Bob’s Comments (group member since Jun 22, 2011)

Bob’s comments from the Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) group.

These are the 10 titles randomly selected from our Master Short Story List Please vote for the one that interests you the most. You can cast your vote by using the list number or the titles name. The top 5 will move forward to the poll on the 15th. A maximum of 5 titles will move to the poll.

Example: I vote for #__ -or- I vote for Story Title

429. The Eldest Child by Maeve Brennan
169. What the Shepherd Saw by Thomas Hardy
120. The Magic Barrel by Bernard Malamud Title story
68. The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster
254. Haircut by Ring Lardner
130. Green Tea by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
172. Counterparts by James Joyce
348. Amok and Other Stories title story by Stefan Zweig
248. The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
96. Peter by Willa Cather

The second time proved to be the charm. The winner A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka

A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka is our September 2024 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on September 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

My daughter in law recently asked me if I had read The Consequence of Anna by Kate Birkin. I told her I had not. She said that it was her book clubs latest read. Most of the club liked the book, but a couple thought that the writing was a little strange. During their discussion one member wondered if the book was a product of AI. They did a quick internet check and found nothing that altered their hypotheses. My daughter in law is not on Goodreads and ask me to check out the book here. As you can see the book is listed and the author is a Goodreads author. The author only has a short bio, not much info is offered. Any further digging doesn't offer much more info. I am not an internet detective nor any good with computers in general. So, I am at an end. The co-author Mark Bornz has basically no information listed.

If anyone has any info, please pass it on. Ever heard of or been to a book signing or seen an interview with the author.

Welcome, Nida. I glanced at your TBR and can recommend
21st century A Gentleman in Moscow
20th century Rebecca
19th century Anna Karenina large but worth it.

Finally, one that is not on your TBR but is being discussed by the group from now till the end of the year is Les Misérables

Again, welcome.

Welcome, Anshika.

Welcome, Enock.

Congrats! You know I love short stories and this year has been exceptional. I am currently at 77. If you count the 100 from the The Decameron, I am at 176. I am only counting it as one. I have also reread 13. I don't know where I will finish, but I am enjoying it, a lot.

Connie wrote: "You've got an impressive start on your challenges, Bob! Enjoy your retirement!"

Thanks, Connie.

Matt wrote: "Way to go Bob! Your list reminds me that I need to re-read Middlemarch and that I also need to read Winds of War. I hope the 2nd half of your reading year is a good one!"

Matt, both Middlemarch and The Winds of War are books that have sat on my shelf for years. I am happy to finally read them they were both excellent. If my second half is half as good as the first half, my year will be a success.

Lynn wrote: "Congratulations - 7 out of 8 challenges already! You have been really focused. Nice job!"

Thanks Lynn, I have read three of the six I set up for my eighth challenge and have started the fifth. It won't be long till I am done.

Rora wrote: "Today I finished reading The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and also really liked it. Great job on your challenges Bob : )"

Rora, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store was one of my wife's book club picks. She always likes us to read them together. Since her club usually picks good books I just half-heartedly object. She is the reason I read A Gentleman in Moscow last year for myself and this year for her.

Terris wrote: "I just finished "For the Cold Equations" -- Wow! Bob! Thanks so much for bringing this one to our attention. It is truly memorable. I will be thinking of this one for a long time!"

Terris, I am glad you liked it. It always amazes me how impactful a well written short story can be.

Welcome, Mbuye.

I did give fair warning, even though it is an important story that I think people should be read.

Sara wrote: "Talk about a short story I won't ever forget! Thanks so much for sharing that one, Bob."

Sara, I am glad you appreciated this story. I won't say liked or loved, as that is hard to do with this kind of story. I noticed that like me you gave it five stars. Which I think shows acknowledgement of the story's greatness. I feel guilty for recommending this one, it is not a sunshine and rainbows kind of story. It left a mark on me, a small scar, that I am sure you felt too.

I hope more people read it as it is worthy read, regardless of the possible tears.

Laurie, it amazes me how some short stories can be so impactful. Just a few pages can become a lifelong memory.

Shaina wrote: "I'm happy to see your 21st-century favourites and will try to fit them in this year. LOTR is on my list too but I just don't seem to get around to it...."

Both 21st century books were solid reads and I happily recommend them. As for LOTR, I first became aware of it back when I was a teenager. That was 50+ years ago, I don't recommend you wait that long, it's just to good not to read.

The only one I haven't read is The Brothers Karamazov. Win or lose I am re-reading Watership Down this year.

Sara, Kathleen, and Janelle,

Beware, both the story and the dream are.... disturbing. One of those stories I will never forget.