March 2013 Challenge - Neglected Classics

[Tejas Janet]

Alexandra wrote: "Tejas Janet wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "This sounds like a great challenge, Rusalka, count me in! I think this is my opportunity to finally tackle Don Quixote. If I don´t read it now that I will earn..."

Sure thing - glad you found someone to read with you now. I'm so "overbooked" right now -- ha ha!

[Cherie]

Overbooked! Oh, that is too funny for words, Janet. That made my day!

[Cathie]

"Overbooked". I'm still laughing. Good one TJ :-)

[Pragya]

Thank you, Travis. Which Sword in the Stone book are you talking about? There are too many.

Almeta, I'm so glad to know I have company. I thought I was the only one who couldn't get into it.

Thank you, Gaeta. I have infact been switching between listening and reading Dracula since last year but too many books got in the way for me to finish it. I would recommend librivox audio of Carmilla. I really liked it.

Right now, I'm busy downloading the endless audio of Middlemarch.

[Almeta]

Do you know that every picture of a trio of people is labeled The Three Musketeers? :D

[Travis]

Pragya wrote: "Thank you, Travis. Which Sword in the Stone book are you talking about? There are too many.

Almeta, I'm so glad to know I have company. I thought I was the only one who couldn't get into it.

Than..."
Part 1 of the once and future king by TH White with Neville Jason narrating

[Cherie]

You are looking for the 1973 movie, directed by directed by Richard Lester? He was in both The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers as d’Artagnan, acording to his web site.

[Cherie]

LOL! I found this link; www.iwannawatch.ch/2012/01/the-three-...
when I goodled it. My firewall security here at work will not let me link to it, but it is supposed to be Free Movies Online.

[Anna]

Today I finished No Name it was fantastic book.

I know we get credit for reading one book (with highest score) but can read as much books we can.

My question: I started Mrs. Dalloway for another group can I add Mrs D to this challenge as well?

[Pragya]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Thank you, Travis. Which Sword in the Stone book are you talking about? There are too many.

Almeta, I'm so glad to know I have company. I thought I was the only one who couldn't ge..."

Thank you, Travis.

[Ava Catherine]

Beth wrote: "Also, our library had a book sale yesterday, so there are masses of new contenders in my car (am afraid to bring them in because husband my lose it!--Thinking of starting a shelf labelled "in car")."

OMG! I love it! ROFL!!! I can so relate to this!!!

I went to the Goodwill bookstore and bought a box full of classic books, which I unloaded on the ottoman in the den, and my husband wanted to know if I only got two books at the used bookstore for $25. He had looked at the receipt and somehow misread it (don't know how that happened! must have needed his glasses!). lol He is the math wizard! When I told him to look at all the books in the den that I got, he was shocked, but he said some of them looked a little weathered. haha

I totally understand about husbands and books! My husband is not a reader-unless it is a computer journal, tax law journal, or some math geeky technical magazine. He read a magazine this week about health care costs and insurance costs to patients. His reads usually have something to do with money or computers. Nary a classic crosses his palm, but he does ask me what the ancient classics are about from time to time. lol Everyone loves a good story. ; )

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Anna wrote: "Today I finished No Name it was fantastic book.

I know we get credit for reading one book (with highest score) but can read as much books we can.

My question: I started Mrs. Dalloway for ano..."

If you started dear Mrs D in March, and you finish it in March, and it's higher scoring than your other book, whack her on.

[Shirley]

Connie wrote: "Beth wrote: "Also, our library had a book sale yesterday, so there are masses of new contenders in my car (am afraid to bring them in because husband my lose it!--Thinking of starting a shelf label..."

A box full of classics wow ... they are usually pretty cheap. I used to go to a store downtown and usually left with a sack full for a couple of dollars.

[Lisa]

I have just finished my first book And Then There Were None which was a great book. I gave it 5 stars because it kept me gripped throughout and it was very enjoyable to read. Next up will be The Ladies' Paradise which I won't be starting just yet as I am going to be reading my next book for the Alphabet challenge first.

[Lara]

I read And Then There Were None last year. It's definitely one of her darker books.

[Anna]

Rusalka wrote: "If you started dear Mrs D in March, and you finish it in March, and it's higher scoring than your other book, whack her on. "

Thanks :) I started reading Mrs D today.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lara wrote: "I read And Then There Were None last year. It's definitely one of her darker books."

I think she should let dark Ms Christie out more. I really enjoyed it.

[Rachel]

Rusalka wrote: "Lara wrote: "I read And Then There Were None last year. It's definitely one of her darker books."

I think she should let dark Ms Christie out more. I really enjoyed it."

i agree- thought it was a great book

[Lara]

I also agree. It was harder to figure out because the solution was not within normal expectations. And all the characters were definitely on the less likeable side, but still entertaining. They were so self-serving that the "who-done-it" was harder to figure out.

[Cherie]

Lara wrote: "I also agree. It was harder to figure out because the solution was not within normal expectations. And all the characters were definitely on the less likeable side, but still entertaining. They wer..."

I have to agree too. I thought it was pretty good!

[Janice, Moderator]

Judy wrote: "@Connie Too bad we don't live closer, we could have a used book shopping spree!"

Are you sure that would be a good idea? We wouldn't want you starting a brawl when you both want the same books. Hehehehe!

[Julia]

UGH . . . i haven't even started my book yet :( My employers actually expect me to work when I show up for the day . . . ha ha!

[Pragya]

Julia wrote: "UGH . . . i haven't even started my book yet :( My employers actually expect me to work when I show up for the day . . . ha ha!"

They do too? Same here, Julia. I thought it was cultural thing.

[Ava Catherine]

Judy wrote: "@Connie Too bad we don't live closer, we could have a used book shopping spree!"

I agree! We could have a great book swapping party. : ) Especially since we like the same kinds of books.


Janice wrote: "Judy wrote: "@Connie Too bad we don't live closer, we could have a used book shopping spree!"

Are you sure that would be a good idea? We wouldn't want you
starting a brawl when you both want the ..."

Now, Janice, you know Judy and I would NEVER brawl about anything!! LOL!!!
Of course, books are important! ROFL!!

[Ava Catherine]

Pragya wrote: "Julia wrote: "UGH . . . i haven't even started my book yet :( My employers actually expect me to work when I show up for the day . . . ha ha!"

They do too? Same here, Julia. I thought it was cul..."


ROFL!!!

[Cherie]

I finally figured out what I was going to read for this challenge. I have settled on The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I have read her sisters' works, but not hers. I like the way it has started already!

[Shirley]

Between Neglected Classics, Low Octane and other challenges I became a schizophrenic reader this week.

I have

Fall of Giants
Thérèse Raquin
Still with Me

going at the same time and not lasting more than about an hour at a time.

[Christine]

Here I am with the March challenge and I'm hoping I got the rules right.

Category - Author I hated before and disliked.

Just finished reading Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. This is a re-reading experience. As my review states, I read this as a teen (required English) and couldn't get through it without cliff notes! Grabbed it from the free books and I'm so glad I did! I was truly surprised by the periodic bits of humor that I found as I was reading. It wasn't long before I was seeking them out! I'll be reading more of his works - an I'm sending my apologies for not appreciating this author in my youth!

If I understand the rules correctly - that's 3 points for 1800's 5 points for reading an author I disliked - and 1 point for redeeming - and 1 point for 268 pages

Total - 10 points?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Hi Chris,

That looks right. So head over to the Reporting thread here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... and whack it up there. Have a look at my example so we can clearly see what your book got you points for.

Does it fit into any genres? I'm not sure, haven't read it, so I'll leave that up to you.

I'm so excited you redeemed a writer! I think this is a theme I may need to make another challenge around another time. Especially from writers we read at school. I'm watching Chrissie and Judy gush about John Steinbeck and think they need their heads checked. However, i may enjoy him now i'm not 15-16 and have to write an essay about the book.

[Christine]

Rusalka wrote: "Hi Chris,

That looks right. So head over to the Reporting thread here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... and whack it up there. Have a look at my ..."

Thanks for the assist Rusalka .... I have reported!

I agree, Steinbeck was another author I dragged myself through in high school.

[[deleted user]]

I agree, Hardy would straight to the top of my list for that one. I'm sure he can't be as bad as I remember him being. To put it into context, my English teacher very nearly managed to ruin Shakespeare...

[Anna]

These who are looking for good reads and points try Irène Némirovsky she was born in Ukraine and died at the age of 39. That's 5 points and if you haven't read anything by her +4 points. 9 points for the author alone!

[[deleted user]]

Judy wrote: "Great suggestion, Anna. But Suite Française,(which I own) unfortunately was published in 2004."

Is this not an instance where it would be acceptable to read it, seeing she died in 1942? It might not have been published until long after her death, but it was written over 50 years ago?

(this is why I couldn't be a moderator - far too soft a touch; I'm not a meanie)

[Naomi]

Publish date shouldn't matter on that. It was written in the 40's before she died in Auschwitz. It was found and translated and is an incomplete work. Much like Anne Frank's Diary being published later than when written.

(Because if she hadn't been marched off to Auschwitz it would have been published prior to 1963.)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I agree that she probably would have had these newer books published before 1963 if she hadn't been caught up in WWII.

However, we also can't prove that.

It sounds harsh. But we need a hard and fast rule, and that is date first published.

So, there are some of her books that are eligible such as All Our Worldly Goods, David Golder, Jezebel, but just not the ones first published after 1963. Sorry.

(yes, I'm Meany 2 for a reason).

[Alli]

i think i shall read The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dracula

[Rusalka, Moderator]

To of my favourites Allison

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Reminder peeps we have 7 Days to go!

[Lara]

Wow, I'm not I'll make this one. Life has slowed my reading, but maybe I can squeeze in a fun oldie.

[Sarah]

i had started 1984 on audio but i started it too late so there's no way I'm going to finish it this month. at least my alphabet is coming along nicely.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Life has a habit of sneaking up on us like that. But here's hoping you both squeeze in the reads anyway ;)

[jaxnsmom]

I'm not sure I'm going to fit my book in this month. I've read less than 50 pages this week, can't seem to concentrate on anything :(

[Tejas Janet]

Have been reading selections by Rumi Jalal Al-Din throughout this month. English translations, that is, since I don't know Persian. I'm not going to attempt to score or rate these, but here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Janice, Moderator]

jaxnsmom wrote: "I'm not sure I'm going to fit my book in this month. I've read less than 50 pages this week, can't seem to concentrate on anything :("

Must be spring fever.

[Lara]

Gaeta, you're too funny! But, I'm right with you. Every time I think it's going to warm up, I look at the new forecast and it has highs just above freezing.

[Ava Catherine]

Me, too! It is miserable here. Wet, cold, and raw weather will not cease. Where is the sun?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'm holding it hostage.

[Tejas Janet]

It's spring here with beautiful weather, not too cold, not too hot. Have to enjoy it while it lasts since it turns into an inferno for endless months.

[[deleted user]]

Come on now, send the warmth up here! It's snowing. Again. it ought to be March: it looks & feels more like January. I'm supposed to be planting my spuds next week (traditionally they should be in at Easter) but I can't see the vege patch to dig it over.
brrr. I want some suuuuuuunnnnnnn!

[Tejas Janet]

Okay, have done a chant for sun your way, and rain this way. We're so far behind. I've never seen Lake Travis like this, or known of it ever being so low.