My *Entire* Classics Collection (a bookshelf tour)

This was my best half hour spent today watching your collection of Classics. So many beautiful books enjoy every single one of them.

East of Eden is an absolute gem. I was stunned and shocked by Steinbeck's talent when I was reading it.

Just to let you know I started The Count of Monte Cristo. It's the edition that you have by Penguin (the paperback). As a beginner of classics I'm enjoying it and I'm giving myself plenty of time to read it (1,248 pages). I'm reading it for pleasure, so I'm not in a hurry.and all my other books can wait. They're not going anywhere.

Your classics collection is fascinating. Seems like you care greatly about them as well.

Hi wonderful Carolyn. Huge Virginia Woolf geek here. Regarding your green hardcover copy of Flush that you were wondering if it's a first edition... I could see that your edition was clearly published by The Hogarth Press, which was the publishing company that Virginia and her husband Leonard Woolf set up. They initially set up the printing press in their basement in their Richmond house, Hogarth House). Flush was first published in 1933, so check the date inside the book, which will be on the opposite page or beneath their logo/emblem of the wolf head. All the early copies were typeset, printed and bound by Leonard and Virginia, so that's rather special to have that personal touch. She died in 1941, so even if it's not a first edition, it's nice having copies published within her lifetime. I hope this helps! My Virginia Woolf collection - books by and about VW - now takes up two entire shelves in my bookcases, just under 60 VW books. Earlier this year I treated myself to a first edition of The Waves (my favourite VW book and my fave book of all time), and recently, a signed copy of Street Haunting. Was that a financially responsible decision? No, definitely not, especially not on a disability pension. But I just leaned in. They are things I had wanted for 25 years so it wasn't on a whim. My dream would be a first edition Hogarth Press copy of The Waves, still in the Vanessa Bell dust jacket, signed by Virginia in her purple ink. There is one out there on the market for sale but WAY out of my price range - something I will never, ever get.

omg lewis carroll's handwriting was really nice! very readable

Hi! I’m Italian and i wanted to reccomend a few classics that are actually good required readings in high school. The first one is “I Promessi Sposi” by Alessandro Manzoni, its English translation being called “The Betrothed” (I reccomend the Penguin Classics edition, as it has a fantastic introduction on Manzoni’s life) and maybe some of Cesare Pavese’s works, like “The Moon and the Bonfire”. Great video!

Hi Carolyn, friendly comment, it is the “Cairo Trilogy” as in Cairo the capital city of Egypt where all three books take place. The author’s name is pronounced “Na-jeeb Mah-fooz.” Palace Walk, the first book, in the trilogy is my favorite literary novel. I hope you enjoy it!

The Doll by Bolesław Prus OMG! So happy to see one of my favorite Polish classics on your bookshelf. It's a wonderful story with a plethora of interesting, multidimensional characters and it shows very well the historical background, Polish reality of the second half of the 20th century. There are fragments of Rzecki's diaries, which are long and boring hahah, but it's worth getting through them and enjoying the main story. Here in Poland it's a set book in high school, because it is considered one of the most outstanding novels. I hope it will be a great read for you <3

I absolutely love seeing so many specific classics I’ve held in my hands. I’m a sucker for older books. My favorite cover art tends to be 60’s and 70’s. I have an Etsy bookshop and would love to gift you something from there.

Your classic collection and just your entire library is my absolute dream. If I had it you would not see me in months!

Yay!! This is so amazing, Carolyn! 😊

Im waiting for thiss,your classic collection is amazing🥺🥺❤️

You have an amazing book collection.. I always love to watch videos of your bookshelf tour 🥺❤️.and yeah your videos are always soothing.🌼

AH the perfect video to watch while i fold my laundry ❤

There are so many gorgeous editions, I'm obsessed. I haven't read any classics so far this year. I mean, i haven't read much at all but this makes me hyped for adding a few to my tbr for next month.

Glad to see STONER! One of my very favorites!

Im in a John Steinbeck phase right now, would totally recommend reading him! I think the best book ive read by him so far is The Grapes of Wrath, though im also really looking forward to reading East of Eden and In Dubious Battle. If you haven't read any of Steinbecks great works then i'd fully recommend :D

You need to read the Doll! I read it for school last year and it literally became one of my favorite books ever, it’s amazing and a lovely overview of Polish society in the 19th century <3

Carolyn, your video made my day! Absolutely love your classic editions! 💖💝📚