25 - A book that was published anonymously

[Tanu]

I’ve decided to read The Secret Book of Sacred Things (Australian author), since there is very little information on Krol. Also fulfils a prompt for a couple of other challenges.

[Heather L]

Teri wrote: "Anyone who was a fan of the TV show "Castle" might enjoy the series of books published by Richard Castle, the fictional protagonist of the show. Heat Wave is the fir..."

An excellent suggestion, though the author was eventually revealed. I remember at the time it was speculated that it might be James Patterson, or one of the many authors who appeared on the show as one of Castle’s poker buddies, all of whom denied it of course.

I found this online:

The ABC network was able to successfully conceal the true identity of the ghost-writer of the Castle book series throughout the eight years of the program's production from 2009 through 2016, allowing the mystery of the true identity of this individual to then remain as an intriguing part of the over-all "Castle myth." In 2010, the hint was dropped, when the "Nom de Plume Society," and the "Tom Straw Mystery Writer's Award," were apparently created to fete actor Nathan Fillion with said award, however at that point in time the general public remained unaware of the connection.

So, though they were originally published anonymously, and would, IMO, still count for this prompt, the author has been outed, though many still remain in the dark.

[Marie-Eve]

I find that most books that are still anonymous don't really talk to me... so i might go with the "originally published anonymously "and go with one of the Bronte sisters... or maybe i'll do Emma, since i've been meaning to read it for a while.

Or maybe Frankenstein, as it was also published anonymously originally.

[Nathalie]

The time has finally come for me to read Frankenstein: The 1818 Text, so stoked!!

[Daily Carolina (thebooksofdaily)]

I have owned a Beowulf copy for a while that the time to read it has come.

[Warring]

We can include Richard Bachmann's books then? King did manage to fool us all for quite a while.

[Breanna]

This will be Sweeney Todd: The String of Pearls for me.

[Teri]

Heather L wrote: "I found this online:
The ABC network was able to successfully conceal the true identity of the ghost-writer of the Castle book series throughout the eight years of the program's production from 2009 through 2016, allowing the mystery of the true identity of this individual to then remain as an intriguing part of the over-all "Castle myth." In 2010, the hint was dropped, when the "Nom de Plume Society," and the "Tom Straw Mystery Writer's Award," were apparently created to fete actor Nathan Fillion with said award, however at that point in time the general public remained unaware of the connection.

So, though they were originally published anonymously, and would, IMO, still count for this prompt, the author has been outed, though many still remain in the dark."

Good to know. I hadn't looked into this for awhile and didn't know it was out there.

[Ariel]

I have not heard of this twitter account before but their book was nominated for a goodreads award this year and it looks interesting. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt: A Memoir

[Isabella]

I think I'll go for The Kingfisher Secret

[Darci]

I don't have a lot of classics slotted for this year, so I think I'll read The Saga of the Volsungs for this one.

[Leona]

Theresa wrote: "Those lists are fantastic! I had of course forgotten about Barbara Mertz a/k/a Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels who hid behind a pseudonym to prote..."

I have a lot of books by Elizabeth Peters. Thanks for the reminder.

[Ellen]

I'm trying to read as many books as possible from the ones I already own. Wikipedia kindly informs me that the 18th century Chinese book Dream of the Red Chamber/a/k/a The Story of the Stone was originally published. anonymously. The real trick will be finding it in the piles of books I have in my apartment. (I have lots of books, very few bookcases!)

[Cindi]

Nikki wrote: "I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet (maybe, if that’s so - sorry) but the Nancy Drew novels should also work if you go with pen names. Carolyn Keene isn’t an actual author, but an “author syndicat..."

Yes, that's true - Nancy Drew and the Dana Girls were all written by "Carolyn Keene" (wasn't the last count some 15 authors writing under that name?) But that would include The Hardy Boys as well, right? Frank Dixon is a pen name.
Also, The Trixie Belden books had a similar situation. If nothing else, they can be fun, quick re-reads.

[Heather L]

Yes, the Nancy Drew, Dana Girls, Hardy Boys and a couple other similar series were all from the same publishing syndicate (Edward Stratemeyer), with multiple authors.

The first six books in the Trixie Belden series were written by Julie Campbell Tatham. The rest of the series was written by various in-house writers of Western Publishing under the pseudonym "Kathryn Kenny."

[Darlene]

I'm thinking that any myths or folktales would be eligible for this, so long as they aren't re-tellings/pastiche novels. So, a book of Greek mythology is a go, but the Percy Jackson books is a no.

Keeping in mind that I'm not including names of translators, or editors. One of the books I'm considering is "Gilgamesh: a New English Version" by Stephen Mitchell. The epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest story we have on record. Stephen MItchell is the translator.

[Meagan]

@Nathalie I plan to read Frankenstein for this prompt too! it will be a reread for me and I think I'm going to go with the 1831 edition this time.

[StefanieFrei]

Agatha Christie wrote under her alias "Mary Westmacott" - with the first 4 novels, nobody was aware it was her! ... I once tried a challenge actually with Christie (or books on Christie) only. Not that bad for 2021...

[Amanda]

Heather wrote: "I have the same question a lot of you have about how to interpret the prompt. I think if they'd meant a pseudonym, they would have said so like they have in past challenges. At the same time, autho..."

Its so good! I hope you enjoy!

[Emily]

Theresa wrote: "K.L. wrote: "Amber wrote: "I finally going to read Beowulf for this!"

It's a great read! I really like the translation by Seamus Heaney, and I'm hoping to read J.R.R. Tolkien's translation this ye..."

I came here to ask if an unknown author is the same as an anonymous author. I'm happy to see the consensus is that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf work for this prompt.

[Diane]

Tania wrote: "I am thinking about this one:
Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics"

Just came to suggest Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics by Anonymous and see that's already on the list. Started it yesterday.

[JessicaMHR]

Rosina wrote: "Another one that would fit is John Twelve Hawks

I read The Traveler: The First Novel of "The Fourth Realm" Trilogy when it was first published..."

I didn't realize he was an anonymous author until just now. I have The Traveler marked as read (from back in 2016) and I don't remember what it was about or even if I liked it, 'cause I never rated it. Oops!

[JessicaMHR]

Teri wrote: "Anyone who was a fan of the TV show "Castle" might enjoy the series of books published by Richard Castle, the fictional protagonist of the show. Heat Wave is the fir..."

I actually have this on my list! Because I liked the show I had put it on my TBR but never got there.

[JessicaMHR]

When I typed in Anonymous on Overdrive I got A LOT of really old "romance" type books and then NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football and I don't know why (since I'm not really a sports fan) it looked interesting to me so, I'm going to try it. Plus, it's something different and broadening our reading is the whole point of these challenges isn't it.

[Nadine in NY]

Jessica wrote: "When I typed in Anonymous on Overdrive I got A LOT of really old "romance" type books and then NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football and I don't know why (s..."


LOL that's a really good way to find a book for this category! I didn't even think of that.

[Sharlene]

Madeleine Wickham = Sophie Kinsella does that count?

[Nadine in NY]

Sharlene wrote: "Madeleine Wickham = Sophie Kinsella does that count?"


It counts if no one knew who Madeleine Wickham was at the time of publication.

[Sheri]

haha I also did the anonymous into overdrive, wow, the ENTIRE first page is old Victorian erotica.

[Liza]

If Carolyn Keene counts, I’d say Ann M Martin does too. She’s a real person, but most of the Baby Sitters Club books are ghostwritten and we don’t know who the actual author is.

[Lior]

A Woman in Berlin and I'm surprised to see that her identity is finally revealed now when for so many years the book was published under "anonymous", even recently

[Kelly]

I don't have strong recommendations for most of the categories, but A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: A Diary is my definitive choice for this one. It was originally published anonymously. A journalist kept a journal detailing the brutal occupation of Berlin by Russian forces in the spring of 1945. Drunken Russian soldiers rape any woman they can get their hands on. This account of one woman’s struggle to survive is compelling and searing, but this does not read like a historical document. The woman is quite modern and doesn’t feel any different from my friends. The book is disturbing but powerful.

[Jacqie]

Read Death of a Busybody by George Bellairs. This was his pen name, so I'm counting it. I had to read it for a mystery book club and didn't especially like it, but there you are.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jennifer]

I have been struggling with the prompt. It is not my favorite. In my opinion publishing under a pseudonym or pen name is entirely different than publishing anonymously.

As a reader you expect similarities in books published under a pseudonym or pen name, The same person or writing team, same writing style, a continuity between the books.

You do not have that expectation when the author is listed as anonymous. You expect each book has been written by a different person.

I'm going to take the prompt literally and read a book where the author is listed as Anonymous. I am considering Cloud of Unknowing by Anonymous since it's fairly short and I can get it over quickly.

[Jamie]

If anyone happens to have a thing for Victorian smut, The Autobiography of a Flea was published anonymously.

[Jennifer]

👍

[Ashley Marie]

If anyone's a fan of historical/Regency romance, Sabrina Jeffries publishes under various pseudonyms (Sabrina Jeffries itself being one of them).

[Katelyn]

I just discovered Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay. According to Goodreads, Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of "an author" who lives in WA D.C. I even tried googling them and couldn't figure out who it is.

[Heather]

I did end up reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte for this prompt. I loved it! This is the first book by a Bronte that I've read. Now I'm worried I won't like any others as much because my expectations are so high!

[[deleted user]]

Lynn wrote: "I own a copy of Go Ask Alice which has Anonymous listed as the author but have not yet read it. I guess it’s time has come! 😊

Which book will you read?

Listopia: https://www.goodread..."
One of my favorites...have kleenex ready

[Chris]

I'm mystified by many of the suggestions here. Surely if the people at Popsugar wanted this category to include pseudonymous fiction they'd have said so?

[Nadine in NY]

Chris wrote: "I'm mystified by many of the suggestions here. Surely if the people at Popsugar wanted this category to include pseudonymous fiction they'd have said so?"

You can go to their website to see what they suggest if you want a good idea of their intentions:

Diary of an Oxygen Thief
Go Ask Alice
Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics
Frankenstein
The Arabian Nights


Two of those books remain anonymous today. Three of those books now have named authors. Make of that what you wish. It's your challenge, read what you want.

[Sheri]

I think some of it is that it's a pretty restrictive category, even allowing for "published anonymously at the time but we know who wrote them now". So people are stretching the prompt in ways that maybe weren't what was intended, but leads to a book that they actually WANT to read. I know i've been putting this one off because I don't really have an option that I want to read.

[G]

After a lot of searching I've decided to replace this category with a randomly selected category from a past Pop Sugar Challenge year. I love bending rules and making the Challenge my own and this was the way I could best do so. Wanted to share in case it was something that might inspire others struggling with the prompt!

[Stina]

K.L. wrote: "Amber wrote: "I finally going to read Beowulf for this!"

It's a great read! I really like the translation by Seamus Heaney, and I'm hoping to read J.R.R. Tolkien's translation this year.
"

I've somehow got myself onto a big Beowulf kick this spring. I read and much of for a book club last month. I plan to finish the latter this month and have also started in on Beowulf in Parallel Texts: Translated with Textual and Explanatory Notes. And I've borrowed The Mere Wife, which is a modern re-telling, as well.

[Mel (Epic Reading)]

For those considering Sir Gawain and the Green Knight or Beowulf the Tolkien translations are sooo good. I had a prof in college teach it (many years ago) for a literature class and was so impressed.
I may go with this as I haven’t read it in forever and still have a copy on my shelf.

This is the toughest prompt in my opinion for this year.

[Sophie]

I read an epic fantasy called The Wandering Inn for this one. It's on audio now, but it was originally published as a web series by someone with the username Pirateaba. To my knowledge, no one knows who this author is.

[Christina]

Nadine wrote: "Sharlene wrote: "Madeleine Wickham = Sophie Kinsella does that count?"

It counts if no one knew who Madeleine Wickham was at the time of publication."

I know these messages are from five years months ago, but actually Sophie Kinsella is a pen name; Madeleine Wickham is her real name.

[Nadine in NY]

Christina wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Sharlene wrote: "Madeleine Wickham = Sophie Kinsella does that count?"

It counts if no one knew who Madeleine Wickham was at the time of publication."

I know these messages are from five years ago, but actually Sophie Kinsella is a pen name; Madeleine Wickham is her real name...."


LOL so that's like the opposite of anonymous!

[Sheri]

I really need to make up my mind on this, so it doesn’t end up my last prompt that I sputter out on. I’m half tempted to just read one of the library’s terrible Victorian anonymous erotica

[Nadine in NY]

Sheri wrote: "I really need to make up my mind on this, so it doesn’t end up my last prompt that I sputter out on. I’m half tempted to just read one of the library’s terrible Victorian anonymous erotica"


I'm in the same boat on this prompt AND the 90s bestseller. I've got some ideas, but none of them really grab me. I need to just read something and get it done or it's going to linger until the fall, and then it feels like work and I hate everything.