A few books to start with…
Instead of listing a whole swag of books that I might read this year, I’ve decided to start with those I’ve either started to read already or definitely hope to read this year. Although I hadn’t planned to join any reading challenges this year these two are a couple I’ve never joined in with before and they are in line with the books I’d like to read…
The TBR Challenge @ Rose City Reader (Read 23 books in 2023 so I’ll be adding more books as the year goes on) and the Historical Fiction Challenge @ the Intrepid Reader.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer
The Child from the Sea by Elizabeth Goudge
Elizabeth of York: The Last White Rose by Alison Weir
NonFiction
Seeking God by Esther de Waal
Mary Queen of Scots: And the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir
This is an ongoing challenge – 50 classic books in 5 Years. I’m onto my second listing which will be completed in 2024.
Poetry Anthology – last year I didn’t regularly read poetry and I want to remedy that this year. I have some lovely anthologies I either want to finish or begin, some by one poet and others a selection of poets.
journey & destination 
I really enjoyed I Capture the Castle last year. 😍 I also have enjoyed Esther de Waal in the past and Child from the Sea was different but beautiful. I still think about it sometimes. ♥️I’m also trying to dip into more poetry this year. Currently, Emily Bronte, Mary Oliver, and Denise Levertov. ☺️
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This is the first book I’ve read by Esther de Waal and I’ve had Child from the Sea for a while & look forward to reading it.
Haven’t heard of Denise Levertov – will see if I can find some of her poems. I really like Christina Rossetti & Leon Gellert, who has written some of the best poetry that came out of WW1 and is generally considered to be Australia’s finest war poet.
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Good goals. I have I Capture the Castle and Woman in White on my TBR shelves too…
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I just read Woman in White – I don’t know why I took so long to finally get to this book. Maybe because the copy I have isn’t the best and has smallish print. It’s a smashing story! Loved it. 🙂 It is rather melodramatic but that didn’t bother me.
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I read The Moonstone a couple years ago now and liked it a LOT, so I am pretty sure I will enjoy this one too.
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Yay! You will read poetry this year. : )
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Yes. You encouraged me not to neglect it. 🙂
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Good for you!
I am not generally a poetry reader, but I hope to at least learn to appreciate it while reading through TWEM.
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I Capture The Castle is one of my favourites! So unique! I thought that and 101 Dalmatians were the only books Dodie Smith wrote but apparently there are others. I’ll have to investigate. I hope you enjoy your reading year and I love your stack!
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Thanks, Cleo. She is a unique writer with a whimsical bent.
Hope you have a satisfying reading year!
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These are long books, they should keep you busy for a while. Enjoy!
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I’m advancing quite well – they’re mostly quite riveting although the novel, Elizabeth of York, isn’t anywhere near as good as Weir’s nonfiction and could have been half the length that it is!
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