It’s time for the first Classics Club Spin of the year! This is also the first one I’ve been able to join in with since 2024 due to not having enough books left on my list to make it worth taking part. I started a new list a few weeks ago – which I posted here – so this Spin has come at the perfect time.
If you’re not sure what a Spin is, here’s a reminder:
The rules for Spin #43:
* List any twenty books you have left to read from your Classics Club list.
* Number them from 1 to 20.
* On Sunday 8th February the Classics Club will announce a number.
* This is the book you need to read by 29th March 2026.
And here’s my list:
1. Brighton Rock by Graham Greene
2. Trouble With Lichen by John Wyndham
3. The Sundial by Shirley Jackson
4. The Duke’s Children by Anthony Trollope
5. A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde
6. The War of the Worlds by HG Wells
7. The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino
8. The Women’s War by Alexandre Dumas
9. A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
10. The Moon and Sixpence by W Somerset Maugham
11. Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
12. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
13. The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch
14. The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery
15. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
16. No Fond Return of Love by Barbara Pym
17. Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather
18. The Bamboo Blonde by Dorothy B. Hughes
19. Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
20. Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor
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I would prefer something short, but otherwise I’ll be happy with any of these. Which one would you be hoping for?
She Reads Novels 
I’ve read quite a few of these including no. 20 which I think you’d enjoy. If it was my list I’d be hoping for the Barbara Pym, as I’ve not read anything by her, or the Willa Cather, as I’ve enjoyed all her books and have several on my Classics Club list although I don’t own copies yet. I’m publishing my spin list tomorrow and, like you, I’ve avoided big books for practicality. Hope you enjoy whatever the spin gods select.
Yes, I would be happy with no. 20. I would like to get the Barbara Pym as well, as I’ve read two or three of her other books and enjoyed them all. I’ll look out for your list!
I haven’t read many of these but The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is so good!
I’m planning to read that one soon anyway, even if it doesn’t come up in the spin!
‘The War of the Worlds’ is a great (short!) book, but then I am a huge Sci-Fi fan. I remember enjoying ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ many years ago. The Maggie Smith movie version is great too. Plus, as I’ve mentioned before, I rather unexpectedly LOVED ‘A Town Like Alice’.
I would love to get The War of the Worlds! I don’t read a lot of sci-fi but usually enjoy it when I do. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and A Town Like Alice are both books I would like to get to soon anyway, even if they aren’t chosen in the spin this time.
I want very much to read Dandelion Wine but began The Trouble with Lichen last month as my Speccy Fiction Challenge without finishing it, so maybe that. Good luck for a short read with your spin though!
I would be happy to get either Dandelion Wine or The Trouble with Lichen, having enjoyed other books by Bradbury and Wyndham. I’m hoping for something short, but don’t mind if one of the longer books comes up – it just means I could struggle to finish it by the end of March deadline.
Oh I see, not your very first list just the first one for a while! I would like to read loads of these but probably number 20 first as I want to start reading Elizabeth Taylor. Lolly Willowes and Brighton Rock are so completely different but both in my top 10!
Yes, my first spin since making a new Classics Club list! I haven’t joined in for a while as I only had two or three books left on my old list. I would love to get either Lolly Willowes or Brighton Rock – I’m glad they’re two of your favourites!
That’s right, you have a totally new list now. How exciting! Gosh, you have a bunch that I have read but new to me books by Shirley Jackson and Dorothy B. Hughes. I guess I’d want one of them.
I’ve enjoyed other books by Jackson and Hughes, so I would like to get one of those.
Good luck!
That’s a great list, and I’ve only a few of them – so I’d be happy to get anything off it!
Yes, I’ll be happy with any of these! I would prefer a shorter one due to other commitments, but don’t really mind either way.
What a great list! Some I’ve read and some I want to read.
I can’t wait to see which one I get!
I have a new list, too, and it also includes The Prime of Miss Jean Brody! What i wish for you, though, is the Ray Bradbury. I love his writing and I especially liked that one. It’s a bit different from some of his others.
I’m glad you liked Dandelion Wine! I’ve only read Something Wicked This Way Comes by Bradbury so far, which I really enjoyed.
Ohhh I loved The Blue Castle so much – you should read it regardless of what spins up (it’s quick and easy and could be read one rainy miserable weekend 🙂 )
I’ll definitely try to read The Blue Castle soon, even if it doesn’t come up in the spin. We’re having plenty of rainy, miserable weekends here in the UK at the moment!
A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde is one of the few I don’t know well. Hm…
I don’t read plays very often, but loved The Importance of Being Earnest, so I decided to put another by Oscar Wilde on my list. I’ll be happy if that number comes up in the spin!
I’ve read several, as well as seen performances of his plays and movies.
I look forward to finding out which title you end up with. I think Dandelion Wine is probably the one I’m most curious about but I hope you enjoy whatever title you end up with and will keep my fingers crossed for a shower option.
*Shorter. I really need to start reading my comments back through before hitting send rather than after 🙈
Thank you! I would love to get Dandelion Wine, but otherwise I’ll be happy with any of the other books – even the longer ones.
Hey Helen, that is a good list of books. I think I would like to get The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery, after finishing the Anne of Green Gables series, I am eager to read more by Montgomery. I hope you like whatever you end up getting. 🤞🙂
I didn’t get The Blue Castle in the spin, but I would like to read it soon anyway. I’ve only ever read a few of the Anne of Green Gables books by Montgomery and am curious about her other books that aren’t part of that series.