Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
I am just going to admit this embarrassing fact: I have had this book on my shelf since I graduated from high school and have been meaning to read it ever since. Just to clarify, I graduated ELEVEN years ago, and I had never even cracked the cover. Jeremy read it last year and recommended it, and I have to admit, nothing motivates me more than a little competition. I don’t really know why I am this way, but I feel that I have to read every book that Jeremy does, especially if they are books I’ve been MEANING to read for most of my life. He is a much faster reader than I am, so I am hopelessly behind. However, I did finally read this classic and it is just that: classic.
I really enjoyed the plot, characters, setting, and humor of this book. Set in medieval England, it goes into a bit of the history between the Normans and Saxons and the very delicate balance of power during that period. There are knights, villains, beautiful maidens, a jester, jousting, and battles, as well as a few well-known names, such as Prince John (no matter how hard I tried, I could NOT help from comparing his character to the one Disney produced!), Robin Hood, King Richard, etc.
Just a caution, though. This book is not for the light reader. It is extremely wordy and some passages I was barely able to wade through, especially during the dialogue of the characters. The humor is very subtle, but sprinkled liberally throughout.
It is definitely a book worth adding to your shelf, but you need to be in it for the long haul when you open it up.
Somewhere In The Middle 
Funny that you should be talking about this book. I have a whole list of classics that I am going to start reading. I think Ivanhoe was one of the first ones on the list. I am going to start reading one a month. We’ll see if it actually happens. I want to start reading them to all my boys. I am sure they would like it even if they don’t completely understand it all. Love you!
One a month, Jenn! Whew, you are ambitious! Rebekah, I don’t think I have ever read Ivanhoe…hmm, guess there is no time like the present.
Do you think Ty would like it? I am going to have him do literature for his last year of English.
I love Ivanhoe!! I listened to it on tape so it was a lot easier for me to understand then trying to read it….I like the old movie of it too…..It’s really good =o)