It’s time for another Classics Club Spin – the last one of 2020. Spin #24 was a success for me (I managed to read my chosen book, The Black Arrow, before the deadline), so I’m hoping for another good result this time!
If you’re not sure what a Classics Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #25:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 22nd November the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 30th January 2021.
And here is my list:
1. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
2. Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym
3. A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy
4. La Reine Margot by Alexandre Dumas
5. Armadale by Wilkie Collins (re-read)
6. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
7. The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
8. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
9. Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin
10. Goodbye Mr Chips by James Hilton
11. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
12. Germinal by Emile Zola
13. I Will Repay by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
14. The Manuscript Found in Saragossa by Jan Potocki
15. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
16. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
17. The Turquoise by Anya Seton
18. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot
19. Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
20. The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford
~
Have you read any of these? Which number do you think I should be hoping for?
She Reads Novels 
Oh no! I haven’t finished the last book! lol
I finished the book for the last spin, but not the one before that, which was Daniel Deronda, so I’ve put it back on the list to try again!
Good idea!
I didn’t get round to reading my last spin book! I’ve read 2 on your list – the Chrysalids and enjoyed it. I read The Brothers Karamazov too, but it was before I began blogging and all I remember is that it’s long! I hope you get the one you want.
I would love to get The Chrysalids. I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read by John Wyndham so far!
I’ve read Fire from Heaven and the Chrysalids, both of which I really enjoyed. I’ve also read The Turquoise, but I can’t remember a single thing about it except I have a vague feeling that mining came into it somewhere.
I’m expecting to enjoy both Fire from Heaven and The Chrysalids, based on the other books I’ve read by Renault and Wyndham. I’m hoping The Turquoise will be worth reading, even though it’s not one of Anya Seton’s better known books.
It’s funny how, if we always participate in the spin, our list looks pretty much the same every time. Maybe a couple of books read since the last one. We are sharing a few authors but only one book, The Brothers Karamazov. I hope that one doesn’t get picked, as it is a bit heavy for my current mood. I read it long ago and decided it was time to reread it.
I am posting my spin list tomorrow.
Yes, my list is almost the same as last time, apart from one or two different books. I have to admit, The Brothers Karamazov is not one I’m particularly hoping for either!
I am down to only 17 books to read, so it keeps repeating itself. And actually, I have fewer than that, because I’ve read a couple that I haven’t reviewed yet.
I began Fire from Heaven after enjoying The King Must Die in my early teens sometime around 1962, but never finished. Hmm, should rectify that. But I have read Moonfleet more recently, very different in feel from the Renault: https://wp.me/p2oNj1-yH
I enjoyed The King Must Die too, so I’m hoping for good things from Fire from Heaven. Thanks for linking to your post on Moonfleet. It does sound entertaining and I’ll be happy if it comes up in the spin this time!
I’ve read ten of them and they were all worth reading. I loved Germinal but it’s quite hefty. The Barbara Pym would be the lightest read by far I think. I plan to post my list tomorrow.
It would be nice to get the Barbara Pym, but if it’s a longer, heavier book I’ll be happy with that too as we’ve got a longer deadline this time.
Good-bye Mr. Chips is a lifelong favorite. My Mom read it aloud to us and I’ve read it on my own later. I’ve seen each version of the movie too. Enjoy if that’s the pick! Lots of good ones on here.
I know the story from the films, but haven’t read the book yet so I would love that one to come up!
It’s short and sweet too!
I can be sure of having read 2, 6, 7 and 15, and would recommend them all. Good luck!
Thank you! I would love to get the Barbara Pym, but I would be happy with any of those.
It seems I’m not alone (phew!) In that I didn’t get around to reading my book from the last spin – A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. So rather than make a new list, I’m just going to read that. I recently read Mary Renault’s The Last of the Wine so that would be my pick from your list, or Moonfleet.
I never got around to reading my book from two spins ago (Daniel Deronda) so I’ve put it on my list again this time, but it’s not one I’m particularly hoping for. I would be much happier to get the Mary Renault or Moonfleet!
I think I read Daniel Deronda, but I’m not sure. I have seen the opera based on the Pushkin novel… does that count?
I was actually supposed to read Daniel Deronda for an earlier spin, but was in the wrong mood for it so I’ve put it back on the list and will try again. And yes, I would say seeing the opera of the Pushkin novel counts! 🙂
I’ve got Eugene Onegin on my list too! I see there’s an audible version by Stephen Fry on youtube which I plan on listening to as I read.
That sounds like a good idea! Maybe I should try that too.
I’ve only read Germinal – LOVED it and we share many of the same authors on this current round of spin. Best to you that you get a fun read. (actually, had to go check and sure enough, I’ve read Goodbye Mr. Chips but I recall nothing of it.)
I’m glad you loved Germinal. It’s been a long time since I read anything by Zola, so I would be happy to get that one in the spin.
Lots of good ones on this list for sure. I’ve been looking for a reason to read that Willa Cather for years now. Something else always elbows in front of it.
I haven’t read many books by Willa Cather, but I’ve enjoyed the few that I have read. Shadows on the Rock sounds like an interesting one so I’ll be quite happy if that one comes up in the spin.
I love Germinal and it’s dark but a completely absorbing read, I could hardly put it down. I’m a huge Zola fan and it’s one of his best. I also love Barbara Pym which could not be more different! Good luck with your spin pick.
Thank you. I’ve only read two of Zola’s novels so far, but I enjoyed them and am really looking forward to reading Germinal!
I really liked both Jane and Prudence and Shadows on the Rock so I’m hoping you get one of those. 🙂
I’m glad you liked those two – I would love to get either of them, especially the Pym!
I hope you get one you love.
Thank you, Judy. I hope so too!
I’m reading Germinal now…jury is still out. Some great choices here. Enjoy!
I hope Germinal improves for you. I enjoyed the other two Zola novels I’ve read, so I’m hoping I’ll like that one too.
Great choices! The Brothers Karamazov is a favourite! Moonfleet looks like a great adventure. Happy reading, Helen, whichever book is chosen!!
I’m glad you liked The Brothers Karamazov. I have to confess, that’s probably the only one on my list that I’m hoping to avoid! I would be very happy with Moonfleet, though – it does sound entertaining!
I’ve read Goodbye, Mr. Chips. It’s a tear-jerker.
Yes, I’ve seen the film so I’m prepared for some tears! I would love to get that book in the spin.
Several great ones! I loved #15. Which would be Clouds of Witness for me:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2020/11/20/the-classics-club-the-classics-spin-25/
I’m pleased to hear you loved #15! It’s not one that I’m particularly hoping for, but I did enjoy the other books I’ve read by Dostoevsky.
Hi there! This will be my first spin and if I look at all the great books that are being listed, I am going to do The Classics Club for the next 50 years.
I hope the dice falls on Goodbye Mr Chips for you.
Good luck and here’s my Elza Reads #CCSpin 25
Thank you! I would love to get Goodbye Mr Chips.
Ooo Helen, we both have Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens on our lists, but at different numbers. Shame would have been nice to possible get it together. It is actually a re-read for me and is the only one off your list I have read. However I read it sooo long ago, I don’t remember a great deal about it! Good luck! 🤞😃
Thank you! Yes, it’s a shame we have Nicholas Nickleby at different numbers. If you get it and I don’t, I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it.
Great list! #9 and #15 are beyond brilliant!
I would love to get #9…I’m not sure about #15, but I’m pleased to hear you think it’s brilliant!
I re-read Germinal recently with a Goodreads/youtube group, I rediscovered it. We have many titles in common 🙂
I’ve only read two of Zola’s books but enjoyed both of them, so I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.
I was curious to see what your 14 was, and I realized I had never heard of this book. Sounds so fascinating, just added it to my TBR!
It does sound really fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading it!