A Certain Fondness

Trying the Classics Club Spin

little red can

The Classics Club is organizing another spin read and this time I’ve chosen to give it a go. The first spin was during a busy time for me so I didn’t feel up to letting fate choose my next book, but this time I am feeling adventurous and can’t wait to see what book is chosen for me. I’ve been a bit cowardly and have put only books that I feel I can finish by July on my list – nothing super chunky or incredibly hard to read. Most of these are books that I very enthusiastically bought and planned to read immediately, but then let linger. They’ve slowly moved from my bedside table to my upstairs bookcase and are now being neglected in my downstairs bookcase.

  1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
  2. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
  3. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
  4. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
  5. South Riding by Winifred Holtby
  6. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
  7. The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
  8. Nana by Emile Zola
  9. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
  10. Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves
  11. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
  12. Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  13. Brook Evans by Susan Glaspell
  14. Saratoga Trunk by Edna Ferber
  15. Harriet by Elizabeth Jenkins
  16. Where Angels Fear to Tread by E.M. Forster
  17. The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford
  18. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
  19. The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty
  20. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Are you taking the spin? Do we have any books in common?

Also, I can’t read this Danish book blog (unless I use Google Translate, which is not ideal), but I love looking at the photos. This blogger’s pictures are beautiful!

Have a gorgeous weekend!

22 responses to “Trying the Classics Club Spin”

  1. JoAnn (Lakeside Musing) Avatar
    JoAnn (Lakeside Musing)

    The Pursuit of Love is the only book we have in common, but we share several authors. Hope a good number comes up on Monday!

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Me too, JoAnn! The Pursuit of Love would be a grand pick – it is one of the ones I’m (secretly) hoping I get.

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  2. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    What a great variety! I need to look up Susan Glaspell, though. Is there a number that you’re really hoping will come up?

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      I would love to read The Pursuit of Love or The Haunting of Hill House – if either of those come up I will be verrrry happy!

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  3. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    Good luck on Monday! I think the only book we both have on our list is East of Eden. I loved South Riding and I Capture the Castle, so I’ll be envious if you get one of those.

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      I’ve been wanting to read both South Riding and I Capture the Castle for such a long time. I know I will enjoy them, but it’s never been the right time. Maybe their chance will come on Monday…

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  4. Sam (Tiny Library) Avatar
    Sam (Tiny Library)

    I’m taking part for the first time as well, like you I can’t wait to see which book is chosen for me!
    We have no books in common, unfortunately.

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Won’t it be fun? I almost can’t wait until tomorrow to see what I get!

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  5. Cat Avatar
    Cat

    I have done the same and been ‘a bit cowardly’ although I prefer to think of it as being realistic. I simply couldn’t have coped with a weighty tome this time round.
    You have a wonderful list with several titles I’ve read and loved . The only one also on mine is South Riding and another title of Ernest Hemingways. Good luck with the spin!

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Cat, yes, it really is just being realistic!
      I’m a bit afraid of the Hemingway – I haven’t read him since I was a teen and am not sure if I will like him, although I did read A Moveable Feast last year and enjoyed that.

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  6. Miss Bibliophile Avatar
    Miss Bibliophile

    Thanks for sharing that Danish book blog. Her photos are gorgeous! I can make out just enough of the gist of her posts to be frustrated that I can’t read them!

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Isn’t her blog lovely? She seems lovely, too.

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  7. jessicabookworm Avatar
    jessicabookworm

    This is my first go at the Classics Club spin too. You have chosen very different books to me. I look forward to seeing what you read. Good luck!

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Thanks, Jessica! Good luck to you as well. Fingers crossed we all get something marvelous!

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  8. FleurFisher Avatar
    FleurFisher

    We’ve no books in common, but I Capture the Castle and South Riding would be among my desert island books, and I loved Harriet too. I hope Monday’s number brings you a book to fall in love with.

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Oh, I haven’t fallen in love with a book in several months. It would be nice to have that again.

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  9. Karen K. Avatar
    Karen K.

    You have so many great books on your list!!! Last year I read East of Eden and South Riding and loved both of them; Ethan Frome and The Pursuit of Love are wonderful. O Pioneers is also great, and I Capture the Castle. And The Heart is a Lonely Hunter — I thought it would be dire and depressing and it’s amazing, I want to read more Carson McCullers. Must add her to my book group list!

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      So glad to hear that the McCullers isn’t depressing! I only reluctantly added it to the list. I read The Member of the Wedding way back when I was a teen and didn’t quite get it – she would probably be easier for me now.

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  10. Rikke Avatar
    Rikke

    Oh, wauw! You mentioned my blog! I am so flattered and grateful – thank you for your kind words.

    I’ve actually considered writing English translations of my texts, but as I’m not able to find the acurate words in English, I’ve dismissed the idea. But perhaps I should reconsider it 🙂 After all it would be excellent training.

    You have a lovely blog as well, I’m happy I found it! 🙂

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    1. Anbolyn Avatar
      Anbolyn

      Rikke, your blog is beautiful! Quite gorgeous photos and I’m sure your prose matches. Keep writing in Danish if that suits you – us English speakers can always use Google Translate to get the gist of your thoughts and we can also enjoy your photos.
      Thank you for stopping by!

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  11. Charlie Avatar
    Charlie

    I’m embarrassed to say I haven’t heard of many of those; knowing what you’ve read in the past I want to go and Google all of them because you seem to have a knack for picking good titles. The only one I’ve read is I Capture The Castle, and it’s fantastic. Good luck!

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  12. Maud Avatar
    Maud

    What a great list ! I’m pretty sure you’ll fall in love with any book that will be chosen ! I’ve read The Haunting of Hill House, East of Eden, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Nana, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Tender is the Night… You cant be wrong with those ones. Good luck for the spin 🙂

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