I wasn’t sure whether to take part in the latest Classics Club Spin as I only have nine books left to read from my Classics Club list, but I decided it would be a good way to motivate myself to pick up one of those remaining nine books and move a step closer to finishing my list at last!
If you’re not sure what a Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #35:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 15th October the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 3rd December 2023.
And here’s my list. I’ve had to repeat all of the books at least once as I don’t have twenty left.
1. The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
2. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
3. The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
4. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
5. The Black Lake by Hella S. Haasse
6. The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy
7. The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
8. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
9. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
10. The White Guard by Mikhail Bulgakov
11. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
12. The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
13. Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner
14. The Black Lake by Hella S. Haasse
15. The Trumpet-Major by Thomas Hardy
16. The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
17. Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault
18. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
19. The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
20. The Black Lake by Hella S. Haasse
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I don’t mind which of these books I get as I need to read all of them soon anyway. Have you read any of them?
She Reads Novels 
Congratulations on getting so close to the finishing line for the challenge. Of your remaining books I’ve read three – Dickens, Hardy and Graham Greene. Of these i think I would pick the Greene
If I get The End of the Affair it will be my first Graham Greene book, so I’m pleased to hear you would pick that one. I would also be happy with the Dickens or Hardy as I usually enjoy their books.
I’ve read most of Greene’s main works – my favourite is The Heart of the Matter
I enjoyed Fire From Heaven and End of the Affair, but read read both in the 80s. Good job almost finishing your list! Almost there. I love this challenge but am taking time off from it.
I love this challenge too, but it’s good to take a break from it sometimes. I’m glad you enjoyed Fire from Heaven and End of the Affair!
The list is quite well divided between those I have and those I haven’t read. You are sure you can actually source any and all of the books on your list?
I already have copies of most of these. Although I prefer physical books, I don’t mind reading ebooks, which helps with sourcing them!
Ah yes! I;m still a committed e-book phobe.
I have read three on your list – the Greene, Bulgakov and Dickens – and all of them I loved, so I hope you get one of them!!
I would be happy with any of those three, particularly the Dickens as I find he’s perfect for this time of year!
Your list is getting shorter! I haven’t read any of these. Good luck!
Thanks! Yes, it’s good to see the list getting shorter and shorter!
This is just when a spin is perfect isn’t it, that last push to get to the finish! I haven’t read anything from your list but hopefully they’re all brilliant!
Yes, I feel as if I’ve neglected my list recently, so this spin has come at just the right time!
The only one of these that I’ve read is The End of the Affair, but it’s one of my favorites of Greene’s books. Can’t wait to see what you spin this time.
I’ve never read anything by Graham Greene so I would love to get The End of the Affair. I’m glad you like it!
I’ve read two of these – The Trumpet Major years ago when I was at school, can’t remember much about it – and The End of the Affair, which I read about 10 years ago. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but I thought it was well written, a tragedy about conflict and doubt, and a dark and compelling book, with more emphasis on character than on plot.
I usually love Thomas Hardy so will be very happy if I get The Trumpet Major. The End of the Affair would be my first by Graham Greene, so hopefully I’ll at least like it enough to want to read more of his books.