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

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

I took Sara’s advice and used So Long, See You Tomorrow for my B2 square. As usual her advice was spot on and perfect.

I’m traveling and finished this on the plane. I’m only using a phone for the next week so I will be absent for a while.

The completion of this book is also the completion of my second Bingo card. Two cards, 50 different titles, no duplicates. I feel pretty good.

Philina wrote: "Bob, for W&P you could also use the free serial reader app:

https://www.serialreader.org/

It cuts down the book into manageable (10-20 min) bits every day. If you invest into the upgraded app (in..."

I have heard of this app and will look into it.

Philina wrote: "Carolien wrote: "War and Peace is between 55 - 61 hours on Audible's versions. And Shogun is 53 hours. That is a lot of commuting/ironing/dishwashing hours."

Not that long in total... once you get..."

I'm not a big user of audio. I do enjoy reading and then listening to plays and poetry, it makes them more enjoyable.

Sara wrote: "Bob, you definitely will want to read McEwan. I loved Atonement and have read some others that fell into the 3-4 star range. It is only The Cement Garden that I found horrid..."

I feel kinda foolish. I didn't think I knew anything about McEwan the author. That is until you mentioned Atonement, which I do have a copy of. Now I have a reason to pull it off the shelf and give it a go later this next year.

Annette wrote: "I am currently reading War & Peace. It is quite good, moves along and there aren’t that many names contrary to what you might hear. Most probably read it alone & straight through but I find that if..."

With all the encouragement I've gotten I'm looking forward to starting W&P and beginning to wonder why I've been afraid of reading it all these years, Thanks everyone.

Enjoy your challenge, a great list of books. The Razors Edge and On the Beach are ols favorites, looking forward to your thoughts.

Congratulations!!!

Phedre, Welcome to the group!

Well done, see you next year?

Looking forward to seeing your challenge fill up, Good luck!

Well I2 is finished. One to go and I'm half way through it

Kathleen wrote: "You know, Bob, I found War and Peace an unexpected page-turner! I hope you do too."

Cynda wrote: "I too found large sections of War and Peace to be page turners. I think Bob that you too may be pleasantly surprised."

Thanks! Based on the plan I've come up with to read this, knowing that some of it flows smoothly helps me believe I will keep pace with my plan. The thing I hope doesn't happen it that I get bogged down and don't read others along the way, that could hurt my whole year.

Janelle wrote: "Sara wrote: "Bob, you cannot go wrong with W&P or Shogun, but I can see how you might not want to tackle them both. I will say about The Cement Garden that I hated it. I seldom give a 1..."

Janelle, thanks for the info about The Cement Garden. One thing for sure is that I will have to explore McEwan.

Laurie wrote: "When I read W&P (and other huge books), I planned on a quarter long read. I divided the number of pages by 90 and read that number every day. It was very manageable. Plus I enjoyed the book so that..."

Terris wrote: "Bob wrote: "Carolien wrote: "War and Peace is between 55 - 61 hours on Audible's versions. And Shogun is 53 hours. That is a lot of commuting/ironing/dishwashing hours."

Carolien, thanks for this ..."

Thanks Laurie and Terris, using your information I think I have a workable plan. Figuring 1400+- pages at 25 pages per day equals 60+- days. I'm not a fast reader and I don't know the pace of W&P until I start reading, but I think 25 pages per hour is doable.
Fingers crossed.

Sara wrote: "Bob, you cannot go wrong with W&P or Shogun, but I can see how you might not want to tackle them both. I will say about The Cement Garden that I hated it. I seldom give a 1-star rating,..."

Thanks Sara, I plan to start War and Peace on Jan. 1 and I hope to have it finished in seven to nine weeks. I also intend to read Shogun, I imagine it will take a little less time, but it doesn’t matter both are worthy reads.

As for The Cement Garden, it was on my radar because it fits challenge #2. It didn’t make my initial cut for the top five choices, so even if I was doing that challenge, it is not an issue this year. However, I guess at some point I will have to explore Ian McEwan, another author I haven’t heard of, sad the sheltered life I lead.

Congratulations! A great half year challenge.

Connie wrote: "Adding The Star by Arthur C. Clarke"

Like you I have read a bunch of short stories this year and The Star is one of the standouts.

Congrats on an excellent year!

Congratulations Terry! Twenty-five gold stars does make a pretty picture. Now on to next year.

Welcome Win

Congratulations! As for Barchester Towers, I read it a couple of months ago and enjoyed it. I think you will also