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

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

Congratulations on completing your challenges.

Welcome Jon

Hello Luis and Ben, welcome to the group!

Welcome James and Nina!

Welcome Autumn.

Kathleen wrote: "And Bob, I hope you're right. I'd like to finish this challenge because I'm not too sure the others will be possible!... "

No worries, a blackout is in your future, no later than December 15th. I checked the crystal ball, its never wrong.

Welcome Anne, so glad you are with us!!

Welcome Marlene,!

Six more for a blackout, looks like you have this under control. All though December will be here shortly,

Congrats, now they start to come quicker.

With the current problems with libraries being closed I have been stalled on challenge #2 The Year You Were Born and 100 Years Earlier and #5 Decade/Century Challenge. A good many of my choices for these two challenges were based on library acquisitions. My local library has started back up with curb service and I have just picked up The 13 Clocks by James Thurber. This will fill my 1950 slot for my Decade challenge, but was not a first choice. It’s the only choice I could find that was housed in my local library and fit the need.

I’m currently reading and stalled, a little over halfway, with The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955) and I own a copy of Sweet Thursday (1954). These two and 13 Clocks will finish challenge #5 and that will be my focus for the next few weeks.

With the library somewhat back in business I expect to finish challenge #2 by the middle of October. I have real doubts about completing #8 & #9.

Challenge 1 is complete, still working on challenge 2, 5, 8, & 9

Seve out of ten complete, all 4 and 5 star reads, you certainly picked good ones.

It was probably late 1969 or early 1970 when I first tried to read this. At that time it proved to be over my head and I never finished, or at least I don't remember finishing.

I finally read this in 2015 and as most stated above I found it to be very good, much better than the movie.

I can't see anyone objecting to The Road being used for your Bingo challenge. I personally think the challenges are more about fun and as a motivator, helping us to read more. It doesn't qualify for nomination as a group read, but based on how I felt about the book, I see it still being read in 2056.

Sara, I have to say it makes me nervous being asked to recommend something for you. You are far better read than I am. The selections of books that you have mentioned in posts, that I followed up on and read, have been wonderful. Gilead is an example.

When I recommended A Cry of Angels, it was in hopes that you would enjoy it, but I was a little selfish also. I was looking for vindication that my admiration for this book was not misplaced. That if a reader of your ability liked it. Maybe it meant I’m not crazy.

I think I have told you in the past that I am not a re-reader. Other than re-reading several classics from my youth, I hardly ever reread a book. When I thought about this book as a recommendation I checked and you have it listed as a “to read” you haven’t yet read it. This is one of the rare books that I have taken the time to read more than once. I think this will touch you emotionally, in that I expect you will be moved to smile, maybe laugh a little, and possibly shed a tear or two.

If you do read this, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you will enjoy it. My recommendation for your I2: Group Bingo Participant pick is The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Another bingo, that was quick.

It's been more than 40 years since I read Watership Down. Both it and Enders Game are excellent. I've also read Dune, I bet you will be happy with it too.

I have read Starship Troopers, a decent si-fi. I read a different book earlier this year about Shackleton and the Endurance, it was very good. I can't speak to the others.

I agree with your review. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I found it interesting and well written. I have read others, but he will never be a go to author for me.