Both Simon at Stuck in a Book and Kaggsy at Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings are hosting the 1965 Club this week, for which one reads a book…published in 1965. Like Karen at Booker Talk, my library has a crap selection of books which qualify, so I have turned to my trusty kindle, as well as my personal collection, to queue up the following reads:
1. Hotel by Arthur Hailey. I needed a break from some heavy reading, and so I’m indulging in a plot driven book of life in a hotel which is based on the extensive research Hailey did while living in one, having free reign to both observe and interview the employees.
2. The Arm of The Starfish by Madeleine L’Engle is the first story with Polly O’Keefe, a generation after the characters in A Wrinkle In Time. How well I remember reading this in 1975, ten years after it was published, already fully enamored by Madeleine L’Engle’s work.
3. Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino, for in a perfect world I will have time for all three. This collection of stories is based on his imagination around scientific “facts”; as a person who rarely takes science seriously, I am intrigued by what will come to light through the mind of this writer.
What will you read for the 1965 Club? Like me, do you even remember the year? I, do, just barely. I think it was the year my father promised me a “red renting car” when I turned sixteen, as the four year old me fell in love with a red Thunderbird we took on a trip…
An intriguing list! I haven’t heard of any of the books, but have been meaning to read Calvino for ages.
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So glad you and Kaggsy are hosting this; it brings me books I’ve been wanting to read and several that are new to me. I’ll let you know about Cosmicomics (with the hope that I understand the stories).š
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Nice selection! I finally read The Arm of the Starfish for the first time last year – still need to read the rest of the Poly O’Keefe novels, but I do so enjoy L’Engle’s stories. Good luck and enjoy!
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I have not read all of the Polly O’Keefe novels, but I hope to do so. Madeleine always has something to teach me.
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I didn’t know that Haley was living at a hotel when he wrote that book. I read it as a teenager in the late ’60s and was enthralled by it. That adds another dimension for me – thanks for the info!
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After finishing Hotel, I want to begin Airport. Hotel was so remarkably well researched, and the plot was flawlesslt executed. The book only got better the further I went. It is obvious he interviewed the hotel employees in depth.
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Oooh, three interesting choices! Thanks for joining in, and look forward to your thoughts – particularly on the Calvino as he (and that particular book) are massive favourites of mine! š
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I have started Cosmicomics several times and never finished it yet. It is a bit odd, and therefore confusing to me, but it remains a book I’d like to complete one day. I suppose I’ll simply have to suspend my disbelief. š
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I have no recollection of 1965. I was four and really don’t remember much of anything other than Captain Kangaroo and Romper Room (maybe) while we froze our eyelashes shut in the northern prairie of Alberta Canada (in Valleyview). Looking at book lists, I can say that I’ve read In Cold Blood, which was published in ’65. Ooooh, and I see that Stoner by John Williams was also published that year. That has been on my list forever! I could read that, if I can get it at my library. No book buying for moi. All our extra $$ goes to RV fuel. š
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How did I forget that you lived in Alberta, as my mother once did?! In Cold Blood was so good, and many people (including me) have had Stoner in mind for this event. I would love to read it with you some time! Love your RV adventures!
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The 1965 Club–how fun! That library photo is wonderful. I haven’t read any of the selections here, but may in the future. In the meantime, I look forward to reading more about these books from ’65.
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That library picture could have been taken in my elementary school!
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