The Captive Reader

A Century of Excellent Books

June 24, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

I am nothing if not suggestible. Earlier this week Simon shared his Century of Brilliant Books in which he recommends a book for every year of the 20th Century. Having done a Century of Books alongside Simon before (twice! in 2012 and 2024) I already had form for making excessively long lists at his prompting. And lists are so fun! I’m not the only one who thinks so: Gareth has also created his own list.

I selected the books (and plays) I would most strongly recommend for each year. Sometimes that means they are my absolute favourite for the year but other times, for a bit of variety (and so I don’t duplicate favourite authors endlessly), they are books that left a strong impression on me and which deserve to be read more widely.

Voila!

1900 – Claudine at School by Colette

1901 – The Benefactress by Elizabeth von Arnim

1902 – Glengarry School Days by Ralph Connor

1903 – Brewster’s Millions by George Barr McCutcheon

1904 – The Canon in Residence by Victor L. Whitechurch

1905 – The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

1906 – The Man of Property by John Galsworthy

1907 – Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther by Elizabeth von Arnim

1908 – Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

1909 – The Caravaners by Elizabeth von Arnim

–

1910 – Psmith in the City by P.G. Wodehouse

1911 – Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie

1912 – Olivia in India by O. Douglas

1913 – Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hemon

1914 – Saturday’s Child by Kathleen Thompson Norris

1915 – Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

1916 – Greenmantle by John Buchan

1917 – Fanny Herself by Edna Ferber

1918 – My Antonia by Willa Cather

1919 – Mr Pim Passes By by A.A. Milne

–

1920 – Penny Plain by O. Douglas

1921 – The Dover Road by A.A. Milne

1922 – The Lark by E. Nesbit

1923 – Leave It to Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse

1924 – Skylark by Dezső Kosztolányi

1925 – Greenery Street by Denis Mackail

1926 – Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

1927 – Some People by Harold Nicolson

1928 – The Trials of Topsy by A.P. Herbert

1929 – The Gardener’s Year by Karel Čapek

–

1930 – The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield

1931 – Silver Ley by Adrian Bell

1932 – Devil’s Cub by Georgette Heyer

1933 – Business as Usual by Jane Oliver and Ann Stafford

1934 – The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers

1935 – Four Gardens by Margery Sharp

1936 – Greengates by R.C. Sherriff

1937 – Summer Half by Angela Thirkell

1938 – Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith

1939 – It’s Too Late Now by A.A. Milne

–

1940 – My Name is Million by Lucy Zoe Girling Zajdler

1941 – Barometer Rising by Hugh MacLennan

1942 – Pied Piper by Nevil Shute

1943 – Speaking of Jane Austen by Sheila Kaye-Smith and G.B. Stern

1944 – Earth and High Heaven by Gwethalyn Graham

1945 – The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

1946 – More Was Lost by Eleanor Perényi

1947 – One Fine Day by Mollie Panter-Downes

1948 – The Ark by Margot Benary-Isbert

1949 – Rest and Be Thankful by Helen MacInnes

–

1950 – The Coast of Bohemia by Edith Pargeter

1951 – Tempest-Tost by Robertson Davies

1952 – The Far Country by Nevil Shute

1953 – Five Windows by D.E. Stevenson

1954 – The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

1955 – Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk

1956 – We Made a Garden by Margery Fish

1957 – Drawn from Memory by E.H. Shepard

1958 – The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

1959 – A Separate Peace by John Knowles

–

1960 – Moon Over the Alps by Essie Summers

1961 – The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett

1962 – Nobody Leaves by Ryszard Kapuściński

1963 – A Favourite of the Gods by Sybille Bedford

1964 – If Morning Ever Comes by Anne Tyler

1965 – Frederica by Georgette Heyer

1966 – The Piper on the Mountain by Ellis Peters

1967 – The White Nights of St Petersburg by Geoffrey Trease

1968 – The Past is Myself by Christabel Bielenberg

1969 – Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser

–

1970 – Frederick the Great by Nancy Mitford

1971 – Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

1972 – The Persian Boy by Mary Renault

1973 – Under a Cruel Star by Heda Margolius Kovaly

1974 – The Siren Years by Charles Ritchie

1975 – Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

1976 – Travels by Jan Morris

1977 – I Was a Stranger by John Hackett

1978 – This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall by Gordon Korman

1979 – And No Birds Sang by Farley Mowat

–

1980 – The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard

1981 – A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson

1982 – Clinging to the Wreckage by John Mortimer

1983 – The Man Who Was Greenmantle by Margaret Fitzherbert

1984 – The Princess of Siberia by Christine Sutherland

1985 – Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

1986 – The Pebbled Shore by Elizabeth Longford

1987 – Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively

1988 – Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson

1989 – The Snows of Yesteryear by Gregor von Rezzori

–

1990 – Zinky Boys by Svetlana Alexievich

1991 – Looking at the Moon by Kit Pearson

1992 – The Republic of Love by Carol Shields

1993 – A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

1994 – To War with Whitaker by Hermione Ranfurly

1995 – The Lions of al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay

1996 – Evening Class by Maeve Binchy

1997 – The File by Timothy Garton Ash

1998 – Homestead by Rosina Lippi

1999 – A Positively Final Appearance by Alec Guinness

Posted in Book List | 16 Comments »

Library Loot: June 17 to 23

June 17, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Sharlene from Real Life Reading that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

On the Calculation of Volume II by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J. Haveland – my reaction to volume one was neutrality. I was neither awed nor bored, which was good enough to push me on to volume two.

The American Ambassador by Ward Just – I thought An Unfinished Season was marvelous back in 2024 but haven’t read anything more by Just since then. I’m looking forward to this suspenseful novel about an American diplomat who is preparing to take a posting in Germany when reports emerge that his son is involved with a German terrorist organization. I know already from An Unfinished Season how well Just writes about fathers and sons.

Iberia by James A. Michener – a fond (non-fiction) tribute by Michener to a country he loved, Spain.

Father’s Arcane Daughter by E.L. Konigsburg – I read some Konigsburg as a child but had not heard of this before reading Lucy Mangan’s Bookish last year.

Mr Field’s Daughter by Richard Bausch – a Nancy Pearl recommendation. “James Field loves his daughter but loses her when she elopes with Cole. After five years, she returns with her daughter and James tries to rekindle their special relationship.”

Superior Women by Alice Adams – another Nancy Pearl recommendation. “The timeless coming-of-age novel about five young women who meet at Radcliffe College and together grow to maturity—through intrigues, ambitions, affairs, and marriages—from World War II to the 1980s.”

What did you pick up this week?

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Library Loot: June 3 to 9

June 3, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

I am back! I had a fantastic – and very warm – time in Germany and got to do all the things I love best: walk, swim, and read. How can you improve on that?

The Shippers by Katherine Center – the newest romcom from Center was waiting for me when I got home – definitely an enticement to return!

Home by India Knight – I can’t remember how I learned about this (I don’t subscribe to Knight’s substack, which is the inspiration for this book) but here we are.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan – I have sped through 3 of Monaghan’s books this spring with perfect timing to be ready for this new release.

On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated by Barbara J. Haveland – very belatedly, I am getting with the program and starting this series.

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin – “a visionary novel inspired by the life of film director G.W. Pabst, who fled to Hollywood to resist the Nazis only to return to his homeland to create propaganda films for the German Reich.”

Meanwhile, Back in Nokomis by Will Ferguson – a new collection of pieces by travel writer Ferguson.

What did you pick up this week?

Posted in Library Loot | 10 Comments »

Library Loot: May 20 to 26

May 20, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream by Alexander McCall Smith – I find McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series so pleasant and am always pleased where there’s a new book (new for us at least – this came out last summer in the UK). There are no high stakes, there is plenty of time for rambling conversations about nothing that has anything to do with a plot, and, after twenty years, the characters are all old friends.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub – clearly the safest way to take a cruise is in book form and this novel about a middle-aged woman on a themed cruise featuring a famous nineties boy band sounds much more fun than actually being stuck on a ship with thousands of other people.

On the Shores of the Mediterranean by Eric Newby – Newby is always great and even though I’m not headed to the Mediterranean on this year I’m looking forward to the account of his travels (with wife Wanda) “from Naples to Venice, along the Adriatic to Greece, Turkey, Jerusalem and North Africa, from sipping wildly extravagant cocktails in San Marco to being cordially invited to Libya by Colonel Gaddafi.”

Summer Romance and Same Time Next Year by Annabel Monaghan – I read my first book by Monaghan, It’s a Love Story, earlier this spring and loved it so am looking forward to catching up on her earlier books.

Zoo Station by David Downing – the first book in the John Russell spy series set in Berlin during WWII.

What did you pick up this week?

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Library Loot: May 6 to 12

May 6, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

The best laid plans have gone, as we are warned, awry. My much-anticipated trip to Corfu has now been switched for an enjoyable two weeks in Germany which will be delightful but extremely different from a beach holiday. The good news is that there will be even more hiking (huge win for me!) and lots of interesting art exhibitions but it has been a slightly chaotic few weeks of pivoting.

Most importantly, my months of Corfu-focused reading in anticipation of the trip have prepared me not at all for my new destinations. Admittedly, most of the new itinerary is returning to places I have already been and love but I will for the first time in 20 years of regular visits to Germany be in the Berlin area. I’ll likely only spend a day in Berlin itself but it gives me a good focus for my reading to get into the travel mood!

Berlin by Rory MacLean – profiles of Berliners across five centuries, from “a wild medieval balladeer to the ambitious prostitute who refashioned herself as a royal princess, from a Scottish mercenary who fought for the Prussian Army to the fearful Communist Party functionary who helped to build the Wall.”

Berlin 1961 by Frederick Kempe – a look at the Berlin Crisis of 1961.

Stasiland by Anna Funder – first published in 2002, Australian journalist Funder’s history of what life was like for East Germans under communism – both those who resisted the state and those who worked for the Stasi – has attained near-classic status now. I’ve read it before but look forward to revisiting it.

Read Love by Maxim Leo – a memoir of growing up in East Germany and trying to make sense of the family history years later.

The Book of I by David Greig – some fiction! I’m intrigued by this slim and award-winning novel from Europa.

Sunday Best by John Carey – a collection of eighty of Carey’s reviews.

What did you pick up this week?

Posted in Library Loot | 12 Comments »

Library Loot: April 22 to 28

April 22, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – for a book with so much buzz, I was not expecting this to be so mind-numbingly boring. I’ve been persevering but I’ll almost certainly be abandoning this one.

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn – Very (VERY) excited to have a new Kate Clayborn to dive into!

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell – Rowell is generally great, this sounds great, and I have great expectations of enjoying this.

What did you pick up this week?

Posted in Library Loot | 14 Comments »

Library Loot: April 8 to 14

April 8, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

While I have some excellent books to share this week, this is far from everything that I’ve picked up from the library. I am reading away for next week’s 1961 Club and hope you are too! To create some (minimal) suspense, I’m keeping my choices out of my loot but if you’re looking for ideas check out my list of reviews by publication year. I recognize that not everyone is going to chose The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett, but only grudgingly. In my dream world, the 1961 Club would turn into a Dunnett Appreciation Club. I will also award kudos (very valuable) to anyone who chooses to read Come Blossom-Time, My Love by Essie Summers (readily available as a Kindle eBook). I love Summers’ New Zealand-set romances and while this isn’t the best, it’s still great fun.

Head Over Wheels by Leonie Mack – I took a quick trip over the weekend to see family and ended up spending a few hours more than planned at the airport heading out. Happily, I had this romance about pro cyclists to keep me entertained during the delay. I really enjoyed it – it reminded me in ways of Lucy Parker and Chloe Angyal’s books – and look forward to the next book in the series being released this summer.

The Slow Road to Tehran by Rebecca Lowe – speaking of cyclists, this memoir recounts Lowe’s bicycle journey through Europe and the Middle East.

The Season by Helen Garner – I’ve not enjoyed my past encounters with Garner but I’m hopeful that moving away from fiction to this memoir of a season observing her grandson’s sports team will suit me better.

The Lost Language of Oysters by Alexander McCall Smith – the prolific McCall Smith always seems to have a new book out but all too rarely is it one about Professor Dr Dr Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld. Finally, it is!

Amuse Bouche by Caroline Boyd – subtitled “How to Eat Your Way Around France”, I suspect this is going to entertain me, make me hungry, and adds lots of places to my travel wish list (as Felicity Cloake’s similarly themed and absolutely joyous One More Croissant for the Road did).

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope – I enjoyed Pope’s The Sherwood Ring a few weeks ago and am excited to read this YA novel about a young woman exiled by Queen Mary to a remote castle.

What did you pick up this week?

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Library Loot: April 1 to 7

April 1, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Sharlene has the link this week.

I am finally reading again in a proper, immersive way. This year has been full of so many stops and starts, books abandoned half-done, hours spent wishing I could concentrate on my reading but too wound up from real life to settle down to them. This happens. It is always annoying but at least recognizable. But the relief once I’m on the other side is immense! Life is still chaotically busy right now but I’ve found the focus I was missing and, silly as it may seem, it really does make everything better when you can escape into a book for an hour or two at a time.

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan – this romantic comedy hit every right note for me. Loved it, would happily read a dozen more just like it.

The Holiday by Erica James – I am consuming everything I can find set on Corfu (which is a lot, a lot, a lot of romance novels with taverna-owning heroes) before I go in May and was intrigued to find this 2000 title by Erica James. Good news: no one seems to own a taverna (yet?).

A Fine Romance by Susan Branch – a delightful hand-lettered journal about a two-month trip Branch and her husband took to England. So delightful that it might actually prompt me to write a full review.

The New Age of Sexism by Laura Bates – Cheerfully subtitled “How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny”. If Karen Hao’s Empire of AI hadn’t already confirmed all my skepticism, I think this will manage it.

Scales of Gold by Dorothy Dunnett – continuing my first reading of the House of Niccolo series. Frustratingly, I’m listening to one of the Lymond audiobooks right now and these do not compliment each other, so saving this for once I’m done the audiobook.

Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin – I was fast when the new eBooks were released yesterday and got my hands on this second entry in Jalaluddin’s Detective Aunty series.

What did you pick up this week?

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Library Loot: March 25 to 31

March 25, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Song of Years by Bess Streeter Aldrich – probably the weakest of Aldrich’s books that I’ve read so far, but I still enjoyed this story of pioneers in Iowa in the 1850s and 1860s.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume One by Beth Brower – I’ve been hearing about these books for a while online but now finally have access – at least to the first one – through the library.

Grasping the Nettle by Tamsin Westhorpe – spring is time to both be in the garden and to read more gardening memoirs!

The Pretender by Jo Harkin – time for a bit of historical fiction. This featured on a number of “Best of” lists last year and I’m intrigued.

The Measure of Progress by Diane Coyle – I’m going to assume most of you aren’t interested in economic statistics but for those of us who are this is fascinating. When I picked up a pile of books over the weekend, this was what I chose to start reading first on the bus home.

The Traitors Circle by Jonathan Freedland – more non-fiction, this time about a German resistance group during the Second World War and its downfall.

What did you pick up this week?

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Library Loot: March 11 to 17

March 11, 2026 by Claire (The Captive Reader)

Sharlene has the link this week.

Empire of AI by Karen Hao – I have been stalking this book across libraries for a few weeks now, checking to see where Fast Read copies (7 day loan period, no holds) were available and then dashing to each location only to discover someone had gotten there before me. But not this week! I used the time change to my advantage and showed up at the library right at 9:30 on Sunday morning when the door opened. It pays to be a morning period when the clocks move forward an hour and no one else wants to be up.

Cabin by Patrick Hutchison – a memoir about building a cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan – I am really struggling with contemporary fiction right now (E.F. Benson was ideal though) but I’ve been looking forward to this for a while so I hope I can settle down to it.

What did you pick up this week?

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