Renee’s Comments (group member since Feb 03, 2014)

Renee’s comments from the The Reading Challenge Group group.

Ch 21
Lol. I’m just remembering how horrified I was as a kid - that Edmond had lost 14 years and was now 33... which seemed ancient. I wasn’t surprised that he went unrecognized once things get underway.

Ch 19.

I got a little distracted but am back to reading. I was surprised by how emotional I found the death of Abbe Faria.

I just finished Ch. 1 and am having that experience of reacquainting myself with old friends and enemies. This is the fourth time I’ve read TCOMC, the first time at about 13 years. I remember being absolutely swept away by by this intricate, very adult adventure of intrigue and deceit! It was not until decades later when I discovered that the school-sanctioned version was somewhat abridged and somewhat censored , so that the bits which seemed confusing, incomplete, or odd were not so merely because of my lack of historical reference or misunderstanding. :)

Right now, I am looking forward to revisiting, with the perspective of mid-life, the many examples of sons and fathers or father-figures with which Dumas peoples his novel.

Lol. I just decided to splurge on the Bill Homewood version as well. I hope the total is as good as the sample promises. :)

Just a suggestion for those seeking a copy of Monte Christo... I get a lot of books through my local library website. In addition to the physical copies you can get from the brick & mortar building, you may have access to online materials, like ebooks and audiobooks. You do have to check to see if they are abridged or unabridged but it might be worth looking into.

Lol! With as many times as I have set up polls, etc, I’ve never really thought about the PST affecting the Yearly Goals. I was looking all over to find it, too!

January sounds great.

I don’t know that I will be able to keep up but I’d love to do a reread of Monte Christo. It was my favorite for a very long time.

Bingo is a go!
Let me know if I missed anything... It's been awhile since I set one up.

This challenge will run from September 20 through the end of the year.

RULES & GUIDELINES

* As with traditional Bingo, you can go for a horizontal, vertical, diagonal, "X" or "around the world". Or aim big and go for a "Blackout!"
* A book can only be used once on the sheet.
* Interpret the categories as broadly as you like.
* Feel free to copy and paste the template above to record your books:


🍁🍂🍁 FALL BINGO 🍁🍂🍁

B1- Multiple Awards
B2- Never Finished
B3- Courtroom or Crime
B4- Orange Cover
B5- Politics

I1- Finish a Series
I2- Beloved Children's
I3- Adventure
I4- Dysfunctional Family
I5- Sweater on Cover

N1- GR Award Nominated
N2- Challenges Social Norms
N3- FREE
N4- Senior Romance
N5- Hometown Setting

G1- First Person POV
G2- Red Cover
G3- Unfamiliar Territory
G4- Highly Recommended
G5- Supernatural Character

O1- Foreign Setting
O2- Time Travel
O3- Illustrated
O4- Religion
O5- Brown Cover🍁🍂🍁🍂

Totally forgot. Give me a bit & I’ll set up the Bingo for fall.

So glad you’re here & doing this (both the reading & MH check in). Books, exercise, and classes! Sounds like a great combination! 👏🏼

Hi, Kassandra! I’m a huge audio fan. I tend to listen while I’m doing other things like driving. I do agree that the reader can make or break your experience. That said, I’m not as picky as most and have found many enjoyable listens through LibriVox, whose readers are all volunteers. I also get download audiobooks from my library website, which saves me a lot of book budget money.

So glad this is back! One of the All Time Great challenge ideas!

I love this idea! Winter and magic just seem to go together so well. 🌛

I love this combination! So cute!

Carmilla deserves its reputation, Rosemarie. I think you’re going to love it.

1) Audiobooks count! That’s how I do most of my reading these days.

2) Personally, I count books started in Dec but finished in Jan. It’s up to you, though. Some people are very strict with themselves.

3) Yes, you can cut & paste templates easily from the website. But it’s impossible from the app.

Wow! Good for you! I’d forgotten about this one. Nice job!

Watership Down is one of my very favorite books! I envy you getting to explore the warrens and adventure with the dear and noble bunnies for the first time.

Great going! With an interesting selection of titles as always!