As I often say at the end of one of our reading events, phew! what a week that was! 😀
I had high hopes for 1962 as there were so many interesting possibilites for reading, as well as a lot of titles I’d already loved and could revisit. In the end, I stuck pretty much to the books I’d initially planned, although one book I wanted to read went by the wayside and that’s “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson. I’ve had a copy of this on the TBR for some time now and fully intended to pick it up. However, in the end I wasn’t feeling it; the current awful state of the world, plus lack of time, found me struggling with the early pages and so I put the book aside and will come back to it when the moment is right.
Another title I had considered was “The Ticket that Exploded” by William Burroughs; like the Kerouac, this is a book I haven’t read in decades, and I *am* keen to re-engage with his work. However, as this is the middle book in a trilogy I decided to wait and spend time with Burrough when I can focus on how I want to approach his books.
It has been wonderful to see everyone’s posts and comments; it’s been a bumper year and what a fabulous range of reading there has been! I am currently away for a few days so will catch up on reading linking when I get back – but thanks to all who’ve taken part in the club, and my wonderful co-host Simon. We have been putting our heads together to work out what year we might like to travel to next, and *drum roll* can announce that the next club will be:
Yes, next April we’ll be exploring an early year in the #1937Club! It looks like a year with some marvellous choices, so we look forward to seeing you there – you have six months to get planning! 😀
madamebibilophile
Oct 23, 2023 @ 08:19:57
It really was a bumper year! Thanks so much to you and Simon for hosting. Now I’m off to search the TBR for 1937 titles 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:35:41
Most welcome – and yes, what a great year! Looking forward to 1937 now!!
mallikabooks15
Oct 23, 2023 @ 08:31:03
Thanks for hosting again Karen. This was so enjoyable. I too hoped to pick up Silent Spring but went for the lighter choices in the end. I just glanced at 1937 and it looks like I’ll have a hard time picking, so many excellent picks including two lovely Poirots.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:34:51
Most welcome! It’s been fun, although I would have liked to get to the Carson. 1937 does look good!
kimbofo
Oct 23, 2023 @ 09:06:16
Thanks for hosting. I finished my 1962 book last night (The Garden of the Finzi-Continis) so haven’t had time to review just yet… I will try to do later this week.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:33:51
Most welcome! Will look forward to your thoughts!
BookerTalk
Oct 23, 2023 @ 09:25:06
I had earmarked Silent Spring too since it’s the only 1962 book I have plus it’s been on my shelves for years and years. But when I came to start it, it was nowhere to be found. The library couldn’t oblige with a copy either. So Ms Carson will have to wait for another day.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:33:03
I was able to find min (but have now lost it again…) But it just wasn’t its time…
BookerTalk
Oct 26, 2023 @ 21:46:04
i wonder if my copy is in hiding with yours?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 27, 2023 @ 07:56:42
Lol, they’ve obviously run off together to hide!!
Elle
Oct 23, 2023 @ 09:59:58
Such a great year, and such fun to take part! Ooh, 1937—an interesting time. Can’t wait to see what I find.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:30:33
It’s been fun, and 1937 looks to be a good one too!
Jonathan
Oct 23, 2023 @ 10:09:17
I have managed to join in, in a way, this time – I’m halfway through The Slave by IB Singer. Probably won’t be able to post anything. Now, 1937? I wonder….
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:30:01
Well as long as you’re enjoying it that’s ok! And 1937 looks intriguing…
JacquiWine
Oct 23, 2023 @ 10:48:36
Thanks as ever to you and Simon for hosting this event – I’m only sorry I couldn’t contribute a new review to this one, especially as it was such a brilliant year! Hopefully I’ll be able to get my act together in time for the 1937 celebrations next April, fingers crossed!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:29:27
No worries Jacqui – and hope you can join us for 1937! 😊
Calmgrove
Oct 23, 2023 @ 11:36:13
In the end I only read one 1962 title but at least the Club meme got me finally tackling the John Christopher cli-fi tale, so thanks for the excuse! Now to investigate what Iight fancy for 1937…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:27:57
Well, if we got one book off your TBR that’s great! Roll on 1937!
Helen
Oct 23, 2023 @ 11:38:43
Thanks to you and Simon for hosting this again. It’s been another great year! The 1930s is one of my favourite decades so I’m already looking forward to April!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:27:17
Most welcome – it’s been fun! And can’t wait for 1937!
Margot Kinberg
Oct 23, 2023 @ 12:21:26
Silent Spring is a powerful book, I think. But you’re right that it’s not best read at a time when one’s already sad about the state of things. Still – so influential. If/when you do get to it, I’ll be interested in what you think of it. And roll on, 1937! Lots of great stuff awaits us!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:26:39
It just felt too much for me right now though I do want to read it. And yes – 1937 looks so good!
Marcie McCauley
Oct 31, 2023 @ 15:06:11
Yet Carson is tremendously inspiring, too, though. How she continued to work for the wilderness and its inhabitants (human too) even while battling cancer. She also has a wonderful collection of letters with Dorothy Freeman, such a celebration of friendship, and there’s a slim volume called The Sense of Wonder which is often marketed for children but is beautiful for any age of reader. If one is thinking “Carson” and not sure about the inimitable Silent Spring, these would make excellent alternatives when looking beyond 1962. (Sorry to butt in, but I’m a huge Carson fan.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 31, 2023 @ 18:53:44
Thank you for this and don’t apologise for butting in. I definitely want to read Carson so I will keep your suggestions in mind – it might be better to start with something slimmer before moving onto her major work.
Marcie McCauley
Oct 31, 2023 @ 19:25:45
Ahh, I get it, thank you; as a moody reader, I can appreciate that! 🙂 I enjoy the invitation to read from any of the decades, really, but it is much harder to find a Canadian author from the earlier decades whereas I’m spoiled for choice with the ’70s in that respect (but nevermind because I had a fresh Canlit choice and a reread option for 1962 and did not follow through with either heheh).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 31, 2023 @ 20:14:50
I think that the choices definitely become wider in the later decades simply because so much more was being published. But I hope you can find something suitable from 1937!
Liz Dexter
Oct 23, 2023 @ 12:39:51
I really enjoyed seeing the variety of books read for the club. Silent Spring was discussed in my “one that got away”, Kynaston’s “On the Cusp”, although at least I did manage to read two published in 1962. Looking forward to the next one, I’m sure there are lots to choose from!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:25:31
There were so many interesting options for this year, and thanks for taking part! And yes – 1937 does look good!
jrsdavies
Oct 23, 2023 @ 12:49:35
Some interesting ‘forgotten’ books re-emerged, as usual. But I’m surprised to note that (unless I’ve missed them) among the 1962 books *not* written about were three novels that have lasted: James Baldwin’s Another Country, Edna O’Brien’s Girl with Green Eyes and Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook. … And regret that my contribution was limited to a link to an old blog post – The Small Mine by Menna Gallie.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:23:14
I haven’t seen those titles turn up yet, but then 1962 was a year with so many options! And something like the Lessing does take a lot of commitment!
Cathy746books
Oct 23, 2023 @ 14:59:07
Thanks to you and Simon for hosting Karen – first time I’ve managed to read and review 2 books for Club Week. 1937 looks like another great year.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 23, 2023 @ 15:21:52
Thanks for joining in Cathy! And yes – 1937 looks so good!
Janette
Oct 23, 2023 @ 16:19:36
I can’t wait for 1937. It looks like being another great year for detective fiction
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:08:12
It does! One day I will do all crime reads for one of our clubs!! 🤣
Simon T
Oct 23, 2023 @ 16:52:14
It really did turn out to be a bumper year! Looking forward to 1937 – more options on my shelves than 1962 had, for sure 😀
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:08:47
It did, and 1937 has many wonderful choices- looking forward to it! 😊
bookbii
Oct 23, 2023 @ 17:55:21
Silent Spring is a great book, not quite as depressing as you might think. I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it.
Thanks for hosting. It was a fun week, I enjoyed reading about what everyone was reading.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:05:39
I will get to it, when the time is right – it’s an important book. And thanks so much for taking part!
Emma
Oct 23, 2023 @ 19:36:33
I wish I could have joined you but September was to hectic for a proper planification.
1937: Great! I have The Bachelor of Arts by RK Narayan on the shelf.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:04:32
No worries! And glad you have something suitable for 1937!
Julé Cunningham
Oct 23, 2023 @ 21:20:11
Thank you to both you and Simon for hosting another stellar Club week. I’ll join the chorus in recommending Silent Spring, an amazing and eye-opening book. Taking a quick peek at 1937 books I can see it’s another year that I’ve read more than a few from, which is a bit of a surprise.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:04:02
Thanks for taking part! And I *will* read Silent Spring when the time is right, definitely. 1937 looks great and I’m most excited for it!
whisperinggums
Oct 23, 2023 @ 22:00:04
I love the earlier years, but I did find some fascinating things about Aus lit in 1962. I hoped to read more but I only read 2 short stories and posted on one. Thanks as always to you and Simon for running this.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:02:53
Thanks for taking part! And I hope you can find something interesting for 1937!
whisperinggums
Oct 25, 2023 @ 05:35:38
I’m sure I will.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2023 @ 16:27:51
😊😊
Denise
Oct 23, 2023 @ 22:01:30
I’m enjoying Emily St John Mandel at the moment, she makes the awful state of the world seem less awful. Also Paul Murray. I don’t think I could read Silent Spring either.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 18:02:11
I want to read it, but I think the timing will most definitely need to be right!
heavenali
Oct 23, 2023 @ 23:32:44
Congratulations on another really successful club week. Such a wonderful variety of reviews, which I am struggling to keep up with. 1937 was the year my dad was born so that will be great. I shall get searching soon.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 17:59:15
Thanks Ali – I’m still catching up too, some wonderful books from 1962. And 1937 looks brilliant too!
WordsAndPeace
Oct 24, 2023 @ 00:16:40
Always excited to learn about the new year! Apparently, I have read 5, and have 5 on my TBR for that year!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 24, 2023 @ 17:57:13
Excellent! It looks like a good one!
Claire (The Captive Reader)
Oct 24, 2023 @ 23:27:57
The 1962 Club really way a great week so thank you (and Simon) again for hosting! And I’m already looking forward to the 1937 Club.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 25, 2023 @ 16:28:30
1962 was a brilliant year, and 1937 certainly looks equally good!
Marianne Maurer
Oct 26, 2023 @ 09:45:19
Looking forward to this. I already have one on my TBR pile …
Thanks for all you do, this was a great year. Again.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 26, 2023 @ 18:29:09
Glad you enjoyed it! 😊😊
Marcie McCauley
Oct 31, 2023 @ 15:09:05
Such a satisfying year indeed. As others have said, I’m looking forward to 1937 now. Already I have a couple in mind. I can’t recall…do you usually pick from each decade as you move forward in leaps? As in, does that mean another chunk of Clubs before something from the ’70s might appear? (But I get it, neither you nor Simon wants to get “too close” to “now”.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 31, 2023 @ 18:52:48
TBH, we hop about fairly randomly as the mood takes us – so we wouldn’t necessarily do 1930s and then 1940s are they’re close together. But really it’s down to how we feel. So not chronological, and you never know, we might pick a 1970s year next (we don’t tend to go any later than that!)
Damion Searls
Nov 10, 2023 @ 21:15:49
Belated P.S.: I don’t know if you ran across this, but 1962 has probably the all-time-best TIME magazine top ten books of the year list: Faulkner’s last novel and Philip Roth’s first, in an incredible overlap of generations! Plus Nabokov’s PALE FIRE, Borges’s FICCIONES, and Shirley Jackson’s WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE! Plus Katherine Anne Porter’s SHIP OF FOOLS, and Hans “Comedy in a Minor Key” Keilson’s other Holocaust novel DEATH OF THE ADVERSARY!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 11, 2023 @ 16:49:36
1962 was an incredible year for books – I mean, look at those titles! I wish I’d known about Death of the Adversary in time for the club, but at least my copy has now arrived!! 😊😊
State of the TBR February 2024
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:33:53
Rose in Bloom & 1937 | The Australian Legend
Feb 15, 2024 @ 22:51:41