Three cheers! Huzzah! Ring the bells!

I’ve completed a challenge!

Last year, I decided it would be fun to challenge myself to read one book published during each decade of the 20th century… and although I had to give myself a couple of extra months to do it, I finally finished!

Here’s a look at the books I read:

All in all, I’m really pleased with this challenge! I’m not planning to do it again in 2026, at least not in such a structured, “official” way — but I still have plenty of 20th century fiction choices that were on my list of possibilities for the various decades of this challenge, and there are at least a handful that I’m quite eager to read.

I’m a little regretful that I have two Tolkien books included in this challenge… not that I didn’t enjoy them, but I wished I’d branched out a little bit, since I was going to read these books during 2025 even without the challenge (thanks to a read-along with my book group). So — goal for 2026: Make a point of reading at least one more book from the 1930s and 1950s!

Of the ten books for this challenge, my favorites were A Damsel in Distress and The Lark, which just goes to show how much I enjoy a good light-hearted romp. Close behind would be The Ivy Tree, Wyrd Sisters, and The Auctioneer.

I did enjoy My Brilliant Career and I’m glad I read it, but it’s not a book that I think I’d ever return to or go out of my way to recommend. I liked Green Rider quite a bit, but don’t feel compelled to continue the series; at least, not any time in the foreseeable future. And I’d say that My Theodosia would be my least favorite of the bunch — problematic in several ways, and just not an enjoyable read.

All in all, I had lots of fun with my 20th Century Decades Challenge. It prompted me to pick up several books that I might not have discovered otherwise, and introduced (or reintroduced) me to authors — Wodehouse, Stewart, Nesbit — whose works I’d like to explore further.

As I wrap up this post, I’m actually starting to reconsider my decision not to repeat this challenge. I wouldn’t want to commit to doing ten decades again right away… but maybe a mini or modified version. Hmmm…. food for thought!