Little Women I loved this book growing up. The classic true-to-life story of four sisters growing up and becoming women. Every little girl should read this book. Here is a review to the 1994 classic version with Winona Rider as Jo March, (the first Jo I liked onscreen!), or find more on the movie here. You can get more information on Louisa May Alcott, the author, at Allcott Web, or check out the webring link below.

Persuasion Another Jane Austen classic is this story of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. Anne and the Captain fall in love when younger, but Anne is persuaded by a well-meaning friend to refuse him.  Anne does refuse him and years later is still unmarried when he returns, now a wealthy man.  Read the book here, and a review for the movie here and here.  Check out this site devoted to the story, and the BBC movie here

Anne of Green Gables Series This delightful book series is a must read for all ages! Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, these books introduce us to Anne Shirley, an orphan raised by an elderly brother and sister who adopt her.  Anne is truly one of the most loveable characters in literature. The mini-series by Kevin Sullivan is equally endearing, (Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonea - Anne of Green Gables Part two). Read the book here and a review here and here. (teen review)

The Woman In White This is one of the best books I have ever read, written by Wilkie Collins, (a contemporary of Charles Dickens), and often overlooked in the classics category. Find out more about Collins here, or check out the two movie adaptations of this great book. First, there is the 1982 version and second, the 1997 BBC version with Tara Fitzgerald and Justine Waddell. But make sure you read the book as it is much better that either movie version!

Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte penned this classic story of the good heroine, Jane Eyre, and her unheroic-like love, Mr Rochester. You can read a review here or the book here.  There is also a website that tells about Jane Eyre The Musical here and if you want to see the two best movie versions of Jane Eyre go here for the 1997 A&E version with Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton or here for the BBC version with Zelah Clark and Timothy Dalton. Visit the Jane Eyre Appreciation page.

Pride and Prejudice We all love Jane Austen and P&P is her best book.  If Jane were alive today, she'd not only be one of the richest authors and screenwriters, but probably one of the most prolithic ones as well.  You can read P&P here or browse some of the best on screen adaptations of it: 1995's masterpiece with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, The 1979 version with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul, (funny to watch just for the stern Darcy factor - too stern for many), and another great version with Greer Garson as Elizabeth and Lawrence Olivier as Mr Darcy.

Les Miserables In my opinion, LM is the best fiction ever written. You can read it for yourself here or read a review about it here, but get ready for a long read, (well worth it though). There have been many movies based on this book, a hit musical, soundtracks, websites, etc. Some of the best movies and concerts are: Les Miserables In Concert, 1978 Movie with Anthony Perkins, and the 1998 version with Liam Neeson as Valjean.

The Bookshelf's 'Best Movie' Awards

Best Modern Movie: Return To Me

Best Picture: Ever After

Best Drama: White Nights

Best Documentary: Crown & Country (not pictured)

Best Musical - (Tie): Sound of Music & My Fair Lady

Best Mystery: Rear Window

Most Prolithic Author: Jane Austen

Best Children's Movie Anne of Green Gables

Best Horse Movie: Man From Snowy River

Best Prairie Movie: Sarah Plain & Tall

Best Cartoon: Beauty & The Beast

Best Comedy: The Princess Bride

Best Country Movie: Windwalker

Best Historical Movie: Diary of Anne Frank

Best Actress: Megan Followes in Anne of Green Gables

Best Actor: Colin Firth in Pride & Prejudice

Best Literature-Related Movie: Pride & Prejudice

The Best Books of all-time in Classic Literature:

Check down the page for more Bookshelf Bests

Les Miserables In my opinion, LM is the best fiction ever written. You can read it for yourself here or read a review about it here, but get ready for a long read, (well worth it though). There have been many movies based on this book, a hit musical, soundtracks, websites, etc. Some of the best movies and concerts are: Les Miserables In Concert, 1978 Movie with Anthony Perkins, and the 1998 version with Liam Neeson as Valjean.

Pride and Prejudice We all love Jane Austen and P&P is her best book.  If Jane were alive today, she'd not only be one of the richest authors and screenwriters, but probably one of the most prolithic ones as well.  You can read P&P here or browse some of the best on screen adaptations of it: 1995's masterpiece with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, The 1979 version with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul, (funny to watch just for the stern Darcy factor - too stern for many), and another great version with Greer Garson as Elizabeth and Lawrence Olivier as Mr Darcy.

Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte penned this classic story of the good heroine, Jane Eyre, and her unheroic-like love, Mr Rochester. You can read a review here or the book here.  There is also a website that tells about Jane Eyre The Musical here and if you want to see the two best movie versions of Jane Eyre go here for the 1997 A&E version with Ciaran Hinds and Samantha Morton or here for the BBC version with Zelah Clark and Timothy Dalton. Visit the Jane Eyre Appreciation page.

The Woman In White This is one of the best books I have ever read, written by Wilkie Collins, (a contemporary of Charles Dickens), and often overlooked in the classics category. Find out more about Collins here, or check out the two movie adaptations of this great book. First, there is the 1982 version and second, the 1997 BBC version with Tara Fitzgerald and Justine Waddell. But make sure you read the book as it is much better that either movie version!

Best Old Movie: North By Northwest

Anne of Green Gables Series This delightful book series is a must read for all ages! Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, these books introduce us to Anne Shirley, an orphan raised by an elderly brother and sister who adopt her.  Anne is truly one of the most loveable characters in literature. The mini-series by Kevin Sullivan is equally endearing, (Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonea - Anne of Green Gables Part two). Read the book here and a review here and here. (teen review)

Best Literature -Related Websites

Republic of Pemberley

This page was last updated on: June 9, 2003

Persuasion Another Jane Austen classic is this story of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. Anne and the Captain fall in love when younger, but Anne is persuaded by a well-meaning friend to refuse him.  Anne does refuse him and years later is still unmarried when he returns, now a wealthy man.  Read the book here, and a review for the movie here and here.  Check out this site devoted to the story, and the BBC movie here

Little Women I loved this book growing up. The classic true-to-life story of four sisters growing up and becoming women. Every little girl should read this book. Here is a review to the 1994 classic version with Winona Rider as Jo March, (the first Jo I liked onscreen!), or find more on the movie here. You can get more information on Louisa May Alcott, the author, at Allcott Web, or check out the webring link below.