It’s time for another Classics Club Spin – the first of 2022! I’ve only read one book from my Classics Club list so far this year, so this spin has come at a good time for me.
If you’re not sure what a CC Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #29:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 20th March the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 30th April 2022.
And here is my list:
1. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
2. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
3. The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy
4. The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr by ETA Hoffman
5. Farewell the Tranquil Mind by RF Delderfield
6. Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
7. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
8. Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff
9. Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym
10. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
11. In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes
12. Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell
13. My Theodosia by Anya Seton
14. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey
15. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute
16. A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy
17. Random Harvest by James Hilton
18. The New Magdalen by Wilkie Collins
19. A Pin to See the Peepshow by F Tennyson Jesse
20. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
I have made a few changes to my Classics Club list since the last spin, removing some books I no longer felt like reading and replacing them with others that sounded more appealing to me or that have been on my TBR for a long time. They might not all be books that are traditionally considered ‘classics’, but at least there’s nothing here that I’m dreading reading! I would be happy to get any of these in the spin.
Are you taking part in the spin? Which number do you think I should be hoping for on Sunday?
She Reads Novels 
My Theodosia sounds interesting. I’ve read several Anya Seton books, but haven’t come across that one.
It’s her first book and obviously quite an obscure one, but I’m hoping it will still be good!
I’ve only seen the movie of ‘Strangers on a Train’ but really liked it… and I’m a BIG fan of John Wyndham so can recommend *everything* by him. I’m also a HUGE fan of Neville Shute despite only reading two of his so far. Some GOOD choices in there! I also have the Mary Renault books in my ‘of interest’ list…. Oh, and if my present read goes the way I think its going I’m definitely going to have an upcoming recommendation for you!
I’m glad you like some of these authors too! I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by John Wyndham but haven’t tried Nevile Shute yet. I’ll look forward to your recommendation – you’ve made me curious!
I hope you get A Pin to see The Peepshow – wonderful, wonderful book!
I’ll probably read it soon anyway, even if it doesn’t come up in the spin. I’ve been wanting to read it for ages!
I also have A Pin to See the Peepshow on my list — as a different number, but if it comes up for you maybe I’ll just read it anyway. Lots more great books on your list — I love Victorian sensation, The New Magdalen was a good one. I’m also curious about The Trumpet-Major. Pied Piper is wonderful, also Wild Strawberries and Jane & Prudence. Good luck with your spin pick!
I enjoy Victorian sensation novels too and it’s been a long time since I’ve read one, so I would love to get The New Magdalen. I would be happy with any of the other books you mention, particularly Pied Piper as I’ve been interested in reading something by Nevil Shute for a long time!
You have some good ones there. I am posting my list on Friday.
I’ll look forward to seeing your list!
It’s a great list, I’ve read ten of them. I hope you get a Pin to See the Peepshow.
A Pin to See the Peepshow is one I’m particularly hoping for. I’ve wanted to read it for years!
I’ve never read anything by Mary Renault – would this be a good one to begin with?
Fire from Heaven is the first in a trilogy about Alexander the Great, so is probably as good a place to start with Renault as any. I’ve only read The King Must Die and The Bull from the Sea so far, which are about Theseus but written as historical fiction rather than mythology.
Have fun reading whichever one you select, it is a nice list. My fav classic authors are Anthony Trollope , D.E. Stevenson and P.G. Wodehouse.
Thank you. I like all three of those authors, particularly Trollope!
Some good choices! Brat Farrar is wonderful.
I can’t remember if Shadows on the Rock is the Cather my grandmother liked so much. Yes! She fell in love with the name Cecile and as she had recently been confirmed she bullied her younger sister into choosing the name for *her* confirmation name.
I’ve seen some mixed reviews of Brat Farrar recently, but I think I’ll enjoy it. I’m looking forward to reading Shadows on the Rock to see why your grandmother liked it so much!
Lots of interesting looking books here! I haven’t read many of them but of those I have, The Chrysalids would be my choice, I think. Coincidentally I’m just about to re-read it. But The Pin to see the Peepshow and In a Lonely Place are both ones I’d like to read so I’d be happy to hear your thoughts on them if they come up. Good luck!
I have high hopes for The Chrysalids as I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read by Wyndham. I think A Pin to See the Peepshow is probably the one I’m hoping for most, though!
Good list. I’ve read Jane and Prudence, Fire From Heaven, and BratFarrar. All were good. Here is my review of Jane and Prudence, but I’m not offended if you don’t like to read reviews before reading a book. I love Pym https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/review-jane-and-prudence-by-barbara-pym/
Thanks for the link to your review. I’ve enjoyed some of Pym’s other books so I’m expecting to like Jane and Prudence!
Oooh, lots of interesting stuff. I’ve got Hardy & Cather on my list, but different ones. Hope you get something good!
Thanks! I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read by Hardy and Cather, so I would be happy with either of those.