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

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

Welcome Sneha, it's great to have you with us!

An excellent day, welcome to all our new members!!

I also push my Old and New a little, in that I pick unread new and old group selections. This can be difficult for me because I have read a large portion of our bookshelf. Fortunately, many of these unread books hold an interest for me and I pick the ones I think I will like the best. That said there are a lot of books on our shelf that hold little or no interest for me at all. I will have to make choice changes as the number of want to read continues to shrink. I do help myself on my six free reads and alternates by picking books form authors I’ve already really enjoy. I can pretty much guarantee myself no worse than 8 out of 12 each year.

This is one I have thought about for years, now it is a must read. I can’t imagine the conditions a northern POW endured considering many of the battle line combat soldiers were unshod as well as often hungry. My family tree indicates I had a distant uncle who died in a POW camp in Maryland, another reason this book interests me. Glad it was 5 stars.

I have had this book on my shelf for years, probably since it first won group read back in 2012. Over 370,000 readers have given it an average rating or 4.10, a pretty good rating. Why is it then that of the at least one dozen times I have had it my hand to read, trepidation makes me put it back on the shelf?

I may read it someday but not this month.

You have read some wonderful books this year, several are on my favorite list.

Glad you checked one of your challenge, sorry it was a struggle.

Sara wrote: "One more off the Old & New list, A High Wind in Jamaica. This was a huge surprise to me and completely engrossing. It is told in an almost lighthearted, adventure-story tone, but it i..."

Thank you, another for the TBR

I can't offer any comment on The Dark Lantern, but I really like Pointed Firs, good luck.

Pamela wrote: "First challenge completed #8 Expand your Horizon with New Authors

Excellent challenge - I enjoyed all 6 books and will definitely be reading more by these authors."

Congrats Pamela, I love finding new authors.

April wrote: "The Spanish Bawd by Rojas is the first Spanish classic that I've read. Although it's a tragi-comedy, I found it quite grim. It is a great novel and it does have a moral, but everyone behaves badly ..."

Thanks, I may add this one to my list, grim has its place now and then.

Glad to hear you finished your Old and New challenge. I sidetracked on mine and I'm stuck at 8 read, still lots of time, fingers crossed.

Liesl wrote: "Bob wrote: "Maybe a slow start for Old and New, but you are smoking through the others."

It is the Old/New that I am motivated to complete this year. Last year, I didn't even come close and I am d..."

I hope you make your goal. Sorry Wildfel Hall was not up to par, I rather liked it.

Angelique wrote: "I finished challenge #4 Member's Choice Classic Genre, so that's 2 down!

I'll add Challenge #5 - Decade/Century Challenge, and use my birth decade."

Congrats!!

Looks like the progress you are making is with some really good books. Keep going and have fun!

Congrats on finishing Second Place or Worse challenge. I finihed my also and enjoyed all my selections.

Thanks for the review. I will not be in a hurry to read it, let fate, the group, decide. Maybe someday it will win a poll

I will be sitting this one out, but following the discussion. Several years ago I had a huge crush on Virginia. I was nervous about asking her out, but sweet talked my way into a couple of dates. We first went to The Lighthouse and followed up with a visit to Mrs. Dalloway’s. On our visit to The Lighthouse it seemed like we were a little strained together. After our visit with Mrs. Dalloway it was plain to see we were from different worlds and could not continue any type relationship. She is far too intellectual for me and I am too blue-collar for her.

You are right, to many grat books out there to spend time on a dud. Sorry that you lost time reading a bad one, I still have a hard time giving up on a loser. I am looking forward to anything you have to say about Andersonville, a book that is on my hope to read list.

The Misanthrope by Molière is our September 2021 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on September 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers