Last year I joined a little challenge offered by my PEI friend here. I read not one book. It was a great idea, but ... . I've looked at a few of the challenges offered this year, but steeled myself to be realistic and not sign up. But this one, offered by another blogging friend seems like something I might be able to participate in, and have some success with. Plus it sounds like great fun. You may read more about it here, and perhaps some of you will sign up.
I had read two books in the Alan Grant series by Josephine Tey last year. The next one in line was published in my birth year, so that will go on the list. Also, there are a few Agatha Christie books I haven't yet read, and one of them was also published then. And a year ago I bought Uncle Dynamite by PG Wodehouse, and discovered to my delight that it too is a birth year publication. So, right off the bat, there are three books for me.
The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie
Uncle Dynamite by PG Wodehouse
Oh, and if you're wondering what year - it is 1948. Yup, next year is my big 7-0! How did that happen?
Anyhow, I am looking forward to this challenge, and I thank JG for offering it.
Now that is a new concept (for me) of reading books written or published in my birth year. I read a lot, I have a passion for reading in a free form selection style unified by reading what gives me pleasure.
ReplyDeleteMy style is 'free form' as well. That's why I can't join more defined challenges. This one is an easy going one.
DeleteI just went to the challenge from you blog. Oh, what fun, since it turns out that I have at least 10 of my birth year books on my shelves already and this will push me along to read them. Here are several of them: The Talented Mr. Ripley (P. Highsmith), The Quiet American (Greene), Bath Tangle (Heyer), Village School and Village Diary (Miss Read, and those will be re-reads), Less Than Angels (Pym), Death in Berlin (M.M. Kaye), Onions in the Stew (Betty MacDonald). So this will be my second reading challenge this year, in addition to the one I'm doing with Modern Miss Darcy. And I've never participated in any before!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the Ripley book. Haven't read enough GG. And haven't read any Heyer. I adore Miss Read. Not sure if I've read the Pym. I have the Kaye on the shelf and mean to get to it. I've just read one of her mysteries - the Kashmir one. I love her three autobiographies. And I mean to spend time with Betty M. I've just read the Mrs Piggle Wiggle. I'm amazed at the similarities in our reading taste.
DeleteI don’t usually join these challenges, but I rather like the look of this one – and I was born in the same year as you! ( Aug 1948 to be exact) I’m going to follow the link and read more. Thanks Barbara
ReplyDeleteYay! Always happy to hear someone is my age! haha. I think this will be a lot of fun.
DeleteI am not one to join 'challenges'. I don't know why. Maybe fear of failure.?? I think it is an interesting idea to read books that were published during your birth year. I might just look around to see what I can find in my birth year. Sounds like an interesting prospect.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to me, too. I'd like to see what was in the literary world that year. My lack of success with challenges is that I like to read my own choice of books. But this one I think will work out just great.
DeleteThis sounds like a fun idea, but I'm not joining any challenges this year other than Andi's ReadMyOwnDamnBooks. After perusing the list for 1961, I'm not sure I'd find many books I care to read, anyhow. :)
ReplyDeleteI do read my own books, and don't even go to the library anymore because I have my own in the house! I'm going to check out the 1961 list and see if I've read any.
Deletesuch a fun idea!
ReplyDeleteI think so! I was taken by the idea as soon as I saw it.
DeleteWelcome, Nan, and thank you for spreading the word about this. We have a lot of low-key fun with it, and a few surprises in the books we discover. I'm glad you found books that interest you, right off the bat! (And I can totally relate to the surprise of "Wait, how did I get to be this age???" I just don't match my number anymore, at least in my own mind.)
ReplyDeleteI found three kid books on the shelf from 1948. One was a childhood book of mine, one I read to my children, and one that I bought as an adult and haven't read yet. So I'm up to six. This is so much fun.
DeleteAmazing. I am another one born in 1948 (and it had not quite hit me that next year is 70). I have kind of ignored the numbers recently. I love to do challenges but sometimes I overdo them and have not had the success I aim for. I love your choices for books of 1948.
ReplyDeleteGood year, that! This is the only challenge I'm going to attempt this year. I found some other books on my shelves published that year.
DeleteThis sounds like a lot of fun. The Franchise Affair is my favourite of all the Alan Grant books, but I should probably say that it is mostly not about him at all. I found it delightful and I have a feeling you will too.
ReplyDeleteI'm really liking the series. Thanks for telling me about it!
DeleteI've never participated in a reading challenge but often find they sound like fun. A birth year challenge is certainly interesting, as it will probably give your reading a familiar background in the description of period-specific things.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am exactly 20 years younger than you - my big 5-0 is coming up next year! I am already looking forward to a big party, and have a good idea as to where I want to have it.
Maybe I'll come over and celebrate mine and yours!
DeleteThat is a clever idea, though I wasn't very excited about the ones I found for my year - 1957. The Goodreads list did have several that were made into movies I recognized. There was one Mary Stewart - THUNDER ON THE RIGHT and there was a Christie book (one of my favorites) - 4:50 FROM PADDINGTON. Oh, and a Phyllis Whitney book I haven't read - SKYE CAMERON.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun thing to see what was popular in any particular year. I found a few children's books published in 'my' year which I want to read or reread.I haven't read any PW, I don't think. And no MS either.
DeleteI'm not sure they were even publishing books in the year of my birth (on papyrus maybe?) ... Ha ha -- feeling old and tired today.... I don't do challenges, but I am going to go see what was published way back in 1940. ;>)
ReplyDeleteHaha! You are the least 'old' person I know!! I'm going to check out 1940, too.
DeleteHere's are two sites: https://www.goodreads.com/book/popular_by_date/1940
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1940_British_novels
Great stuff published that year!