My Favorite Book of the Year: 1919-1910

Ah, the 1910’s, perhaps most famous for WWI, but also marked with massive changes in society with the women’s right to vote and famous incidents like the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental rift (which I learned about in my Geology this last semester).

However, this is also the first month I had to read quite a few of the books from the years to prepare for this post, and I have a feeling it will only get more difficult as we continue to travel back in time through books. But I do love a good challenge.

Anyways, as always, if this is the first section of this series you’ve seen, make sure to check out all my previous posts.

My Favorite Book of The Year: 2019-2010
My Favorite Book of The Year: 2009-2000
My Favorite Book of The Year: 1999-1990
My Favorite Book of The Year: 1989-1980
My Favorite Book of The Year: 1979-1970
My Favorite Book of the Year: 1969-1960
My Favorite Book of the Year: 1959-1950
My Favorite Book of the Year: 1949-1940
My Favorite Book of the Year: 1939-1930
My Favorite Book of the Year: 1929-1920

Now, let’s get into the books!

1919

The best way to describe this book, which is the first in a series, is it’s a funny mystery with not very mysterious mysteries. It follows a wealthy man who often gets himself into trouble helping people and all his problems are solved brilliantly by his manservent Jeeves. It’s half mystery, half comedy, and I love this book.

1918

I didn’t like this book when I first read it, but since then I realized it was just the main character and his love interest that I didn’t like, and I love the interesting setting of this book. I did try to read the second book, however, and I simply could not stand it. I ended up DNFing it about a third of the way through. It made me like this one more, I suppose.

1917

This is a very short book, and yet I really enjoyed its message. The author’s hope was to bring attention to the horrible traveling conditions on Indian Railways, especially concerning the poor people who had no choice but to travel in these horrible conditions. It’s a really interesting and quick read.

1916

If you are a fan of All Quiet on the West Front, you will probably like this book. It’s very similar, but told from the French perspective. I found it to be a fascinating read, taking a hard look at war with a similar dark tone as All Quiet… Barbusse was also a member of the French Communist Party, which really shows in this book with his views of society and war.

1915

I read this book just a bit ago, and I did a full review on it if you’re curious to hear more of my thoughts. It’s about a young man who wakes up one day as a giant insect and contains themes of isolation and loneliness.

1914

I read this a few years ago, so the details are fuzzy, but it’s a sci-fi novel which predicted the rise of atomic bombs, which were just starting development at that time.

1913

I read this play in high school and have seen many movie adaptations of it since, including the musical My Fair Lady. It’s one of my favorites, about a professor who decides to turn a flower girl into a lady as a bet, and about her coming into her confidence. It’s a great play, even if some of Shaw’s beliefs are a bit strange.

1912

This book follows a young man and older professor on a search for a world in South America lost in time, where dinosaurs and prehistoric plants live. It’s a great adventure, and one I could easily reread over and over again.

1911

This is an epic poem about King Alfred’s battle against the Danes in 878. It is my favorite epic poem I have ever read, with beautiful language and Chesterton’s signature wit.

1910

This was one of my favorite childhood books, and one which has still stuck with me to this day. It’s not simply because as I child I related to the spoiled Mary, or that I love walking in gardens and nature, but because it is a truly moving and beautiful tale.

There you have it. Have you read any of these books? What are your favorite novels of this decade? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,

Best wishes in your life full of adventures,

Madame Writer