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

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

Anetq wrote: "Another lovely buffet to choose from, Thank you for doing this Bob! I always enjoy these even if I don't always finish all of the ones I consider :)"

Finishing isn't the most important, enjoying it is, thanks for letting me know you like it.

Sue wrote: "Love the new categories Bob! I plan to participate in at least one of them - starting with the fiction/nonfiction one.

I've been woefully behind in updating my challenges from 2021 (even though I ..."

Thanks Sue, I'm hopping for a better 2022 also.

I'm looking forward to this, will start tonight or tomorrow.

The Wasteland and other poems by T.S. Eliotis our February 2022 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on February 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

Lori wrote: "Hi Bob. I can't believe I'm having so much fun with planning this buffet. I hope I enjoy the reading as much. I did have a question. On the A-Z author and Title challenge is the rule the last name ..."

Lori, that is the way it was planned, but feel free to get creative if you start to run short or titles or authors. I'm guilty of using Zane Gray for the letter "Z" rather than Gray, Zane.

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "Bob, you have done such a stellar job with these challenges!!! I was only planning on doing the New & Old TBR Challenge this year (to motivate me to actually read my MUST READ FIRST classics - LOL)..."

Shirley, I am happy you are enjoying the challenge. My original thought on challenge #8 was to use two single years separated by any given time frame you choose. I am intrigued by the idea of comparing books from multiple dates from the past. Anyway, you choose to do it, I look forward to checking it out. It is all about having fun and enjoying the ride.

Welcome Noor.

Welcome Bernard.

Welcome Lindsay.

Welcome Shima, I hope you enjoy your challenge, glad you are with us.

Lori wrote: "I am currently looking through the polls to find a book that didn't win and is not on the current group bookshelf. Everyone I look up is already on the bookshelf. Am I looking at the wrong thing?"

Lori, I just came from Carolien’s challenge. She has a wonderful list of non-winning books that are not yet on our shelf. You can also visit my challenge while not as impressive, I also have a list you can look at.

I guess I have done all the planning I can for now. I can almost guarantee changes will likely occur, but for now I' ready. I have at least one book planned per square, except for G3: Classic Tragedy and G4: Group Bingo Participant Pick. Next year promises us nothing, but we can hope for a lot. I’m hoping for a good year!

Matt wrote: "I think I may jump in on this one too. I have Of Human Bondage queued to read this year but may sub that for this group read of The Razor's Edge."

Matt, I've read both of these. I rated both of them 5 stars, that said The Razor's Edge is on my top 10 favorite's list.

It has been a long time coming but my Catch as Catch Can Bingo Challenge has been caught, filleted, fried, and devoured. With the completion of The Sea, The Sea, which I started last June, I have a Bingo Blackout.

Taking so long to finish this book is not a reflection on the book’s quality, I just had a few of life’s roadblocks pop up on me this year. I set this book aside and just picked back up about 10 days ago. It is my first by Iris Murdoch and I found it to be exceptional.

Lori, it looks like we picked up our buffet trays about the same time yesterday. I plan on filling mine as full as I can get it, but I will eat in moderation. There is no way I can finish all that is offered. Good luck!

Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "Bob wrote: "I have also wanted to read The Lord of the Rings. The difference is I have wanted to read Rings for decades rather than years, so this year for sure, it will be Lord of the Rings."

You..."

Jillian, this has been with me for years and I always set it aside, size, I guess. When you hear “one of the best I have ever read, it makes it much easier to go ahead and give it a go, thanks,

Sara wrote: "Another year of fun. The one book you have on the list that I hope you get to is Shōgun. I loved that book so much and I suspect you will too."

Sara, I’m having fun planning and looking forward to the start of a New Year. I will bring Shogun to the top of the page, after all your recommendation always guarantees a solid read.

Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "Very best wishes with the planning & the reading, Bob! :-)"

For me the planning is the best part of the challenges. Reading from the challenges or something else is what I fink the most enjoyable.

save

Challenge #13 - A-Z Title Challenge
21/26 Completed/Read

A - The Age of Innocence
B - Barn Burning
C - Carmilla
D - The Disintegration Machine
E
F - Flame and Shadow
G - A Gentleman in Moscow
H - The House of Pride and Other Tales of Hawaii
I - The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride
J - The Jungle
K
L - The Library of Babel
M - Mary Barton
N - The Nutcracker and The Mouse King
O - Our Town
P - The Pilgrim's Progress
Q
R - The Rainbow and the Rose
S - Sounder
T - A Thousand Deaths
U - Uncle Vanya
V - The Violet Car
W - The Wreath
X
Y - Youth
Z

Challenge #12 - A-Z Author Challenge
20/26 Completed/Read

A - William H. Armstrong
B - Jorge Luis Borges
C - Beverly Cleary
D - Arthur Conan Doyle
E - T.S. Eliot
F - William Faulkner
G - Elizabeth Gaskell
H - Ernest Hemingway
I
J - Jerome K. Jerome
K
L - Jack London
M - Guy de Maupassant
N - E. Nesbit
O - George Orwell
P - Edgar Allan Poe
Q
R - Edmond Rostand
S - Nevil Shute
T - Sara Teasdale
U - Sigrid Undset
V - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
W - Thornton Wilder
X
Y
Z