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

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

Sara wrote: "The Fighter by Michael Farris Smith. My second 5★ read and another for the Old & New Challenge. Published 2018, so not eligible for any other uses."

This one sounds like an absolute must have on my TBR, thanks!

From five stars to two stars, sorry that happened. I hope your next is a solid five.

I am a short story junkie, thanks for letting me know about R is for Rocket. I also agree that All Summer in a Day packs quite a punch for a few minutes reading.

Welcome to the group, Oyh.

I haven't read much by Le Guin, but have enjoyed her writing.

Rora wrote: "Challenge #2 completed"

Excellent!!!

Thanks, I will dust it off and move it to the top shelf.

Julie, I am also impressed. A terrific accomplishment!

I have never read anything by Geraldine Brooks but i have a copy of People of the Book. I don't even know where it came from, any info or recommendation?

Another Short Story/Novella, - The Bridge of San Luis Rey

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

I nominated this for the March read. I felt a little guilty reading this before the voting ended. While it is early in the voting. It looks like it will go down in flames again. My advice, if this one is of interest, don't wait.

Welcome to the buffet, enjoy!

My first short story this year, The Weapon Shop

Over the past few years, I have been neglecting my much-enjoyed Science Fiction/Fantasy Genre. I plan on correcting that bad habit. Over the years I have added quite a few sci-fi books and short stories to both my bookshelf and my Kindle. This year I have selected several short stories and novels to read hopefully I will correct this oversite.

In addition to the above book, which is very good, I am currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring. I plan to continue non-stop with volume 2 & 3.

The poll winner - The Beauties by Anton Chekhov

Voting results


6 votes - 277. Why I Live at the P.O. and Other Stories title story by Eudora Welty
4 votes - 296. Childhood by Tove Ditlevsen
3 votes - 266. The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
3 votes - 406. Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston
3 votes - 197. The Beauties by Anton Chekhov
3 votes - 315. Tower of Babylon in Stories of Your Life and Others Ted Chiang
3 votes - 141. The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat
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2 votes - 119. First Love by Ivan Turgenev
2 votes - 77. Diary of a Superfluous Man by Ivan Turgenev
2 votes - 157. Miss Brill and Other Stories: By Katherine Mansfield - Illustrated Title story by Katherine Mansfield
2 votes - 306. Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
1 vote - 83. Memoirs of a Madman by Gustave Flaubert
0 votes - 398. Letters from the Earth: Uncensored Writings by Mark Twain
0 votes - 190. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

34 Members Voted

Nice start. I read Anne of Green Gables a few years ago and was surprised that a cranky old man, me, enjoyed it so much.

Maugham is a favorite. Thanks to you I am now aware of this short story. I plan to reread The Razor's Edge this year, dare I try for two?

My first book of the year, The Winds of War

I know about the mini-series, but I think that knowledge comes from the TV commercial promotions. I can't remember seeing it. Back in the early '80's my marriage was young, my oldest son was young, and my job was physically demanding and took up about 10-12 hours of my day. Not much time for watching TV. I have seen and greatly enjoyed the movie, The Caine Mutiny.

These were my first two experiences with Herman Wouk. When I came across the book, The Caine Mutiny, a New School group read, it was after I had gotten over my foolishness about not reading a book after I had seen the movie it was based on. Since I made that decision there has only been two times that I thought the movie beat the book. The book is almost always better than the movie.

After learning how good a writer Wouk was, I was open to reading more by him. Sometime later I came across two used paperbacks, The Winds of War and War and Remembrance. At the time I did not realize that it would take years before I would finally read The Winds of War. I decided to make it my first read of this new year.

Why did I wait so long? Stupid I guess, it is excellent. There have been a few attempts to make a group read but it has failed every time. I hope it makes the group bookshelf someday. In the meantime, I hope that some might give it a try based on my enthusiasm. It really is worth the time spent.

With the reading I already have planned for the rest of the year I doubt I will get to War and Remembrance before years end. Maybe I will repeat this year and make it my first read of 2025. If it is half as good as Winds, I'll start another year off right.

This is a great way to start the year!!

Welcome to the buffet, enjoy!!!

Welcome, Anastasia.

My first book this year is a five star, it feels good. I hope we both have many more ahead.