As part of my social media strategy for 2018, I started looking into important bookish dates. And when I noticed there were so many authors with birthdays in January, I just had to make a wrap-up ‘Happy Birthday’ video for them all!
In the video, I talk about my favourite books by the authors and also mention books of theirs that are on my TBR. Here’s a quick run-down!
1. E.M. Forster (1st Jan 1879)
Book Pick: Howard’s End
I read Howard’s End by Forster while I was at university and remember it being a typical period drama-style story of a family working through issues around class and decorum.
2. JD Salinger (1st Jan 1919)
Book Pick: The Catcher in the Rye
I’m slightly embarrassed to say I’m yet to read this classic! It is on my TBR for this year though because it’s a pick for my work’s book club. I’m keen to see what all the fuss is about.
3. J.R.R. Tolkien (3rd January 1892)
Book Pick: Lord of the Rings
I have a love-hate relationship with Tolkien’s works… It took me three goes to get through The Hobbit and I DNFd The Silmarillion… I’m currently halfway through The Two Towers and have put it down for a few months now… woops!
The Silmarillion is a tough Tolkien read! Image Credit: Kyra Thomsen
4. Zora Neale Hurston (7th January 1891)
Book Pick: Their Eyes Were Watching God
Another university read, I loved the story of Their Eyes Were Watching God. The narrator tells such a compelling tale about class and race struggles using the most wonderful narrative voice.
5. Haruki Murakami (12th January 1949)
Book Pick: Kafka on the Shore
Another hit-and-miss author! I loved The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle but DNFd Colorless Tzukuru Tazaki… I’ve still got a lot of Murakami on my shelves (including Dance Dance Dance and Norwegian Wood) but Kafka on the Shore is next on my TBR!
Kafka on the Shore is my next Murakami read… Image Credit: Kyra Thomsen
6. David Mitchell (12th January 1969)
Book Pick: Cloud Atlas
Slade House was wonderful, so Cloud Atlas (probably the most famous and popular of David Mitchell’s works!) has to be next on my list. What’s your favourite of his?
7. Anne Bronte (17th January 1820)
Book Pick: ?
I’m somewhat ashamed to say that I don’t own any books by Anne Bronte, who is sometimes known as the ‘forgotten’ Bronte sister… I’ve heard that Agnes Grey is a great book, and very underrated. We’ll see!
8. A.A. Milne (18th January 1882)
Book Pick: Winnie the Pooh
Again, I haven’t read any books by Milne but his best-known work (Winnie the Pooh) is hard to miss when you’re growing up! Piglet was always my favourite.
9. Edgar Allan Poe (19th January 1809)
Story Pick: The Masque of the Red Death
I read ‘The Masque of the Red Death’ in October as part of a ‘gothic, horror, supernatural’ theme and it was such a bizarre but fun (and creepy!) read. It’s about a party, so it’s totally appropriate for a birthday.
‘The Masque of the Red Death’ was one of my favourite Poe stories! Image Credit: Kyra Thomsen
10. Edith Wharton (24th January 1862)
Book Pick: The Age of Innocence
I was introduced to Wharton’s The House of Mirth at uni and I loved the period drama feel. It was like reading Downton Abbey in America! I’m keen to read The Age of Innocence and I hope it’s similar in style and theme.
11. Virginia Woolf (26th January 1882)
Book Pick: Orlando
While Mrs Dalloway is one of my favourite Modernist works, I’ve found some of her other popular books (To The Lighthouse and The Waves) good, but not as great. I’m hoping Orlando blows the rest out of the water!
12. Lewis Carroll (27th January 1832)
Book Pick: Alice in Wonderland
Who doesn’t love Alice in Wonderland? It sparked my imagination as a little kid and it still makes me feel all dreamy and nostalgic to this day! I adore the Caterpillar, and the Mock Turtle…
Kyra Thomsen 