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

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

Laurie wrote: "Oh man, short stories by Ray Bradbury are so good but so depressing. I read 2 of his stories today and All Summer in a Day broke my heart."

I love short stories. After seeing your post, I found a PDF copy of All Summer in a Day excellent story, and agree it was sad.

I have only read, Interview with the Vampire, and have The Vampire Lestat on my bookshelf. I had thought about reading it last year but didn’t. Interview was a good read I don’t see the series becoming a favorite, but like you I do find her writing smooth and enjoyable. I still plan to read Lestat, but I doubt I will continue the series.

The winner of this months poll - Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

These seven are moving forward to the poll

The Color Out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft, 25 pages, 1927

In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, 14 pages, 1922

The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark, 103 pages, 1970

The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol, 24 pages, 1842

A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka84 pages, 1924

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, 55 pages, 1997

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, 105 pages, 1941

Short Story Poll Link

Welcome Faith!

Message #21 updated

Welcome Aida, glad you have joined us!.

I am impressed, congrats!!

I have heard so many good things about Elizabeth Taylor. Someday I will have to read one of her books, someday! Glad things are going well, and you enjoy the buffet.

I too, have finished challenges #5 and #7, it feels good. I also read both The Ransom of Red Chief and The Last Leaf., O. Henry really had a talent.

Finished Challenge #7 New Authors. I usually read quite a few new authors each year, so this isn’t a difficult challenge for me. Two challenges complete.

If memory serves, The Quiet American was my first Graham Greene read. There have a few since and there will be more to come.

Current Status, please check me for errors


Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov, 586 pages, 1859
Kimberly - Radhya, Milena,

Selected Essays of Michel de Montaigne by Michel de Montaigne, 224 pages 1580
J_BlueFlower - AiK, Heather L,

The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia by Samuel Johnson, 224 pages, 1759
Bob - Sam

The Elder Edda by Unknown, 384 pages, 1270
AiK - Aprilleigh,

The Story of the Stone, or The Dream of the Red Chamber, Vol. 1: The Golden Days by Cao Xueqin, 542 pages, 1790
Wobbley -

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, 378 pages, 1893
Marilyn -

Status - Please check me for errors.


The Color Out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft, 25 pages, 1927
J_BlueFlower - Klowey, Heather L, Carolien, Jen,

In a Grove by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, 14 pages, 1922
Marilyn -J_BlueFlower, Sue, Shaina, Michaela,

The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark, 103 pages, 1970
Kimberly - Sam, Radhya, Cynda, Laurie,

The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol, 24 pages, 1842
Tom - Aprilleigh, AiK, Paula W,

A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka84 pages, 1924
John_Dishwasher - Elizabeth, Greg, Darren,

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, 55 pages, 1997
Wobbley - Dave, J_BlueFlower,

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, 105 pages, 1941
AiK - Chuck, Pat,

The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares, 103 pages, 1940
Klowey - Marilyn,

Sara, pie is always an easier choice than Brussel sprouts, but I do need to start on my veggies soon.

Sara wrote: "Bob wrote: "A really nice start, I noticed that you also have 5 of your new authors finished."

That category is always an easy one to fill for me, Bob. So many good authors I haven't gotten to yet."

Ila wrote: "You're doing great, Sara! Coincidentally, I have noticed that the Authors New to Me challenge is the one I always manage to finish early as well."

It is hard to come up with the right number of books for a challenge. I too, read many more than six new authors each year, but one every other month seemed a doable number. Perhaps the number should be increased next year. Plenty of time to give it thought.

A really nice start, I noticed that you also have 5 of your new authors finished.

Wow, you really had a great January.

Lynn wrote: "J_BlueFlower wrote: "Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was ho..."

I own copies of books by both these authors and just haven't read them yet...time.

Lynn, the next time you find yourself stand at your bookshelf seeking your next read. Simply grab the first book by either author that your eye falls on. I will bet money you won’t be disappointed.

J_BlueFlower wrote: "Bob wrote: "Nevil Shute, several years ago I decided to read the top ten bestselling books for the year I was born, Shute’s On the Beach was apart of that list. Again, I was hooked and have been se..."

Landing a book on our bookshelf is not an easy task. On the Beach and A Town Like Alice are Shute’s most read and most popular as judged by Goodreads ratings. I think that both are worthy of a place on our bookshelf. That said, they both have been to the poll enough times without winning that I doubt it will happen in the future.

The one thing the first two questions in this thread has proved is they are hard to answer. You ask, “Which of his books is your favorite?” I am glad that your wording allows for an answer in the plural. I have liked and enjoyed every book by Shute I have read and would happily reread them. In addition to the two mentioned above, Trustee from the Toolroom and Pied Piper are well worth reading. Perhaps his most poignant is Requiem for a Wren or The Breaking Wave as published in the U.S. It is a deeply insightful look at the mental anguish that can occur to an individual as a result of war.

In my opinion, any book by Shute one fines on a shelf will prove to be a worthy read.