Just a little heads up today that the #1956Club will be starting in just over a week’s time!
In case you’ve not encountered one of the Clubs before, this is an event dreamed up by my co-host, Simon at Stuck-in-a-Book. There’s no registration or any kind of formality; we just encourage people to read, discuss and share thoughts on books published in the year we choose – and the more discoveries there are of unexpected and brilliants works, the better!
Now, when we picked 1956, we both felt it was something of a bumper year; and exploring further in recent weeks I’m amazed by the number of fantastic books from 1956. So much so that I’m really going to have trouble deciding what to actually read! An initial rummage round the shelves revealed these:
Some possible reads for 1956…
There are great books in there, some of which I’ve read (and would love to re-read) and some of which are new to me. Choices, choices. However, since pulling those out I’ve discovered I have even more 1956 books in the stacks:
And yet more…
I actually really don’t know where to start reading! And this is only scratching the surface as I know I have more from 1956 in the house somewhere..
Anyway, we do hope that as many of you as possible will join in. Do read and post and discuss your reads; I have a set of dedicated pages, one for each year we’ve done, and will add links on the 1956 page when it appears, so do leave a comment with a link (or indeed let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments if you don’t have a platform). 1956 promises to be a marvellous week of bookishness, so do join in. What are you planning to read?
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Sep 27, 2020 @ 10:46:26
Just putting the final touches to my thoughts on Rose Macaulay’s crazy The Towers of Trebizond. More Rose Macaulay! I chose it because there was a copy among y mother’s boos that I inherited last year. Also I have reviewed two other, much earlier books, by her this year on Bookword blog. Look forward to other choices.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 12:19:51
Excellent! I have a copy of this somewhere and would love to get to it, but I suspect time may run out on me… ;D
Sep 27, 2020 @ 12:04:30
I’ve got a Peake memoir by Maeve and their son but not the title you illustrate. Will I join in this? Having decided not to flag up any challenges I’m considering — the pressure, the pressure! — who knows whether a 1956 review will appear unannounced on my blog… 😁
Sep 27, 2020 @ 12:18:33
Ah, my Peake’s Progress is there because “Boy in Darkness” came out in 1956 – though whether I get to that is another matter. But join in if the mood takes you – if not, hopefully you’ll enjoy seeing what others are reading!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 12:30:01
Hooray! I’m a terrible blogger at the moment but I do plan to join in – and I’m looking forward to all the posts 🙂
Sep 27, 2020 @ 14:06:37
Hurrah! Look forward to seeing what you read!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 13:21:44
I’ve read the two children’s books already and will write a post about them in one go, so at least I will have something done! The other two books I planned to read are a bit more chunky, so we’ll see how I get on…
Sep 27, 2020 @ 14:06:22
Excellent! Good luck with the chunky ones… ;D
Sep 27, 2020 @ 13:22:40
Well I just combed through my TBR and found nothing, and then I looked at my LT catalogue and I have the Observer’s Book of Wild Flowers and a peculiar book about archaeology that I can’t immediately locate, so I will be an intrigued observer for this one again I fear!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 14:06:06
Aw shame! Never mind – hopefully there will be interesting posts for you to read! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 14:07:13
Maybe I can find some overlap here with my Classics Club list. I like 1956. It is my year.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 14:29:58
It certainly seems to have been a great one for books – hope you can find a suitable read! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 15:29:57
I have three possible books from my TBR shelves and a fourth from the library. I know I won’t finish all of them but if I can get through at least two that will be an accomplishment. I’m looking forward to all the posts!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:53:33
That’s great! And even if you don’t finish all four for the week, you can still read them anytime – to be honest, with this particular year I think we could have done a fortnight at least!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:13:28
I’m currently reading Giovanni’s Room. I’d like to read Walk On the Wild Side but I’m not I’ll make it.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:48:35
Fab! I read this decades ago, but I’ve never read the Algren despite having owned it for ages!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:17:08
I just searched my shelves Karen and found quite a few books published in 1956, so I would love to join in 🙂 The ones I am considering are The Fountain Overflows by Rebecca West and The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:48:00
Excellent – so pleased you can join in! I have the West too, though I don’t think I’ll get to it this time. And The Lonely Londoners is one I want to read. Look forward to your thoughts!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:24:45
My reading usually stops after 1945 but I am intrigued; let me rummage around and find something appealing to read for that year. I love these events!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:47:06
It’s a bumper year – do hope you can find something suitable!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:27:54
I’m organizing my pile–thinking Algren or Baldwin and maybe Cop Hater for something lighter?…
I hadn’t thought about Heaven and Hell being 1956–it’s been forever since I’ve read that.
I’m looking forward to this! Thanks!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:46:23
Excellent! I may try to read Cop Hater – it’s been a long time! I read the Baldwin ages ago, but haven’t yet read the Algren – so many choices! Look forward to hearing about what you read!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 17:28:10
There’s an interesting selection here: https://neglectedbooks.com/?p=7109
Sep 28, 2020 @ 11:19:46
That’s a really helpful page with some excellent suggestions – thank you! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 18:11:01
I will be starting my 1956 read – The Last Resort by Pamela Hansford Johnson as soon as I finish my current read. Time permitting I will try to get a second book read. I have a few to choose from, though not as many as you do!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 18:17:21
Fab! I’ll look forward to your thoughts on PHJ – I’ve still to read her but the one book I have is not 1956. I do have a lot to choose from – it’s going to be really hard this time!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 18:33:39
I’m so looking forward to it! I’ve got lots in the queue: Spam Tomorrow by Verily Anderson, Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer, We Made a Garden by Margery Fish, and, from my father’s childhood bookshelf, The Children Who Stayed Alone by Bonnie Bess Worline. I’ve just started Spam Tomorrow and it’s delightful!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 18:53:10
That’s a lovely selection! It’s such a varied year, I hope there will be something for everyone! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 19:18:16
What a publishing year 1956 was, the creative ferment was certainly bubbling away! I know I have The Fountain Overflows and need to see if I’ve got other possibilities.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 19:23:30
Wasn’t it just??? So many books calling as potential reads – we really are spoiled for choice with 1956! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 20:02:41
I was only wondering when the next one was this week! Off to check my shelves now.
Sep 27, 2020 @ 20:18:07
LOL! Hope you can find something suitable! 😀
Sep 27, 2020 @ 22:00:00
I think this is one of the best years you’ve chosen so far! I have Every Eye by Isobel English and Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart, but might not have time for both of them.
Sep 28, 2020 @ 11:03:32
It really is a bumper year. I loved Every Eye so I hope you read this one – look forward to whatever you choose!
Sep 27, 2020 @ 22:02:34
I don’t normally read ahead with these Year Reads but I have this time—I’ve read one, hopefully my first of several…or a few anyway; but writing up a review is the problem as I’ve had no enthusiasm for that recently; I’ve read a lot of great books though.
I was, and still am, tempted to re-read Algren’s A Walk on the Wild Side, which is a favourite of mine…but I have other ideas…..hmmmm….
Sep 28, 2020 @ 11:03:05
Excellent – glad you’ve managed to read something from 1956. Algren is tempting me as I’ve never read it…. but whether I have time is another matter!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 01:30:28
I’ll see if I have any on the shelves. 🤠🐧☕
Sep 28, 2020 @ 11:02:25
Hurrah! Happy hunting!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 06:49:20
I think this is a great project. I’d love to be a part of it except I don’t trust myself to actually keep it up. But I will watch and view from afar.
Sep 28, 2020 @ 11:02:10
LOL! It’s great fun – and hopefully there will be interesting posts for you to read if nothing else!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 09:01:42
I’ve just looked through my TBR and amazingly I only have one (unread) book from 1956 – Train to Pakistan by Kushwant Singh. I actually started reading this a couple of months ago and put it aside because it wasn’t the right time – I think I am going to give it another go this month!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 10:59:15
Oh excellent – not a title I’ve come across and we’re always looking for undiscovered books!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 12:34:47
I have two books lined up and am starting the first tomorrow. For some reason I thought it was two weeks away so I’m a little on the back foot, but should get them read.
Sep 28, 2020 @ 14:47:42
Excellent! It’s rather crept up on me too, so I’m not getting so much reading ahead done. Onward and upward!
Sep 28, 2020 @ 14:20:36
Hurrah! I hadn’t realised Marching With April was 1956 – I have that somewhere around here.
Sep 28, 2020 @ 14:44:13
I hadn’t either until Mike Walmer reminded me…. ;D
Sep 28, 2020 @ 19:33:21
Lovely! I’m looking forward to seeing all the reviews flying around the web next week. Fingers crossed I’m all set. 🙂
Sep 28, 2020 @ 19:58:22
Excellent! Look forward to your posts!
Sep 29, 2020 @ 04:46:58
I didn’t participate, but I was curious and looked on Goodreads on the 1956 books I have read, besides some of your pictures. My favorite is Narnia!
Sep 29, 2020 @ 09:32:57
I love the Narnia books, though I doubt I will have time to get to them this time round. But there are lots of lovely 1956 books and I really will have trouble choosing. We start on 5th October so hopefully you will have some interesting posts to read! 😀
Sep 29, 2020 @ 10:03:21
I shall scour my books and see if I have any that fit the bill!
Sep 29, 2020 @ 11:04:17
Excellent! Happy hunting!!
Sep 29, 2020 @ 11:49:00
So many great possibilities! I think you will enjoy the Brophy 🙂
Sep 29, 2020 @ 16:11:18
I hope I get to that one, because I’m very keen…
Sep 30, 2020 @ 14:58:48
I have been meaning to read Giovanni’s Room for a long time now. I own The Towers of Trebizond and A Certain Smile. I am thinking of reading Baldwin and Sagan. Macaulay feels a bit too long at the moment since I don’t want to digress much from my reading-the-world plan.
Looking forward to reading about all the wonderful books published 1956!
Sep 30, 2020 @ 15:44:32
Those are all good choices! I have embarked on some titles, but it’s really hard to choose. I’m looking forward so much to seeing what everyone else reads!
Oct 01, 2020 @ 09:28:42
Oct 01, 2020 @ 10:19:09
I wasn’t as blessed with as many options but did find a battered old Penguin edition of The Fall by Camus. So I guess that’s what I’ll be reading next week 🙂
Oct 01, 2020 @ 11:24:22
Excellent! I may be joining you…. ;D
Oct 02, 2020 @ 18:50:10
What an amazing pile! Is that a record number of possibilities? I’ve been toying with a variety of ideas, but haven’t settled on anything yet. It’s simultaneously a very rich year and, yet, not directly aligning with any of my other current reading projects. So, it remains a mystery for now!
Oct 02, 2020 @ 21:39:44
I reckon it’s definitely the most books I’ve actually owned from any of our years! So many amazing options that I’ve really struggled with choosing. I’ll look forward to seeing what you come up with!
The 1956 Affair… – Mockingbirds, Looking Glasses & Prejudices…
Oct 03, 2020 @ 12:49:14
Oct 03, 2020 @ 15:59:13
Oct 04, 2020 @ 12:05:12
For once I believe I will be able to join and am looking forward to it! However, I’ve just finished a fairly exhausting week so my plans are all children’s fiction 🙂
Oct 04, 2020 @ 15:46:14
Excellent! Whatever you want to enjoy from 1956 – that’s the main thing!
Oct 04, 2020 @ 15:05:22
Thanks for hosting this. Here’s my sign-up:
Oct 04, 2020 @ 15:44:56
Fab! Glad you can join in!
Oct 05, 2020 @ 01:25:38
I do not normally join in on events like this, but there is such a wealth of good books to choose from in 1956 that I may try. Some of my favorites including Saul Bellow, Romain Gary, Naguib Mahfouz, and Mary Renault all published in 1956. It will be hard to choose, but I will definitely keep in touch.
Oct 05, 2020 @ 09:21:54
It is a particularly excellent year, and we do feel the clubs are very low pressure because you have a wide choice of books, a week to read in and can read as much or as little as you like!
The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay | book word
Oct 05, 2020 @ 07:47:12
Thieves and Rascals by Mavis Gallant – a post for the #1956Club | JacquiWine's Journal
Oct 06, 2020 @ 07:11:02
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:14:04
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:45:27
Thanks for hosting again! Here’s my first review – A Certain Smile by Frnacoise Sagan and I hope to have Janet McNeill’s Tea at Four O’Clock reviewed by end of week!
Oct 06, 2020 @ 13:50:52
Wonderful! Will link later! 😀
Oct 06, 2020 @ 18:27:38
My first review: The Diehard by Jean Potts
Oct 06, 2020 @ 19:17:06
Thank you! I will link when I can get my technology working! 😀
Oct 07, 2020 @ 00:53:13
Such a great idea! I ransacked my inherited books and came across my parents favourite ‘Beyond the Black Stump’ by British-Australian author Nevil Shute. It is an original hardback publication but in sad condition now. On the bright side it is readable 🙂
Postscript: If anything was beyond the black stump it meant remote country, way outback, and the setting is a sheep station in sun-parched Western Australia.
Oct 07, 2020 @ 10:16:52
It’s a fun challenge and fairly low pressure too. A good find from your inherited books – look forward to your thoughts!
Oct 10, 2020 @ 12:53:54
I’m so glad that i finally managed to join, here is the link to my reviews: https://ireadthatinabook.wordpress.com/2020/10/10/1956-in-childrens-literature/
Oct 10, 2020 @ 13:46:52
Fab! I shall do a link! 😀
Dec 31, 2020 @ 17:57:07