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

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

Katy wrote: "Got my Z: Carlos Ruiz Zafón -- The Shadow of the Wind"

Its been 8 years since I read this. A lot of the detail has faded. When I see the title I always remember it as being a really good read.

My observations of other members A-Z challenges shows that most are using the author’s last name. This matches up with how libraries and bookstores file their books. As to a book having two authors listed, do whatever you feel is right. For a book whose author is listed as anonymous, I’ve used that in the past and listed it for the letter “A.” As for a book like “Snow White, Blood Red” the author is listed as Ellen Datlow, for me that would be the letter “D” I personally wouldn’t use any others listed. As to genre, use anyone listed by Goodreads. In this case Fantasy, Short Story, Fiction, etc.

For challenge #9, again my observation is that most members don’t use A, The, It, etc. Remember this is your challenge and you can do what you want. I hope this helps.

I never thought about a Millennium challenge, maybe I’ll include it as an option next year. I also don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t do it if that is what you want.

If I miss any of your questions let me know.

One, you do not need to use different books for each challenge. If you can come up with a book that can work in all nine challenges, use it. You can use it in Bingo also if you are participating.

Two, June is the halfway point of the year. I felt it fair to allow new members the chance to participate without the pressure of having to complete 12 total books. If someone joins in March, they can pick nine books and two alternates. If one joins in August, they can pick 4 books and one alternate.

Three, Keep in mind that these challenge are entirely for fun and sharing. I don’t want anything to be restrictive, except challenge #1. If a challenge states to read 10 or 12 books during the whole year and you joined in June, cut the number in half. Just let others know what you are doing. Example, A-Z challenge, you can say something like, since I joined the group in June, I will consider my A-Z challenge a success if I complete 13 of the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Four, the reason alternates are allowed in challenge #1 is because it is the only challenge where the books to be read are listed prior to the start of the challenge. The challenge is a success when one reads 12 books by the years end. Since they are honor bound to not change their selections, alternates are selected in case a selected book is disliked and abandoned. For all other challenges, any book preselected can be changed at will. If you plan on reading book “A” for your genre challenge, but read book “B” instead, it’s OK.

Ask all the questions you want. This group exists so that hopefully members learn from one another and have fun.

Congrats on your Bingo. A Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield are the two that come to mind when I think about a favorite Dickens

Welcome Rachel, glad you are with us.

Welcome to the group Sam.

Another solid review. Your honesty leaves me guilt free in leaving this one alone. It has come up for group a few times and if it should ever win I'll reconsider. Thanks!

I read this again last night. Funny how you sometimes get more out of a story the second time.

I enjoyed your review on this. It left me wondering, would I find it interesting and beneficial, on the surface it seems so, but....

Congrats on your Bingo! For a 19th century you might checkout Ruth and for 20th century selection look at The Razor's Edge, for me both were 5 stars.

Kathleen wrote: "Bob wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Hope Glimpses of the Moon was good.."

Edith Wharton is great and Glimpses is a wonderful story. I'll bet good money you will like it.

Sara wrote: "At the rate you are going, you will be needing a Card #3.

You have had some smashing reads this year. I'm promising myself Dandelion Wine before the year is up--you and Kathleen have..."

Sara, Dandelion Wine is like a pleasant walk in the park, it just feels good. I think you will enjoy it.

I’ll admit to going off the deep end just a bit with my challenges, some might question my sanity. But years ago “my mother hadn’t had me tested” to prove I’m OK. If I’m foolish enough to start a third bingo card, my family may think it is time to have me retested. Since I fear the results I’ll play it safe and stick to what I’ve already committed too.

Welcome Thomas, glad you are with us

The lovely Lily Bart, welcome Garfield, I hope you are enjoying House of Mirth.

Using The Glimpses of the Moon for O5: Classic of the Americas.

Second card is at 16/25 no bingo.

Kathleen wrote: "Wow--look at that board. What a beaut! What were your favorites?"

So glad you said favorite(s) and not favorite. It would be hard to pick only one. Selecting these kind of depends on where my eye fall first. The books that jump to mind at first glance are:

Old Yeller
Stoner
The End of the Affair
and maybe because it was next to last for blackout-
The Blind Assassin

The next group that jump out at me are:

A Death in the Family
A Raisin in the Sun
The Midwich Cuckoos
and
Dandelion Wine

As for picking just one of these... I guess, put the names in a hat and anyone drawn would do.

Congrats on your Bingo, some great books!

The Count is a bit of a brick. I hope you are enjoying it.

Been focused elsewhere, but I have really enjoyed following this discussion. For what it may be worth my Wells favorites are:

1. The Time Machine-I love the idea of time travel.
2. The War of the Worlds
3. The Invisible Man

If I can squeeze a couple of extra hours this weekend I'm thinking of rereading this.