitting on my shelves that I found used. You’d think I love their work.
Using your 1937-1940 timeframe, I own The Ghost Stories of Edith Warton, Our Town, The Grapes of Wrath, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway, and To Have and Have Not by Hemingway.
Now to go watch Hannah’s video to see what she plans on reading for her American project.
You have done great selections for that narrow timeframe as well, Amy!
Prairie Fires is good and I’m literally in the middle of scripting a video about it along with all of the Little House books. Coming in February! My only criticism is that it wasn’t as extensive a biography as I had hoped. It spent more time on her writing of the books and not enough time on giving us the true details on the childhood she used as her basis for the story. I had hoped the bio would delineate her real childhood vs the stories.
That is a very interesting perspective! Thanks for sharing. I look forward to your video!
The Yearling is a very lovely and interesting read! I think you will enjoy it!
Can't wait!
Very nice selections. You will really be affected by them.
I can’t wait!
Of Mice and Men is incredible.
You really need to read The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it's spectacular!
Adding it to my list! Thank you!
i love your channel!
Thank you so much!!
I really liked "Grapes of Wrath".
That's great!
I think I missed a piece: Why 1937-1940?
I think it was just a coincidence.
Yes, just a coincidence that I decided to jump on.
I might have to join you if that’s okay with you ❤❤❤
That would be wonderful!
As a lover of Southern Gothic, I hope you two can become at least friendly neighbors in 2025, haha.
Maybe I've judged too harshly. Hopefully Carson can get is to frenimies. ;)
I liked Of Mice and Men but dispised Grapes of Wrath and didn't like The Pony. Good luck with your project. 🎉
Thank you!!
These books are real page turners. You will get them read by 4/30/25.
I hope so! Thank you!
Your reading project reminded me a bit of another video I saw recently. It's more a discussion of what is meant when we say "well read", but he goes into detail on what you are doing here in a reading project. You both have ideas percolating! Thank you! th-cam.com/video/O3KiXuUpLXY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zEAdThv_R1s1Oj60
Love that!
I read grapes of wrath about 20 years ago and there are some shocking scenes in it.
But it is a true classic as you could have read this novel in the nearly 90years since it was written you would find a connection in the story in the days news.
The movie is good as well with Henry Fonda.
You have me thinking what books would I choose from this time period in the UK that would say things about as much as these do about the USA