Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

✔︎1900: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy - 3 stars
✔︎1910: The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West - 4 stars
✔︎1920: Passing by Nella Larsen - 4 stars
✔︎1930: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - 4 stars
✔︎1940: Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford - 2 stars
✔︎1950: Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow - 4 stars
✔︎1960: The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau - 4 stars
✔︎1970: Consenting Adult by Laura Z. Hobson - 3 stars
✔︎1980: Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie - 3 stars
✔︎1990: Out by Natsuo Kirino - 4 stars
✔︎2000: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan - 3 stars
✔︎2010: A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park - 4 stars

Reserved

Ooh. Lovely list! I'm planning on reading Passing and The Keepers of the House, and I just picked up Foreign Affairs to read this month. Enjoy the challenge, Marilyn!

I’ve read two of your selected authors and one of the books, the rest look excellent. I have seen The Keepers of the House floating around on goodreads and I’m interested. I’ll be looking to see what you and Kathleen have to say, looks like another one for my TBR.

Great list! I haven't read one of them. I may end up using Years of Grace for mine

I've read Passing and The Keepers of the House which are both very good. I want to read Out this year for another challenge of mine. I look forward to seeing what you think of your choices. Good luck!

I hope reading these books is as much fun as making the list.

I've only read four of your choices...all of them quite good. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of them all.

January - I used all of these books for bingo also.

The Scarlet Pimpernel - A fun read. 4 stars

Out - Winner of the Grand Prix for Crime Fiction in Japan - This was not a whodunit, but a willtheygetawaywithit. What made it an outstanding read was that it was about more than a crime. Buried beneath the crime story was a commentary on gender and class in Japanese society. The four women in the story felt trapped at work and at home. How each women broke free was totally unexpected. 4 stars

Passing - This book was my favorite read of the month. Nella Larsen was an African-American author in the 1920s. She gave the narrator an authentic voice. I didn't have to wonder if this was what an African-American woman would think or do when interacting with a friend who was passing. Outstanding read. 4.5 stars

Love 2-for-1's.

I haven't checked in here for a long time so I will update with recent reads:

Consenting Adult: Published in 1975 when gay people were in the closet and lived in fear that someone would discover their secret. This book was like picking something out of a time capsule. I liked it. 3.5 stars

Celia Garth: The story is the kind of historical fiction I remember reading as a teen. It takes place during the Revolutionary War and has the ugliness of war without the gritty, detailed violence. I picked up Jubilee Trail for 99 cents on Kindle and look forward to another book by this author. 4 stars

Foreign Affairs: As with a lot of the Pulitzer Prize winners, it was ok but not destined to become a classic. 3 stars

2 books remaining!

Done!

Congratulations, I see more 4 stars than 3 stars, you picked well. Any clear favorite?

Bravo, Marilyn!

Congratulations on your completion!

Sara and Helen: Thanks! It's not necessary to complete a challenge but it feels good when it happens.

Bob: No clear favorite, but several good stories.