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

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

Lori, for me me Tess was spectacular. Both New and Old school poll winners are books I think are great and if time would allow I would reread them, even though both were recent reads for me. Enjoy!!

I'm a real fan of Hardy and Tess is top notch, a true favorite, enjoy.

I read this last July and thought it was great. I’m giving rereading this some thought, it’s doubtful, since for me rereading anything is rare. Especially since it has been less than a year from my first reading. For those who are going to read this, I hope it’s enjoyed. Old Moll is bold and bawdy, a real survivor of her times.

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke is our June 2021 Short Story/Novella Read.

This discussion will open on June 1

Beware Short Story Discussions will have Spoilers

Looks like I missed last April and just about missed this one too

December 4, 2012 - 21/47 = 45%, 26 books unread
April 24, 2014 - 45/84 = 54%, 39 books unread
April 6, 2015 - 66/105 = 63%, 39 books unread
April 4, 2016 - 100/142 = 70%, 42 books unread
April 13, 2017 - 134/180 = 74%, 46 books unread
April 9, 2018 - 180/217 = 82.9%, 37 books unread
April 5, 2019 - 212/256 = 82.8%, 44 books unread
April 2020 - Oops
April 29. 2021 - 276/333 = 82.9%, 57 books unread

Stuck, stuck, stuck, 82%

I now have more group books unread than the group total was in 2012

My Unread Group Books

Wayne, I see that you planned The Forsyte Saga for challenge #3 Second or Worse. Feel free to change any of your pre-selected choices in any challenge except #1 Old and New. There we try to be a little more ridged and allow for two alternates to be selected to compensate for books that maybe DNF. Pre-selecting as you have already done is great in that is allows other members to see titles that they maybe unaware of, it is a helpful resource for everyone.

Simply put, make all the changes you need too, if helps you better enjoy your challenges.

I should get to my first Iris Murdoch book The Sea, The Sea, sometime next month. I've heard nothing but good about Murdoch and I looking forward to it.

I doen't hurt that it works for both my Buffet and Bingo challenges. I could use it twice for the buffet, but I'm still stubbornly trying to not have duplecates.

I did not see it addressed in this year’s rules but sometime in past Bingo rules, I swear I read it. A single book can only go in a single square, the same author can be used in multiple squares, if the books used are different.

If I’m wrong, like Sara, my past Bingos are void, as I have used the same author but different books several times.

Katy can verify, but I think different books by the same author is fine, but not the same book in multi squares.

Terry wrote: "N5 Newberry award Award - A Wrinkle in Time. Bingo, and a fun read, even at my age! My granddaughter read this book before I did! 4.5 stars and recommended for any age!"

I remember enjoying this regardless of the age group it was written for, a good story is a good story.

Shaina wrote: "I just finished The Tenant of Wildfell Hall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I really think Anne was the best writer of the three sisters. I loved this book more than Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I think i..."

I’ve read works by all three sisters and I agree with you, I found Anne to be the best.

Congrats on the Bingo!

I just finished your review for The Law and the Lady. As usual it is honest and straight forward. I have three by Collins, his two biggest blockbusters, Moonstone and The Woman in White. The other was The Dead Secret, which was also my first book by Collins. Sadly, it has been long enough that I don’t remember the details, just that at the time I gave it 5 stars. I like Collins and plan to read more, but I will put No Name and perhaps others ahead of The Law and the Lady.

As to your Bingo, 8 of 25 is still a third finished. I think you are doing better than you give yourself credit for. Lots of time left.

Congrats on the bingo. I have not yet read anything by John le Carre or French, but I plan too soon.

I'm stuck on the planning already done for my challenges, buffet more than bingo. It does hinder one from spur of the moment reading. As to short stories, I'm not stuck, I'm addicted. Thanks for the Manybooks info I will check it out,

Lots of time left, two five star reads is better than a bingo any day.

If it wasn't for friends on Goodreads, I would never picked up Stoner and would have missed out an excellent read. Glad you liked it

I miss science fiction. I don't read as much of it as I should, you are inspiring me to fix the oversight.

You are getting close to a blackout. I was glad to see you rated There Eyes Were Watching God at 4 stars. It is on my list for this year and I have heard it is, or can be, difficult reading.

Maybe a slow start for Old and New, but you are smoking through the others.