Not my best year with regards to classics reading or this challenge, but I did manage to complete six classics.
1. 19th Century
Classic: Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen - I might now be in the triple
digits with regards to rereading this favorite, but I did reread it for the
2022 JASNA AGM in Victoria, and linked this in-depth review I did on GoodReads.
2. 20th Century Classic: couldn't quite finish The Winds of War by Herman Wouk, which is absolutely terrific, btw.
3. Woman Author: Elizabeth and Her German Garden, by Elizabeth von Arnim - my first classic of the new year, and a tonic in the bleak midwinter.
4. Translation: I had a couple of good possibilities, but got sidetracked...
5. BIPOC: The Big Sea, by Langston Hughes - fabulous memoir about the life of a poet as a young man.
6. Mystery/Detective/Crime Classic: Madam, Will You Talk, by Mary Stewart - I love Mary Stewart and this was recommended to me last year and it definitely fits the category.
7. Classic Short Story Collection: Best Short Stories, by W.
Somerset Maugham - got three-quarters of the way done. Loved all the stories and admire Maugham's writing, but didn't carve out the time to finish.
8. Pre-1800 Classic: Camilla, by Frances Burney - this seemed like a good idea at the time!
9. Nonfiction: Garden of the Gods, by Gerald Durrell - third in the trilogy by the author about his life growing up in Corfu between the wars--I really want to read this in 2023, but didn't get to it in 2022
11. Set in a Place You'd Like to Visit: The Marble Faun, by Nathaniel Hawthorne - set in Rome, need I say more? Okay, but not a 5-star read.
12. Wild Card: Envious Casca (aka A Christmas Party) by Georgette Heyer - this was a reread, but it's been 12 years and I had forgotten 99% of it anyway!
Thanks to Karen at Books and Chocolate for hosting this challenge.
Yeah I remember when you read the Langston Hughes memoir. I'd like to read that one as well as any others by him. Happy reading in 2023!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reading some really fine classics this year and your review of Sense and Sensibility describes the book beautifully. It's become my favorite Austen novel after Pride and Prejudice although I have yet to read Emma and Mansfield Park. I definitely want to read Herman Wouk. Also The Big Sea. Hope you have a very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Jane! I only read a couple of classics in 2022 and vow to do better this year. Glad to read your praise of The Winds of War... I remember being riveted to the television miniseries (back in the 80s, I think.) Not sure why I've never picked up Elizabeth and her German Garden. It's been on my tbr list for years.
ReplyDeleteSix is better than none! Congrats. This is a fun challenge, and one of my favs. Hope you have a very Happy New Year! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat job reading classics this year! I agree with Lark - six is better than none! You have quite a few on here that I haven't read. I've read Sense and Sensibility, Shirley, and Madam will you Talk. I really want to get back into reading Mary Stewart.
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