Hello 2022! We are ringing in the new year with a flute of champagne in one hand and our list of book club picks for the new year in the other. The Bookish Bruncher’s Book Club will be reading one classic book each month that includes a mix of authors and sub classic genres. Go ahead and add these reads to your TBR for 2022, and mark your calendar to plan on joining in on a bit of bookish convo and discussions as we progress through each of the following classic tales:
February’s Pick: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is an 1813 novel of manners that falls in the genre of romance and satire. The novel follows the dynamic protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet. Her father, owner of the Longbourn estate in Hertfordhsire, is married with five daughters. His property is entailed and can only be passed to a male heir. His family faces becoming homeless and poor upon his death, unless one of the daughters marry into wealth to support the other members of the family.
February is a month full of hearts, shades of pink and romance. So naturally, we need a read that suits the atmosphere. Best classic romance book list after best classic romance book list named Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen as a top read for the genre. Being quite the famous story, you may have already met Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy a time or two, but another visit will be quite delightful.
March's Pick: Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables is an 1908 novel that recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan with a wild imagination, who is mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert originally intended to adopt a boy to help on their farm in Avonlea. Anne sets out to show she can do anything a boy can do and requests a chance to prove herself worthy of adoption.
With Spring approaching, get settled into the magical world of Anne taking place in the atmospheric farm setting in Avonlea. Anne is a classic character favorite who has the ability to brighten any dull situation. This story will surely bring a bit of charm to your days as you read through it.
April's Pick: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is a 1911 novel that was published after appearing as a series of short stories in The American Magazine. The story follows Mary Lennox, who is a 10-year-old girl, neglected and unloved by her wealthy parents. She is mainly cared for by house servants, who allow her to become spoiled and self-centered. After the death of her parents from a cholera epidemic, she finally arrives to live with an uncle at Misselthwaite Manor. Mary quickly learns things will not be the same as they were before, and will have to learn how to do things on her own and discover ways to bring meaning into her life.
The Secret Garden is another great book to enjoy as the season turns from Winter to Spring. It is a lovely, transformational story of young Mary Lennox, who learns to embrace her new environment after losing everything and everyone she's ever known. Take the time to reflect while reading this story, it contains valuable teaching and messages that we can all learn from.
May's Pick: The Blue Castle by L.M Montgomery
The Blue Castle is a 1926 novel set during the 1920s. The main character, Valancy Stirling, is a twenty-nine-year-old, unmarried “old maid” who has lived her entire life with her nagging mother and gossip-minded extended family who constantly criticize her. She retreats from her unhappy life with flights of fantasy to an imagery “Blue Castle” where she is able to live out the life of her dreams. After being diagnosed with a fatal heart condition, she decides to hide her fate from her family and take on a new character that calls it like it is. Refusing to live out her days in an unhappy life, she shocks family members and friends with her new attitude, to the point of them concluding that she has lost her mind.
Another pick by L.M Montgomery and one of the most underrated novels on this list, The Blue Castle. The story mainly takes place in the month of May, making it the perfect atmospheric read for the month. The main character, Valany, and her family are a hoot! I dare you to try and not laugh while reading this. It would be tough to do.
June's Pick: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, the novel depicts narrator Nick Carraway's interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby's obsession to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan.
Another Summer pick set in the 1920s, but this one includes extravagant parties with all the jazz and flapper culture we love from the era. The Great Gatsby is a famous story with a marvelous book to film adaption to enjoy for a Summer movie night at home.
July's Pick: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an 1876 novel by Mark Twain about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. Set in the 1840s, the main character, Tom Sawyer, is an orphan living with his aunt and half-brother. He has a fun-loving spirit that often lands him in a bit of trouble, but also in a bit of adventure, often with his pal Huckleberry Finn.
If you are looking for a classic book to give you Summer, childhood fun feels, then this is the right pick for you. Let's join Tom on some of his silly adventures and get in a bit of trouble, shall we?
September's Pick: Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith
Diary of a Nobody is an 1892 novel by George and Weedon Grossmith. It was published after appearing in Punch magazine as an intermittent serial. The Diary records the daily events in the lives of a London clerk, Charles Pooter, along with his wife, son and numerous friends over the period of 15 months.
This is a book written by two brothers who each pursued successful careers on the stage in various forms of entertainment, and is recognized today as a classic work of humor. Since its publication, it has never been out of print. A good sign that this is a great read.
October's Pick: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein is an 1818 novel written by Mary Shelley. Telling the story of a young scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. To his surprise, the experiment works. Now Victor must deal with the consequences of the monstrous life he has brought into the world.
Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most recognizable classic characters that pops up around the world every October, making it a perfect fit for our spooky season pick. The story is considered one of the first great works of Science Fiction, and has gone on to inspire many depictions.
November's Pick: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights is an 1847 novel written by Emily Brontë. The story concerns two families of the landed gentry living on the West Yorkshire Moors, The Earnshaws and the Linton’s, and their turbulent relationship with Earnshaw’s adopted son, Heathcliff.
Wuthering Heights is now considered a classic of English literature. It has been described as the perfect atmospheric read for the autumn months, especially November, when the leaves are changing.
December's Pick: The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is a 1950 fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis. The book is the best known of seven novels in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Most of the setting takes place in Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures that is ruled by the evil white witch. Four English children enter Narnia by the magic of a wardrobe. They find they are fit to fulfill an old prophecy and adventure to save Narnia.
The Lion, The Witch and Wardrobe inspired one of the beautiful and well-loved film adaptations known. Get your cup of hot cocoa and blankets ready, It is the perfect story to enjoy during cold winter nights at one of the most magical times of the year.
Get excited about our list of 2022 Book Club Picks! Since they are all in the classics genre, they can be readily found in various formats. Join along with your copy via e-book, printed book or an audiobook. Printed copies can be purchased online, in new and used book stores, found in libraries or maybe even on a loved one's bookshelf.
Visit the Book of the Month Tab and join our monthly newsletter to stay current on each month’s read.
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