1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 19081909

1909 Books

From bestselling novels to critically acclaimed works, 1909 was filled with captivating stories that have stood the test of time. In this list, we highlight the most popular books of 1909, celebrating the titles that topped the charts and won the hearts of book lovers everywhere.

Anne of Avonlea (Anne of Green Gables, #2)
Written by: L.M. Montgomery
Outline: Anne Shirley, now a young woman, returns to Avonlea as the new teacher, facing the challenges of winning over her students while navigating the joys of family and the first stirrings of love.
Martin Eden
Written by: Jack London
Outline: Martin Eden, an impoverished seaman in San Francisco, relentlessly pursues his dreams of education and literary fame, reflecting the author's own dissatisfaction with the rewards of success and his conflicting views on individualism and ambition. The semiautobiographical novel explores the …
The Machine Stops
Written by: E.M. Forster
Outline: E.M. Forster's science fiction short story "The Machine Stops" (12,300 words), first published in 1909, has been widely recognized as a prescient work that anticipated the development of technologies like instant messaging and the internet. The story was later republished …
Jakob von Gunten
Written by: Robert Walser
Outline: Robert Walser, a self-taught Swiss writer, is considered one of the quiet geniuses of 20th-century literature. His novel "Jakob von Gunten" tells the story of a young runaway who enrolls in a mysterious school for servants, where he keeps a …
Three Lives
Written by: Gertrude Stein
Outline: Gertrude Stein's literary theories significantly influenced a generation of young American writers, and her innovative experimentation with language and sound is showcased in her first published book, "Three Lives," which tells the stories of three working-class women in a clear …
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Written by: Beatrix Potter
Outline: When the Flopsy Bunnies' food supply runs low, they venture out and discover old lettuce on Mr. McGregor's compost heap, leading to a perilous nap. Beatrix Potter's beloved tale of Peter Rabbit, first published in 1902, has become a timeless …
The Decapitated Chicken and Other Stories
Written by: Horacio Quiroga
Outline: Horacio Quiroga, a renowned Latin American writer, was a master storyteller whose short stories explored the themes of life and death, spanning various genres and possessing a universal appeal. His extensive body of work, comprising over two hundred pieces of …
Strait is the Gate
Written by: André Gide
Outline: A captivating love story set in Paris and Normandy, "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce delves into the depths of aestheticism, offering a hauntingly beautiful narrative that engages both the intellect and the heart.
The Montessori Method
Written by: Maria Montessori
Outline: Montessori's groundbreaking educational philosophy, which emphasizes the individuality of the child and nurturing their inherent joy of learning, remains highly relevant today as traditional early-childhood schooling methods appear to be falling short. Her method, which rejects rote memorization and drilling …
And Then
Written by: Natsume Sōseki
Outline: The novel, one of Soseki Natsume's most insightful works, follows the journey of Daisuke, a young Japanese man grappling with his purpose and identity amidst the societal upheaval of Meiji-era Japan, as ancient traditions collide with Western ideals, creating a …
Gunnar's Daughter
Written by: Sigrid Undset
Outline: Sigrid Undset's "Gunnar's Daughter" is a gripping tale set in 11th-century Norway and Iceland, exploring themes of rape, revenge, and the challenges faced by a strong-willed woman navigating a male-dominated society. The story follows the journey of Vigdis Gunnarsdatter, who …
Selected Poems
Written by: Paul Verlaine
Outline: Verlaine's early poetic works, spanning his first six published collections, are presented in this volume with both the original French texts and their English translations.
Mike and Psmith (Psmith, #1)
Written by: P.G. Wodehouse
Outline: This early Wodehouse novel is a captivating tale of friendship between two boys at boarding school, where a talented cricketer named Mike forms an unlikely alliance with the eccentric Psmith, leading to a satisfying conclusion as they overcome obstacles and …