Today in Bookish and Literary History, January 2

 1814 The Corsair by Lord Byron - UK

The Corsair is a narrative poem written by the famous English poet, George Gordon, Lord Byron. The poem was first published in 1814 and tells the story of the corsair, Conrad, a pirate who is feared by all who know him.

1818 Childe Harold's Pilgrimage by Lord Byron - UK

Lord Byron’s Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage is a captivating epic poem that follows a young nobleman’s journey across Europe, reflecting on war, exile, love, and the passage of time. Inspired by Byron’s own travels, this deeply personal and philosophical work explores the beauty and tragedy of history, the fading glories of past civilizations, and the restless spirit of a wanderer in search of meaning.

2025 If You Love Me by Kimberly Brown - US

Evenie Lewis knows this all too well. A case of mistaken identity has stolen ten years of her life. When the opportunity arises, Evenie jumps at the chance to escape once and for all. Clueless to her surroundings, she sets out to find her way back home with dreams of reuniting with her family being her motivation. Unbeknownst to her, life as she knew it has changed.

2025 The Trip by Lisa Loop - US

A magical, dark campus thriller, The Trip is anyone who resonates with the cognitive dissonance of a world where appearances count more than reality, and the only way to sanity is by diving into magic.

2025 Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson - US

For Patrick Doyle, the claim that time heals all wounds is a cruel lie.

In 1920, returning from WWI, Paddy finds Ireland creeping toward civil war. Invisible borders separate people, including Paddy and his pregnant girlfriend. With few prospects, Paddy sails to America. However, America is far from the land of opportunity he'd hoped for. And worse, his girl refuses to follow him because of her political involvement.

2026 Bubble Sheet Blues by William Durbin - US

Inspired by a dead man, his 8th grade English teacher, and the school librarian, Luke Collins, gets involved in a research project which puts his reputation as a slacker at risk, draws him closer to a girl he has long admired, and to his astonishment, generates excitement that reverberates far beyond his school and community.