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The nice thing about classic literature is the lack of copyright, so they make inexpensive yet enjoyable gifts. I bought a set of three novels at the university's bookstore the other day and I planned to gift one to a female friend. I haven't read them yet though, since seemingly reading books wrecks their appearance, and I didn't research any of them in particular too much out of fear for spoilers, so it's hard to decide which one to give her.
The books are Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse (by Virginia Woolf, they were next to each other in the store ^^) and The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald.
The first one has been made into a successful movie (apparently) so I'm worried if I give it to her she'll just watch that and pretend to have read it. >.>
The second one seems more like having a peculiar stream-of-consciousness style, which I imagine you need to have a special affinity for (so it's not so accessible).
About The Great Gatsby, I read a review some months ago which said it was rather brilliant and to the point - so perfect for a gift - but also has a strong undercurrent of bitterness and you can sort of see why the author ended as a drunken wreck later in his life. (says the review) So this sounds all too gloomy for a birthday gift.
Any opinions?
 
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Hmm, giving people books as gifts can make them feel guilty and uncomfortable for not reading it. I don't suggest giving them a book unless you know they love to read, in which case any of those books are probably fine. Generally, though, if I give someone a book I like to have read it myself so we can talk about it together.
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Don't give books unless you know your friend's literary preferences or can vouch for the book from personal experience.
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Is said female friend in some sort of loveless relationship? If not, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf might send her the wrong message... 
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I read The Great Gatsby in tenth grade. For my English class. It was required reading >.>
It was all right.
I usually don't buy books as gifts (or expects books as gifts) unless they're asked for. It's really easy to get it wrong.
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Netherlands45349 Posts
The Great Gatsby is not really an easy read, you'd have to make sure she's actually like those ''kinds'' of books.
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1. nobody's forcing her to read a book 2. I won't go ahead and bring it up daily to remind her of it 3. she likes reading 4. she has no literary preferences since she just every few months reads some random book 5. lots of classics are fun independent of your preferences, that's why they're classics 6. I bought her Wuthering Heights last year and she liked that
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the first 2 books are so damn hard to read if you are like me: a male and without patience.
all 3 books are really good but I had to watch the movie (1st book) just in order to get used to that train of thought that Virginia Woolf does on her writing.
I think she would like your gift.
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If she enjoyed Wuthering Heights, she's probably fine with the challenge of Woolf, but whether she cares at all for the story is another thing. Great Gatsby is the fucking Great Gatsby. Everyone's gotta love that book.
I would be happy with these gifts.
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The only book i know of the the three mentioned is the Great Gatsby, if you know a little history about the time (roaring twenties) the book is enjoyable because you are able to connect the dots easily. But i think a lot of high schools make that a required reading so theres a chance she has read it.
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Oh man, oh man, I read To The Lighthouse this past summer for a class. Because I'm bad at budgeting time, I read it all in one sitting, so that may have bothered my interpretation, but I didn't particularly enjoy it. The best scene in it was a dinner party in which one of the females commented that the woman really has to lead an awkward and nerdy guy through conversation because they can't do so themselves, haha ^^. Overall though, it was a pretty arduous read.
I haven't read the book nor seen the movie for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, but I've seen some people do scenes from it in forensics competitions-- from these little pieces, it seems pretty interesting.
All my friends love The Great Gatsby though and it's on my to-read shelf; I would go with that one, just on the word of my friends.
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I haven't read any of the books you're going to offer, but to everyone saying that a book can possibly not be a nice gift, I just want to say that my best Christmas gift ever was a 10$ book series and it changed my life.
What's a little bit risky with classics is that she may have had to read it in class a few years back, and in that case that would kinda suck.
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Just be mindful to pick books that you think the recipient will like, not one that you think you'd like, or that you think the recipient should read (self-help in particular == bad idea, unless you have a right to be paternal). Just give them what they want.
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Personally, I think candy is a better gift.
Can't she just hit up a library whenever she wants to read "literature".
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On February 09 2012 07:02 mmp wrote:
Personally, I think candy is a better gift.
Can't she just hit up a library whenever she wants to read "literature".
I bought her candy to package with the book, but I got hungry and ate it. 
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On February 09 2012 08:02 Grumbels wrote:Show nested quote +On February 09 2012 07:02 mmp wrote:
Personally, I think candy is a better gift.
Can't she just hit up a library whenever she wants to read "literature". I bought her candy to package with the book, but I got hungry and ate it.
I suggest give her the wrappers. At least its one less obligated thing to read.
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On February 09 2012 07:02 mmp wrote:
Personally, I think candy is a better gift.
Can't she just hit up a library whenever she wants to read "literature".
Everyone should have a copy of 1984.
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EPT
