I shouldn’t really be taking part in this Classics Club Spin as I still haven’t finished my book from the last Spin, Daniel Deronda (in fact, I’ve only just started it). We have until the end of September to read our books for Spin #24, though, so I will see what comes up – and hope it’s a short one this time!
If you’re not sure what a Classics Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #24:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 9th August the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 30th September 2020.
And here is my list:
1. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
2. Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
3. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
4. A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy
5. The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
6. The Cloister and the Hearth by Charles Reade
7. Armadale by Wilkie Collins (re-read)
8. I Will Repay by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
9. La Reine Margot by Alexandre Dumas
10. The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott
11. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
12. Germinal by Emile Zola
13. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
14. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
15. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
16. Goodbye Mr Chips by James Hilton
17. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
18. The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
19. Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym
20. Sandokan: The Tigers of Mompracem by Emilio Salgari
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Have you read any of these? Which number should I be hoping for on Sunday?
She Reads Novels 
No 19 is the only one I’ve read and loved, hope you get a good one!
I would love to get Jane and Prudence! Barbara Pym’s books are great summer reads, I think.
Nice list! I have only read 4 or 5 – hope you get one which works for you!
Thank you! I would be very happy to get either of those.
I don’t wonder you’ve not been able to get very far with your last spin, Daniel Deronda. I found it fascinating, but I don’t think it would exactly make for happy Lockdown reading. Hopefully the spin lands on something shorter and a bit less heavy going this time around.
No, I think I needed a lighter classic for lockdown reading. I found I wasn’t really in the mood for it at all back in April. I’ve started it now though, and like what I’ve read so far.
Lot of good books on your list, it’s hard to know what to root for, but I think I have to go with Jane and Prudence. And hey, it’s short! 🙂
A short book would be great this time! I would be happy to get Jane and Prudence. 🙂
1 or 19 for me. I love John Wyndham and The Crysalids is my favourite of his novels and having just ‘discovered’ Barbara Pym I definitely want to read more.
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by John Wyndham so far, so The Chrysalids is one I’m particularly hoping will come up.
I love Barbara Pym so I hope you get that one! I also loved Pied Piper which is a very quick read. Nickelby is also good and Germinal is considered Zola’s masterpiece, it’s riveting. Good luck with your spin pick!
I would like a shorter book this time, so I’m glad to hear Pied Piper is a quick read. Germinal does sound good, so I would be happy with that one too.
The Chrysalids would be a great short one. Nicholas Nickleby would be great, but not short! And as usual, I’ll be hoping you get The White Guard… 😀
I do want to read The White Guard soon, whether or not it comes up in the spin! Nicholas Nickleby sounds great, though I’m not sure if I’m really in the mood for another Dickens having just quite recently finished Dombey and Son.
Ooh you have me excited by including my favourite Zola novel on your list!
I’ve only read two or three Zola novels so far, so I would love to get Germinal, especially if it’s your favourite!
It’s pretty dark in tone because it deals with harsh living onditions
Ohhhh Germinal – my favourite Zola to date! Not always easy but so worth it.
I’m pleased to hear that! I would love to get Germinal.
I have only read The Chrysalids and Fire from Heaven. I didn’t enjoy the latter as much as other Renault stories. I would vote for John Wyndham as I am into dystopia.
I love John Wyndham so The Chrysalids would be a good result for me!
I’ve read eight of them. I don’t remember A Laodicean anymore. In fact, I was thinking of putting it on my next list. It probably depends on the type of book you want to read. Nicholas Nickleby has Dickens’s usual mix of humor and pathos. La Reine Margot is full of adventure. The Brothers Karamazov is heavy duty. I can’t quite remember Armadale anymore, either. Some of these I read such a long time ago.
I’ve forgotten most of Armadale too, so I thought it would be fun to read it again. I would love to get A Laodicean, which is one of the few Hardy novels I still haven’t read.
I have quite a few of his, but I think there are probably some I haven’t read yet.
I have not read any of these. I hope you enjoy whatever the spin lands on. Here’s my list: http://carolsnotebook.com/2020/08/06/classics-club-spin-24/.
Thank you. I’m looking forward to the number being announced on Sunday!
Here’s hoping you get a short book, Helen! 🤞From your list, I have only read Nicholas Nickleby (definitely not short) and Sandokan (not that short either but it is a rollicking adventure that skips along at a good pace). I am also taking part and got my list posted today – I am hoping for something light and fun, as I way behind on my target. 😅
Thanks. Not long to wait now until we find out!