Classic Author Focus: Amrita Pritam

With over 100 books of poetry, fiction, biography, and essays, Amrita Pritam is beloved on both sides of the India-Pakistan border. She is considered the first major woman Punjabi poet and wrote in both Punjabi and Hindi. Born in the Punjab to a father who was schoolteacher and a preacher of the Sikh faith and …

24in48 Presents: The Social Distancing Readathon

From the 24in48 Readathon: And as more and more countries are implementing social distancing recommendations (if not actual quarantines), we decided it was time to find comfort in books and the community that loves them. Which brings us to the Social Distancing Readathon. Stay home. Wash your hands. Read books. March 21 & 22.  It’s that simple. …

Celebrating 8 Years of the Classics Club

Way back when, on the 7th March, 2012 two classics-loving bloggers, Jillian & Heather, wanted to see more people posting about classic literature on the blogosphere, so they came up with the idea for a Classics Club. Their goal was to, “unite those of us who like to blog about classic literature, as well as …

The Begorrathon and Dewithon: A Month to Celebrate Irish and Welsh Writing

Join Cathy at 746 Books to celebrate Irish writing during the month of March. Ireland Month, or The Begorrathon as it is affectionately called, will feature book reviews, poems, plays, songs, giveaways and much more.  You might like to join in by reading an Irish classic. Or two. Or three. Here are some you might consider. …

Classic Author Focus: Miklós Bánffy

I selected Miklós Bánffy to write about this month because I am reading Volume I of his Transylvania Trilogy, the work he is most famous for. This trilogy depicts the decline of Hungary heading toward the first world war. Bánffy was a nobleman, a member a distinguished family of Transylvania, which until 1916 was a …

Need Another Challenge? Another Bookish Event?

What challenges and events are planned for 2020? A lot, it turns out. Here are a few you may be interested in joining.   All Year   Nick at One Catholic Life has chosen one book for 2020 for his Chapter-a-Day Read-Along: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. If you would like to join in, …

Did You Finish Your Spin?

Today's the Day! On the 22nd December 2019, we announced the latest Classic Club Spin, challenging you to read book 13 on your CC Spin #22 list by 31st January 2020. Did you read your book? Did you write about it, or not? What's Next? In the comments below, tell us what book you read, and what …

Classic Author Focus: Jean Rhys

Jean Rhys is, of course, best known for Wide Sargasso Sea, her imagining of the life of Mrs. Rochester, the "madwoman in the attic" in Jane Eyre. She was born on the island of Dominica in the British West Indies, and it was not until she wrote a book set in the Caribbean that she gained …

Welcome to a New Year of The Classics Club

Hi Everyone, Welcome to another year of The Classics Club. The beginning of a new year is a great time to start fresh. Where are you in your Classics Club walk? How are you coming with your list? Have you gotten frustrated with your progress (or lack of progress)? Do you have books on your …

Classic Author Focus: Mary Gilmore

Mary Gilmore was an Australian socialist writer and poet who was the first woman to be awarded the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She is considered a national literary icon of Australia. Gilmore was born in New South Wales as the daughter of a Scottish farmer, David Cameron, and …

Your Lucky Spin Number Is…

If you joined the game last week, find number 13 on your CC Spin #22 List! That's the CLASSIC you are challenged to read by 31st January, 2020.  We know it can be hard to stay on track and enthused about your Spin Book for the whole journey. We plan to provide support and encouragement to …

CC Spin #22

Hello, Clubbers! It's time for another Classics Club Spin!What is the spin? It's easy. At your blog, before next Sunday 22nd December 2019, create a post that lists twenty books of your choice that remain "to be read" on your Classics Club list. This is your Spin List. You have to read one of these …

Classic Author Focus: Miguel de Cervantes

Cervantes doesn't fit into my plan of writing about lesser known classic authors, but he certainly led an interesting life. He was born into a family of minor gentry that was going steadily downward in the world. He may have been largely self-taught, although the head of a municipal school in Madrid referred to him …

Did You Finish Your Spin?

Today's the Day! On the 23rd September, we announced the latest Classic Club Spin, challenging you to read book 5 on your CC Spin #21 list by 31st October 2019. Did you read your book? Did you write about it, or not? What's Next? In the comments below, tell us what book you read, and what you thought …

Your Lucky Spin Number Is…

If you joined the game last week, find number 5 on your CC Spin #21 List! That's the CLASSIC you are challenged to read by 31st October, 2019.  We know it can be hard to stay on track and enthused about your Spin Book for the whole journey. We plan to provide support and encouragement to …

Classic Author Focus: Dame Ngaio Marsh

Dame Ngaoi Marsh doesn't exactly fit in with my idea of focusing on lesser known classic authors, at least if you're a reader of classic mysteries, but then not all my choices have followed that theme. We also haven't focused on anyone from that part of the world yet. Ngaoi Marsh is best known for …