One of the real joys of our reading clubs (where we focus on books from a particular year) is the fact that you get an excuse to rummage among the stacks and find out exactly which books from the year in question you actually own! I’ve been pretty good during previous clubs and have stuck almost completely to books I already owned. Coming to 1951 it seems I have rather a lot of volumes to choose from – and here they are in a lovely big stack! 🙂
This is probably not all the books I have in my collection from the year (there’s an Elizabeth Taylor for a start) but they’re all titles that appeal in one way or another. For a start, there’s plenty of Maigret:
I *could* just read nothing but Maigret all week – and that would be quite a pleasure! But there are other crime titles too:
I’ve read one Durrenmatt title and it was good, if dark; the Christie is that rare thing, one of her titles that I don’t think I’ve read!! And the Tey is one of my favourite crime books ever – but it gave me great grief when I was pulling books off the shelf to photograph! I knew which shelf my Teys *used* to be on, but having had a shuffle I wasn’t sure if they were still there. I looked on the shelf – not there. Searched the rest of the likely places but with no luck. Looked on the original shelf – still no joy. Looked in less likely places but to no avail. Went back to the original shelf and found them tucked up a corner behind some other ones – how do books do that??
If I need a break from crime these two are possibles – I haven’t read Steinbeck or Mitford for ages, so both would be good to pick up.
And then there are the heavier titles:
Of these, I *know* I’ve read the Greene and the Mishima; I *may* have read the Nabokov; and I don’t think I’ve read the Camus. These would probably take a bit more commitment, and I’m not sure if I’m in the right place mentally to revisit the Greene – we shall see!
So, plenty of choice from books I already own, though no doubt there will be temptation from all the interesting suggestions people come up with. Watch this space to see what I *do* read! 🙂
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Apr 02, 2017 @ 07:44:56
A lovely selection of editions – plenty of variety there, too. I’m looking forward to this one.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:09:12
So am I – so many lovely books to choose from!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 09:27:40
It’s strange but I’ve found it more difficult finding books to read for this event, partly because I’ve read several from 1951 already. I’ve decided on one book and as with previous events I hope to include some comics as well. I’ll keep quiet about the specifics as I like the element of surprise.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:08:52
Excellent! I like bookish surprises – look forward to hearing what you choose!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 09:32:00
Fabulous looking stack of books there. I have three titles set aside- I may not read them all – They came to Baghdad, Tempest Tost by Robertson Davis and School for Love by Olivia Manning.
I can recommend that Mitford and the Elizabeth Taylor you mention.
Here are a few other suggestions I found by searching my own blog for things I have previously read.
An English Murder by Cyril Hare
Danger from Deer by Vicki Baum
Not Wanted on the Voyage by Nancy Spain
The Grass Harp by Truman Capote
A Question of Upbringing by Anthony Powell (first book in Dance to the music of time).
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier.
Such variety – we need a whole month.
So glad you and Simon are doing this again.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:08:31
Oooh, thanks for reminding me about Nancy Spain – I have that one somewhere. Yes, there are so many good ones to choose from that a week isn’t really enough! 🙂
Apr 02, 2017 @ 09:54:36
I can recommend the Tey, Mitford and Nabokov, based on having read and enjoyed all three.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:07:55
Thank you! The Tey would be a re-read for me too, and I think I may well go for it – but the Nabokov is calling too!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 11:51:51
I’m drawn to re-read Greene, as it’s been decades since I first read that one, but I also have the Mitford and Memoirs of Hadrian and A Game of Hide and Seek on the shelves which I haven’t read – so plenty of choice!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:07:03
It *is* a particularly good year – I’m just trying to resist the temptation to read nothing but crime! :))
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:38:32
I’ve also read some Durrenmatt from the same collection you have. I suppose theming reads by a year can cut a slice through those TBRs.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:40:06
🙂 Yup, that’s an extra benefit of these reading years – and I try pretty much always to choose books I already own!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:40:58
It is educational and intriguing too to align the books all written in one year, to bring them together and try to see a world of that year emerging from them, the world of that year’s thought.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 12:46:28
It certainly is – there are themes that emerge and by putting the books in the context of the times it add another element to the reading.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 13:25:31
It just goes to show how many books you own if that many are from 1951. Nice selection. I have chosen one by Carson McCuller’s, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe. Not only is it 1951 but it was my spin book choice as well. I won’t have a lot of reading time in the next three weeks but should be able to get through this book as it is quite short. Happy reading.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 17:13:37
Yeah, I do have a lot of books…. mostly old ones, too! 🙂 I’m pretty sure I read The Ballad of the Sad Cafe pre blog but alas I can recall nothing… :((
Apr 02, 2017 @ 23:50:29
That’s good you can’t recall. At least you don’t remember it as the worst book you ever read. lol
Apr 02, 2017 @ 14:11:12
They Came to Baghdad is really great—a very unusual Christie, not much like her others, but excellent. Looks like you have a lot of great options ahead of you!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 17:12:13
I’m finding it so (reading up in advance) – I do love Christie!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 16:07:27
Great stack – you’re spoilt for choice! I’ll be reading Elizabeth Taylor and Carson McCullers 🙂
Apr 02, 2017 @ 17:11:52
Excellent! Look forward to your thoughts!
Apr 02, 2017 @ 16:53:37
Lots of great books to choose from for this year, but I’ve been drawn to the crime novels this time too. I’m reading Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer and hoping to have time for They Came to Baghdad as well.
Apr 02, 2017 @ 17:11:32
I think crime may dominate, definitely – there are so many good ones!
Apr 03, 2017 @ 08:28:32
Such a lot of books from that year in your stacks – I’m impressed!
Apr 03, 2017 @ 14:54:43
🙂 It’s nice that I already owned so many – helps not to be increasing the book piles in the house!
Apr 03, 2017 @ 13:02:00
As luck would have it, I’ve recently read but not posted about one eligible book, and I’ve spotted another contender from your selection that I already own and am keen to read so that’s me sorted – bring it on! 🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 14:53:34
Excellent! So glad you can join in! 🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 16:01:40
I’d like to join in with a Canadian book, so I did a quick search and came up with these: Tempest-Tost by Robertson Davies, The Loved and the Lost by Morley Callaghan, Where Nests the Water Hen by Gabrielle Roy, Renny’s Daughter by Mazo De la Roche, and Each Man’s Son by Hugh MacLennan. All of them interest me – I can’t decide! But if I wait much longer, I’ll run out of time. 🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 18:43:55
That’s great – several of those authors are new to me! Look forward to hearing what you read! 🙂
Apr 04, 2017 @ 08:17:46
I’ll give a vote to Tempest-Tost, it’s wonderful!
Apr 04, 2017 @ 09:11:09
I’ve heard of him but never read him – another one to look out for!
Apr 04, 2017 @ 14:16:27
Thank you! I started it last night, so I’m glad to hear I made a good choice. 🙂
Apr 04, 2017 @ 15:29:17
:)))
Apr 03, 2017 @ 18:53:07
Well you know The End of The Affair is my very very favourite Greene, and one I re-read every few years – but I had my most recent re-read since I started blogging, and already reviewed it, I think about 3 years ago, so even for a very very favourite, I might not yet be able to add much. BUT you reminded me of Daughter of Time, no longer on my shelves, but ordered from a market place seller…..and here now, so it will be that one……and one of your posters has said Ballad of the Sad Cafe, and I think McCullers too has come round for a re-read, so, as long as I have her on the shelf, that will be another delight. Remind me of the dates again – is it the week after next, or next week?
Apr 03, 2017 @ 18:56:03
Daughter of Time is calling to me too – I really think we could have made this a fortnight! It runs from 10th – 16th April so not long to go now! 🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 18:59:43
Ah next week – thanks
Apr 03, 2017 @ 19:03:31
🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 20:36:17
What a fantastic selection: can hardly wait to see what wins out, which mood prevails, and whether they’re fresh- or re-reads!
Apr 04, 2017 @ 09:12:45
I think it will be a combination of new and re-reads, maybe, but there will be plenty of crime! 🙂
Apr 03, 2017 @ 20:45:44
What a great selection Karen, I am just glad I found one so I can join in!
Apr 04, 2017 @ 09:12:21
It should be great fun – look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you read! 🙂
Apr 05, 2017 @ 01:32:30
I have chosen Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Although he was imprisoned by the Nazis in 1943, this book of his letters was published in 1951. It will tie in nicely with your event, as well as some reading I’d like to do before Easter at this somber time of year.
Apr 05, 2017 @ 21:24:35
Excellent – I’d not heard of this before so I’m keen to hear your thoughts!
Apr 05, 2017 @ 16:15:08
I have a problem finding something because I’ve read so many from that year. I have one or two unread Austrian and German ones and Capote’s The Grass Harp. You’ve got your work cut out for you. 🙂 The choices are great.
Apr 05, 2017 @ 21:23:34
I have almost too many to choose from – and I think the crime is winning!
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:06:49
I may read They Came to Baghdad also. Did not know there were so many Maigrets published that year — I’m also signed up for the European Reading Challenge and need a Belgian read (though I could count Murder in Montmartre for France as well!).
Daughter of Time is also excellent, I listened to an audio a few years ago narrated by Derek Jacobi. I also loved The End of the Affair which is heartbreaking (also on audio, narrated by Colin Firth).
Apr 08, 2017 @ 18:36:09
There seem to be a number of Maigrets for that year – he was an astonishingly prolific author!! I’m really drawn to revisit Daughter of Time, though I hope it doesn’t let me down!
Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (A Book for The 1951 Club This Week) | Dolce Bellezza
Apr 12, 2017 @ 07:11:42