Bob’s 2016 Catching Up & Legends Challenge

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

This year’s challenge for me will be about catching up on books I’ve not yet read from our group bookshelf. In addition to catching up I also plan to simply to enjoy some of my favorite authors. The writers that I consider legends, authors who in most cases write books that have left me emotionally moved. When I’m left so astonished, stunned, delighted, or sorrowful that I know I will always remember the story. These are the authors who for me become legends.

12/12 Complete 7/27/16

Catching up Old School
1. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, 1868
✓2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, 1859 - 5/28/16
3. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, 1878

Catching up New School
✓4. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle, 1902 - 2/11/16
✓5. A Passage to India by E.M. Forster, 1924 - 7/27/16
✓6. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, 1980 - 6/6/16

A Few of My Legendary Authors
✓7. Nevil Shute-Pastoral, 1944 - 2/4/16 - 6/11/16
✓8. W. Somerset Maugham-The Painted Veil, 1925 - 6/13/16
✓9. Jack London-The Iron Heel, 1908 - 6//16
✓10. Agatha Christie-The Murder on the Links, 1923 - 1/31/16
✓11. Edith Wharton-Sanctuary, 1903 - 4/1/16
✓12. Elizabeth Gaskell-Ruth, 1853, 7/17/16

1957 Top 10 List
✓A1. Blue Camellia by Frances Parkinson Keyes, 1957 - 6/21/16
✓A2. Below the Salt by Thomas B. Costain, 1957, 7/7/16

My bookshelf for 1957 Top Ten Best Sellers

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

The alternates are from a personal challenge I have been working on for a few years and I need to bring it to a close. Several years ago I decided to read the top 10 best selling books from the year I was born, only three left, the above and Eloise in Paris I may finish all three this year, maybe? I may make a change or two, but not much time left.

[Alissa]

Great idea!!! Looking forward to your thoughts on these books this year

[Powder River Rose]

I like your books too. Thank you for the challenge and all you do. Happy Reading!

[Sarah]

I loved 1, 2, and 6 and I really want to read 8. Great list!!!

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

I really need to read, Nevil Shute. You have recommended his books several times.

Nice list -- and challenging too.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

For my Catching Up New School #6 I traded The Plague for The Name of the Rose. I am also rethinking A Tale of Two Cities, just no sure what to replace it with.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Kathy wrote: "I really need to read, Nevil Shute. You have recommended his books several times.

Nice list -- and challenging too."

Kathy I can't explain why Nevil Shute is one of my favorite authors. Thinking about it I guess its his characters that make the difference. He usually takes common everyday people and places them in extraordinary situations. Granted in most cases his characters overcome the obstacles, however not all of his characters win, sometimes they are broken. I have loved every book of his I've read, but if I can offer a suggestion for a first read start with A Town Like Alice

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

Bob wrote: "For my Catching Up New School #6 I traded The Plague for The Name of the Rose. I am also rethinking A Tale of Two Cities, just no sure what to replace it with."

It's a shame I can't rethink the rethink. Neither of these books had that I can't wait to read them feel, so I picked The Name of the Rose. I figured at least I could use Umberto Eco first name for the letter U in the Author A-Z challenge.

As for Tale of Two Cities, I've been fortunate with the Dickens books I've read so far, but he is a difficult author for me and I keep wondering do I need the grief, will it be worthwhile?

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I finished my first book for this challenge, The Murder on the Links, Agatha Christie is a master. I've never been disappointed.

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Bob wrote: "I finished my first book for this challenge, The Murder on the Links, Agatha Christie is a master. I've never been disappointed."

Oh, haven't read that one. Christie is always good to read.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

I’m currently reading The Name of the Rose, my sixth book for this challenge. I have struggled miserably with the first half of this read, but I’m determined to finish. Thanks to a renewal from the library I’ve got two more weeks to finish. I wish I felt better about that prospect. There are Goodreaders out there that I admire that give this book high praise. I feel depressed about not faring better with my attempt. I know not every book is for everybody, but I’ve been looking forward to reading this for years. In the books defense I was reading A Tale of Two Cities when I started. I’m not good at reading two books at the same time. Name of the Rose needs, for me anyway, quiet undisturbed concentration while reading. I have high hopes that the end will better.

[Bob, Short Story Classics]

That's it 12 for 12 finished, of course I still hope to read the last two selections before the end of the year, but this challenge is complete, done, finished,over. I have now completed three group challenges. All I have left is the A-Z Author & Title Challenges. We'll see how they finish I believe both are at 17/26 books completed.

Now that the three big challenges are finished I am going to free read, mood read, whatever you call it. If a book looks interesting I'm going to read it classic or not. Hopefully along the way I'll finish my A-Z's.

[Laurie]

Well done on finishing this and the other challenges. I look forward to being where you are sometime before year's end, I hope. Enjoy your mood reading.

[Pink]

Enjoy your free reading/mood reading for the rest of the year Bob! Well done on completing your challenges, great job and some excellent books :)