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

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

Congratulations on finishing your alphabet challenge!

Finding a five star read is worth more than a finished challenge. There is always next year, Congrats!

It's those tricky letters that did me in this year. You are wise to seek them early. I hope you enjoy your challenge, it looks like you will be busy. Good luck!

I'll add another thumbs up for Alias Grace. I read it a couple of months ago, I really enjoyed it. Atwood is quite talented.

Leona wrote: "Great challenge. Good luck. I will keep an eye on your posting."

Thanks, I’ll look forward to any comments you post.

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 information, it’s interesting, and insightful as to what I’m up against. Let’s assume I will average 3 hours per day reading that equals 18-20 days per book. Now let’s be realistic and know that I won’t get 3 hours per day every day, nor will I be able to read as fast as a narrator. A better estimate seems be between 22-26 days per book. Now knowing that I won’t read either straight through, I’ll read others along the way. These two books will more likely take 6-8 weeks each. I may have just shot myself in the foot, but I’ll try.

Terry wrote: "Of those three books, Shogun is by far the easiest read, and probably more enjoyable to me than War and Peace, although I did enjoy that one. I tried reading Kirsten Lavransdatter once a long time ..."

Terry, I thought about it and I’m going to read War and Peace. It’s just too big a bucket list book that has been a must read, or at least try and read book for decades. This year is the year I give it a go. If I have it in me for another 1000+ page book this year it will be Shogun, there has just been too many good things said to pass it by or put Kirsten Lavransdatter ahead of it, I’ll save it for another time.

Jessica wrote: "Majorly overshot myself with the 2020 challenge, never mind will go 100% in again for 2021! Part of the fun for me is researching and looking up books that fill the different categories and that I ..."

It is easy to overshoot, but you are right researching your challenge and seeing what others come up with is not only fun but educational. I learn about more books during our planning time that all the rest of the year.

Nike wrote: "Thanks all for your answers! I might give it ago (despite the fact that I have been struggling with concentrating this year and haven't at all read as many books I wanted to and I haven't managed a..."

I hope you do, the fun is in planning and participating, never let yourself feel pressured to finish.

Welcome to the group and the challenge. You have some really good selections, I always enjoy Hardy and du Maurier. Have fun.

You sure have been working, this is an outstanding list of books. I do hope you enjoy every one.

Philina wrote: "I think I have to retry Shogun as an audiobook one day. I started reading it and gave it up. It wasn't a challenge book, so dnf was an option.
I think I had troubles with the writing style...to me..."

I'm curious how many hours an audio book of that size would be, i can't imagine reading that much aloud.

Terry wrote: "That list doesn’t look like a diet to me! Haha. Shogun was a great read as I recall. Just take the plunge and enjoy. I also enjoyed the sequel, Noble House."

Terry, you are right I have listed some big books on this thread. I haven't fully committed to War and Peace and only listed Shogun because I own a copy and it was a poll loser.

With all the high praise I'm reading for Shogun I'm thinking hard about what to do. I'm nervous about planning three 1000+ page books for one year. Right now I think it may be best to swap W&P for Shogun and try and squeeze Kirsten Lavransdatter later in the year. War and Peace will keep, it's been on my list for years and years. Or?????

Glad I have time!

Janelle wrote: "I hope you can get to An Imaginary Life, Bob, I loved that book!
And The Cement Garden , I’d be interested to see what you think."

An Imaginary Life was recommended to me last year so I placed it on my TBR. Now with your recommendation I need to be hard on the lookout for a copy. As for The Cement Garden, I haven't checked it out yet, it was one I found that fit the challenge requirements. Thanks for letting me know they are worth while.

Welcome Chris

Buffets do bring out our weaknesses, just give me a little bit more.

The challenge is to read 5 from each year. Since you only have 8, use 4 rather than 5.

Even though I will only nibble a couple of grapes, maybe a strawberry or two, I put together a list of books for challenges #2 & #5. I kinda wish I had the books, there seems to be some good choices.

I see you have been working on your list, really impressive choices. You have some of my favorites.

I'm tickled to hear so many good things about Angle of Repose, it may well be my number one next year.