Now that I’m approaching my fourth decade of life, I feel more confident about the choices that I make in life. For example, I know when I enter a Starbucks, to be confronted by a bewildering array of choices, that I am NOT a green tea latte type of person. Most definitely not. For me, it is the subtle aroma of the simple cappuccino, made with a hint of sugar, that gives me pleasure.
Similarly, I have accepted the fact that I will never be the ‘skinny jeans wearing type of gal’ with the permanently furrowed brow. Give me the comfortable boyfriend jeans and I will sink comfortably into my favourite couch, to reach for that reassuring book.
When it comes to book choices too, I have finally reached that beautiful place, when I am able to appreciate in advance, exactly what kind of book I will enjoy reading, even when I have never read a single line written by that author.
Most of them are modern classics, written in and around the twentieth century and deal with stories related to the home and society.
Here in no particular order, are the twelve authors whom I have never read, but I expect (and hope!) will give me many hours of unadulterated reading pleasure in 2016.
1) E.M. Delafield- The Diary of A Provincial Lady
2) Elizabeth Jenkins- The Tortoise and the Hare
3) E.F. Benson- Mapp and Lucia
4) D.E. Stevenson- Mrs Tim of the Regiment or Miss Buncle’s Book
5) Monica Dickens-Mariana
6) Penelope Lively- Consequences
7) Muriel Spark-The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
8) Beryl Bainbridge- The Bottle Factory Outing
9) Winifred Holtby- South Riding
10) Barbara Comyns- Our Spoons Came from Woolworths
11) Elizabeth Taylor- Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont
12) Josephine They- The Franchise Affair
Please let me know if you enjoy reading these particular authors and which books you have enjoyed reading by them.
Which books do you look forward to reading in 2016?
Here’s to a great year of reading ahead!
Bag Full Of Books 
A lovely selection – the Tey is excellent!
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That is really good to know Karen. I’ve always been meaning to read Tey and thought that this book might be a good start. Thank you!
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OMG! I love this post too. After reading two of your posts back to back, I am almost tempted to quit my job, snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate and just read. *I wish. knock. knock. reality check*. But I am optimistic for 2016 and adding these book recommendations too, to my Goodreads TBR list. I always stumble upon gems at the most unexpected times/places and there might be a few in this post. 🙂
Cheers,
Siri
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Thanks Siri. I’m busy trying to gather these books together for next year. Excited to start them. Do read my monthly wrap up posts for other bookish recommendations. I include audiobooks and movie recommendations.
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You have so many books that I really like on this list. The Diary of a Provincial Lady is a firm favorite. It is witty and charming and fun. I could say the same thing about D. E. Stevenson and her Mrs Tim books. South Riding is excellent. I have been thinking about rereading it. I also enjoy Josephine Tey. The Daughter of Time is my favorite of hers. I am not familiar with the Penelope Lively or the book by Beryl Bainbridge. I will have to look into those. I think all your other choices are fantastic. It looks like 2016 should be a great reading year for you!
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I’m looking forward to reading those books although I think I may read Stevenson’s Miss Buncle’s book first. Thanks for the Tey recommendation. I can’t wait to read the Diary of a Provincial Lady. I really enjoy the diary format of writing.
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So many great authors — I loved Mrs. Palfrey and South Riding. The Comyns is also good, though quirky. I actually just started reading The Bottle Factory Outing which I’ve owned for almost 10 years since seeing it on one of those Top 100 Books list (I think it was from The Guardian) and I don’t know how I like it.
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I’m also a bit apprehensive about Beryl Bainbridge but decided to step out of my comfort zone with it. Hope we both like it.
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