Renee's "I know I said no challenges" 2018 Bingo Challenge

[Tracy]

this thread title is great 😂

[Erin]

Renee wrote: "It's been a while since I updated this one. I forgot to add American Gods when I finished it. Other than Coraline, and Norse Mythology this was my first..."

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on American Gods! It doesn’t sound like my favorite type of novel but I do plan to read this one by next year at the latest. I’ve read three of Neil Gaiman’s novels and found them all quite different from one another but none were uninteresting. I enjoyed Neverwhere while Stardust was okay (I liked some parts of the book a lot but other parts preferred the movie and would have liked to combine the best of both in one!). The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of my absolute favorite books but this book more than many I think people see different things in depending on their perspective.

Oh, and great to hear about Les Misérables! I was just reshelving my books (or gathering them onto the new large bookcase from the many piles and draws, etc. that they were previously stashed in, lol) and the unabridged novel is quite intimidating in size! Glad to hear it’s enjoyable and well worth the time!

Good luck on getting your bingo! Looks like you only need one more! 😃

[Renee]

Erin wrote: "Renee wrote: "It's been a while since I updated this one. I forgot to add American Gods when I finished it. Other than Coraline, and Norse Mythology thi..."

I hope you enjoy American Gods when you read it. I have the other three you mentioned on my bookshelf already, now just a matter of getting around to reading them!

[Sue]

Renee wrote: "It's been a while since I updated this one. I forgot to add American Gods when I finished it. Other than Coraline, and Norse Mythology this was my first..."

You've read so many great books Renee. That is good to know about Les Misérables. I have shied away from it because I've seen the play and the film. It's always hard for me to read the book if I've already seen an adaptation.

I think next year I'm going to stick with only BINGO for my challenge (along with my multi-year ones). I am challenged out now too!

[Renee]

I forgot to update this when I finished The Remains of the Day last month. I loved that book. It had a feeling that an old friend was telling you the story of his life. I could really feel for everything Stevens went through. I thought the parts of his story that took place at Darlington Hall before the war were fascinating. I loved hearing about everything during his road trip to see Miss Kenton, and I had a feeling about how it was going to end. It broke my heart, but it was an amazing book. I especially loved the way Stevens would practice his banter so he could please his new master at Darlington Hall.

I don't think I'll be getting around to Bleak House this year, but it will be put on my list of first books to read next year! So I've decided to switch it with Ulysses (you all know how I felt about that one!) for my over 500 pages book, and added in All Quiet on the Western Front which I loved, for my banned book. It was heartbreaking, and depressing, but it was an amazing book that I think everyone should read.

This gives me 2 Bingos. One for the I's and one for G's. It also brings me up to my total for last year. Here's hoping I can do a little better, even if I don't finish!

[Renee]

I forgot to mention the reason I remembered to update this in the first place! I just finished Treasure Island last night, so that gave me my bingo in the G's. I listened to an audiobook for it. It was a fun read, and I really enjoyed it.

[Kathleen]

You're reading some great classics, Renee! I love what you said about The Remains of the Day, and had the same kind of feeling about Stevens. *sigh*

[siriusedward]

Me too.
It was such a great book.
So was Les Miserables and AQOTWF .
I am thinking of reading Bleak House next year too.
And completing Ulysses too.

[Terris]

Renee wrote: "I forgot to update this when I finished The Remains of the Day last month. I loved that book. It had a feeling that an old friend was telling you the story of his life. I could really ..."

Renee, I am so glad that you enjoyed Remains of the Day. It is one of my favorite books! Also, I SO agree with you on All Quiet on the Western Front. It is a powerful book that everyone should read!
I also plan to read Bleak House next year. I hope it gets voted into one of the categories or we do a buddy read!

[Renee]

Terris wrote: "Renee wrote: "I forgot to update this when I finished The Remains of the Day last month. I loved that book. It had a feeling that an old friend was telling you the story of his life. I..."

I would definitely be up for a buddy read if we could get a few more people to join! I want to read all of Dickens's novels eventually, but that one is high on my list right now.

[Sue]

Renee wrote: "Terris wrote: "Renee wrote: "I forgot to update this when I finished The Remains of the Day last month. I loved that book. It had a feeling that an old friend was telling you the story..."

Congratulations Renee! I loved Remains of the Day and All Quiet on the Western front also.

Bleak House is one of my all-time favorites! I hope you guys buddy-read it

[Lynn, New School Classics]

Sue wrote: "Renee wrote: "It's been a while since I updated this one. I forgot to add American Gods when I finished it. Other than Coraline, and Norse Mythology thi..."

Two of the best books I read this year, thanks to this group, were Remains of the Day and All Quiet on the Western Front. They were wonderful.

You are doing really well on your challenge. Way to go!

[Renee]

Helen wrote: "Sue wrote: "Two of the best books I read this year, thanks to this group, were Remains of the Day and All Quiet on the Western Front. They were wonderful.
You are doing really well on your challenge. Way to go! "

Thanks! Not sure if I'll finish it, but I've enjoyed most of the books I've read this year, and those were two of my favourites. Just seeing this pop up reminded me I forgot to add Flowers for Algernon when I finished it the other day, so I'm up to 19 read now.

[Renee]

I wanted to read a Margaret Atwood book for the Literary Prize of Your Country square because I haven't read anything by her yet, so I chose Alias Grace because it was a group read earlier, but I never got around to it until now. I loved it. Based on historical events about a double murder in Canada in 1843, the story is told by Grace to Dr. Jordan. It's hard not to feel for Grace when she starts telling her story because of everything that she had been through and how young she was. It was a very compelling story, and I didn't want it to end. The whole time I was reading it, I was wondering, "is she innocent, or is she guilty" patiently waiting for Dr. Jordan to find out the truth.

I'm glad I finally got around got reading Margaret Atwood. It was a great book, and I recorded the show when it aired earlier this year, but I wanted to read the book first. Now I can enjoy the show. I'm thinking I will probably put The Handmaid's Tale in this square for next year.

[Renee]

I forgot to update when I finished Persuasion, so I'm adding that and The Catcher in the Rye, which I just finished.

I really enjoyed Persuasion. It's been a while since I've read an Austen novel, so I'm glad I finally got to this one. It's a shirt one, but the story was great, and I loved all the characters. Anne is a more mature character, who is really undervalued by her family. And what a family! I found myself with fingers crossed for her and Captain Wentworth. Really enjoyed this one.

Catcher in the Rye I just finished a few minutes ago. It was a quick read. Maybe I would have connected more with the character if I'd read it when I was younger. I felt bad for Holden, because (view spoiler)[he seems to be suffering from depression or something after losing his brother. At the beginning he sets it up like he's talking to a doctor. I would have liked to know what happened to him at the end of the story, and how he ended up in a hospital? At least I think that's where he is. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed reading it, and though Holden's voice could get a little annoying with everything he complained about, I did find it a very interesting story.

[Renee]

BINGO!! I actually managed to get a blackout!

I read Christmas at Red Butte for my lesser known book last night. It's just a short story, but I really enjoyed it. I had not heard of it until I saw it in another group. Reminded me a lot of The Gift of the Magi. Great Christmas read!

Finished The Wonderful Wizard of Oz just this afternoon. It's the first time I've read the book, though I've watched the movie enough times to have it pretty much memorised. It's quite different from the movie, and quite a bit more violent (more killing) than I thought it would be. The Tin Man's story alone, is quite a chilling story for a children's book. I really enjoyed it though, and would love to continue the series.

I originally had The Maltese Falcon in my B4 square Classic Made into a Film/TV, but I ran out of time and was not able to get around to it. However, it is a pretty easy square to substitute, so I'm changing it to A Christmas Carol, and that gives me a full card. I will get to The Maltese Falcon next year though, because I really want to read it!

[Brina]

Great job, Renee :-)

[Katy, Quarterly Long Reads]

Renee wrote: "BINGO!! I actually managed to get a blackout!

I read Christmas at Red Butte for my lesser known book last night. It's just a short story, but I really enjoyed it. I had not heard o..."

Congrats to you!

[Renee]

Thanks, everyone :)

[Kathleen]

Wonderful challenge, Renee! Congrats, and Happy New Year. :-)

[Renee]

Kathleen wrote: "Wonderful challenge, Renee! Congrats, and Happy New Year. :-)"

Thanks! Happy New Year to you too :)

[Erin]

Congratulations and Happy New Year!!! 😃

I’m glad you enjoyed so many of your picks, and glad you loved Persuasion too! 😊

[Rosemarie]

Way to go, Renee!

[Renee]

Thanks, Erin, and Rosemarie! Happy New Year to you both :)

[Renee]

Erin wrote: "Congratulations and Happy New Year!!! 😃

I’m glad you enjoyed so many of your picks, and glad you loved Persuasion too! 😊"

I haven't read an Austen yet that I didn't like 😊