It’s here again – The Classics Club Spin.
- Pick twenty unread books from your list.
- Number them from one to twenty.
- On Monday a number will be drawn.
- That’s your book, to read in May and June.
Shall I do it again?
Of course!
Last time it worked beautifully. I read the book for the number that came up – The Leavenworth Case – and I read another that called me as soon as I put it on my spin list – Mariana.
And so I have another list of books.
Some I know I’m going to love, some I’m a little intimidated by, and some I’m a little uncertain about.
The Five Oldest Books on My List:
1. Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost (1731)
2. The Female Quixote by Charlotte Lennox (1752)
3. A Sicilian Romance by Ann Radcliffe (1790)
4. A Simple Story by Elizabeth Inchbold (1791)
5. The Coquette by Hannah W Foster (1797)
*****
Five French Classics:
6. The Red and the Black by Stendahl (1830)
7. Old Goriot by Honore Balzac (1835)
8. The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas (1844)
9. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (1857)
10. Pot Luck by Emile Zola (1882)
*****
Five very big books:
11. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery (1848)
12. Bleak House by Charles Dickens (1851)
13. Villette by Charlotte Bronte (1853)
14. The Daisy Chain by Charlotte M Yonge (1856)
15 . Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1877)
*****
Five from the twentieth century
16. Fidelity by Susan Glaspell (1915)
17. Cullum by E Arnot Robinson (1920)
18. The Shutter of Snow by Emily Holmes Colman (1930)
19. Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sea by Patrick Hamilton (1935)
20. Fenny by Lettice Cooper (1953)
*****
And now I must wait …
Fleur in her World 
I didn’t do it last time, but I am going to give it a go this time around. I need to sit down and pick my books – I haven’t paid much attention to my classics club list so I should have lots to choose from. Fidelity is probably going to end up on my list, too.
I was very lucky this time and my fingers are crossed for this time. Hopefully I’ll get a book I really want to read or a book that in a month’s time I’m really glad I was pushed towards.
There are lots of titles on your list that I’m not very familiar with but also some that I’ve read and loved. I hope you enjoy whichever one is chosen. I’m still trying to decide if I want to do this again or not – I got a book that I liked last time but might not be so lucky this time!
I tried to mix things up, some mainstream classics and some forgotten ones, when I put my list together. I was lucky last time too, and I hope we both will be again.
Is it spin time again? Guess I’d better get started on my list…
Definitely!
Such lovely books on your list! I bought a copy of The Female Quixote earlier this year. I’m not an Anne Radcliffe fan, but I’d be happy with everything else, though I don’t know much about the 20th century classics you’ve listed.
I like the idea of Ann Radcliffe more than the reality, hence me putting her shortest book on the list so I can say I’ve given her a chance! The 20th century are mainly form the Virago bookcase.
First of all, Jane, let me say how much I absolutely love, love, love, what you’ve done with the place! The new look is gorgeous and ever so sophisticated. Best of luck for just the read you’re in the mood for – as for me and Villette, we did not get on….at all…so I selfishly hope you don’t get that one. You’ve inspired me to reach for a classic from my shelves, my next read is The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins.
Thank you, Darlene. I remember your history with Villette but it’s another book I feel I have to give the benefit of the doubt. I’d rather reread The Law and the Lady – which I loved, and I hope you do too.
You have some great books to choose from – I’d pick 11, 12, & 13 – they’re my favourites on your list. I hope you get the book you’d love to read.
I have mixed feelings about 13 – which I’ve started but not managed to finish – but 11 and 12 are big books I really want to read but never quite get to.
You have some very interesting titles on your list…….and some chunksters! Hope the draw is kind to you.
Let’s hope the draw is kind to both of us.
From your list of French novels, I loved Madame Bovary and Pot-Bouille. Bleak House is also wonderful, my favorite by Dickens and one of my all-time favorites. I’d never heard of The Daisy Chain but it sounds interesting.
I don’t know if I’ll get to the Spin this time around, I’m on a bit of a blogging break. If I can settle on a list, I may give it another go.
The French classics and Dickens are really calling me, so they’re on my list for this year even of they don’t spin my way.
Very interesting list! A few commons (e.g., Vanity Fair) but lots of original texts – I love it! I’m going to follow along more closely and read your thoughts on these… might have to add some more to my own TBR list (as if I need any help growing that list!). Good luck with this Spin – hope you get the # that you’re secretly hoping for!
I’ve read Manon Lescaut, The Count of Monte Cristo, Pot Luck, Old Goriot and Madame Bovary and they are just amazing. I’ve also read The Red and The Black and hated it but Stendhal and I have been in a fight since Uni… I’m currently reading Anna Karenina and it’s taking me to heaven every time I open the book. Your list is great ! Good luck with the spin 🙂