One of the books I read in January 2026: Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu.

"In an isolated castle deep in the Austrian forest, teenaged Laura leads a solitary life with only her father, attendant and tutor for company. Until one moonlit night, a horse-drawn carriage crashes into view, carrying an unexpected guest --the beautiful Carmilla. - So begins a feverish friendship between Laura and her entrancing new companion...As Carmilla becomes increasingly strange and volatile, prone to eerie nocturnal wanderings, Laura finds herself tormented by nightmares and growing weaker by the day..."

Carmilla (1872) is a Gothic novella which predates and served as inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897). It also inspired the lesbian vampire trope in film and literature and other media. I really enjoyed this reread. After rereading Dracula in January with my IRL book club, I was just in the right the mood for this eerie and atmospheric tale which never fails to draw me in.

What makes Carmilla different from other vampire stories with male vampires is that the female vampire here forms a deep connection to her victims, not only physically but especially on an emotional level. I love the ambiguous feeling this story gives me. The homoerotic undertones between the two female main characters are undeniable and I'm always fascinated that it doesn't exactly come off as negative. The bloody part of vampirism and its consequences, yes of course, but it doesn't feel like the connection between the women is being condemned here. It seems that the struggle is not with homoerotic tendencies in general, but rather with society and the way women were forced to repress their desires and suffered consequences if they didn't.

"For some nights I slept profoundly; but still every morning I felt the same lassitude, and a languor weighed upon me all day. I felt myself a changed girl. A strange melancholy was stealing over me, a melancholy that I would not have interrupted. Dim thoughts of death began to open, and an idea that I was slowly sinking took gentle, and, somehow, not unwelcome possession of me. If it was sad, the tone of mind which this induced was also sweet. Whatever it might be, my soul acquiesced in it."

Published in 1808 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 19th century.

Poems by Matilda Betham:

Some more well-known poets of her time admired her work and I have to say that I, too, enjoyed reading this volume of Matilda Betham’s poems and songs. I'm glad I decided to read about her personal life before I read this, because it made me connect with her poems a lot more. I saw some parallels to her own life and struggles. I really like her writing style as well, so I might pick up some of her other work.

L’Homme de l’Ennui by Matilda Betham:

Forlornly I wander, forlornly I sigh, And droop my head sadly, I cannot tell why: When the first breeze of morning blows fresh in my face, As the wild-waving walks of our woodlands I trace, Reviv'd for the moment I look all around, But my eyes soon grow languid, and fix on the ground. I have yet no misfortune to rob me of rest, No love discomposes the peace of my breast; Ambition ne'er enter'd the verge of my thought, Nor by honours, by wealth, nor by power am I caught; Those phantoms of folly disturb not my ease, Yet Time is a tortoise, and Life a disease.

Published in 1908 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 20th century.

A Room with a View:

This book is about "a young woman in the restrained culture of Edwardian era England. Set in Italy and England, the story is both a romance and a humorous critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century."

Years ago I read Maurice by Forster, which I really enjoyed. I've been meaning to read another work of his since then, but I never got to it. Now that I've finally read A Room with a View, one of his most famous works, I'm certain that I will like more of his writing.

I really enjoy books which critique the social conventions of its time. A Room with a View made me think of one of my other reads for my chronological reading project, The Sea Lady by H. G. Wells. There it is a man who yearns to break free from society's restrictions, the mermaid and the ocean symbolizing nature, freedom and passion. In A Room with a View it's a woman who feels the pressure of English society and matures throughout the story, finally realizing that she wants freedom of mind and body. I've read that the room is supposed to represent civilization and all its confinements, and the view symbolises nature, freedom and adventure.

There are some wonderful progressive thoughts in favour of women's freedom and equality, expressed by the characters Mr Emerson and his son George. Both of them have a strong influence on the main character Lucy's way to emancipation.

Published in 1807 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 19th century.

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb:

This book contains retellings of Shakespeare’s tales by the siblings Charles and Mary Lamb, the tragedies were written by Charles and the comedies by Mary. Originally it was supposed to be for very young children, but the language would probably be too sophisticated for young children of our modern times. However, it is considered pretty faithful to the original compared to other Shakespeare retellings for children, which makes it a great way to get into Shakespeare if you’re hesitant to read the original. The way they were written feels more like fairy tales for older children and adults. Reading these retellings did whet my appetite to reread Shakespeare’s works.

Published 1906 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 20th century.

Love Among the Chickens by P. G. Wodehouse:

Many people have told me that P. G. Wodehouse's stories are very entertaining and he has been recommended to me a lot before I finally picked up this work of his. So, I expected to be entertained and that I certainly was! It's a perfectly light and humorous story to read if you're in need of a laugh. This won't be my last Wodehouse!

What it's about:

"The farcical tale of Jeremy Garnet, an author and an old friend of Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, an erstwhile chicken farmer. Upon meeting Ukridge for the first time in years, Garnet finds himself enmeshed Ukridge's new and struggling chicken farm. Garnet soon falls in love with a girl living near the estate as he struggles with the farm and with Ukridge's bizarre business methods."

A few quotes:

• "I am not always good and noble. I am the hero of this story, but I have my off moments."

• "Conversationally, I am like a clockwork toy. I have to be set going."

• "If there is one thing I dislike, it is the man who tries to air his grievances when I wish to air mine."

• "Absence, as the poet neatly remarks, makes the heart grow fonder."

Published in 1806 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 19th century.

The Mysterious Freebooter by Francis Lathom:

I was immediately hooked by Francis Lathom’s writing. He certainly knew how to catch the reader’s interest and it’s no wonder he was so popular back then.

The first couple of chapters set the scene nicely and I got invested in the characters pretty quickly. I was surprised that a man of this era wrote this kind of female main character. Rosalind is intelligent, rational and has strong morals. Unlike many female characters in gothic fiction, she is neither sentimental, naïve nor prone to superstition or beliefs in the supernatural. She doesn't randomly faint, chooses wisely whom she gives her heart and affection, she is quick-witted when needed and kind to her inferiors. I also loved how Lathom managed to give her female attendant Gertrude a voice and not a belittling portrayal of a servant. She is just a side character but I really liked the relationship of her and Rosalind. Edward is Rosalind’s equal in intelligence, virtue and kindness. The love story between them was very satisfying and I rooted for them. The villains in this story are Rosalind’s father, her suitor Lord Madginecourt and Sir Allanrod. They made me furious and I was impatiently awaiting them to get their comeuppance.

The only negative I have for this book is that there are parts, which are a little too preachy for me. The villains don’t get punished enough and the virtuous characters are a little too virtuous. They are so selfless, that they grant their persecutors complete forgiveness way too quickly, despite the atrocious things they’ve done. And from time to time, there are some unnecessary explanations for things that are quite obvious. Nonetheless, I can recommend this story, if you’re looking for a suspenseful and entertaining historical novel from the 19th century.

Published 1905 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 20th century.

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett:

"When Sara Crewe's beloved father dies, her fortunes at strict Miss Minchin's boarding school are reversed. Once, she had the finest toys and treasures - now, she is orphaned and penniless, and is forced to become a servant. But as Sara knows, being a princess has nothing to do with being rich. And as she will learn, there is nothing that bravery, imagination, kindness and friendship, cannot overcome."

I watched film adaptations of A Little Princess several times during my childhood and loved the story since then...when I read it as an adult, I was very glad that I enjoyed the book as well. This is a beautiful and moving story about perseverance, courage and kindness.

Apparently the story was inspired by Charlotte Brontë's unfinished novel Emma, which was going to be about a rich heiress with a mysterious past who is abandoned at a boarding school.

Quote: "Whatever comes," she said, "cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it."

Published in 1805 I read this for my chronological reading project, a book for each year of the 19th century.

The School for Friends, by Marianne Chambers:

This is a story about a deserted wife, the husband who abandoned her and who gave in to his gambling problem, an older woman who tempted him to do so and the role their friends play in the reconciliation of husband and wife. It's basically a moral comedy play about real and fake friends, with an emphasis on noble and virtuous conduct.

I didn't expect this play to make me laugh out loud, but it did at some points. There is a mistaken identity scene, where the back and forth of the character's was very funny. The dialogue of the whole play was well written and witty. Some of the characters are quite ridiculous and I wonder how much of that was intended by the writer. The Quaker's pompous way of speech (thou, thee etc.) made me chuckle, as it was in stark contrast to everyone else's "normal" way of speaking.

In the end everything was rather conveniently and abruptly wrapped up, forgiveness was too quickly granted and the message a bit too preachy for my taste. However, it is an entertaining play and I recommend this to anyone who likes to read humourous plays of this era about morality.

Published in 1904 I read this for my chronological reading project on Bookstagram, where I read a publication for each year of the 20th century.

Reginald by Saki:

"I did it — I who should have known better.  I persuaded Reginald to go to the McKillops’ garden-party against his will. -- We all make mistakes occasionally."

Do you like irony, dark humour, Edwardian history, social criticism and witty short stories? Then Saki might be for you. Saki is often compared to Oscar Wilde and P.G. Wodehouse. I agree!

The Reginald stories are little snippets out of Reginald’s life, an upper-class rascal whose lack of tact causes trouble when he’s with individual people or at social events. He’s not unwittingly tactless, though, but rather delights in causing trouble. It’s fun to read about him, but I’m not sure I would want to meet him in the flesh. He doesn’t care about keeping the peace in a social situation, he wants to ruffle someone’s feathers and amuse himself.

The stories are very 1900s, so a little knowledge about the era Saki was living in might be useful to appreciate them. However, they are deliciously ironic and surprisingly savage!

Quotes:

"I found everyone talking nervously and feverishly of the weather and the war in South Africa, except Reginald, who was reclining in a comfortable chair with the dreamy, far-away look that a volcano might wear just after it had desolated entire villages."

"I hope you were not too brutal?" - "I merely told her with engaging simplicity that the art of life was the avoidance of the unattainable."

"Of course," she resumed combatively, "it's the prevailing fashion to believe in perpetual change and mutability, and all that sort of thing, and to say we are all merely an improved form of primeval ape — of course you subscribe to that doctrine ?" - "I think it decidedly premature ; in most people I know the process is far from complete."

"Life is full of its disappointments," observed the Duchess, " and I suppose the art of being happy is to disguise them as illusions. But that, my dear Reginald, becomes more difficult as one grows older." - "I think it's more generally practised than you imagine. The young have aspirations that never come to pass, the old have reminiscences of what never happened. It's only the middle-aged who are really conscious of their limitations — that is why one should be so patient with them. But one never is."