It’s time for another Classics Club Spin – the last one of 2022. I don’t feel that I’ve made much progress with the Classics Club this year, so I’ve been looking forward to this! If you’re not sure what a CC Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #32:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 11th December the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 29th January 2023.
Here’s my list:
1. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
2. The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
3. Claudius the God by Robert Graves
4. The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy
5. The New Magdalen by Wilkie Collins
6. Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell
7. Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household
8. Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff
9. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
10. A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy
11. Random Harvest by James Hilton
12. The New Magdalen by Wilkie Collins
13. Farewell the Tranquil Mind by RF Delderfield
14. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
15. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
16. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
17. Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym
18. Sword at Sunset by Rosemary Sutcliff
19. The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy
20. Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
~
As I only have 16 books remaining on my Classics Club list, I’ve had to duplicate some of them here. I don’t really mind which one I get but I would be particularly happy with Strangers on a Train, The New Magdalen or one of the Thomas Hardy books.
Which number do you think I should be hoping for on Sunday?
She Reads Novels 
I haven’t read a Barbara Pym in years, so I might hope for that – or a Hardy.
The Barbara Pym should be a relatively light read compared to some of the others, so I would be happy to get that one! I do love Hardy as well, though.
Good luck! I’d be happy with 1 or 2!
I would like to get the Dickens – his books always seem perfect for this time of year!
I’ve only read ‘Claudius the God by Robert Graves (many years ago!) and ‘Rogue Male’ by Geoffrey Household (much more recently) off that list which I thought was pretty good. My review is here:
https://cyberkittenspot.blogspot.com/2016/10/just-finished-reading-rogue-male-by.html
I’d definitely be hoping for ‘Strangers’ after enjoying the classic movie.
I’ve been looking forward to reading Rogue Male, but haven’t seen many reviews by bloggers so thanks for the link! I’m glad you liked it. Strangers on a Train is probably the one I’m hoping for most, though.
I’ve read Nicholas Nickleby which I love; also Random Harvest (much recommended), Moonfleet and Jane and Prudence, good fun. Wild Strawberries from your list has been waiting on my TBR far too long and I do need to pick up Claudius sometime as well; ages since I read the first.
I’m glad you’ve read and enjoyed some of the books on my list. I’ll be happy to get any of them, I think. It’s been ages since I read the first Claudius book too, so I’m hoping that won’t be a problem!
I see a fair amount of repetition, so you must be getting along in your list.
Yes, I only have 16 books left so had to repeat some of them.
Nice!
I’d like to read your review of Wilkie Collins The New Magdalen
I love Wilkie Collins so I’m expecting to enjoy it!
I’ve read several on your list, but hope you get Sword at Sunset or Claudius the God. I remember loving both of those!
I would be happy to get either of those, particularly Sword at Sunset. I’m pleased to hear you loved them!
I see the Sutcliff is so good you’ve listed it twice! It’s on my wishlist to reread after a gap of some 50 years. Meanwhile, the Faulkner is interesting and, I’d imagine, right up your street. As for the Highsmith I’m sure I’ll get to that eventually, but as I’ve already read two of her titles this year maybe not that soon. Good luck with whatever you get!
Thank you! As I only have 16 books left on my Classics Club list I had to repeat some of them for the spin and the Sutcliff is one I’m particularly looking forward to reading. Strangers on a Train would be my first Patricia Highsmith, so I’m hoping it will be a good one to start with.
Definitely Strangers On a Train…I want to read that one. This looks like a fun challenge for next year 🙂
Strangers on a Train sounds great. I’ve wanted to read it for ages. You should definitely think about joining in next year – it’s a fun way to read more classics!
I hope you’d get Nicholas Nickleby, it’s hilarious! I think it’s Dickens’ funniest novel by far.
I didn’t know Graves wrote Claudius the God, is it a sort of sequel to I, Claudius?
Anyway, good luck with the spin! And here’s my list: https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2022/12/classic-club-spin-32-ccspin.html
I would be happy to get Nicholas Nickleby as I haven’t read any Dickens for a few years. Yes, Claudius the God is the sequel to I, Claudius. It’s been a long time since I read the first book so I hope I can remember it.
I’ve read Claudius the God by Robert Graves (many years ago!), which I loved, The Trumpet-Major (when I was at school even more years ago) which I’d like to read again and see how much I remember, and The End of the Affair, which I didn’t can’t say I enjoyed. I hope you get one of the ones you’d be particularly happy with – good luck!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to Claudius the God, but hoping I can remember what happened in I, Claudius as it’s been a few years since I read it. I would be happy to get The Trumpet-Major – I usually love Thomas Hardy. The End of the Affair is on my list because I want to try something by Graham Greene and thought I would start with a short one!
Farewell the Tranquil Mind, just because it’s an intriguing title!
It’s a great title and I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by Delderfield!
I just read Jane & Prudence for the first time recently. It’s pretty great. I’ve got a Hardy on my list, but a different one. (Wessex Tales)
I’m glad you liked Jane and Prudence. I haven’t read Wessex Tales yet – maybe I’ll put that one on my next Classics Club list!
I haven’t read many of these, but the first two, Nicholas Nickleby and The White Guard, are both great. Since you want a Hardy I’ll say I hope you get one, but secretly I’ll be hoping you get Dickens… 😉
I don’t mind if I do get Dickens! His books are usually perfect winter reads, I think.
Barbara Pym or Dickens for the time of year I hope! Jane and Prudence is the only book I’ve read on your list and loved it, good luck!
I would like to get Jane and Prudence – I’ve enjoyed some of Barbara Pym’s others!
I’ve read the Pym & Greene before and can recommend both, but whatever you get I’m sure you’ll have a happy reading experience 🙂
Thank you. I’m looking forward to the Pym as I’ve enjoyed some of her other books, but Graham Greene would be a new author for me so I’m pleased you would recommend that one!